FIX-IT-UPPERS in Ross-shire celebrated a year of waste-reducing, money-saving repairs with another of their drop-in cafe events.

The Black Isle Repair Cafe celebrated its first birthday in Avoch with people of all ages coming to seek help with everything from bikes and toasters to clothes and computers.

The story began with a small group of people inspired by similar initiatives in other parts of the country who wanted to bring the idea to life here.

A year on, it includes 36 active volunteers with a host of different skills, many items repaired and kept in use and monthly repairs cafes all over the Black Isle.

The Black Isle Men’s Shed has been integral to its success. Chairman John Tuach said: "There is a natural fit between our two organisations. Much of our work in the shed involves the restoring and repairing of a range of items and the creation of new items from reclaimed wood. Being present at the cafes allows us to promote ourselves to a wider public whilst we try to fix toasters, lights, mowers and sharpen blades and whatever else turns up on the day!"

When volunteers can't make a repair they signpost to professionals or the best recycling option.

Rose Grant, TBI trustee and repair cafe spokesperson said: "We were delighted to be have been able to use the Repair Cafe’s first birthday celebrations as an opportunity to link up with other community groups and initiatives in the area and look forward to building on this in the future."

Julie Kennedy from Avoch Primary School’s uniform recycling initiative Unicycle said: "The event was really productive with lots of school uniforms being shifted and we made some new contacts who couldn’t believe that it was all free! We've also done a bit of joined up working with the sewing team who are turning some trousers into shorts."

Reduce, reuse and recycle was the ethos of the day.Fortrose guides set up their very own ‘Swish & Swap’ stall celebrating all things pre-loved.

Toni Clarke from the Highland Community Waste Partnership, helping people to take action on food waste through composting, and the Highland Council Awareness team were on hand to answer questions.

If you’d like to take your item along for one of the volunteers to look at or you’d like to

join the Black Isle Repair Cafe as a volunteer, all welcome to the next one which is at the Black Isle Leisure Centre in Fortrose on Saturday 2nd September 1-4pm.

The partnership is funded by National Lottery Community Climate Action Fund and is coordinated by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful.

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