A HEADLESS doll and a child’s bike found in a skip were among the range of goods fixed by a team of volunteers for free at York’s first Repair Café.

Almost 100 people visited the café and more than 60 items were mended at the event, held by Planet South Bank at Clements Hall on Sunday. The café, which had ‘stations’ fixing small appliances, electronics, furniture, textiles and clothing, jewellery and bikes, was run by 26 volunteers from the local community and offered repairs free of charge for items that could be fixed.

Items that were brought included lamps, CD players, kettles, clocks, chairs, speakers, sweaters, blankets, necklaces and earrings.

Among the more challenging items for the repair team were a headless doll, a lawnmower and a laptop, but only six items proved completely unfixable.

Organiser Kate Lock said: “One lady retrieved two lamps that she had actually thrown in the trash, cleaned them off and brought them to us and was thrilled to bits that she got them both fixed.

“We also fixed a child’s bike that had been found in a skip. It is really satisfying to know that we’ve saved things from being chucked away and given them a new lease of life.”

She added: “We’ve shown it’s doable, and viable and there’s a clear need for it and interest in it. I think we will do another one, the proceeds from the café can seed the next event. I can also see the potential for building up the repair crew we’ve established and sending them out to venues in other parts of the city, if groups and venues are willing to host.”

Councillor Andrew Waller, City of York Council executive member for the environment, attended the event. He said: “It’s been a really good trial and from what I’ve seen today there’s certainly been a lot of demand for it.”

Planet Southbank has received funding to run the repair cafe and other waste-themed events from York Community Recycling Fund.

Kate and the Planet South Bank team were supported by members of Glass Half Full, another voluntary group, as well as local businesses, tradespeople, makers, menders, hobbyists and professionals. Planet South Bank encourages residents in the South Bank area of York to live greener, more sustainable lives and to have fun while doing it. To volunteer for a future Repair Café, email info@planetsouthbank.org.uk