Kirsty McNeil tells all about the three Reuse and Repair fairs that are coming to Waltham Forest this year
As part of Waltham Forest Council’s response to the climate emergency and cost of living crisis gripping our country; The Climate Emergency Team and Waste & Recycling Team has teamed up with the long established Forest Recycling Project (FRP) to create the Waltham Forest Reuse & Repair Directory.
In celebration of the Directory launch, Artillery CIC (producers of the E17 Art Trail, High Street Adventures & more) is producing three Reuse & Repair Fairs for the Waltham Forest Reuse & Repair Festival 2024.
The fairs, each in a different part of the borough, will highlight a leading theme from Reuse and Repair with the key focus on enabling all of us to waste less, reduce carbon emissions and save money.
These expert-filled fairs will offer repair and upcycling for free, including clothing and textiles, toys, household electric goods, furniture, and home. There will be plenty of fun activities for all ages, workshops, talks and demonstrations, giving everyone the opportunity to learn how to reuse and create, fix things themselves or to discover the many local organisations and social groups available to join and visit.
This story is published by Waltham Forest Echo, Waltham Forest's free monthly newspaper and free news website. We are a not-for-profit publication, published by a small social enterprise. We have no rich backers and rely on the support of our readers. Donate or become a supporter.
The first Reuse and Repair Fair is at George Mitchell Secondary School in Leyton on Saturday 9 March (11am to 3pm) and will focus on circular fashion and textiles – including sewing machine repairs, visible mending, upcycling workshops and FRP’s fabric rescue project, as well as a bike mending station and an electronics repair cafe.
Entrance is free and all visitors are encouraged to bring along clothing to alter and mend, household items for repair, and bikes for maintenance.
There will be plenty of opportunities for everyone to get involved; including events and workshops throughout the day. Workshops including making upcycled Sajada – using unused fabrics and materials to craft unique prayer mats or, for adults with some sewing skills already there is a British Sewing Bee style ‘Refashion challenge’ against the clock led by The Make do and Wonder team with clothes donated by the Salvation Army.
There’s also a free ‘give and take’; this ever-popular sharing event will be hosted by Forest Recycling Project and Walthamstow Toy Library. Or everyone can bring along an item to mend or alter and join in one of the sewing circles.
For full list of the events and how to book (if necessary) before 9th March
Visit this website for more details
No news is bad news
Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.
The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.
If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.
Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.
Monthly direct debit
Annual direct debit
£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.
More information on supporting us monthly or annually
More Information about donations