CROPREDY WI SWAP SHOP  

As part of our Big Carbon Challenge, we set up a swap shop at the Village Hall on Saturday 30th April, supported by ORCC.

We had advertised the event in the village monthly news sheet, the village column in the Banbury Guardian, and the village website. In addition we had distributed a flier to nearly every house in the village, and to several homes in neighbouring villages.

When we opened at 10, a steady stream of supporters came in over the next two hours, laden with unwanted items for exchange. We had asked for unwanted but good quality household and kitchen ware; craft items, DIY/Gardening and electrical goods; toys and clothes.

At one o'clock we opened for swishing and swapping. Anyone who had donated an item in the morning had been given a ticket, and this was to be used as currency for selecting an item to take away. Additional tickets were available at £1.00 for WI funds.

Thanks to the generosity of the supporters, items available to exchange ranged from a bicycle, a scooter, a chest freezer, an espresso coffee machine and lighting, through to Jaeger fashion items, a much-admired and sought-after evening dress, hand bags, jigsaws and paintings. Delighted swappers went away with nearly all the donated goods. Anything that remained at the end of the swapping session is to be sent to local charity shops.

There was also a brisk trade at the refreshment bar. Teas, coffees and cakes were available. Ploughmans lunches – with homemade chutney and fresh crusty bread proved very popular.