THE "fixperts" have again been out in force as a record number of people turned out for a popular Vale of Clwyd event.
Earlier this month, Ruthin Friends of the Earth hosted its seventh monthly pop-up repair café.
This was held in the Naylor Leyland Centre on Well Street.
A record number of locals and visitors attended the pop-up workshop for help with broken household items, to get advice about damaged family heirlooms, or just for a cup of tea, cake and a chat.
The front meeting room of the centre was lined with tables staffed by volunteer “fixperts”, who examined, PAT tested, repaired, sewed, screwed and glued 30 items brought in on the day.
Most items could be fixed on the spot, or advice was given for finishing the repairs at home.
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The few owners of pieces deemed unrepairable could at least dispose of them with a clear conscience, satisfied that they had given them one last chance.
Amongst the more esoteric cases were a top hat used by Morris Dancers; a new handle fitted to a spade; a one-to-one tutorial on mobile phone functions; and a broken ceramic duck which had been bought in the USA!
Deborah Jones, a care worker from Llys Famau in Ruthin, took along a cherished table lamp with a wobbly stem.
Deborah decided to go to the event after reading an article in the Denbighshire Free Press.
She said she was very pleased with the work carried out, and plans to pass the word to older and frail people she supports, who often struggle to get household items repaired.
John Miller, the volunteer who carried out Deborah’s repair, is a retired IT director from a major national housebuilding company.
John said: “Some people joke that I’m over-qualified for this kind of work, but volunteering for the repair café is hugely satisfying.
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"I would recommend it to anyone, especially retired people with electrical skills or with a passion for small gadgets!”
The next repair café is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 7 at the Naylor Leyland Centre.
People are invited to take along items they would like repairing, or to find out more about local environmental campaigns.
Details are posted on the Ruthin Friends of the Earth Facebook page.
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