Heighington Womens’ Institute (WI) celebrated our 100th this year.

Over the course of the year we have held a number of events (choir performance, craft fair, afternoon tea, etc) and we have raised funds.

The ladies decided to use some of the money to support the MRI Scanner Appeal at Darlington and Bishop Auckland hospitals.

One of our speakers at the beginning of the year was Carole Burn who runs Prince Bishop Alpacas at Headlam, following a very successful evening she contacted us, suggesting a calendar featuring our ladies and the alpacas.

Hence the idea was born and rather than just donate the money we decided to use it to produce a calendar featuring some of our ladies topless, wearing Victorian bloomers with strategically placed alpacas.

There were several brave volunteers and the Sister of one of our ladies, Shelly Newnham, agreed to take the photographs. We now have our calendars and hope to raise £1000 for the appeal from our initial print run of 200, which sold out within 4 days. But don’t worry we are ordering more.

Each month has a themed shot. The calendar was launched on the 5th October and coincided with a secret yarn bombing of the area around West Green in Heighington (see photos).

The calendars are available for a minimum donation of £5 and can be obtained from Karin Allison (01325 307040) or the Spar Shop in Heighington.

WI Wool 2 WI Wool 1