Give or Take Stall a Success

Customers pick up free bric a brac

Last Saturday one stall was still going strong long after the Farmers' Market had left the Mount.

Jill Hothersall was running the Give or Take stall - a sort of instant recycling event. The free event was organised by Action Acton in partnership with Ealing Council recycling team, as part of the Acton Town Centre Market Regeneration Project - to help avoid unwanted items ending up in a landfill site.

If you have stuff to give away, or love the chance of picking up a free bargain, the last Saturday of every month is Give and Take Day at Acton Market.  You don't have to give something to take away.  the organisers are looking for household and garden items in good condition that can be reused such as books, toys, bikes, tools, furniture, kitchenware and bric-a-brac.  They can't accept electrical items, clothes or knives.

We took a pottery statue which someone had deposited in our house as an unwanted Christmas present. We didn't spot anything to take away, but it was very gratifying to see someone pick up the figuring almost immediately.

Jill Hothersall was running the stall and did a great job of encouraging people and helping them to find things.

One customer, Giselle De Leon, picked up a free CD. She also told us she had met someone who was getting rid of a bike, which she was going to pick up later.

Jill told us: "I think the stall has been very successful so far. Once people know this is a regular event, it should become more popular. I admit it has been difficult in the wind, but I've managed to keep everything going and stop things from blowing away."

There were plenty of old toys and loads of bric a brac to sift through. It will be interesting to see if this event grows.

February 1, 2008