On September 5 Ashton WI enjoyed a lively and interesting evening with a local lady, Ginny Makin, known as the alpaca lady from Sedgeberrow.

The title was “Living the Dream with Alpacas”. She and her husband`s original dream was to really run a smallholding, but their daughter suggested alpacas, and the more they researched the idea, the more it grew on Ginny. After just a few years, beginning life in a static home and husband eventually building their new home, they have expanded their herd to thirty-six animals. Alpacas earn their keep through the sale of their beautiful fleeces. Ginny explained that they originated from South America and were bred by the Incas along with llamas and vicunas – all part of the camel family. Alpacas nearly became extinct but a resurgence of interest in the 1980s, particularly in Australia and the US as well as the UK, has led to a breeding programme intending to reverse the interbreeding of the different species. They have adapted well to our climate, being used to extremes of temperature in their native lands. The wool has several commercial uses, felting, stuffing and knitwear and the wool Ginny handed round for us to feel was gorgeously soft and silky – each type of alpaca producing a different kind of fleece, one curly and the other longer and silky.

We were then enthralled to learn lots about their nature, generally gentle and friendly but as they are animals of “flight”, can easily get scared and run away. Our members were fascinated to hear about the whole process of pregnancy and birth, but to describe more would spoil the talk for others who would, I am sure, be interested to hear all about alpacas!

Ginny runs learning experience sessions for the disabled as well as giving talks and demonstrations of carding and spinning.

Ginny was thanked by Mrs. Joan Richmond.

Other activities during August have included a boat trip from Tewkesbury to Twyning with a walk back along the riverbank and a garden visit to Eckington.

Next meeting will be on Tuesday, October 3 when our speaker will be Mrs. Sarah Lane on her experiences when working as a prison visitor. Non members always welcome.

JEN CREESE