Cottagecore; Fly-tipping; Charity Shops

Available for over a year

Charities report that they are struggling to find volunteers willing to return to working in their shops. Small charities are very dependent on the money from their stores so there is real concern that they will go under. We'll be live at a small struggling charity, asking what might encourage volunteers back and what can be done to help. Lockdown brought with it an interest in slow food, sourdough baking, crafting and making do. Now all those interests are feeding a fashion trend for simplicity. Add to that a range of social media posts by celebrities in flowery frocks or flat caps enjoying rural down time during the pandemic and you have the makings of a craze - cottagecore. Flytipping is a real problem - there were over a million fly tipping incidents in England last year. Government's given local gave local authorities new powers to fine householders who don’t dispose of their waste properly. A fixed penalty notice is a fine of up to four hundred pounds. We investigate complaints that councils have used these powers unfairly. Presenter: Winifred Robinson Producer: Olive Clancy