Newbury and Thatcham Repair Café ‘saves’ couple’s cherished wedding memories

A repair café recently enjoyed a blast from the past when a local couple brought in a vintage reel-to-reel tape recorder.

The reel-to-reel recorder, brought into Newbury and Thatcham Repair Café by Val and Alan, was used to record their wedding in North London in 1972 so they could relive their special moment on each anniversary.

But about seven years ago, the tape recorder stopped working.

The couple approached local businesses, who said it was unlikely to be repairable.

But in a last ditch effort, they visited the repair café.

It was PAT tested for safety by a volunteer, who undid the retaining screws and out fell three perished drive belts.

Suitable replacements were sourced and lo and behold, the recorder was repaired, with improved sound quality.

The couple said they were “overjoyed” and were “so grateful to the Repair Café”.

Newbury and Thatcham Repair Café said they were pleased to could help keep their memories alive in this way.

Its next repair café will be held at the Frank Hutchings Community Hall, in Thatcham, on Sunday, April 27, from 10am to 12.30pm.

Items for repair are usually accepted until 30 minutes before closing.