The Charity Shop Trilogy Poem by Paula Glynn

Part 1


One of the earliest known charity shops in the United Kingdom
To be set up by the Wolverhampton Society for the Blind
(Now called the Beacon Centre for the Blind) in 1899
Selling goods made by artistic blind people
Raising money for the society itself.

During World War I, various fund-raising activities occurred
One being a charity bazaar in Shepherd Market, London,
Which made £50,000 for the Red Cross
However, it was during the Second World War
That the charity shop became widespread.

Edinburgh University Settlement opened their
‘Thrift Shop for Everyone' in Edinburgh in 1937
The Red Cross opened up its first charity shop
In London in 1941 for the duration of the war,
Two hundred ‘permanent' Red Cross gift shops,

And about 150 temporary Red Cross shops were opened
A condition of the shop licence issued by the Board of Trade
Was that all goods offered for sale were gifts
Purchase for re-sale was forbidden
The entire proceeds from sales had to be passed,

To the Duke of Gloucester's Red Cross or the St John Fund.
Most premises were lent free of rent
Some cases owners also met the costs of heating and lighting
The first Oxfam charity shop in the United Kingdom
Was established by Cecil Jackson-Cole

In busy and bustling Broad Street, Oxford,
Beginning trading in December 1947
Men and women's clothing and vintage clothing
First rate shoes, hats and cosy coats
All second-hand yet in the snow utter heaven.


Part 2

The early 2010s, shopping at a charity shop to become popular
Earning a name in the United States as thrifting
Environmentalists may prefer buying second-hand goods
As this uses fewer natural resources
And would usually do less damage to the environment

Rather than by buying new goods,
The goods are usually collected locally
Charity shopping reusing second-hand items to be a form of recycling
Therefore reducing the amount of waste going to landfill sites
People who oppose sweatshops to purchase second-hand clothing

An alternative to supporting clothing companies
With dubious ethical practices
People who desire authentic vintage clothing
Typically to shop at charity shops
Where unique and marvellous items are discovered

Since most clothing that is donated is old
And out of normal fashion or simply undesired
Many YouTube channels make thrifting videos
Showcasing fashionable and unusual finds
For fashion taste and style is never blind.


Part 3

Dressing like a mysterious gypsy
Classic clothes from a charity shop
From bohemian skirts
To fantastic floral prints
From feminine trousers and tops

Even heels to be in the shop window
From blue suede high heels
To flat yet stylish beaded sandals
Charity shops in vivacious vogue
Charity shops to be fashionable

With colourful rainbow prints
Colours of pink to beige
Glorious green to yummy yellow
Sombre black
And angelic white

Trousers to be in various sizes
Skirts to be in various sizes
Dresses to be in various sizes
Sweaters to be in various sizes
Shoes of various design and style

People not always on lower income
Charity shop finds to any fashionista
Being the ultimate in style
And personal style at that
For charity fashion is the ultimate

Personality explored in magazines
Advertising bohemian fashion
For all readers inspired
With those artistic photographs
From vibrant colours to black and white

Creative clothing to be popular
And catering for everyone in the world:
From young to old
Rich to poor
A fashion magazine life we do adore.