We’ll adopt your clutter!

One of the reasons we volunteer in a charity shop, other than having a soft spot for birds, is a soft spot for secondhand goods.

We have Limoges, Crown Lynn and fine English china. We have Selangor pewter. We have blockbuster movies and Shakespeare’s plays. Sensible shoes, stylish shoes and silly shoes. The clothing we sell is often a much better quality than what we could afford new. Not perhaps this year’s fashion, but then neither are we. And we all buy the occasional, irresistible knick-nack, gee-gaw or piece of bric-a-brac. After seven years our homes are showing signs of this.

It is not the flash stuff that grabs our fancy and won’t let go. We try to give one another support in resisting temptations.

“Do you really need that piece of fabric?” “Will that tablecloth with race horses fit your dining table?” “What are you going to do with that huge picture frame?”

But nobody was tempted by the single lady’s shoe left on the doorstep. Nor by the expensive brand cordless jug not currently in working order. Or, indeed, by the medical support boot, which is going to be returned to the hospital.

What we do like for our customers is elegantly summarised in this top 10 list that one of our volunteers spotted in a charity shop window overseas and adapted:

■ 10 Christmas presents from your mother-in-law.

■ 9 Nice boyfriend gifts that didn’t quite cut the mustard.

■ 8 When two people with different tastes become one.

■ 7 That ball-gown you can’t possibly wear again.

■ 6 Heirlooms that just don’t fit in.

■ 5 One becomes two again and the flat has to shrink.

■ 4 Spring cleaning the store room.

■ 3 “Darling, I really feel we have to rethink the lounge . . . ”

■ 2 Wedding presents in triplicate.

■ 1 Going on the great OE. London calling!

A good way to de-clutter is to take advantage of our clutter adoption service.

Bring it in!