AN annual clothes sale designed to reduce the number of items of clothes going to landfill has made a successful return.

The Colchester Frock Swap, organised by Liberal Democrat councillor for Stanway, Lesley Scott-Boutell, ran for the first time in the summer months since 2019.

Gazette: Having a browse – Colchester Arts Centre was the venue for the Frock Swap on SaturdayHaving a browse – Colchester Arts Centre was the venue for the Frock Swap on Saturday

With the doors opening on Saturday morning from 9.30am, about 30 people went on to attend throughout the day to donate clothes, or find a second-hand item for themselves.

Organiser Mrs Scott-Boutell ensured the day ran on a zero budget, with Colchester Arts Centre allowing the event to be held on the premises free of charge.

Gazette: Made to fit – Councillor Scott-Boutell takes a look at an outfitMade to fit – Councillor Scott-Boutell takes a look at an outfit

Meanwhile, Colchester Borough Homes provided storage space, and Colchester Council delivered and collected dress rails.

Mrs Scott-Boutell, who started the event in the mid-2000s, said everyone was guilty of having unused clothes at the back of their wardrobe, and that the event is the perfect way to make sure good clothes don’t go to waste.

Gazette: Take your pick – hundreds of items of clothes were on sale throughout the dayTake your pick – hundreds of items of clothes were on sale throughout the day

She said: “[The frock swap] saves stuff from landfill and gives people the chance to get new additions for their wardrobe for nothing.

“People can take whatever they want, and if it doesn’t fit, they can just take it back to the next frock swap.”

Mrs Scott-Boutell also thanked her fellow volunteers, Jane Tilly, Lois Whitnell, Tracy Arnold, Theresa Higgins, and her daughter Jessica Scott-Boutell.

Gazette: Volunteers – the Frock Swap was organised by Stanway councillor Lesley Scott-BoutellVolunteers – the Frock Swap was organised by Stanway councillor Lesley Scott-Boutell

A familiar face also pitched in, with the director of Colchester Arts Centre, Anthony Roberts, managing to bag himself a new shirt in the process.

He said: “This recycling initiative, the brainchild of Lesley Scott Boutell, is the real deal.
“Clothes and accessories get reused for their original purpose – not cut up, melted down, burnt or monetised, but actually recycled, all within the gift economy.

Gazette: Variety of choice – there were plenty of items of clothes to choose from throughout the dayVariety of choice – there were plenty of items of clothes to choose from throughout the day

“I absolutely love it and I picked up a very fancy shirt.”

Speaking about the concept of the frock swap, Mrs Scott-Boutell added: “It works – I have everything in place and I’ve got my volunteers.

“They have supported this, many of them, for a long, long time.”