Penrith and Eden District Freegle - Really rubbish ideas

August 2017 newsletter

chris — Fri, 18 Aug 2017 08:29:43 +0000

August 2017 newsletter chris Fri, 18/08/2017 - 09:29

There are two Freegle Give and Take events planned for this Autumn so far...

Appleby Give and Take - Sunday 24th September 2017 - 10am - 12 noon
Appleby Guide Hut, Holme Street, Appleby CA16 6QT
Great - a first Give and Take in Appleby!
Kirkby Stephen Freegle Give and Take - Saturday 25th November 2017 - 2pm - 4pm
Kirkby Stephen Sports and Social Club, Market St, Kirkby Stephen CA17 4QN
You never know we might be doing homemade Christmas decorations again...
Out of Eden, there's a regular Give and Take stall at Brampton Farmers Market, usually on the last Saturday of every month from 10am to 1pm:

There are Repair Cafes happening near and far, so bring along items to fix - or help out yourself!

The Freegle website and app has some shiny new useful features:

Please check out our community events listing here: https://www.ilovefreegle.org/communityevents
It's easy to add your own event - read these instructions.
You can also list volunteer opportunities here: https://www.ilovefreegle.org/volunteering
We also have a "news feed" for general chat about Freegle issues - useful for general advice or recommendations. It's on the Freegle home page at https://www.ilovefreegle.org/

Behind the scenes we've changed a couple of settings. You can now re-port WANTED messages after a week and messages auto-repeat a maximum of 5 times.

Deep behind the scenes our group currently still uses a Yahoo! Group. Very few posts come through Yahoo now and problems at Yahoo often delay posts, so we'll be switching off the Yahoo group soon. We're contacting the few people who only use Yahoo. If you have any difficulties please contact us on penrithedenfreegle-volunteers@groups.ilovefreegle.org

Don't forget, Freegle is free to use but not free to run, so please chip in if you can: https://www.ilovefreegle.org/donate

Please remember to check our Welcome guidelines occasionally, in case we have some guideline changes that you have missed.

Thanks Chris, Freegle volunteer moderator

Disqus comments

Give & Take now at Brampton Farmers Market

chris — Wed, 02 Aug 2017 18:51:55 +0000

Give & Take now at Brampton Farmers Market chris Wed, 02/08/2017 - 19:51

Sustainable Brampton have a Give and Take stall at every Brampton Farmers Market, usually held on the last Saturday of every month from 10am to 1pm. Please bring along items to give away free and pick up anything that's available - for nothing! Drop by for a chat - and see what's lurking in your loft, garage or shed. Do bring smaller items such as toys, books, tools, kitchen and household goods but don’t bring anything you can’t easily carry like furniture.

The stall has been running successfully for two months now. After the first event, organiser Chris Lloyd said, "new homes were found for a much loved four season sleeping bag, a clever mirror for a bicycle, a powerful water pistol and a practically unused pair of Hunter boots!" At the second market over 100 items were received and almost all were gone by the end of the day.

Anything left over at the end goes to a local charity shop.

Give and Take stall at Brampton Farmers Market

Disqus comments

Freegle community events

chris — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 12:19:32 +0000

Freegle community events chris Wed, 26/07/2017 - 13:19

Freegle groups across the UK have a free community event listing facility. Anyone can add an event which is visible to Freegle users and to the wider public. It's a great way to publicise your event, it's free and it's easy to add them! The local group volunteers must approve each post - they will usually allow anything community related even if there's a charge for the event, but purely commercial events might be declined.

Here's the current event listing for the Penrith and Eden District group:

Freegle community events listing

When you click on More info, you can see - wait for it - more information:

A community event listed on Freegle

To add an event you must first sign up free to Freegle at www.ilovefreegle.org and join one or more local groups - or do this using the Freegle app for Android or iOS. You can select the Events listing and then Add an event. Then fill in the form - these fields are available currently, some optional:

Choose the group
Title
Image - 150 x 150 pixels is the ideal size but don't worry if different
Event description
Where is it?
When is it? One or more start and end dates
Contact name
Contact email
Contact phone
Web link

Then click Save. We'd love it if you could promote Freegle at your event so you'll be asked if you want some business cards sent out. Here's an A5 poster PDF to print out. Your event should be approved by the local group volunteers soon. Freegle users will then see the listing and it will go out in the weekly community event email summary. And finally: if you like this facility please give a donation to Freegle - it's free to use but not free to run - a couple of quid per listing would be nice if you can afford it, but no worries if not!

