Shops and railings along Mill Road displayed a version of the above poster for several weeks
The call went out to Mill Road area’s fashionistas to try their luck as models for the forthcoming Mill Road Preloved Fashion Show.
Organisers were overwhelmed as nearly 40 men and women of varying ages, styles, heights and ethnic heritages – credible super models every one – turned up for the casting event at the Mill Road Community Centre.
The event is part of Love Mill Road’s Fringe Celebrations Click the image above to view/download a printable PDF to display in your window
Despite the models’ diversity there are uniting features; all participants love Mill Road and walked with elegance; candidates expressed their love of pre-loved clothing in advance of their screen shots and turns on the catwalk.
It was interesting to learn why they all preferred charity shop and other pre-loved clothes.
Kitty told Mill Road Bridges that she had always worn pre-loved clothes. As a child in Essex her mother would get outfits from Ebay because they searched for quirkiness. Now, as an adult, she continues to shun new clothes.
Pam Wesson, a well-known local trader in pre-loved fashion, is attracted by value and quality, brand-new Amani suits for around £50 for example. She enjoys acknowledging provenance and when she is selling at her outlets she often mentions previous ownership.
Emma and Nicky have collected so many fabulous garments that they now concentrate on looking for statement jewellery; whereas younger people are motivated to get a basic wardrobe economically.
Naturally many participants are motivated primarily by sustainability. Academics and administrators from both our universities were present at the audition. They seem to choose pre-loved to relax in for ethical reasons even if they buy high end High Street and tailor-made suits for work.
Carol’s relationship with preloved fashion stretches back many years, as a young single parent she would dress her children in items from jumble sales out of economic necessity but never resented doing it. Jumble sales gave way to charity shops and styles change but, although she found herself on a firmer footing financially, she refused to buy distressed jeans with holes and grunge shirts at high street prices.
It comes as no surprise that so many participants are motivated by ethical concerns. Fast-fashion is wasteful of energy and water, it exploits human labour and is ruining the planet.
Mill Road EcoChic showcased clothes and accessories from Mill Road’s charity and vintage shops on the catwalk, alongside local designers who specialise in sustainable fashion.
Photos Chryssie Greece
Photos Chryssie Greece
Photos Chryssie Greece
Photos Chryssie Greece
Photos Chryssie Greece
Photos Chryssie Greece
Photos Chryssie Greece
Photos Chryssie Greece
Photos Chryssie Greece
Photos Chryssie Greece
Photos Chryssie Greece
Photos Chryssie Greece
The show offered a unique and memorable celebration of creativity and sustainability, reflecting the diversity and independence of Cambridge’s distinctive Mill Road neighbourhood, featuring stylish, exciting finds curated by enthusiastic fashionistas and modelled by local real people.
Stylish, exciting finds curated by enthusiastic fashionistas and modelled by local real people.
Mill Road EcoChic Fashion Show provided:
pop-up stalls focused on sustainable fashion
a spectacular catwalk fashion show featuring clothes from Mill Road’s fabulous charity and vintage shops
food & drink – pizzas from Scott’s All Day and drinks from Bacchanalia.
The next Mill Road Fringe event will be an EcoChic Fashion Show, on Saturday 2nd March 2024 at Mill Road’s St Barnabas Church, featuring clothes from Mill Road’s charity shops, vintage stores and designers.
Your spotlight moment has arrived! Mill Road Fringe are looking for models for the Mill Road Eco-Chic Fashion Show in March. Please register your interest by emailing community@millroadwinterfair.org and come along to the Mill Road Community Centre (behind the Old Library) on Sunday 21st Jan between 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm to sign up. All genders, ages (18+) and sizes are welcome.
Could you, or your group, help to improve people’s lives, locally?
Click the image to read the the guidelines and start your application
If only you had a little bit of funding…
Community groups can apply for up to £5,000 grant funding from Cambridge City Council’s Area Committee Community Grants scheme.
Voluntary and community organisations, or groups of local residents, can apply for the grants. But hurry, the deadline for applications is 31st January 2024.
Get your paperwork in good shape. (You’re getting public money, so you need to show that everything is legit.) And get cracking.
Grants could be for venue hire to host activities; costs to run activities that benefit people on low incomes; or activities that reduce poverty.
