Business

By Andrew Diprose

editor@dorsetbiznews.co.uk

They’ve done it. The Peaky Climbers, including Bridport postie John Foote and colleague Lloyd Cleal, have… climbed three peaks! The nine-strong team notched up around 23 miles (37km) of walking and 3,064 metres (10,052ft) of climbing after tackling the three highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales. And although a flat tyre dashed their hopes of pulling off the feat in 24 hours, their achievement left the team from Bridport, Lyme Regis and the surrounding area far from deflated. John, who turned 46 during the challenge which was aimed at raising awareness and money for Dorset Mind, the county’s own mental health charity, said the tyre episode had cost them around four hours. He said: “We didn’t have a spare on the minibus, there was no mobile signal to contact the AA and all the garages were closed at that time. But we still did the Three Peaks in about 26 hours so we’re pretty pleased. I’ve taken part in marathons and other challenges but this was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. “I feel totally knackered and we all have a lot of sore knees, joints and muscles. “But it was a good experience and we all feel a sense of achievement.” The first mountain tackled by the team was Ben Nevis in Scotland at 4pm on Monday, May 9. They were faced with atrocious weather conditions, including 80 mph winds, rain, mist and sleet. But the team still managed to get up – and down – the mountain in just over four hours. Next stop was Scafell Pike in England. Once again the weather wasn’t kind – and it’s where the flat tyre became an issue – but they still managed to scale the peak and return in around four hours. The last mountain –Snowdon in Wales – was reached at 2pm on Tuesday afternoon, just 22 hours after starting the challenge. “We knew we couldn’t do it within the 24 hours so we just enjoyed it more, taking in the views and also the experience,” said John. Apart from John and Lloyd, the team included Lloyd’s brother, Lee, and Richard Cumpstone of Bridport’s family-run outdoor clothing and footwear shop, The Trading Post. Other members were Tommy Craven, Charlie Fowler, Richard Lawless, Graham Padget and Joel Wilkins while Shaun Annetts was the driver. Ages ranged from 21 to 51. John, who has been a postie for 20 years, thanked everyone for their

WE DID IT: Posties Lloyd Cleal, left, and John Foote, right, with from left: Lindsey Cumpstone of The Trading Post; Dorset MIND supporter Janet Fletcher, 80; Linda O’Sullivan, CEO, Dorset Mind, and Richard Cumpstone. Below: the team in action Pictures: Dorset Biz News Peaky Climbers feeling all pumped up after challenge

ROCKY WAY: John Foote scaling on of the peaks and, below, the flat tyre

support and donations. He said: “We had a lot of good luck messages and some donations came in as well. “It was a tough challenge but also very rewarding.” Among those watching the team’s progress with admiration was Linda O’Sullivan, CEO of Dorset Mind. She said: “The Peaky Climbers have illustrated the importance of connecting and also the power of a community that wants to make a difference. “This challenge was beyond amazing. “In the words of Tommy Shelby [a fictional character in the TV series Peaky Blinders played by Irish actor Cillian Murphy] ‘Peaky Climbers, Dorset Mind Salutes You!'” n To donate to Dorset Mind please go to dorsetmind.uk/campaigns /donate-to-dorsetmind/donate

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We’ll be dancing... come what May

LOOSE OOSER ABOOT THIS HOOSE: The Wessex Morris Men are looking forward to returning to Cerne Abbas with their scary old frriend. P10-11

CROWNING GLORY: Princely play park nearly ready P22-23 Cartoon by LYNDON WALL

By Andrew Diprose

editor@dorsetbiznews.co.uk

Jo Spolton and Sam Turner are on a mission. To make buying secondhand a badge of honour. The Dorset duo are cofounders of Rumage, a website which makes it easier to buy second-hand. That’s because it gathers information from 15 sites to find the bargain for you. Originally launched as 2Hand in 2018 to help people make their money go further, the venture rebranded to Rumage earlier this year. While second-hand marketplaces have boomed in recent years, it seems the online experience is turning people off. According to research by Rumage, only one in five people look at more than three websites when buying secondhand. Two in five say they would buy more second-hand if if was easier online. Just under half said they liked the sustainability of secondhand shopping. But many gave up and bought new if a secondhand item was not found within a couple of weeks. Now, though, with the cost of living crisis testing many household budgets to the limit, buying secondhand is expected to become even more popular. Jo, a mum of two and the CEO of Rumage, said: “I want to help people find what they need and remove the stigma of secondhand. “I want to make it a badge of honour to grab a bargain. “Something to be proud of and something to shout about. “I’m on a mission to make secondhand not just first choice but a viable first choice for everyone.” Jo, 50, and Sam, 53, who is Chief Marketing Officer, said that with so many platforms offering second-hand items,

Rumage gave people more of a chance to make money-saving choices by bringing them altogether. But it also has a positive impact on the environment as extending the life-cycle of a product puts less strain on the planet and slows down the rate of excessive consumption. he result is less waste and emissions. Jo said: “As a mum I’m really worried about the planet my kids are going to inherit. “I want to show them that everyone has the ability to create change and that every single action really does make a difference. “As a mum I want my kids to be proud of their choices, not just for themselves but for the world and other people around them. “I try to make every penny work hard and, like many other families, we are trying to do an awful lot on a budget. “Making secondhand as easy as possible is our goal. “We want to help people make good second-hand choices rather than having to rely on new for things that are just as good pre-loved.” Using Rumage, a simultaneous search can be made for secondhand products – from bikes and appliances to clothes and home furnishings – across a diverse range of marketplaces. So far Rumage is connected to 15 sites but working behind the scenes on many more. The service is free. No payment is taken for items shown on rumage.com. Instead Rumage displays what’s on offer and enables users to find what they need without the hassle of searching all the sites individually. All transactions happen outside of Rumage which gets its income from affiliate agreements with many of the linked sites. Commission is earned when an item is purchased. Jo said: “The tide is turning now on re-using things. “Consumers are more powerful than they realise. “If we all change our habits then the economic models will change from the ground up. “Our goal with rumage.com is to make it possible for everyone to join the circular economy as well as save money.” n Rumage has several free guides to secondhand purchases including mobile phones, electronics, laptops, bikes, furniture and garden furniture. rumage.com

SITE FOUNDERS: Jo Spolton and Sam Turner of Rumage Making the right decisions in the pre-loved market