Nikki Grant is the Accidental Alpaca Farmer, based near Wickham with a herd of 50 and she spins her own alpaca wool.

She spoke at Petersfield Women's Institute on Wednesday 10 June to the usual lively WI audience. 

An accredited trainer, and very knowledgeable - she’d write a book if she had time!

She talks to Mike Waddington about her herd of 50 (there are 65,000 Alpacas in the UK now) and making a living from wool and weddings!

Mike also speaks to WI President Chloe Pyatt about where their ideas come from and their next meeting with a harpist.

More at  Solomons Alpacas |

WI at MEET THE TEAM | Petersfield WI

Nikki Grant is the Accidental Alpaca Farmer, based near Wickham with a herd of 50 and she spins her own alpaca wool.
She spoke at Petersfield Women's Institute on Wednesday 10 June to the usual lively WI audience.&nbsp;
An accredited trainer, and very knowledgeable - she&rsquo;d write a book if she had time!
She talks to Mike Waddington about her herd of 50 (there are 65,000 Alpacas in the UK now) and making a living from wool and weddings!
Mike also speaks to WI President Chloe Pyatt about where their ideas come from and their next meeting with a harpist.
More at <a href="https://solomonsalpacas.co.uk/">&nbsp;Solomons Alpacas |</a>
WI at <a href="https://www.petersfieldwi.org/meet-the-team">MEET THE TEAM | Petersfield WI</a>

Local stories, local voices and local information from Petersfield.

We cover community news, culture, nature, history, events and entertainment in the South Downs market town of Petersfield in Hampshire, UK.

This feed includes all our on-demand audio. Find our more specific feeds by searching "Petersfield" on your  favourite podcast app.

Shine Radio is the radio station made by you. Share your stories or join our volunteer team. Find out more at https://shineradio.uk, email team@shineradio.uk or call Petersfield 01730 555 500.

You make it shine.

Local stories, local voices and local information from Petersfield.
We cover community news, culture, nature, history, events and entertainment in the South Downs market town of Petersfield in Hampshire, UK.
This feed includes all our on-demand audio. Find our more specific feeds by searching "Petersfield" on your  favourite podcast app.
Shine Radio is the radio station made by you. Share your stories or join our volunteer team. Find out more at <a href="https://shineradio.uk">https://shineradio.uk</a>, email <a href="mailto:team@shineradio.uk">team@shineradio.uk</a> or call Petersfield 01730 555 500.
You make it shine.

Voices and stories from Petersfield in Hampshire, UK

Petersfield's Shine Radio

The hum of a happy alpaca herd

The Salvation Army in Petersfield is 140 years old this year.

They have an exhibition on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 June at their Hall on Swan Street, so people can see and hear all about it.

Regimental Sergeant Major Steve Field talks to Mike Waddington about the event, some of the history, the War Cry and where the Salvation Army is going - a long way from starting in London in 1865 to 135 countries today.

Shine Radio has covered the 140 year celebrations and these can be heard at:

The Head of the Salvation Army visits Petersfield to celebrate 140 years here | Petersfield's Shine Radio

Salvation Army success remembered | Petersfield's Shine Radio

Petersfield Salvation Army is celebrating 140 years in the town | Petersfield's Shine Radio

The Salvation Army in Petersfield is 140 years old this year.
They have an exhibition on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 June at their Hall on Swan Street, so people can see and hear all about it.
Regimental Sergeant Major Steve Field talks to Mike Waddington about the event, some of the history, the War Cry and where the Salvation Army is going - a long way from starting in London in 1865 to 135 countries today.
Shine Radio has covered the 140 year celebrations and these can be heard at:
<a href="https://shineradio.uk/2026/03/the-head-of-the-salvation-army-visits-petersfield-to-celebrate-140-years-here/">The Head of the Salvation Army visits Petersfield to celebrate 140 years here | Petersfield's Shine Radio</a>
<a href="https://shineradio.uk/2025/10/salvation-army-success-remembered/">Salvation Army success remembered | Petersfield's Shine Radio</a>
<a href="https://shineradio.uk/2025/07/petersfield-salvation-army-is-celebrating-140-years-in-the-town/">Petersfield Salvation Army is celebrating 140 years in the town | Petersfield's Shine Radio</a>

Salvation Army exhibition follows the clock from 140 years ago

Faye and Martin Thompson, Petersfield Town Criers, are featured in the latest Take  A Break magazine, for being husband and wife town criers.

They say it’s all about supporting Petersfield events and businesses and promoting the town itself.

They tell Mike Waddington all about the work they love - it is unpaid - and the latest accolade won for Petersfield.

You can invite the Town Criers at Petersfield Town Crier – Petersfield Town Council

Faye and Martin Thompson, Petersfield Town Criers, are featured in the latest Take&nbsp; A Break magazine, for being husband and wife town criers.
They say it&rsquo;s all about supporting Petersfield events and businesses and promoting the town itself.
They tell Mike Waddington all about the work they love - it is unpaid - and the latest accolade won for Petersfield.
You can invite the Town Criers at <a href="https://www.petersfield-tc.gov.uk/petersfield-town-crier/">Petersfield Town Crier &ndash; Petersfield Town Council</a>

Petersfield's Town Criers make Take a Break 

Today's local news and information update from Petersfield's Shine Radio.
Winton Players wowed with two awards.
enjoy bountiful gardens and sweeping lawns or local charities.
New facebook group for the Joys of Motorcycling.
We have a roundup of local job opportunities.

To share your news stories email team@shineradio.uk or call, text or WhatsApp 01730 555 500.

You make it shine.

Published at 5:00am on 11 June, 2026

Today's local news and information update from Petersfield's Shine Radio.
<ul>
<li>Winton Players wowed with two awards.</li>
<li>enjoy bountiful gardens and sweeping lawns or local charities.</li>
<li>New facebook group for the Joys of Motorcycling.</li>
<li>We have a roundup of local job opportunities.</li>
</ul>
To share your news stories email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:team@shineradio.uk">team@shineradio.uk</a> or call, text or WhatsApp 01730 555 500.
You make it shine.
Published at 5:00am on 11 June, 2026

The hum of a happy alpaca herd

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