Wheatley’s 75th Swap Shop!

20 Years, 75 Events, and 46 Tonnes of Treasure!

Many Thanks to Paul Bailey, of Sustainable Wheatley for this great guest blog.

It all started in early 2006. A small, informal Community Action Group had a simple idea: instead of sending unwanted items to the landfill, why not let Wheatley residents swap them? We set up in the Merry Bells for our first "Bring and Take" event, and the reaction was... well, slightly bemused! People couldn't quite wrap their heads around the "everything is free" concept, but the positive vibes were enough to keep us going.

From Scepticism to Super-Sized Crowds

With a little help and a formal setup through CAG Oxfordshire, we secured our first grants and rebranded as the "Swap Shop." The idea caught on:

• The Growth: We went from two events in 2006 to five in 2007.

• The Peak: In September 2007, we were hit by a massive influx of 393 customers.

• The Crowd Control: It got so crowded we had to introduce an entry system and a one-way flow—standard practice now, but a shock to the system back then!

How We Keep the Wheels Turning

While the Swap Shops are now largely self-funded through your generous donations, we owe a huge thanks to CAG Oxfordshire. Their initial £250 annual grants got us off the ground, and they still help cover our insurance today.

Running these events is a real team effort. Between hiring the hall, renting a van to take away leftovers to charities and recycling centres, and our loyal army of volunteers, it’s a finely tuned machine that re-homes about 650 kg of "stuff" every single time we open the doors.

Photos from the swaps -  The Merry Bells was originally a Temperance Hotel but is now effectively the Village Hall in Wheatley.

The Road Back from Covid

Post-2022, things look a little different. To keep everyone safe, we separated the "receiving" and "taking" processes so the hall doesn't get overwhelmed. We also had to pause our famous tea and coffee service—until now.

The Grand Total: In 20 years, you’ve helped reuse over 46 tonnes of items within our community.

Big Diamond Jubilee: Our 75th Swap Shop!

We are reaching a massive milestone on Saturday, 24th January 2026. Not only is it our 75th event, but it marks nearly 20 years of community spirit.

The best news? The refreshments are back! The local Explorer Scouts will be joining us to reinstate the tea and coffee service for the first time since the pandemic.

Whether you’ve been with us since that first "bemused" day in 2006 or you're planning your first visit, come along, grab a cuppa, and find a hidden gem. Thank you for being part of the journey!