I’ve lived in Reading for twenty years, and been driven past this shop countless times. Today was the first time I remembered to make a little detour and have a look inside. I think it should probably win some kind of award for Most Bonkers Place I’ve Ever Shopped, even by charity shop standards! Every surface is simply crammed full of STUFF. I wandered up a corner to look at some glassware, and when I came to wander out again, a lady had barricaded me in with a pile of briefcases that I had to clamber over. Bonkers.
I came out with a lovely selection of mis-matched decorated shot glasses that I plan to turn into little candles. I also found a set of 6 iridescent amber glasses that I think I might keep, just because they’re so pretty.
I do love a good charity shop, and I think this has to qualify as one of the best. Whilst I don’t mind the brand-name ones that have “vintage & retro” sections, with items priced accordingly, I do love the places that are more like a jumble sale, or an explosion in a grandmother’s attic. If I’d been able to concentrate enough to really look, I’m sure I could have found even more amazing treasures in the AUTISTIC SHOP. (Plus, proceeds go directly to the Berkshire Autistic Society, who do excellent work in the area.)
These are just a few of the treasures that I’ve picked up in local charity shops over the past few weeks. All in need of a good wash, but beautiful nonetheless!
I think what I need to look for now is a really good jumble sale. Once I’m no longer working every weekend, I know of a couple of local church halls that I can frequent. If I can convince Paul that he wants to drive me there, a trip to the monthly Sue Ryder sale at Nettlebed might be in order too. Although their donations list does say that they don’t accept odd glasses and cups… which are the things that I most want! It seems criminal to break up a lovely set that could still be used, for the sake of turning them into candles. Much nicer to pick up oddments and give them a new function, I think.
In Crowthorne (Berkshire) where I grew up there was a fabulous charity shop called C.O.A.T.S which was a wonderful jumble of a shop, stuff just got piled up in there and stayed for years…it was great to just browse… unfortunately about 10 years ago they realised that if they streamlined and organised things so that you could find things they might get more customers and sell more things…I miss it…
Is the Berkshire Autistic shop far from the town centre ? Unfortunately although I work in reading I now live in warwickshire so don’t tend to see much during the week other than the town centre
I’ve heard about C.O.A.T.S., I keep meaning to pop over to Crowthorne and have a look! The Autistic Shop is about a 10-15 minute walk out of the town centre, or a couple of minutes on a 5 or 6 bus. It’s at the top of Whitley Street. If you walk up London Street, past RISC, keep going up Silver Street, past the Rising Sun Arts Centre, and carry on up the hill, it’s at the top. 🙂
Worth trying car boot sales too, you can get loads of odd tea cups, glasses etc, and people are willing to negotiate as well. My neighbour has always got gorgeous tea cup candles that she makes up with her finds.
I never seem to get out of bed early enough for car boot sales, but if we ever get some nicer weather I’ll give it a try! 🙂