I would like to highlight the wonderful Chineham Repair Cafe.

My husband and I visited the café at Christ Church Chineham last Saturday, September 16. 

The café is open on the third Saturday of every month during the morning.  It is run entirely by volunteers. 

We could not have been made more welcome.  We took three items, one of which was repaired immediately, one, after valiant attempts was beyond repair (well it had seen 40 years of service, so can’t complain), and one - a set of Brass Fire Tongs from a fireside set - which, although not immediately repairable, we gave permission for the gentleman to take them home to his more extensive workshop and 24 hours he delivered them to our house, as good as new.

A big thank you to everyone involved, teas and coffees and soft drinks were in plentiful supply as was much good humour.

If you have something that might just have a second life in it, do visit a repair café, and save an item that might otherwise have gone to landfill.

Good luck to the Repair Cafe and I hope that more items can be saved. Thank you to all the volunteers who gave their time and expertise freely.  I felt that my donation (and I wish I had had more to give) would go towards supporting the venture for more to use and enjoy.

Janet and Christopher Aris

Thyme Close

Chineham 

Send letters by email to newsdesk@basingstokegazette.co.uk or by post to Editor, Basingstoke Gazette, Absolutely Offices, Lutyens Cl, Lychpit, Basingstoke RG24 8AG.

All letters and e-mails must include full names and addresses (anonymous letters will not be published), although these details may be withheld from publication, on request.

Letters of 300 words or less will be given priority, although all are subject to editing for reasons of clarity, space, or legal requirements. We reserve the right to edit letters.