WE'RE SUPPORTING CHELTENHAM OPEN DOOR

As I'm not local to Cheltenham, I asked The Daffodil to nominate a local charity for us to support and they suggested Cheltenham Open Door.

I did a bit of research and chatted to some of the volunteers there and I'm really impressed by what they do and hope our contribution will help in a small way.  £1 of every £2 entry fee will go direct to the charity.

They don't just help the homeless but a myriad of people with different social needs but all are vulnerable, disadvantaged or lonely.  The charity, which was founded in 1992 by Flip Thornett-Roston and initially based at Grosvenor Hall, works to relieve poverty, hardship and social or emotional distress.  In 1988 the charity moved into 39 Grosvenor Street, where they're now open on all year round on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10.30 am to 1.00 pm serving tea, coffee and a hot meal at lunchtime.  They also open on Sundays from 9.45 to 11.45 to serve a packed lunch takeaway. 

At Christmas they open as a 24 hour shelter and move to St Luke's Hall, where they're open from lunchtime on the 24th, Christmas Eve, through to after lunch on the 27th.

Open Door are a drop-in centre where everyone is welcome and they don't judge or ask questions.  They deal with people with mental health issues, eviction problems and any social needs people have.  They have shower facilities, an area where people can get clothes and food stores distributing food parcels.  They also link to other organisations, so can point people in the right direction for where they need help, including Cheltenham Housing Aid, Turning Point, CCP, meaning they can help individuals find help where they need it.

Everyone working at Open Door are volunteers, working on different shifts.  They cater for about 50 people a day and have shifts of 3 or 4 each day.  They are totally reliant on voluntary donations and, if you want to help they always need donations of soft food, clothes, bedding, tents, sleeping bags and anything they can pass on to people needing help. 

If you want to donate, volunteer or help in some other way, why not call them on: 01242 577418.

Custard House Clothing

Welcome to Custard House Clothing, the home of reworking vintage clothes.  If you have an item of clothing that you’d like altered or customised or perhaps you have something you’re longing to wear as a wedding guest but you’d like it to look more vintage inspired, Custard House Clothing provide a professional dressmaking service that’s perfect for you.  They can help out whether it’s recreating your favourite worn out winter coat, a special dress that needs a re-vamp or making you that perfect vintage outfit you saw in a magazine.  Custard House can turn their hand to anything, sorting your hemlines, linings, fixing holes and recreating an item you’ve loved but have worn to death!

With a boudoir boutique-style new shop at South Arcade, St Nicolas Market open Monday to Saturday and an outdoor stall open Fridays and Saturdays, talented owner Janine Chisholm is also available by email for any enquiries.  A former student of Theatre Design, Janine specialised in Costume, completing a Post Graduate in Innovative Pattern Cutting at St Martins College of Fashion. She worked in Professional Theatre and Television for years and her passion for clothes and helping people with their dress led her to create this ingenious business that’s so much more than alterations.  Janine also sells an evolving range of carefully selected vintage and vintage-inspired clothes customised by herself and talented designers Sawdust and Diamonds.  There’s also vintage accessories from Mulberry china tea sets to the perfect evening clutch, vintage buttons to update your favourite cardigan, pre 1990's clothing patterns if you fancy making something yourself, scarves and sunglasses.  It’s all there and more with items from local designers adding to the eclectic mix.

So perhaps you have a dress that needs a revamp?  Why not bring it along to the Fair and ask her advice?  Janine can inject vitality and new life into tired clothes, creating a brand new look for you that’s perfect for attending a wedding or perhaps a vintage wedding dress itself!  She can offer styling suggestions and we’re thrilled to discover she’s writing a book due out Autumn this year in which she details how to rework your own clothes alongside constructive advice and some beautiful visuals.  Till then, bring your wardrobe to Custard House Clothing to uplift, refresh and re-style and take a good look at their website or Facebook page.  Who knows what you’ll find?