Lover Repair Cafe clocks up almost 1000 jobs in 2020

Volunteers haven't let Covid 19 stop them transforming broken household items

Author: Henrietta CreaseyPublished 11th Jan 2021
Last updated 11th Jan 2021

Over the course of the last year Lover Repair Cafe has mended and revamped everything from electrical items, lamps, clocks, furniture and toys.

The team of repairers have stacked up a whopping 916 jobs!

The coronavirus pandemic has meant the usual location of Redlynch Village Hall couldn't be used but one of the founder members, Paul Bromage, offered his double garage as a workshop.

A drop up and pick up service has been operating there twice a week with many residents making use of it.

Paul Bromage and Maurice Caustick who set up the Lover Repair Cafe.

The team's slogan is "Do Not Bin It We May Fix It" and they've certainly been living up to that as these pictures show.

The repair squad will always give their best shot to repair items with garden furniture being quite popular!

Co founder Maurice Caustick, a retired electrician, told Greatest Hits Radio what some of his favourite jobs have been.

"I did a vintage radio recently for a lady who wanted it for her elderly father. We got it going and she was really very pleased. I've also had a wind up gramophone. Paul and the other colleagues have had a model gypsy caravan, making a secret compartment in a writing slope and a pet ashes casket which is a bit of a strange thing. We've had all sorts of things"

One of the more unusual items repaired along with help from artist Francesca McClean

INSPIRATION FROM TV SHOW

The team in Lover say they've also been inspired by the BBC show The Repair Shop although Maurice admits he's slightly envious.

"We all love The Repair Shop, we all watch that with great interest and wish we had all the things they had. They're working out of this big barn with all the kit to go with it whilst we are currently in a double garage!"

REVAMPING VILLAGE SIGNS

The team have also found time to give street signs cross the parish a much needed spruce up with locals describing their efforts as 'fantastic' and 'making a big difference.'

CHARITY SUPPORT

As an added bonus the team has also been supporting Salisbury District Hospital's charity through kind donations.

Their work to support the community and hospital charity have been recognised, they received a commendation from HM Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire for efforts made during the crisis.

Love Repair Cafe says it's 'very honoured' to be acknowledged.

Lover Repair Cafe opened its doors in May 2019 and has completed around 1400 jobs in total since then.

It's one of over 1,500 Repair Cafes worldwide and you can follow the group on their Facebook page.

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