Maidstone Climate Action Network (CAN) is inviting everyone to get ready for a greener Christmas at its free Repair Café and Sustainable Christmas CAN Zone on Saturday 7 November 2026, 10am–2pm, at the Market Hall, Lockmeadow. Entry is free and there is no need to book.

Volunteer fixers will mend broken clothes, electricals, furniture, bikes, tools and household items on the spot. Alongside them, the Sustainable Christmas zone brings together local makers and community groups to demonstrate how to cut down on waste over the festive season.

At the Sustainable Christmas zone, take part in:

• Gift boxes made from waste paper with artist Cas Holmes
• A fabric gift-wrapping workshop and hear kerbside recycling advice from Kent County Council, with free food caddy liners
• Wreaths made from scrap textiles with Sue Pritchard
• Reclaimed Christmas: upcycled Christmas treasures, raising funds for domestic abuse services
• Angels made from broken glass and crockery by Ania's Angels
• A Re-Gifting table: bring along an unwanted gift and pick up something new to you
• Christmas carols from Kettle Bridge Concertinas and The Ocean Blue Irregulars
• Activities for families from Cobnuts Steiner Kindergarten and Kent Family Hub
• Electrical recycling with Suez: bring old electricals for the pink bins

Also at the event: hand-made garden furniture and planters from reclaimed timber by CJS Garden Enhancements, The Repurposing Shed, tool sharpening, the FutureMakers Festival, One You Kent, Maidstone Sling Library, NHS walking aids and The New Poets Society.

Sally Edwards, organiser of the Maidstone Repair Café, said: "Christmas is when we buy, wrap and throw away more than at any other time of year. Our Repair Café volunteers keep broken items out of the bin every month.

“This November, we want to show how easy it is to make the right choices to produce less waste but still have a lovely Christmas.

“Bring along an item for repair, pick up some ideas for Christmas and enjoy the carols."

Cllr Rachel Rodwell, Maidstone Borough Council Cabinet Member for Nature and Climate Transition, said: "This wonderful event is all about embracing our creativity and discovering unique and mindful, eco-friendly ways we can spread the joy, without harming our beautiful planet.

Let’s fill our stockings and not the landfill!

It's going to be a great opportunity to get creative for Christmas and to save money, too. "

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