Adding a community event in Freegle

File

Freegle Generic A5.pdf1.51 MB

Disqus comments

Freegle is 10 ⅓ !

chris — Tue, 16 May 2017 15:51:31 +0000

Freegle is 10 ⅓ ! chris Tue, 16/05/2017 - 16:51

Belated happy 10^th Birthday to the Penrith and Eden District Freegle reuse group! Formed on 20^th January 2007, it has helped its members hand on thousands of free items to other people in Eden District. There have been over 66,000 messages over the years and has saved an estimated 500 tonnes of perfectly good stuff from going to waste.

Freegle is lovely in so many ways: helping your neighbours out, clearing your clutter and getting stuff for free while also reducing the amount going to waste and reducing the resources needed for new things.

Happy 10th Birthday to Penrith and Eden District Freegle!

The online group was set up by Chris Cant from Bampton with help from two other volunteers, Juliet in Shap and Judith-Ann in Garrigill. In 2013 they were joined by Elaine from Ivegill and together they have “moderated” the group activity. The group mostly runs automatically, but the moderators need to approve posts from new members and keep a watchful eye on proceedings.

Penrith and Eden District Freegle moderator Chris Cant

Freegle volunteer Juliet explains Freegle

“I get a warm fuzzy feeling knowing that there are loads of people here who have been helped out - while at the same time we're helping to reduce our impact on the environment,” said Chris. “Early on, in February 2007 a member was looking for all items to furnish a flat – and within a week they got dining chairs, a mirror, curtains, a cot bed, coffee table and a sofa.”

Over the years, many things great and small have found new homes, from clothes, books and DVDs through to washing machines, laptops, a kayak, cars and a caravan. Some have been a bit unexpected such as a garden well – just the top bit that stands on the ground. Lots of things will go even if they are not working, such as rusty bike that was taken to have its parts used to make an exercise machine. Upcycling has become very fashionable and many people are rediscovering DIY skills to repair or repurpose items that others have finished with.

The group started out as part of The Freecycle Network but switched to be under the Freegle banner in 2009 after consulting its members. Freecycle's US management was alienating its volunteer base in the UK, so we decided to go it alone. Freegle nationally has gone from strength to strength, improving its IT technology several times over the years, making good links to local councils and even getting a mention on East Enders! The Penrith and Eden group has gone from 2,000 members in 2009 to over 5,000 now. Nationally, Freegle is organised formally as a community benefit society and is registered as a charity at HMRC (ref. XT32865). Freegle Limited is owned by volunteers across the country and run by a board of directors and several working groups and teams - about us.

The basic of Freegling have stayed the same since day one: you OFFER something you want to give away; people get in touch and then you say it's TAKEN when it's gone. Alternatively you can post a WANTED message to ask for something – and mark it as RECEIVED when you get it. Everything is done direct between users so if you decide to give an item to Jill, she comes and picks it up from you (or you make some other arrangement) – it isn't given to Freegle to hand over (though there is a Freegle bookshelf in Penrith where small items can be left for anyone to take).

Sam Cooper at the Penrith Freegle bookcase

Although the basics are the same, the Freegle technology has moved on. We started out using the Yahoo! Discussion groups to post messages. You still can do this, but most people use our dedicated website www.ilovefreegle.org or the mobile app for Apple and Android phones and tablets. And you can also Freegle on Facebook if you wish.

Things sometimes go wrong for Freegle users. The most common problem is people not turning up for appointment to pick something up. This can be annoying if you've made a special effort to stay in or get somewhere. The simple guidance is to be nice to other Freeglers and they'll be nice to you. Check out our simple Freegle terms of use.

