Free Repair Café and 'Sustainable Christmas' Zone Comes to Maidstone Market

Maidstone Climate Action Network (CAN) is inviting everyone to get ready for a greener Christmas at a free Repair Café and Sustainable Christmas zone this Saturday, 7 November, 10am to 2pm, at the Market Hall, Lockmeadow. It's free to attend and there's no need to book.

Volunteer fixers will mend broken clothes, electricals, furniture, bikes, tools and household items on the spot, while the Sustainable Christmas zone brings together local makers and community groups to show how to cut down on waste over the festive season. On offer: gift boxes made from waste paper with artist Cas Holmes, a fabric gift-wrapping workshop with kerbside recycling advice from Kent County Council (including free food caddy liners), wreaths made from scrap textiles with Sue Pritchard, upcycled treasures from Reclaimed Christmas (raising funds for domestic abuse services), angels made from broken glass and crockery by Ania's Angels, and a re-gifting table - bring an unwanted gift, pick up something new to you. Suez will also be on hand for electrical recycling (bring old electricals for the pink bins), alongside hand-made garden furniture from reclaimed timber, tool sharpening, family activities, and carols from Kettle Bridge Concertinas and The Ocean Blue Irregulars.

Sally Edwards, who organises the Maidstone Repair Café, said: "Christmas is when we buy, wrap and throw away more than at any other time of year. Our Repair Café volunteers keep broken items out of the bin every month. This November, we want to show how easy it is to make the right choices to produce less waste but still have a lovely Christmas. Bring along an item for repair, pick up some ideas for Christmas and enjoy the carols."

Cllr Rachel Rodwell, Maidstone Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Nature and Climate Transition, said: "This wonderful event is all about embracing our creativity and discovering unique and mindful, eco-friendly ways we can spread the joy, without harming our beautiful planet. Let's fill our stockings and not the landfill! It's going to be a great opportunity to get creative for Christmas and to save money, too."

Source: Maidstone Borough Council.