Save Folkestone Owl Sanctuary Events Update & how a Clothes Swish Works

So yours truly is trying to do her bit for the Wols by organising a Clothes Swish at Googies Art Cafe on Sunday 26th August, from 7 to 9 pm.

(Incase you're wondering what a 'Wol' is, it's a Winnie the Pooh reference)

In case you haven't been to a Clothes Swish before, here's the lowdown:

Bring 5 items of good quality clothing, shoes or accessories with you. These can be for men or children but it's mostly womens clothing at events I've been too.

Bring the money requested (in this case £5 which goes directly to the Sanctuary) and bring a little extra for a glass of wine etc.

The participants start turning up at 7pm and will pay the organiser and put their clothes on the rails provided (i'll bring some extra coathangers but if you've got any to bring this can help) There will be some other clothes 'left over' from previous swishes there to help with the variety & selection available. Between 7 & 8 the ladies (or gents) can peruse the rails, try things on, working out what they might want for themselves.

All the clothes go back on the rails during this time though, because at 8pm (or whenever) the organiser will ask everyone to stand an equal distance away from the rails, and will then tell everyone to "Go!", at which point everyone rushes towards the items they had eyed up in the hope of getting there first! I know this sounds like a bit of a scrum (it can be) but it is the fairest way of ensuring that no-one can grab the best bits for themselves before other participants arrive. And actually it's part of the fun.

If there's something extra you wanted, but have already got your 5 items, you can usually ask the organiser if you can pay an extra £1 for the item (i'll say yes - it's for the Owls!)

You go home with a new wardrobe, and Brian gets some money for his lovely Owls = Everyone's happy!

Some of the best things I have acquired at clothes swishes include:

Silver Havaiana Slim flip-flops, hardly worn
A Monsoon embroidered linen skirt
A (wardrobe staple) black cardigan with the tags still on.

Black jersey wrap around dress (another 'wardrobe staple')

A brand new Floozey fascinator in it's box.

A maxi dress that actually fits (I'm quite tall)

Things I have seen at swishes (but haven't been able to grab in time) include an Armani Exchange top with the TAGS STILL ON!!!

Other things happening to raise money for the Owl Sanctuary

On the same night as the Swish there will be a Music Quiz upstairs at Googies organised by Hanging Man, it is £3 to participate.

Their facebook events page is here

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Folkestone Promoters Blueskypie are organising a free open air gig outside Googies from noon until 4pm, called 'Owl is full of Love'. Their events page is here for info on bands & artists playing.

Googies Barista Tom will be dressed as an Owl for the WHOLE Bank Holiday Weekend. Go into Googies on Rendesvouz Street to Sponsor him.

Or you can sponsor (or participate in) the Chain Gang Ride Again sponsored bike ride taking place on 28th August. I think Tom, Matt & Kebb are starting out from Googies at 9am (sponsor forms are in the cafe). Not sure if Tom will still be dressed as an owl for this, but I wish him luck! PS. The adorable Owl on a Bycicle sketch is by C S Jennings whose website is here - check him out.

The Folkestone Owl Sanctuary are having an Open Day on 15th September. I believe that they need some help tidying up part of the garden before the date, so if you'd like to volunteer call the number on the bottom of their flyer.

Pavement Pounders are organising a special one off walk, showing you the history & architecture of Folkestone, with a bit of Owl Lore too. This takes place on Saturday 25th August and leaves from outside Googies at 11am. For info & booking click here.  It will be between 1-2 hours long and they are requesting donations, rather than having a set cost.

I should add that Googies are donating £1 from every Googie Burger sold over the whole weekend (surely an excuse to chow down on a 'Pinky & Perky' if ever there was one), and there are collection pots in the cafe at the moment.

I think that's it for now!

More updates to come soon so check back sometime.

Thanks for reading XOX