There have been spammers trying to use the system to dupe people, so our advice is keep yourself safe when making appointments and don't agree to pay courier charges to receive an item. It is OK for people to get items on Freegle and sell them afterwards – this is reuse after all - but you must say when you ask for stuff, otherwise the offerer might feel disgruntled.

One issue for Freeglers across the country is how to transport large items. I've had to ask a friend for help when picking up a sofa – it just fitted safely on his roof rack. At one Give and Take event we had funding to do furniture pick ups in advance and drop offs afterwards. This did work but we were left with one or two large items which no one wanted. This left us in an awkward position so we're still trying to work out how best to help people move large items.

Time for an early bath with Freegle

Early on, the Penrith and Eden District group users had a discussion about whether to allow animals to be offered or requested. Members were concerned that this might lead to animals not getting the care they need. Our advice is to contact Eden Animal Rescue and the like if you can no longer care for a pet – or are looking for one. See our welcome page for our advice about using this group.

Publicity for Freegle is vital to ensure that people find out about the free service. Nationally Freegle does regular posts to its Facebook page of fun reuse and upcycling ideas.

Freegle moderator Elaine showing demonstrating home made Christmas decorations

Freegle moderator Judith-Ann showing her upcycled shopping bag

The local Penrith and Eden District Freegle group has had information stalls at shows and other events, and run many Give and Take events – these are like free jumble sales where people bring items to give away and can take anything you want. These are good excuses to get a press release in the paper. Chris confesses, “I put on a Freegle training session in Shap which no one came to – but it was none-the-less useful as several article about it appeared in nearby parish magazines and got people to join the group.”

These Give and Take events can be fun. Each time there's something unusual that turns up - we've got to guess what it is.

We've had Give and Takes at several places over the years: often in Penrith and Shap but also at Alston and Kirkby Stephen. The Old Courthouse volunteers at Shap have helped us run so many events that they can do it by themselves. These events usually work out well provided you've got a few volunteers and done some publicity in advance – and it's important to have somewhere to take any left over items: charity shops are usually happy to take things and sell what they can.

Freegle and Cumbria County Council were shortlisted for a partnership at the LARAC awards 2015 (Nick Wright, CCC and Chris Cant, Freegle)

The Cumbria County Council waste prevention team have also been very helpful over the years, in particular Judith who currently works across Carlisle and Eden districts. Freegle helps reduce the amount being sent to waste (so reducing your council tax bills a little) and so the council helps us. The council team have helped other Freegle groups across Cumbria to run similar events. And in the last year we've had funding through the Cumbria Waste Prevention Fund in both Eden District and South Lakeland to run such events and get publicity materials. Cumbria County Council have also contributed to the development of a Freegle mobile app for phones and tablets, launched at a Give and Take event in Penrith in April 2015.

Chris and Judith launch the Freegle mobile app

Penrith and Eden District Freegle ran a Grow-your-own fruit and veg project over three years funded by the Big Lottery, working in partnership with Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS) and Penrith Action for Community Transition (PACT). The project easily achieved its aim of getting 500 people to give away or receive surplus fruit and veg – and handing on spare seeds, plants, trees and tools to others. With PACT we've helped local groups in Penrith and Appleby to set up community gardening projects and shared growing polytunnel schemes.

Winnie, Owen and Carol saving seeds for Seedy Saturday

Over the years, we've had a slot on Border TV in 2007 with presenter Tim Backshall, various interviews on BBC Radio Cumbria and Eden FM and much coverage in the local press: the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald, News and Star, Cumbria Crack and others.

This year we are pleased to have supported two local Repair Cafe initiatives in Penrith and Kirkby Stephen. Both have been publicised on the Community Event listing feature, available free for any Freegler to use. This facility has recently been joined by our volunteer opportunities listing – great if you'd like get more help to run our local project. Speaking of which, Freegle groups across the country are almost always on the look out for new volunteers, not just to moderate message but also to do publicity, run events and link up with the council. And nationally Freegle also needs volunteers help – there's lots of behind the scenes roles that are vital. Failing that, please pitch in with a donation, especially if you've had a good Freegle experience – and it doesn't cost you anything to use Give as you Live.

