THE RISE OF
COMMUNITY
PHOTO: © BRYAN McALLEY
Recent years have seen a resurgence to restore and repair rather than replace, Peter d’Aguilar spoke to Bryan McAlley, founder of Chailey Repair Café about this thriving initiative that brings communities together
W
hat to do when one of your valued possessions breaks? Throw it away and buy a new one? Or find a way to repair it? No prizes for knowing which option is cheaper and better for the environment. But surely the cost of repair can be prohibitive? Not necessarily, thanks to the two thousand, three hundred and eighty-three Repair Cafés that have sprung up all over the world since Dutch journalist, Martina Postma, created the first one in the foyer of an Amsterdam cinema back in 2009.
The thriving Chailey Repair Café is one of over 20 dotted around the county of Sussex and more than 200 across the UK
PHOTOS: © PENNY LANGLEY
During the Second World War, in response to the shortages of clothing and other essentials, the government launched its ‘make do and mend’ campaign. Today we face different challenges, in particular, climate change and the rising cost of living. By restoring essential or cherished
July 2022 | SUSSEX LIVING 121
