Organised by For Rutland, the fundraising arm of the Citizens Advice Bureau in Rutland, and very kindly sponsored for the 4th year running by Hegarty Solicitors, The Good & New Clothes Sale is back this month. There’s a new venue this year – The Rutland Showground in Oakham – where there will be a ticketed evening on Friday 24 March and then everything at half price during the morning of Saturday 25 March.  

Photography: Elli Dean www.ellideanphotography.co.uk

The idea of The Good & New Clothes Sale came about over 55 years ago. Who then could have predicted how our shopping habits have shifted in the last few years, with the move towards pre-loved clothing, sustainability and not buying cheap, which invariably ends in landfill. Buying good-quality clothing is exactly what the sale is all about. So buy better and support this amazing charity.

The sale is headed up by Trish Ruddle (now in her 25th year on the sale), Elizabeth Mills and a whole host of wonderful volunteers, who have amassed an incredible array of women’s, men’s and children’s clothing for this year’s sale and spent long hours getting it all into the best possible shape for the event. The pieces photographed here are only the tip of the iceberg. 

Our wonderful models for this shoot – Lottie Crooke, Daniel Sandler-Valance, Simon Sandler-Valance and Carolyn Wright – are part of the volunteer team or friends of the team. A heartfelt big thank you to them all – they look fabulous. Our models were given a boost of confidence by Rebecca Chantrell’s beautiful make up and hair – thank you to Rebecca. 

Huge thanks to stylist Sally Stillingfleet for organising this shoot to promote the event and to support For Rutland. Big thanks, too, to photographer Elli Dean.

THE GOOD & NEW CLOTHES SALE

VENUE: The Rutland Showground, Showground Way, Oakham LE15 7TW

DATES & ENTRANCE PRICES: Friday 24 March, 5–8pm: Entrance by ticket only (£20) from info@forrutland.org.uk – an evening of superb canapés and a glass of Champagne kindly donated by Hambleton Hall. 

Saturday 25 March, 8.30am–1pm:
The Sale  continues, with items marked down to half price; the entry fee on the door on the Saturday is £5. 

DONATE: The concept of re-using, rotating or recycling, call it what you will, has been the Sale’s cornerstone for over 55 years. After collection, everything is sorted, checked, presented and displayed in categories, just like in a department store. Anyone wishing to donate their preloved clothes can do so all year round by contacting info@forrutland.org.uk or calling 07710 873811 for collection.

VOLUNTEER: For Rutland is always looking for volunteers, especially with The Good & New Clothes Sale. Anyone interested in joining this happy group, email info@forrutland.org.uk  

THE CAUSE: All the funds raised from The Good & New Clothes Sale stay in Rutland and its surroundings. Community Advisers have helped people with non-medical advice living with long-term health conditions access over £8 million in grants, debt write-offs and benefit funding.

www.forrutland.org.uk