MORE projects are underway at the home of the Clothing Exchange following the grand opening of Lle Hapus Wrecsam.

Lle Hapus on Eagles Meadow was officially opened by the Mayor Cllr Andy Williams, and attended by MP Sarah Atherton on June 16.

The space includes a non-profit café and room for stalls to be set up along with the Wrexham Clothing exchange.

The Leader: The opening on Friday, June 16 The opening on Friday, June 16 (Image: Wayne Price)

It is all volunteer-led and has been awarded a grant from Hafren Dyfrdwy for a new Wrexham ‘Library of Things’ Project.

The £3,500 grant is used to set up and provide a not-for-profit rental/hire shop of household goods, tools, and clothes whilst creating a space that teaches the community how to mend broken items through skill share.

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The events are all run together, with the clothing exchange featuring along with the ‘give and take’ stall, where everything is free but they do ask that people contribute in some way.

Christopher Hall said: “We have three closely linked or overlapping groups and activities; Incredible Edible Wrecsam, Repair Cafe Wrecsam and the Gift Economy (also known as the 'Give and Take' stall). Once you join one part you quickly find out about the other activities as our values and principles overlap.

“We think all garden spaces in Wrexham could be used to grow either food, flowers or both, in a way that benefits the ecology and helps make the community just a little more sustainable. I haven't got 'green fingers' either, so hopefully anyone can join us and get involved.”

The Leader: The Gift Economy Stall (Image: Christopher Hall)The Gift Economy Stall (Image: Christopher Hall) (Image: Christopher Hall)

On the Gift Economy, Christopher said: “Items are donated to us by people who would otherwise throw them in the bin and they'd go to landfill, which isn't sustainable. We can then offer them out to the public who can take whatever they might want to use, be it; toys, ornaments, books, jewellery, tools, electrical items, even lots of plants and seeds during the spring and summer months.

“The plants come from the allotment and encourage people to think about taking up low cost low impact gardening. It's also fantastic to see people find exactly the thing they wanted on our free stall, because they need or want to use it.

“Everything is free, but donations are accepted which allows us to spend the donations on things like seeds for the allotment. A circular economy concept that's sustainable in the long term.”

The Wrexham Clothing Exchange is run monthly and for a £3 entry, anyone can swap up to 15 items of clothes and accessories (men/women). Once you have paid, you can return again during swap time and any unused credit (if you only pick up 10 items for the 15 you brought) carried over.

The Leader: The clothing Exchange The clothing Exchange (Image: Newsquest)

Volunteer Sharon Roger’s said that they have seen more custom thanks to the more permanent base at Eagles Meadow.

She said:  “Since we’ve moved here and had a place of our own we are busier but I don’t know if that’s because the word’s still getting out and we’re growing.”

They are getting lots of returners along with new people coming in every month, with the next swap being held on July 22.