From school to scrap, our handicraft component correspondent Angus Young has been poking round for bargains.
If you’ve never been to Hull ScrapStore it’s probably time to plan a visit. For the much-loved non-profit charity’s resource centre is a veritable treasure trove packed full of things just waiting to be turned into something else.
Housed in a former historic Victorian board school, it’s also probably the most colourful place in Hull. From tins of paint and rolls of fabric to empty plastic cartons and unwanted packaging in all sorts of shapes and sizes, there’s something for every imaginable DIY craft project. Set up in 1988, the charity initially operated a members-only system but these days anyone can pop in to bag a bargain.
The concept behind it is quite simple. Thanks to the continuing generosity of local companies, organisations and individuals, donated unwanted materials are offered for sale at affordable prices alongside a range of specialist branded arts and craft equipment. There’s a large section in the school’s former assembly hall where you can fill a shopping basket with as much stuff as you can squeeze in all for the princely sum of £6 while an old classroom is now packed with more individually-priced fabric than you will find in Boyes.
Manager Tracey Thomas joined the charity 20 years ago. She said: “We get around 800 people in a week which is pretty good considering we are only open four hours on five days a week. They came from all over the place. We get a lot from over the bridge in Lincolnshire, we’ve even had people come from as far as Middlesbrough. Probably the most satisfying thing for me is seeing families coming in and having a good old rummage because they’ve got an idea for a craft project.”
Tracey runs a small team who are supported by volunteers. As well as keeping the place well stocked, they also run regular creative workshops and even host craft-based birthday parties.
Rental income from other tenants at the centre also helps to keep the charity ticking over financially. Long-term tenants include artist Liz Dees and her street theatre company Apus, and children’s puppet theatre company Indigo Moon. Joining them recently is Keith Holmes who runs his own arts performance company Proper Creationz. There’s also a small community hub offering a warm space for people to pop in, have a chat and a cupp, make new friends and learn new skills.
Without making much of a song and dance about it, ScrapStore is now probably one of Hull’s most successful grassroots arts and craft organisations. Forget Humber Street, Dairycoates Avenue is where it’s at. There’s simply nothing like it in the city or the wider region for that matter.
“The nearest place like us is in Selby, beyond that there are others in Leeds and Nottingham,” says Tracey. “We all do things slightly differently but the basics are the same. It’s all about promoting affordable, sustainable creativity for all ages.”