The big swop is on its way to Marlborough – the chance to ditch the books, videos, clothes, textiles, toys and even furniture you have got tired of – and find something new.
Transition Marlborough set up a trial swop stall at Sunday’s communities market in the High Street, a place too where you can leave contact details about items you no longer love and swop them for something else.
“The sky’s the limit, the opportunities are endless,” Lorna Harvey-Frank (pictured), a member of Transition Marlborough’s recycling group, told Marlborough News Online. “It’s strictly give and take.
“We all have things we longer have space for in our lives and somebody else might love them instead. And to avoid the route of money we want to give them an opportunity to swop things, like for like, just one item for another.
“They might get an exact swop but they are perfectly happy with swopping a table for a book, then that’s fine. And if they are really embarrassed about taking something that’s not a match, they can leave a small donation for Transition Marlborough, which helps us put on events like this.”
Sunday’s trial run was to gear up for the main Swop Shop Stall that will be part of the market on May 19 and you can make contact now (see links below) to seek more information.
“We know Marlborough is considered a prosperous town, but there are also areas where that is not the case,” added Lorna. “We want to encourage people to donate items too that others can use.
“One lady came along with an answering machine. She was sent duplicates by BT who didn’t want it returned because of the logistics of sending things back.
“It’s a brand new item and I’m sure someone out there really needs that, would love that, but do not have the money to buy one themselves. So we are also hoping to fulfil that niche too.”
And there other ways ahead too.
“Somebody might genuinely want some to rake up leaves in their garden and you’ve got one in your shed you don’t need because you have a patio garden,” she explained.
“If you take it down to the tip it’s a shame because it might end up on a landfill site. So we can provide the answer for them.”
For more information visit www.transitionmarlborough.org and/or email lornaharveyfrank@btinternet.com or telephone 01249 814406.
The swop stall was not the only new highlight in Sunday’s market – a giant pan of gently cooking paella packed with king prawns, crevettes, mussels, chicken, chorizo, peppers and saffron rice at £4.50 a portion.
Colin Lugg (pictured), from Bromham, Devizes, was serving up, helping out his son Christopher who runs a market business called Olives ‘N’ Stuff, which takes him round the south west, to Trowbridge, Yeovil, Wells and Devizes.
Christopher also cooks up dishes of roast potatoes, sausages and gravy, falafels, vegetarian dishes and burgers with a difference, which are also available for private functions.
“This is our first time in Marlborough – and we shall be back,” Colin told Marlborough News Online.
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