Walthamstow Tool Library

WTL – open Tuesdays 4pm-7pm & Saturdays 10am-1pm

Borrow tools & green your community

Walthamstow Tool Library (WTL) is a tool lending library in 2a Priory Court with the mission to make tools both accessible and affordable, while reducing the need to purchase new tools and consequently our impact on the environment. We are delighted that the North London Waste Authority Community Fund have chosen to fund the project in 2024/25.

The project was developed by residents of William Morris Big Local, made possible by WMBL funding with premises provided by the London Borough of Waltham Forest and is run by Forest Recycling Project and volunteers of the local area.

Our aim is to become a vibrant community hub that connects people and ideas to make our lives and surroundings greener, healthier and more inclusive!

WTL MEMBERSHIP for £10-40 / YEAR

Have a browse on our online inventory and create an account with us to get access to hundreds of tools! The membership lasts for one year and enables you to get up to 5 items at one time. The default loan period is one week, but with a possibility to renew it up to two. Please note, that you can only reserve items one week in advance! For more info about becoming a member, go to https://walthamstowtl.myturn.com/library.

NEWS: We are offering a special membership for our neighbours in Priory Court! £10 / year!

TOOL DONATIONS

We are always looking for donations to stock and diversify our inventory. If you would like to donate any good condition tools, check our wish list below and email tools@frpuk.org. At the moment we are very short on cordless drills, if you have any to donate, please get in touch!

Please note, that we might also consider selling some donated tools if we have too many of one type, in order to raise money and help keep the library up and running.

TOOL SHARPENING

We provide a tool sharpening service for both members & non-members. You can get up to 3 hand tools sharpened at one time. Members get this service for free (up to 6 tools per year) and can simply book the “item” on the system. Non-members can book by sending an email to tools@frpuk.org and will need to pay £3 per tool.

!NEW! Special offer for kitchen knives! Just £2 per knife, no limit on numbers.

We’re aiming to sharpen your items within a week, if we need more time, we will notify you. We accept the following tools: secateurs, loppers, shears, and some lawn mower blades – it is best to let us know beforehand what tools you are bringing. Please be aware that we are not able to sharpen saws at this point!

VOLUNTEERING

Volunteers are very much the heart of our operation, we couldn’t do it without them! WTL volunteers mainly help out during our opening times as well as our events. The tasks vary from cataloguing items, fixing tools to running a workshop or a social media campaign…

As a WTL volunteer, you’ll become part of a lovely, supportive lil community, learn new skills, and get access to plenty of tools! Have a look at our different volunteer roles, and get in touch if you would like to get involved: tools@frpuk.org.

Currently we are looking for someone who helps out on social media as well as someone who’s got some experience in fixing tools! So please get in touch!

SEEDS & SEEDLINGS

Have you got spare seeds or plants? We’ve created a little seed library in our tool library, so that you can swap seeds while borrowing tools. You can bring and/or take seeds during our opening times or drop them off at the tool library seed drop box in a labeled envelope anytime. Plants/seedlings can be left in our plant swap house outside the library or be kept for one of our plant swap events.

Not so sure how to sow & grow? Download our how-to-sow-seeds guide, that’ll help you get started.

HOW to FIND & CONTACT US

Our library is based at 2a Priory Court, E17 5LS. It’s the road’s smallest building with the largest & most beautiful mural, created by local kids and artist Lorraine Ward. Public Transport: Victoria line & Overground to Blackhorse Road, Bus W11 & 123 to Higham Hill Road (Stop S).

QUESTIONS or SUGGESTIONS?

Send us an email to tools@frpuk.org, we usually check the account on a Tuesday and a Friday. You can also call us on 07933 710644 during our opening times. To receive regular updates and info, please join the Walthamstow Tool Library mailing list and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

WTL Newsletter Archive

23#1 – about pruning & changes in our team
22#8 – about thermal cameras, Priory Court Resident Membership & saving seeds (again)
22#7 – about our October workshops, our new shredder and kitchen knives sharpening service
22#6 – about our 2. anniversary, September events, and current wallpaper steamer frenzy
22#5 – about our July events, tea blending, and mini ponds
22#4 – about our summer activities (part I), tool donors, and three sisters
22#3 – all about our new summer activity grants
22#2 – about Green up Priory Court Spring Fair and William Morris Birthday Celebrations
22#1 – about gift economies, our seed saving workshop & community bike pump
Winter 2021 – about WTL Gift Cards, wildlife habitats & bike maintenance
October 2021 – about COP26, bulbs & our new crowdfunder
September 2021 – about our first anniversary, our new fruit press & about saving seed
Summer 2021 – about winter seeds & cuttings, regular sharpenings & finished murals
June 2021 – about our mural & sharpening service pilot, seedling swap house, tomato care, natural fertiliser & greening up Priory Court
May 2021 – about consumables, our 1. seedling swap, planting out, slug control & making compost
April 2021 – about hardening off seedlings, preparing beds, “NoMowMay” & our extended team
March 2021 – about WMBL’s grand sunflower competition, sowing seed (part 2) & how to build windowsill planter

We are grateful to Waltham Forest Council for the use of the Walthamstow Tool Library building and all their support.