Simon trying to repair the TV/DVD

It's easy to understand why Freegle has been successful: you can something for nothing and feel like you are helping the environment and your neighbours at the same time. The approach of having local groups and volunteers linked by an efficient national IT system has worked.

Thank you, all the group members, for making it happen - and all the volunteers who have helped over the years.

What about the next 10 years? It would be nice to think that manufacturers would make goods that last longer, we would buy less frivolous stuff and concentrate instead on spending time with family and friends while we live more lightly on the earth. We can have objects we're emotionally attached to and want to own, and the stuff you need on a temporary basis and just want to have access to, and work.

It would be good to see a resurgence of DIY and repair skills and businesses, while industry genuinely gets to grips with providing a circular economy where most materials keep being used and reused, without having to dig up new resources. And let's urge the government and councils to do more with reusable items that are binned.

How about a Freegle shop somewhere in Penrith? This could be a drop off point for Freegled items and a skill sharing place to learn to do repairs with apprentices, which school kids of all ages could visit to get them some vital life skills. Perhaps also run a tool library or “library of things”?

What do you want or expect to see happening in the next 10 years?

Disqus comments

Fixed at the cafe

chris — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 10:52:24 +0000

Fixed at the cafe chris Fri, 28/04/2017 - 11:52

I helped out at Eden Art's first Repair Cafe in Penrith last Saturday, 22nd April 2017. I was kept busy with Simon at the electrical and computer repair table for the whole session. We looked at a TV/DVD player, two toasters, two digital cameras, a light and a vacuum cleaner. We fixed some of these, found what part was needed for others and had to give up on a couple of items. More on local repair cafes.

Simon trying to repair the TV/DVD

Thanks to Bryony and the team at Eden Arts for a well organised first cafe. They had instructions from Repair Cafe International so had forms for visitors to fill in when you wanted an item repaired, a separate feedback form, the “house rules” and information for visitors and helpers. The house rules in effect say that any repairs were done by volunteers and there was no guarantee that any item could be fixed or on the quality of the repair. Everyone that I saw was happy to have something done at all to fix their broken item.

This was the first event in the area so no one knew whether anyone would turn up at all and what they would bring. A Guardian article on repair cafes has listed the seven easiest things to fix: lamps, laptops and smartphones, hair dryers, kettles, vacuum cleaners, toasters and white goods.

I took a selection of tools with me, but I should have brought more:

big tool box
small tool box with small tools for electrical work including a small mirror
switch cleaner aerosol
electrical soldering iron and solder
power cable reel
mobile phone – too look up repair instructions

Eden Arts and Simon had this useful kit:

head torch
portable bring lights
power cable reel with circuit breaker
wee pots to contain screws
spare mains fuses

Both of us forgot:

meter to test fuses, voltages, etc

Eden Arts also had fairly strong glue, but having some epoxy resin and superglue to hand might have been useful.

We were very careful when looking at electrical items. We were using a power line that had a circuit breaker and an RCD. We unplugged the device while doing anything and if necessary waited for any stored charge to dissipate.

Our first item was a TV/DVD combo- it's power light came on when switched on but wouldn't do any more. We checked the fuses and took the unit apart; there appeared to be no disconnections or places inside where something might have burnt out. We did get a DVD out but had to give up; it might have been worth trying a new power module inside the box, but that would have been pure guess work, even if the module were available to buy somewhere.

Simon had more luck with two digital cameras; one needed a new screen which he was able to find was available on eBay for a few quid, so it can be fixed later; the other was fixed I think. He also suggested a repair for a dimmer touch light.

By coincidence I had two Dualit toasters to look at. The first had four slots in pairs; one half wasn't working. After some dismantling I was able to see that an element wire was broken. In a quick look online I found some instructions for replacing this with a suitable element; it still did look like a tricky job as it didn't seem easy to replace the element. The family are going to look things up themselves and perhaps give it a go. The second Dualit only had two slots; I couldn't see anything wrong so had to give up; I suggested that they offer the toaster on the local Freegle, making sure to say that it is broken.

