A team of volunteer repairers trying to help a Herefordshire town through the cost of living crisis has been featured on a popular Channel 4 TV show.
Repair Cafe Ledbury, which takes place every few weeks at the town’s community hall, was shown on Steph’s Packed Lunch last week.
A TV crew came to the cafe’s most recent event on Saturday, June 4, and filmed its team of volunteers helping members of the public fix a wide range of household items free of charge, including garden tools, vacuum cleaners, clocks, kitchen appliances and even a Christmas tree.
The segment formed part of a cost of living special episode of the lunchtime show, which is still available to watch on All4.
David Hewitt, chairman of Repair Cafe Ledbury, said on the show: “The aim of the Repair Cafe is to reduce the amount of stuff we throw away. Vacuum cleaners, kitchen mixers, clocks, toasters - if you can carry it, bring it in, we’ll have a look at it.
“With the current cost of living crisis people are looking for ways to save money so rather than spending £20, £50, whatever on replacements, they’ve got it for another five years, 10 years or however long it lasts.”
David Murdoch, a volunteer at the Repair Cafe, said the call from Channel 4 came out of the blue but that when asked if they’d like to be featured in a programme about saving people money, the team thought ‘why not?’.
“They did an amazing job, they were here for three hours and the five minutes of TV they put together was first class,” he said.
READ MORE: Ledbury's eighth Community Day
Repair Cafe Ledbury started life in February 2020 with an event in the Burgage Hall in Church Lane.
“It was rammed,” said Mr Murdoch. “Clearly there was a lot of pent-up demand.”
After a second event in March 2020, Covid struck. The cafe returned in August 2020 with a reduced capacity but its popularity meant that as restrictions eased, it was in need of a new home.
A deal with Ledbury Community Hall was struck that gives the cafe not only more space but much-needed storage.
The next Repair Cafe will take place at the Community Hall on Saturday, August 6 and anyone who wants an item repaired is asked to book in advance via repaircafeledbury.org.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here