Fancy a quick look round the charity shops to see what we can find? Join me for this week's RetroSpectives video as we look for hidden retro treasures amongst the random vintage tat. On location in Chesham High Street, Buckinghamshire.
Video Link:
https://youtu.be/MI0BdhHBSMY
#retro #charityshop #vintage #r2d2 #rubiks #chesham #thrift #thrifting
#tatsLife #charityshop #F4bRik #Faithitis
Next bundle to give
To the local charity shop
Good News Post - inspiring stories, hope, positivity, well-being, and a happier outlook on life.Mar 2Gen Z Flocks to Save the Children Shops as Under-25 Volunteers Surge
I managed to score a gorgeous linen duvet set that fits my stupidly-large bed.
It's from M&S's super duper range. A button hole is damaged but who cares? I got a weighty, crisp, full cotton spread and pillow cases for £4.
They're usually north of £50! I found a cool charity shop.
The guys seem to approve. I'll leave them be.
Princess of Wales makes surprise visit to Tŷ Hafan charity shop in Lampeter
The Princess, Patron of Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice, stopped at the charity’s Lampeter shop on Tuesday after completing an official engagement at Melin Tregwynt Woollen Mill. According to staff, she spotted the store nearby and decided she “couldn’t be this close without popping in”.
Warm welcome for unexpected royal visitor
Tŷ Hafan’s Regional Sales Manager Maree Thomas said the visit took everyone by surprise but quickly turned into a moment they will never forget.
“Although the visit was brief, HRH took time to shake hands and be introduced to each of us,” she said. “She spoke with our Deputy Store Manager Jenny and our volunteers Krystyna and Rachel, saying she couldn’t be this close without popping in once she saw our store next to her official engagement.”
Staff and volunteers embracing inside the Tŷ Hafan charity shop during the Princess of Wales’ surprise visit.According to staff, the Princess told them she understood the importance of local communities supporting one another and recognised how vital Tŷ Hafan’s shops are for hospice families. She also said she loved her recent visit to the hospice and praised the “amazing work” carried out by the teams.
Despite being advised she was short on time, the Princess insisted on seeing the shop’s haberdashery section and signed the customer comments book before leaving.
There was also a moment that left staff emotional. As she prepared to go, Jenny joked that she almost hugged her. The Princess replied, “Please do,” prompting the warm embrace captured in photographs.
The Princess of Wales signing a customer comments book during an unplanned visit to the Tŷ Hafan charity shop in Lampeter.“Everybody was overjoyed”
Tŷ Hafan’s Chief Executive Irfon Rees said the visit meant a great deal to the charity.
“How fantastic that our Patron, The Princess of Wales, popped into our shop in Lampeter and spent time chatting with staff and volunteers,” he said. “Without doubt, HRH’s impromptu visit definitely left everybody overjoyed. On behalf of everyone at Tŷ Hafan I’d like to thank The Princess for everything she is doing for us.”
Tŷ Hafan is one of only two children’s hospices in Wales and supports around 300 children with life‑shortening conditions and around 3,000 family members each year. The charity says more than 80% of its care costs are funded through public donations, including income from its shops.
#CharityShop #childrenSHospice #Lampeter #PrincessOfWales #royalVisit #TŷHafan #Wales
I found these shoes in a charity shop. For some reason, charity shops are really expensive now.
These are very comfortable, they fit my stupidly big feets, and according to a friend, they're serviceable.
I seem to go through shoes quickly. I walk everywhere, and I'm kinda big, but I never used to go through shoes like this. I'm guessing they're just made worse lately because profits.
£25 for these. Expensive for a charity shop, but I think they're worth it.
Swansea Cancer Research shop among 58 set to close as charity cuts high‑street presence
The charity says rising costs and changing shopping habits have forced a nationwide restructuring of its retail network, with dozens of shops already closing and more expected over the next two years.
Union Street store to shut as charity cuts back
The Swansea city centre branch at 19 Union Street is one of the latest locations confirmed for closure. Cancer Research UK says the move is part of a long‑term plan to streamline operations and focus on its most profitable sites.
The charity previously announced it intended to close up to 88 shops by 2026, but the wider restructuring could eventually see nearly 200 stores shut across the UK.
Cancer Research UK shops set to close
Aberdeen – 19 Rosemount Viaduct
Ballymena – 49 Ballymoney Street
Banbury – 9 Parsons Street
Belfast – 17 Bloomfield Avenue
Birkenhead – Borough Pavement
Bognor – 1–2 Clock Walk
Burton‑on‑Trent – 25 Station Street
Chesham – 34 High Street
Clevedon – 1 Station Road
Coatbridge – 20–22 Main Street
Crewe – 10 Market Street
Dewsbury – 22 Longcauseway
Dudley – 258 Castle Street
East Barnet – 276 East Barnet Road
Edinburgh – 9–10 Ormiston Terrace
Fakenham – 26 Market Place
Falkirk – 18 Vicar Street
Gillingham – 90 High Street
Gravesend – 34 New Road
Halesowen – 79 High Street
Harrogate – 24A Oxford Street
Hazel Grove – 129B–C London Road
Hemel Hempstead – 101 Marlowes
High Wycombe – 8 Church Street
Keswick – 24 Main Street
Lancaster – 54–54A Market Street
Lisburn – 4 Smithfield Square
Louth – 20 Market Place
Ludlow – 3 Castle Street
Maidenhead – 101 High Street
Merthyr Tydfil – 14 Graham Way
Mill Hill – 37 The Broadway
Moreton – 242 Hoylake Road
Newark – 26 Stodman Street
Northwood – 38 Green Lane
Paddock Wood – 5 Commercial Road
Redruth – 71 Fore Street
Retford – 25 Carolgate
Ross‑on‑Wye – 11 Market Place
Rushden – 22 High Street
Selby – 40A Gowthorpe
Sevenoaks – 137 High Street
Shrewsbury – 9 High Street
Sidmouth – 19 Fore Street
Skipton – 91 Caroline Square
St Ives – 6 High Street
Stalybridge – 44A Grosvenor Road
Stockport – 26 Princes Street
Swansea – 19 Union Street
Swindon – 28 Havelock Street
Tiverton – 15 Bampton Street
Urmston – 16 Station Road
Welling – 26C Bellegrove Road
Welwyn Garden City – 20 Howardsgate
West Bromwich – 203 High Street
Whitby – 70 Baxtergate
Wick – 36 Bridge Street
Workington – 26–32 Murray Road
Rising costs blamed for closures
Cancer Research UK says the closures are being driven by mounting operational pressures — including higher National Insurance contributions, rising energy bills, increased delivery costs and inflation affecting stock and logistics.
Once the restructuring is complete, the charity expects to operate around 320 shops, concentrating on locations that generate the strongest returns.
The organisation says the changes will free up around £12.4 million over the next five years, money it says will be redirected into life‑saving cancer research.
Online marketplace also being axed
As part of the overhaul, Cancer Research UK will also close its online marketplace in early 2026, meaning donated items will no longer be sold through external resale platforms.
Instead, the charity plans to shift towards larger “superstore”‑style outlets, with 12 new retail‑park‑sized stores planned by 2028.
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