My final task with Adrian was to work on a Dyson vacuum cleaner brought in by Penny. Adrian had previously had a Dyson and so recognised the whine that happens when an airway is blocked; soon enough a coin was found and dislodged using a Heimlich manoeuvre, ie turning it upside down and whacking! Next, the brushes weren't going round; this turned out to be two problems: the belt can somehow got melted into its channel – brute force freed it up – and the 'bearings' at either end of the brushes were very sticky/stiff. Some UB40 freed it up. Penny and Adrian looked very pleased to have fixed all these problems.

While doing these fixes, I tried to get the visitors to help if possible including some of the kids.

I was so busy I didn't see what else went on, but there was lots of good chat and networking going on – and happily partook of coffee and biscuits.

Eden Arts have just arranged for another Repair Cafe at the Old Fire Station in Penrith for 24th June from 10am to 1pm., Meanwhile in Kirkby Stephen there are Repair Cafes organised for 3rd May, 7th June and 5th July at Kirkby Stephen Community Arts from 2pm to 4pm.

Penny is pleased to have her Dyson fixed by Adrian

Some more photos of the event from Bryoney - thanks!

Simon and Chris starting work on the TV/DVD

Adrian, Penny and Chris looking at the Dyson

Disqus comments

If it's broke, fix it

chris — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 14:06:55 +0000

If it's broke, fix it chris Thu, 20/04/2017 - 15:06

Built in obsolescence is a problem – making cheap and shoddy goods that don't last for long, with the aim that you'll simply buy another one when it's broken. Getting something cheap always seems like a bargain – at first glance. But it's no good if it falls apart quickly. It's worse for us as the user and for the planet, when more resources have been used. OK: a better quality product might use more materials, but hopefully it will last longer. Are some brands losing the good name because they've sacrificed quality to get cheapness?

As well as having better quality, it is important that goods are designed to be repaired. This might simply mean having a replaceable battery for your mobile phone or making it easier to replace a smashed screen. The drive to have smaller devices and automated systems might mean less serviecable parts. Is it really necessary to have your toaster connected to the Internet?

Our leaking washing machine pump

I've been repairing our washing machine again in the last couple of days. I've blogged about the 20 year old machine before. The time came yesterday to do some more repairs, with the mains unplugged! The main motor seemed to have stopped working - it was easily fixing by spinning the motor and tapping some connections – perhaps the motor brushes had come to rest at a dead spot on the commutator. Anyway, I pressed on to have a look at the leaking drain pump. I did look at replacing it, but the only one I could find on the net cost £100 and it wasn't certain that it was the correct one. So: out it came... this was easier than expected, once we'd tipped the washing machine up: a hose in, a hose out, three power connectors and two bolts holding the pump to the chassis. The white plastic pump chamber screws came out easily so I could see the spindle that spins when the pump is running. To me it looked like water might be going down between the spindle and the shaft. Some sort of rubber washer might have been there before. My improvised fix was to put some grease down the shaft as much as possible and then mould some sugru into that area as best as possible close to the spindle. In the first run after the repair, it's still leaking a little bit, but not too bad. I might work out a better solution for next time.

Where the leak is?

If you'd like to have something repaired – or help others repair things, there are two repair cafes in Eden soon: on 22^nd April and 3^rd May 2017.

Slightly further afield, manufacturer Patagonia is running repair sessions for all brands of garments in May at the University of Cumbria, Ambleside and at George Fisher and Needlesports in Keswick. It's great that they are aiming to make their clothing last for years and be repairable.

Disqus comments

Repair Cafés in Eden

chris — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 14:50:58 +0000

Repair Cafés in Eden chris Tue, 11/04/2017 - 15:50

How can we make the best use of the resources we've go on this earth? Here at Freegle we're keen to help you pass on any unwanted items to others so that they can make use of them when you no longer need them. However, often the problem is quite simple: your chair is wobbly or jumper has got a hole in – they need fixing!

