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I’ve got people coming to stay this summer and I was looking for a few more chairs, and after flicking through the Ikea catalogue I thought I’d go for something a bit different. Rather than buying new, I thought I’d look for something reclaimed or secondhand furniture instead. I thought it would save trees and other raw materials, be much kinder on climate change and perhaps save something from landfill.

Luckily, there are lots of places around St.Albans that you can buy brilliant quality pre-loved furniture. For a start there’s Emmaus in St. Albans. It’s just on the corner of Nightingale Road, near the Nuffield Sports Centre. They provide a home for up to 33 homeless people at a time, and give them training and the opportunity to work – and one of the opportunities for work is mending and upgrading donated furniture. They have some great stuff, at very reasonable prices and I really like to know that my money is being put to such good use.

Another place I thought of is St.Albans Wood Recycling which is off Sutton Road round the back of Morrisons. They use all sorts of wood – old scaffolding boards, wood from houses that are being demolished and building site waste – and make some lovely rustic pieces of furniture out of it. They are a social enterprise company and they work with local agencies such as job centre restart schemes and the probation service to provide practical work experience, learning and training opportunities. They provide an opportunity to help local people to develop their skills and confidence working alongside the other workers as part of a team. And even better, they are socially inclusive and welcome volunteers from different backgrounds. They’ll even make a piece of simple furniture specially for you to your design.

And I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but there’s a new shop opened  on Stonecross at the top of Sandpit Lane in St.Albans stocking some stylish upcycled furniture. Here on Environment Matters we’re into anything that takes old stuff and gives it a new life, so I was keen to find out more. Listen to the podcast to hear me talking to James Petre of Quirky Interiors.

Do take a look at their new shop on Stonecross – they have some great refashioned pieces of furniture that have so much more style and character than new items.

As part of St.Albans LitFest, The Sustainable St.Albans Week organisers invite you to an evening of ideas and discussion entitled Why Women Will Save the Planet. You’ll remember that as part of International Womens’ Day on Radio Verulam we featured this book, and on Wednesday July 6th at 8pm the editor, Jenny Hawley and local contributor Kate Metcalf will be joined by local women to discuss the parallels between environmentalism and feminism, the challenges both face and the possible benefits that tackling one can bring to the other and the unique opportunities that women have to make a difference to the planet. It promises to be a thought provoking and inspiring evening – and one with some brightness and hope, which you might find welcome just at the moment. It will take place in the Yurt at the Blacksmith’s Arms, costs just £3 and everyone is welcome, whether you’re a woman or not, or, indeed and environmentalist or not. Book now.

And this Sunday you are invited to the next Transition St.Albans Open Food Garden at 30 Gustard Wood (off the Slype) anytime between 3-5pm. You’ll find a front garden packed with attractive flowers and a productive garden complete with a few chickens. Go along to get some inspiration and tips to help you grow your own – or just admire someone else’s hard work.

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