MP DUNCAN Hames was the guest of honour at the Wiltshire Scrapstore in Lacock at its Scraptastic event last week.
The Member of Parliament was shown around the store’s Bowden Hill site including the shop, the workshops and the various creative departments.
The Scrapstore and resource centre is a children’s and community charity which aims to promote learning through creativity by making low cost resources available to all.
Mr Hames said: “This hub is fantastic and enables people of all ages to access various materials for creative purposes. This is such an incredible place and I am so glad they got me here.”
Mr Hames saw first-hand the process donated materials go through, from initially being sorted and then later being re-used for workshops that the scrapstore hosts, or made into part of crafts packs that are sold in its shops.
He said: “This really is an extensive operation and that is such an eye-opener.
“The Scrapstore is such a valuable community asset and a useful resource.”
Jane Harrison, who has volunteered for the charity for six years, gave Mr Hames a challenge during his visit to make a picture from materials in the Scrapstore.
She said: “It was great that Duncan came and got involved.
“I think until you come here it’s very difficult to understand exactly what we do.
“We are always pleased to get people in and show them first hand what we are all about.”
The Wiltshire Scrapstore, which was established in 1999, has around 50 volunteers and is keen to acquire more.
The environmental community charity, which re-uses and collects landfill material, would like new part-time volunteers to help at its store, Barty’s Arts & Crafts, in West Street, Lacock, its Bowden Hill warehouse and crafthouse as well as getting a new driver for its 7.5-tonne Scrapmobile, which visits schools.
Mr Hames said: “It would be great if the Wiltshire Scrapstore had a few more volunteers to join this well set up operation.”
To get involved with the scrapstore, call Glynis Cosgrave on 01249 730011 or visit www.wiltsplay.org.uk for more information.
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