Organisers of an Appeal for tools for developing countries have planned a sewing machine workshop for members of the public to learn how to refurbish old Singer sewing machines.

On Saturday, July 31st between 10am and 4pm, anyone can come along to the Agribusiness Centre, in Bakewell, and learn the skill of sewing machine refurbishment. Training will be given by the charity Tools for Self Reliance (TFSR), and it will also be an opportunity to donate round bobbin sewing machines to the Appeal - they will be sent to tailors and seamstresses in Africa after refurbishment. A display of the work of TSFR will also be on show.

A guest visitor from Tanzania, who normally teaches groups in Africa how to maintain and repair donated sewing machines, will be instructing in the workshops. There will be time to ask questions about what impact these tools have had on his native country and to find out first hand what is needed. Another workshop instructor looks after the TFSR sewing machine workshop at their headquarters in Southampton, and has many years of experience with different types of sewing machines and training many people.

The Appeal for Tools, launched in June by the Church of England's Diocese of Derby, seeks a wide range of good quality, second-hand unwanted tools. Once refurbished and assembled into kits, some tools will be shipped to workers in Africa by TFSR. Gardening and power-operated tools will be sent to the mental health and conservation charity The Derbyshire Green Health Partnership. The Sewing Machine Workshop is one of several events between June and the beginning of September to raise awareness of the Appeal.

As well as refurbishing sewing machines, visitors to the workshops are being encouraged to donate sewing kits, which should include pins, tape measures, good dressmaking shears and seam splitters.

Ian Care of Derby TFSR said: "This is a chance to see the work of local TFSR groups, to try your hand at learning a new skill and to meet some of the people that these kits will directly benefit. Thank you to everyone who has already donated some tools to the Appeal."

Ends

Notes to editors:

List of participating and supporting organisations and individuals:-

• The Rt Rev'd Jonathan Bailey, Bishop of Derby - is a patron of the project and offers his full commendation
• The Silk Mill - Derby's Museum of Industry and History - Hosted the launch event and exhibition and will also act as a collection centre
• Derbyshire County Council - Endorsement from Chief Executive Nick Hodgson
• Derby City Council Mayor's Office - Endorsement from the Mayor and assistance with distribution of publicity material
• Chatsworth Estates - The Estate has donated a 20ft stall free of charge at Chatsworth Country Fair on Sept 4/5.
• Rolls Royce plc - providing printing support for publicity and providing space at its site for tools sorting
• Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service - Offering six of their stations as collection centres
• Sainsbury's (The Wyvern Retail Park, Derby) - Involved as a collection centre
• Laser Rail Ltd, Matlock - Involved as a collection centre
• Lester Lowe Ltd, Ashbourne - Involved as a collection centre
• Mercia Rotary - Providing transport for the tools from the collection points to the sorting area, and helping with the sorting and making of crates for tool kits.