Shrewsbury celebrated International Repair Day in spectacular fashion on Saturday, October 18 with the largest-ever Repair Café event in the town as well as the county: "The Big Mend."

Organised by the dedicated Shrewsbury Repair Café volunteers, in collaboration with fellow Repair Cafés from across Shropshire (including Bayston Hill, Oswestry, Pontesbury, Stretton, Telford and Wem) and sponsored by Veolia, the event was a massive success, breathing new life into a vast array of broken household items and championing the value of sustainability and reuse.

Held at Prestfelde School in Shrewsbury, the event saw an unprecedented turnout. Over 137 items were brought in by the public—far exceeding all other previous records of any repair café in Shropshire.

Skilled volunteer "fixers" and "menders" worked tirelessly across various repair stations, tackling everything from the modern to the antique. The eclectic mix of items repaired or assessed included:

• Faulty electrical items (like vacuum cleaners and hair straighteners)

• Mechanical items

• Broken clocks

• Torn clothing and textiles

• Damaged ornaments and toys (including a vintage Bagatelle pinball machine)

Most items were successfully mended on the spot, preventing them from heading straight to landfill and saving their owners the cost of replacement. For those items requiring more complicated repairs, volunteers offered advice or took them away for further attention.

The spirit of "The Big Mend" went beyond simple repairs. It was a true community celebration of the Repair Café movement's core values:

• Waste Reduction: the event was a practical step against the 'throwaway' culture, keeping valuable resources in use and out of landfill. 

• Skill Sharing: people could watch or join in the repairs, learning valuable maintenance and fixing skills that are increasingly being lost in modern society.

• Cost Saving: by repairing items for free, the event offered a practical solution to the rising cost of living.

In addition to the repair stations, experts from Halls Fine Art Auctioneers were on hand to offer free valuations for items like jewellery, silver, ceramics, and militaria, adding an extra layer of engagement for attendees.

The event's popularity was clear, with attendees flocking to Prestfelde School throughout the day. The vibrant atmosphere was noted by volunteers, with one repairer stating that the enthusiasm and happiness in the room was "wonderful."

The importance of "The Big Mend" was acknowledged by local officials, with Shrewsbury MP Julia Buckley, Town Mayor Alex Wagner, and Vice Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire Jenny Wynn OBE all in attendance to show their support for the sustainability initiative.

"The Big Mend" successfully made its mark, not just as the biggest Repair Café event in the area, but as a shining example of community action and collective commitment to a more sustainable future. The success of the day reinforced the vital role that Shropshire’s Repair Cafés play in local efforts to tackle both the cost of living and climate crisis.