Hurrah!! We've just picked up our first Freecycle item. Freecycle is definitely the way forward as items are not only free but recycled too. And in the case of our "white chipboard bookcase, bit chipped but sturdy", I'm certain that without freecycle it would be on route to landfill.

If you don't know about Freecycle.org then check it out. There are groups all over the UK so find your nearest one and then after registering (which is pretty easy) just post a message saying what the item is you don't want anymore and where you live. People then email you if they want it and you can decide who to give it to. Then you arrange a time and they come and pick it up, simple. Pets can be advertised but not people, I'm afraid.

We've given away an old hoover and some magazines - as you can see, really high value items. Other people do put on things like books, computers and bikes and there was even a car once, we're just more stingy! However we have never taken an item before. I've just thought that maybe it's because there was no competition this time!

Oh well, Happy end of Easter holidays :( Back to school for me tomorrow. x