Examples of successful applications from 2023-24
Ainsworth Area Residents’ Association
Provision of mini allotment planters and mural signage for Ainsworth Street community garden plus additional new allotment planter to be located in Ainsworth playpark. Aims…
Improve urban landscape.
Encourage social connectedness and reduce isolation through engagement in community activities.
Merry-go-Round Toy Library
Twice monthly Toy Library at Ross Street Community Centre. Aims…
Reduce social and economic inequality for local families via free sessions.
Allow families regardless of income to access safe, good quality toys and equipment at a nominal charge.
The Signal Box Centre
Weekly summer holiday activities for children aged 6-18 years particularly those living in social tenancies. Aims…
Provide physical and creative opportunities in a structured and positive environment to those who would not otherwise have access.
Reduce social isolation and improve confidence and mental wellbeing through making new friends and playing together.
Successful applications will be for activities which reduce social and/or economic inequality for Cambridge City residents with the most need, taking place between 1st April 2024 and 31st March 2025, in a defined area of the city.
Need more guidelines on what makes a successful application? You can read the full list of successful and unsuccessful applications from last year, in the PDFs below.
Click the poster to read/download a more detailed PDF
Your invitation to a public exhibition and digital consultation
Railpen would like to invite you to view updated plans to transform the Beehive Centre into an exciting new destination that will provide more than 5,000 job opportunities. We are proposing a mix of new retail, leisure, and community spaces, as well as laboratory and office space for companies in the science and technology industry – all surrounded by new green public spaces, a public community square and wetlands.
Railpen, from latest publicity.
The Beehive Centre is adjacent to Sturton Town to the north of Mill Road on the Petersfield (city) side of the railway.
Railpen are trusted with the safekeeping, investment, and administration of several pension schemes supporting over half a million people connected to the railway industry.
As a pension fund, we focus on delivering long-term social value and, unlike many developers, we do not face the same pressure to generate short-term profits for shareholders or outside investors.
Railpen, from latest publicity.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about the consultation or the proposals, Railpen want to hear from you.
Click the poster to read/download a printable PDF version
Mill Road Fringe is hosting a Summer Shindig on Sunday 9th July 2023 on Romsey Rec, in the from 4-8pm with fabulous live music led by Colonel Spanky’s Love Ensemble.
Come and browse the charity stalls, explore volunteering opportunities, try some yoga stretches with James from Cambridge Yoga Project, discover the natural world with Bushcraft, and have a go at juggling and circus skills with tuition from Cambridge Community Circus.
There will also be pebble painting, outdoor games and plenty of space to set up your chairs and picnic rugs.
Please note: Barbecues are prohibited and there is also now a ban on single-use plastics in all Cambridge parks. Please aim to leave Romsey Rec cleaner than you found it, so please take your litter home.
Yes. Talking, with other older adults, about shared interests. On your telephone. Not Zoom. Not Microsoft Teams. Not FaceTime. Not WhatsApp. Not Skype.
Just your telephone. Landline or mobile. And it’s free! But registration is required.
Click the image to view/download a 2-page PDF of the latest programme of talks
COPE(Cambridgeshire Older People’s Enterprise) is delighted to announce the latest series of TALKING TOGETHER, a new initiative that brings older adults together for engaging and stimulating conversations about topics of shared interest. This free programme offers weekly telephone-based discussion groups which are joined from the comfort of your home. No special technology is needed, just your own telephone. Each group, scheduled for 45 minutes, is facilitated by skilled leaders with whom participants can share their ideas, opinions and experiences.
Click the image to view/download a 2-page PDF of the latest programme of talks
Do you know an older adult who doesn’t have internet access who would enjoy these phone chats? Or someone (perhaps yourself) who just prefers a chat?
Take a look at the full leaflet by clicking either of the images above.
You and/or your friend can register by filling in the form, and posting it to: COPE, St Luke’s Community Centre, Victoria Road, Cambridge CB4 3DZ (If you don’t have access to a printer, just write your details on a sheet of plain paper.)
Or you can put your details in an email to cambridgecope@hotmail.co.uk or by phoning COPE on 01223 364303. (You can leave a message on the answering machine if there is no volunteer manning the COPE telephone (10.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m.)
PS: Do you know someone who COPE might approach to lead a set of conversations on a subject about which they have some knowledge? If so, why not email COPE with your suggestion using this link?
COPE is a registered Charity run by volunteers. Registered Charity No. 1110887
