Come and see us on the dates above — we might just breathe new life into an old clock or repair that cherished piece of china with a small crack.
Ringmer Repair Cafe.
Welcome to Ringmer Repair Café – your local hub for fixing the things you love and fighting waste together. Whether it’s a flickering lamp, a torn jacket, or a toaster on the blink, our friendly volunteers are here to help you bring it back to life. It’s all about saving money, sharing skills, and building a more sustainable future – right here in the heart of Ringmer.
Knowing that Lewes and Chailey locally have well established Repair Cafés, the U3A Eco group which existed in 2022-23, manned a stall at the Eco Extravaganza, organized by the St Mary’s Eco Church team.
This occasion, involving the whole community, was held November 2023 in the Village Hall. Their stall (see below) explored the level of interest in having a repair Café in Ringmer and sought offers of help from the public.
A steering group was set up led by members of the St Mary’s Eco Church team.
It includes representatives from local groups, all with skills and a commitment to meeting the challenges to our environment from climate change. Start up funds were raised, including a Clothes Swap in the church rooms run by the local Mothers Union members and a grant from the very supportive Ringmer Parish Council. Appeals were made for volunteers, (and we always need more, especially from those with electronic skills!) and a key meeting held a year later in January 2025, with much in place ready for the launch in April 2025 in the Parish Council Offices.
We throw away vast amounts of stuff. Even things with almost nothing wrong, and which could get a new lease on life after a simple repair. The trouble is, lots of people have forgotten that they can repair things themselves. Knowing how to make repairs is a skill quickly lost. This is a threat to a sustainable future and to the circular economy, in which raw materials can be reused again and again.
That’s why there is now a world-wide network of Repair Cafés! People with repair skills get the appreciation they deserve. Invaluable practical skills are passed on. Things are being used for longer and don’t have to be thrown away. This reduces the volume of raw materials and energy needed to make new products. It cuts CO2 emissions, for example, because manufacturing new products and recycling old ones causes CO2 to be released.
The Repair Café teaches people to see their possessions in a new light. And, once again, to appreciate their value. In both these ways, the Repair Café helps change people’s mindset. This is essential to kindle people’s enthusiasm for a sustainable society.
Who thought up the idea?
The Repair Café was initiated by Martine Postma. Since 2007, she has been striving for sustainability at a local level in many ways. Martine organised the very first Repair Café in Amsterdam, on October 18, 2009. It was a great success.
This prompted Martine to start Repair Café International Foundation. Since 2011, this non-profit organisation has provided professional support to local groups in the Netherlands and other countries wishing to start their own Repair Café.
Worldwide Movement
Repair Cafés, meanwhile, form a worldwide movement that strives to preserve repair skills in society and to promote more repairable products. Besides the Netherlands, there are Repair Cafés in Belgium, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the United States and in dozens of other countries around the world. Repair Café has made its way to India and Japan!
Not competing with professional repair specialists
Repair Café International Foundation sometimes gets asked whether access to free repair get-togethers is competing with professional repair specialists. The answer is; quite the opposite. Repair Cafés focus attention on the possibility of getting things repaired. Visitors are frequently advised to go to the few professionals still around.
Furthermore, people who visit Repair Cafés are not usually customers of repair specialists. They say that they normally throw broken items away because they find a professional repair too expensive. At the Repair Café they learn that you don’t have to throw things away; there are alternatives.
Ringmer Repair Cafe - FIRST SESSION
Ringmer Repair Cafe - SECOND SESSION
Ringmer Repair Cafe - THIRD SESSION
Ringmer Repair Cafe - FOURTH SESSION
Sat April 26th 10-12.30 - Parish Council Offices - Old School Close BN8 5RA
Sat May 31st 10-12.30 - Parish Council Offices - Old School Close BN8 5RA
Sat June 28th 10-12.30 - Parish Council Offices - Old School Close BN8 5RA
Sat July 28th 10-12.30 - Parish Council Offices - Old School Close BN8 5RA
Gymon has transformed my fitness journey with its exceptional coaching and facilities.
The supportive community at Gymon makes every workout enjoyable and motivating.
Come and see us on the dates above — we might just breathe new life into an old clock or repair that cherished piece of china with a small crack.
Come and see us on the dates above — we might just breathe new life into an old clock or repair that cherished piece of china with a small crack.
Ringmer Repair Cafe.
Usually the last Saturday in the month, and you can find us:
Parish Council Offices
Old School Close BN8 5RA
© 2025 Hanoto Technology. All Repair Cafe Rights Reserved.