Getting something fixed might mean returning it under guarantee or getting it repaired under your house insurance. However many things won't be covered like this. Don't give up! Help is at hand – read on...

Fix it at a repair Café

There are two new Repair Cafes starting in Eden District in Cumbria:

in Penrith at the Old Fire Station. More details from Eden Arts.
- Saturday 22nd April 2017 from 10am to 1pm
- Saturday 24nd June 2017 from 10am to 1pm
- Saturday 26th August 2017 from 10am to 1pm
At Kirkby Stephen Local Links on
- Wednesday 3 May 2017 from 2pm to 4pm. More details.
- Wednesday 7 June 2017 from 2pm to 4pm. More details.
- Wednesday 5 July 2017 from 2pm to 4pm. More details.
- Wednesday 6 September 2017 from 2pm to 4pm.
- Wednesday 4 October 2017 from 2pm to 4pm.
- Wednesday 1 November 2017 from 2pm to 4pm.

Both these events may be repeated every month – if there's enough interest – and enough helpers to make it happen.

There is also a Repair Cafe at The Pavilion in Staveley near Kendal:

Friday 1st September 2017 4pm - 7pm

Various experts will be on hand to make repairs free of charge. You can watch and learn – or simply use the tools and materials to do the repair yourself. So, please bring along any broken items from home. Toasters, lamps, hair dryers, clothes, bikes, toys, crockery... anything that is broken is welcome, and can more than likely be repaired.

If you are handy with a screwdriver, a spanner, a sewing machine, or anything else and want to share your skills then get in touch with Eden Arts on 01768 899444 or email info@edenarts.co.uk – or come along to Kirkby Stephen Community Arts on Monday 24 April at 2pm to help with the planning.

If you can't make it on these days, keep your eyes peeled for future events. An alternative is get involved at Ernie's Shed at Learning Fields at Hoff near Appleby – they may be able to fix your item for you for a modest fee.

If you think Repair Cafes are a good idea, why not suggest this for the Penrith Town neighbourhood plan. They are open to suggestions until 1^st May 2017 here: http://www.penrithtowncouncil.co.uk/neighbourhood-plan/consultation/

Finally, here's three short films to tell you what it's all about...

File

Repair Cafe POFS Poster.pdf308.29 KB

Repair Cafe House Rules (PDF)544.57 KB

Working safely in the Repair Cafe (PDF)1.15 MB

Repair needed form (PDF)177.25 KB

Disqus comments

Lovely Freegle day

chris — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 20:35:03 +0000

Lovely Freegle day chris Mon, 27/03/2017 - 21:35

The lovely weather brought out a great community spirit on Saturday at the Old Fire Station in Penrith where Freegle and PACT (Penrith Action for Community Transition) laid on an event where where visitors could give away unwanted items to each other and swap seeds, plants, trees and tools.

The day got off to a brisk start with Luka and family picking up a free trampoline before the event had officially opened. Loads more Freegle items, big and small, came and went: everything from Sean the sheep to a child's bike to a sofa – we weren't taking furniture but someone wanted it so it went!

Luka gets a free Freegle trampoline

Lots of people must have got their gardening year off to a good start, with many seeds, plants and trees passed on. Kathrynn got her peas planted up later that day. Some 40 damson saplings were picked up as well to several people, so hopefully they'll be bearing fruit in a few years time to make damson jam, chutney or gin.

Kathrynn planted up her seeds later that day!

There was loads of information about the community gardening projects in Penrith along with a display from the Carleton Farm shop which is now being run by VistaVeg – who provided a veg bag which was raffled in aid of PACT funds. Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS) were also there, giving away an energy monitor to raise awareness of Earth Hour later that evening. Eden Hospice at Home were fundraising by selling raffle tickets for a quilt. Last but not least, Cumbria County Council were demonstrating their food waste digesters and composters, which are available at a much reduced price to Eden District residents. All accompanied by tea, coffee and scrummy cakes.

Freebies this way!

