Royston repairers and upcyclers join world record attempt in Cambridge

Alison White's worry-sharing sheep. (Image: Archant)

Environmental organisations Cambridge Carbon Footprint and Transition Cambridge are hosting the gathering of hundreds of people with broken items in celebration of the massive growth of a global repair movement – to try and achieve the biggest repair café in the world.

Repairers aim to better the 150 fixes that took place in Vauréal in France in 2013.

Nicole Barton, one of the organisers of the record attempt, said: “The repair café movement has really taken off in and around Cambridge, as it has in other parts of the world.

“I think their immense popularity is an indication of how sick we are getting of our wasteful consumerist society.

Royston Repair Café members are taking part in a world record attempt in Cambridge this weekend. (Image: Archant)

“People are delighted and sometimes even moved when a much-loved possession they thought would never work again is brought back to life.

“Hopefully this world record attempt will inspire others to set up new cafés in their area.”

As well as fixers getting to work, artists will be showcasing their upcycled Christmas designs at the event.

They include Barley textile artist Alison White, who will be selling a range of haberdasher trees made from old zips and buttons alongside strings of sheep which are interspersed with beads upcycled from necklaces bought from charity shops.

Also on offer are her ‘worry-sharing sheep’, with bags made from vintage fabrics.

On the day there will also be talks, and Cambridge FoodCycle will be serving hundreds of meals made from surplus food.

The world record attempt runs from 10am to 6pm at the Wesley Methodist Church off Christ’s Pieces on Saturday.

Royston residents can book in their broken items at circularcambridge.org/repair-booking-sheet.