Renowned furniture restaurant wants Kirk, known for his work on BBCs The repair workshopFarnham visited last week as a guest star of an event that celebrated the art of restoration and repair.
With one of the oldest repair cafes in the country, Farnham has established itself as a turntable for the repair movement – an initiative that encourages people to repair broken objects and devices instead of rejecting them to landfills.
Kirk's visit to Farnham Maltings on Thursday, March 13, strengthened this movement as part of the Farnham Literary Festival and attracted an enthusiastic audience who would like to deal with the principles of restoration.
Will Kirk with Mayor of Farnham Cllr Brodie Mauluka. ((Farnham Maltings)))
The event, in which the mayor of Farnham, Cllr Brodie Mauluka and other civic guides, also was on the 10th anniversary of the Farnham Repair Cafe (FRC). It contained presentations of other repair experts who celebrated the effects of the café on the community.
Kirk opened the evening by discussing his Sunday times Bestseller, Restoreand career highlights, including some of his most memorable restorations.
Repair experts at the repair + recovery event during the Farnham Literary Festival 2025. ((Farnham Maltings)))
Think about a particularly emotional moment of The repair workshopHe said: “Years ago there was a rocking horse that came in and restored the husband of a lady in the 1980s. He had signed his name under the saddle and she hadn't seen it since the 1980s.
“She brought this rocking horse in and Suzie (Fletcher) made a new saddle for one that could be lifted. Anyway, she came to pick it up and saw his letter there – tear floods. “
Professor Martin Charter, chairman and founder of the Farnham Repair Cafe, entered the stage to discuss the history of the award -winning organization.
The audience at the repair + recovery event as part of the Farnham Literary Festival. ((Hugo Berger/Tindle)))
He emphasized how the Café recently reached its 10-year milestone and was honored with the prestigious King's Award for voluntary service for its committed volunteers.
Similar to Kirk's work on The repair workshopThe café has become a symbol of restoring the restoration, whereby volunteers help the residents to repair everything from electrical objects to old clothes. Prof. Charter later led a panel discussion with FRC faithful and volunteers, in which the important role of the café in the community and its agreement with the growing movement for sustainability and repair was emphasized.
Will Kirk's bestseller book restored, which is exhibited at the Farnham Literary Festival 2025. ((Hugo Berger/Tindle)))
The evening ended with a presentation by Dr. Stephen Knott from the UCA (UCA) -Fasten -Studienzentrum of the University of Creative Art. He provided a scientific perspective on the importance of repair and underlines the increasing relevance in a world in which sustainability and reduction of waste are urgent concerns.
Kirk's visit not only celebrated the work of Farnham's repair community, but also reinforced the value of restoration, but that the property can be valued and kept for future generations.