Hurry to Hilltown for a quick fix this Saturday

So, gather up your toys, clothes, clocks, bikes, furniture, crockery and household appliances!

Started in Castlewellan in 2020, South Down Repair Cafe is part of a growing movement of repair cafes across the globe.

We throw away many items that, with a simple repair, could be reused. People bring their damaged or broken items for diagnosis and/or repair by volunteer fixers and also have an opportunity to connect with others over tea/coffee and cake.

Chairperson Nigel McKinney said “We are really excited about going back to Hilltown.

"We had a great response at our first café there back in October 2023. Our volunteer fixers are skilled in diagnosing and fixing all sorts - hundreds of items have been fixed to date and if it can’t be fixed on the day, fixers give advice on where people can access specialist parts or repairs.”

Repairs are carried out free of charge though people can make a voluntary donation which helps cover the cost of running cafes around the county.

Maybe you have old, spare or unused tools, sewing machines and spectacles that you no longer need? Bring them along on Saturday to the ‘reuse donation’ collection point for the Lions Club (Newcastle).

Volunteer Daniel O’Reilly says, “We are looking for sewing machines, both electrical or trestle, broken or good and unwanted tools (hand and electrical). The sewing machines and tools are serviced by Tools for Solidarity who bring them to Malawi and Tanzania to train people how to use to set up their own business.

"Glasses/spectacles (and their cases) are sent to France, to Lions Medico, where they are cleaned and calibrated before being sent all over the world to help people in need.”

Teenage singer/harpist who made the Final of ‘The Voice’, a previous finalist in the TG4 search for an Irish Junior Eurovision act, and a BBC Young Soloist Finalist, 15-year-old Niamh Noade, from Lislea, will play her harp, setting a lovely atmosphere in the Hall throughout the morning.

Running alongside the Repair Café is the Heritage Craft Exhibition, with loads to see and do. Meet the team from Newtown Men’s Shed who will talk through the flax to linen process from their heritage project started a few years ago. Their project was featured in Mahon’s Way last November when Joe Mahon visited their shed in Newtownhamilton.

Madeline McGreevy from Kathleen’s Attic will exhibit old items made from linen. She will also demonstrate embroidery techniques and show you how to have a go. Try weaving with Rostrevor tapestry weaver Rena Rodhipur. The themes in her work involve expressing connections to place and landscape using wool, silk and linen.

Fionnuala McKinley from Fibre Crafters will be demonstrating spinning and showing people how to have use a drop spindle. Deborah Hyland will showcase her work on drawn threads and talk through the intricate work of flowering. Deirdre McClory from Rostrevor will show her felt craft and artwork. Mary Savage from Hilltown Historical Society and Dorothy James from Rathfriland Historical Society will also display items and books of local interest.

To round out the day, local textile artist Caroline Shimmons will lead crafts for children including weaving, drop spinning, peg doll making and farm animal art.

So, have you an item that’s been lying around for a while? Bring it along to the South Down Repair Cafe in Hilltown Hall this Saturday, February 22 from 10am-12.30pm.

Saturdays Repair Café and Heritage Craft Exhibition is Organised by Hilltown Community Association, as part of “The Gathering – Hilltown Storytelling Festival”, running for its fourth year under Council’s Arts and Culture financial assistance programme.