Welcome

Welcome to Pam from Kirkoswald who's going to blog about Freegle, recycling, repair and that sort of thing.

I don’t know about you and yours but in our house, when it comes to recycling, while we’re all agreed it’s a good thing, we don’t all tackle it in quite the same way. This can lead to some interesting situations…

Hello and welcome to your free Freegle newsletter. Our main website has the domain name "I Love Freegle" so it's good as a valentine's theme! We have also been known to say that Freegle is like online dating for things, but the metaphor doesn't actually bear much inspection - and it's a simile. The natty image here is actually made up of all the lovely volunteers that help run Freegle across the UK. If you'd like to help out - get in touch.

And we’ve got three Freegle Give and Take events coming up soon.

Freegle volunteer Elaine has 10 great crafty Christmas suggestions for the kids in the run-up to the big day.

Chris shares a DIY plumbing nightmare: OK, not that bad, but a lot of work to replace one washer.

A washer had disintegrated in the house stop tap, meaning it didn't shut off the water. The bits of washer had caused havoc in the rest of the house: at header tanks and at the kitchen sink. To make matters worse, the outside stop tap wasn't working either - but United Utilities replaced that very promptly.

There are lots of green events on across Eden District in the coming months. On Saturday morning, 9th February 2019, the Penrith Repair Café runs in its monthly slot. Freegle-wise, we're back at Newbiggin for another Bring-and-Take on Saturday 23rd February from 10am until noon. Then Seedy Saturday is on on 9th March in Penrith and the Shap Freegle Give and Take is on Sunday 28th April.

We're excited to announce three new videos on How to Freegle, made in Eden District - thanks Jaki, Frankie and Nigel.

In the run up to Christmas, there are nearby Repair Cafes to fix things and several Freegle Give and Take events - do come along to help!

There are lots of green events on across Eden District in August and September. On Saturday morning, 11th August 2018, you can visit a uniform recycling day and a Repair Café in Penrith. On Saturday 1st September from 10-12 we'll be at "Stainton" Newbiggin for a Freegle Give and Take. And there more...

There's lot going on this Spring in Freegle land and by our allies in Penrith and Eden District. We've three Give and Take jumble sales in April and May. Repair Cafés are continuing every month on Penrith and Kirkby Stephen. CAfS is running a pre-loved clothes sale and Recycle for Cumbria are at Penrith Library for a Green Spring Clean. PACT has a campaign to reduce plastic use including a Refill water bottle scheme. Keep Penrith Tiday are organising litter picks and much more.

Meanwhile, if you are in Carlisle area, please use Carlisle Freegle to hand on unwanted items to others.

Farmers markets are great places to buy food grown or made locally.  Carlisle Farmers Market is on the first Saturday of the month. The Brampton Farmers Markets are usually on the last Saturday of the month.

With lots in the news recently about reducing plastic waste many of us will have made resolutions to reduce our environmental impact. Did you know that your local farmers' market can help with that?