WELCOME TO ST MARY'S AND ALL SOULS
Confirmation We are holding a Confirmation course in August/early September this year for anyone who would like to be Confirmed. The Confirmation Service will take place on Sunday the 19th October 4pm at St Andrew’s Church, St Mary Cray. If you are interested please let Reverend Susan or Reverend Michael know. |
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Take a look at the churches in the Benefice from the air |
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St Mary's and All Souls Services We will post any revisions to services here and on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/StMarysAndAllSouls |
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St Mary's and All Souls latest Newsletter |
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PCC Papers You can now download minutes and other PCC documents from the PCC page |
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Food Bank latest needs: https://bromleyborough.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-food/ *PLEASE DON'T SEND US FROZEN OR CHILLED ITEMS AS WE DON'T HAVE THE CORRECT STORAGE FOR IT AND IT SPOILS BEFORE WE CAN DISTRIBUTE IT* WE'VE GOT PLENTY OF PASTA, CEREAL & BISCUITS
Thank you!
Judith Simmonds will be taking the Parish contributions towards the end of the month so please drop your donations into our box in the porch before then. |
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Paul Gosling writes:
Mending More Than Objects: How Orpington Repair Cafe is Weaving Community Back Together.
In an age of disposable culture and throwaway convenience, a quiet revolution is taking place in community halls across the country. The Repair Cafe movement has emerged as more than just a practical solution to broken household items, it’s become a powerful force for social connection, environmental stewardship, and community resilience. Nowhere is this transformation more evident than at the Orpington Repair Cafe, where skilled volunteers gather monthly to breathe new life into everything from vintage radios to beloved children’s toys.
Building Bridges Through Broken Things The magic of Repair Cafe extends far beyond the simple act of fixing objects. When residents arrive with their cherished but broken possessions, they’re entering a space where stories unfold alongside repairs. Susan, a regular repairer specialising in textiles, often finds herself mending not just torn seams but also broken hearts as people share the history behind their damaged items. “Last month, I repaired a gown that had been in a family for four generations” she recalls. “The tears in the fabric were nothing compared to the joy when we got it back to its former glory.” This human connection has transformed what could be a sterile repair service into something resembling an old-fashioned community gathering. Neighbours who might never have spoken discover shared interests while waiting for repairs. Children learn about electronics from patient volunteers, sparking curiosity about how things work. The monthly sessions have become a focal point for community cohesion, creating relationships that extend well beyond the repair tables.
The Environmental Impact That Counts The environmental benefits of Repair Cafes are staggering yet often overlooked. The Orpington team estimates they’ve diverted over 470 items from landfills in the past year alone. From coffee machines given a second lease on life to toys restored to a worthy condition, each successful repair represents a small victory against our throwaway culture. The cumulative effect is remarkable, reducing waste, conserving resources, and demonstrating that sustainability can be both practical and deeply satisfying.
The Joy of Giving Back Perhaps most striking is the enthusiasm of the volunteer repairers themselves. Bob, who specialises in electrical appliances, explains his motivation: “After thirty years in work, I thought I’d hang up my tools. But here, I get to use my skills to genuinely help people while passing on knowledge to younger generations. I have a young student join me monthly. There’s nothing quite like the smile on someone’s face when their grandmother’s mixer whirs back to life.” The volunteers represent a diverse cross-section of the community, retired professionals, skilled tradespeople, and passionate hobbyists united by a common desire to help. Their expertise ranges from traditional crafts like woodworking and sewing to modern skills in electronics and printing issues.
A Model for the Future The Orpington Repair Cafe demonstrates that community-led initiatives can address multiple challenges simultaneously. By combining practical problem-solving with social connection and environmental responsibility, Repair Cafes offer a blueprint for resilient, sustainable communities. In mending our broken objects, we’re also mending the social fabric that holds neighbourhoods together. Paul
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