A TEAM of “fantastic fixers” were joined by Bournemouth MPs at an anniversary event for their repair café.

Bournemouth Repair Café hosted the gathering at St Luke’s Church, Winton, on October 26 to mark its ninth anniversary of saving household items from landfill.

Volunteers have been taking part in the sustainability campaign globally for 15 years and have so far attempted to repair over 200,000 items, with a 77 per cent success rate.

Bournemouth MPs Jessica Toale and Tom Hayes joined volunteers along with local councillors, Richard Herrett, Kate and Joe Salmo and Simon Bull.

Cllrs Kate and Joe Salmon arrived with a long-term family toy to have its wonky wheels repaired for the next generation.

(Image: Bournemouth repair cafe)

Jessica Toale, MP for Bournemouth West, said: “It is great to see so many people interested in sustainability coming together, and thinking about repairing rather than throwing things away, I hope this keeps on going for much longer.”

Tom Hayes, MP for Bournemouth East, said the town is fortunate to have the repair café.

“I’m excited to join Bournemouth Repair Café as they celebrate their 15th anniversary,” said Tom.

“We’re really fortunate to have a space that combines sustainability with socialising, keeping everything from kettles to laptops working better for longer.

“What makes the repair café particularly special is the amazing volunteers who give up their time, share their expertise, and create a welcoming space that brings people from across the local area together.

“Thanks to them, and the local organisations and businesses who host them, more people in Bournemouth are learning how to repair instead of replace, taking a big step toward tackling our throwaway culture and reducing waste.”

Cllr Richard Herrett said: “It is great to see a project with a direct impact, reversing throwaway culture.”

Cllr Simon Bull said: “I’m really pleased to support this, keeping stuff from landfill and reusing is the best way forward.”

Repair cafés are a space for volunteers to offer free help with fixing clothes, textiles, electrical goods, mechanical, furniture and bikes for the community.

In 2023 Bournemouth Repair Café assesses 67 items and successfully fixed 61 per cent of them, saving 85kgs of items from landfill.

For more information contact the team on transitionbournemouth@gmail.com.