Joanna Page, best known for her role as Stacey in the BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey, made a special visit to Cirencester this week, delighting staff at two local charity shops.
The 49-year-old actress stopped by the stores on Tuesday, 22 September, as part of a new BBC shopping series called Shift The Thrift. During her visit, she purchased items to support the Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home, the animal charity that operates both shops.
Shift The Thrift is a programme where couples visit charity shops across the UK, aiming to find items that they can later sell at auction to raise funds for various causes. The Cirencester shops featured in an upcoming episode set to air in the coming months.
READ MORE: Exclusive First Look Inside Siren Craft Bar in Cheltenham
Sam Herniman, Individual Giving Fundraising Co-ordinator at the Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home, expressed enthusiasm about the visit: “It was an absolute pleasure to meet Joanna when she visited the shops. She was absolutely lovely, and it was such a treat to have her here. The team from Shift The Thrift visited both of our Cirencester stores, which was really exciting for us.”
He added, “Joanna even made a purchase herself, which was particularly thoughtful as it directly supports the animals at the Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home. Seeing her get involved and support our work was wonderful.”
Mr Herniman also shared details about the two Cirencester charity shops: “We have two very different stores in Cirencester. Our larger superstore offers a wide variety of donations, including furniture, homeware, books, clothes, and many unexpected finds.”
“Our other shop specialises in clothing and is wonderfully quirky, stocked with vintage treasures, designer brands, and uniquely niche pieces. There really is something for everyone in both stores.”
He concluded, “Both shops truly reflect what our charity is all about - you never quite know what treasure you might find, and every purchase helps make a real difference to the animals we support.”