Raffle for Eden Hospice at Home

Community gardening info and seed swap

There were four generations of one family at the event. Kids Toby and Anna Proctor were with their mum Clare Martindale. Her mum, Carol Martindale, picked up some asparagus kale seeds, while her mum, Anne Martindale, got a goji tree! She is a dedicated Freegler having been to two Shap Give and Takes and the event in Kirkby Stephen.

A Freegle family

Anne Martindale and her free goji tree

It was good to chat to people and share our care for the environment. One group of Freeglers said that they regularly use the Freegle shelf in the Devonshire Arcade in Penrith. They dropped off children's kit, including a pop-up goal (for football), a children's trike and some books. Various people found out about the event on Facebook and through publicity on Cumbria Crack.

None of this would have been possible without the help of a lot of helpers: Jaki, Nigel, Malcolm, Carol, Alison, Sheila, Frankie, Sally, Rosemary, Judith, Frances, Barbara and Kylie. Thanks also to Eden Arts for hosting us - and for funding from Cumbria County Council through the Cumbria Waste Prevention Fund. A few leftover items went to Something in Mind in Penrith and Changing Rooms charity shop in Brough. Eden Arts are holding a first Repair Cafe on 22^nd April from 10am to 1pm – looking forward to that!

Free plants at PACT Seedy Saturday

Loads of Freegling at the Penrith Give and Take

The Carleton Farm shop / VistaVeg display

Cumbria County Council food waste digesters and composters

Eden Arts Repair Cafe is on 22nd April 2017

Disqus comments

Eden Reuse page launched

chris — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 12:24:24 +0000

Eden Reuse page launched chris Wed, 22/03/2017 - 12:24

Today, we've launched a new page that lists all the reuse options in Eden District.

As you might expect, there's some advice on what we'd like you to do, eg reduce what you need first, repair what you've got or upcycle with a lick of paint, before selling, giving away or recycling. It's very important that there are people to take any unwanted items, so don't be afraid to get second hand - vintage is cheap and cool!

How would you get an item repaired? Tell us how to get it done locally, so we can add it to the list.

Get in touch with us on penrithfreeglemods@gmail.com if you have any updates or suggestions for the page.

Eden District Reuse Map

Disqus comments

Freebies at Shap

chris — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 10:36:00 +0000

Freebies at Shap chris Mon, 06/03/2017 - 10:36

The Freegle Give and Take at Shap went really well on Saturday, with around 120 people visiting and probably hundreds of free items received and picked up! We've been at The Old Courthouse several times before and the volunteers that run this community owned venue are brilliant at getting the place ready, helping out on the day and clearing up afterwards – many thanks. Thanks also to Judith from Recycle for Cumbria for helping and tweeting on the day.

Freegle Give and Take at Shap

Some things didn't even make it in the door. During the day I noted that all these items were taken: sack barrow, DIY brackets, toolbox, blinds, brush, bike pump, three bins, washing up rack, electric fan, microwave, TV, shredder, picnic table, hand drills, airer, stool, slow cooker, duvet, pint glass, books, clothes, tools, jigsaws, more glasses, toys, magazines, santa hat, primus, Trangia, camp pans, seed potatoes, wind breaks, curtains, camp chairs, coffee maker, patio chairs, lamps, fish kettle, book stand, hi-fi, vacuum cleaner, greenhouse heater, clothes airer, kettle, video recorder, kitchen chairs, picture, teapot, rugs, another hoover, garden books, another teapot and plates.

Freegle Give and Take in full flow

I picked up up some useful stuff for the garden and around the house:

Free DIY and garden bits from Freegle

Freegle moderator Elaine couldn't be there as she's in hospital. However she has recently made a plaque, collection tin and mugs for the local group – on display in the entrance along with leaflets and Freegle business cards – and free asparagus kale seeds.

Freegle information point

Everything was free but some people kindly left donations to The Old Courthouse and Freegle. There were some left overs which are on their way to the Something in Mind charity shop in Penrith to sell.

Our next Give and Taken event is in Penrith at the Old Fire Station on 25th March 2017 from 11am to 2pm – alongside PACT who are running Seedy Saturday to help people get their gardening year started and promote community gardening projects.

Chris Cant of Penrith and Eden District Freegle

Disqus comments