04/10/2026
This has been life lately in Follifoot, and it’s been so much fun. Please buy a copy of the Follifoot WI Ladies in Leather 2027 Calendar and support the vital work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance
The Follifoot WI Ladies in Leather Calendar is now on sale! All proceeds to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Following its launch last Saturday at the Follifoot Cricket Club, the Follifoot WI Ladies in Leather 2027 calendar is now on sale.
As you know the idea for the calendar came about over a post- WI outing supper and a discussion as to how to attract new members to the village WI, raise some money and have some fun. Follifoot WI member Linda Oldridge had the inspired idea of ‘Ladies in Leather’ ( LiL’s), a collaboration among our members, Linda’s biker husband and his fellow motorcyclists. It was an idea that was greeted with great excitement at the supper.
As Linda’s own brother’s life had been saved by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) following a near fatal motorbike accident three years ago, the choice of charity for the project was a very easy one and one which was unanimously accepted by all of the LiL’s.
Within days photographer Ian Marshall of Scarlet Ribbon Photography had offered his services free of charge. Within two weeks enough support was gained from generous local businesses and villagers to cover the production costs of the calendars; every penny raised by the sale of the calendars will go directly to the YAA.
Two fun-filled photoshoots of WI members dressed in borrowed motorbike leathers, sitting astride classic motorbikes, in front of every Follifoot village landmark, created quite a stir. We were thrilled that so many villagers turned out to watch the proceedings, many of them potential new WI members.
Several weeks of pre-production image and design meetings followed, supported patiently by Tig, the printers who are also generous supporters. Before we knew it, the calendar was printed, just in time for Saturdays launch party with supporters, WI members and villagers.
The day before the launch Linda was delighted to be contacted by Angela Baker, one of the original WI ‘Calendar Girls’, who had heard what we were doing and rang to wish us well. We couldn’t have asked for a better start to our calendar launch and couldn’t believe how kind it was of her to make contact, but that’s the WI for you.
At the launch party, Linda or ‘The Boss’ as she is now known, gave a welcoming speech thanking everyone involved: the LiLs, the bikers with their bikes, our generous supporters and incredible ‘behind the scenes’ team who provided WI worthy spreads on every occasion. Adding “Each month of the calendar the pictures show off some of the beautiful parts of our village, we’ve had enthusiasm and interest from residents of all ages, we’re well on the way to a significant donation to the YAA and we’ve had tremendous fun so …..mission very nearly accomplished!”
Clare Deacon, Regional Fundraiser at YAA joined us at the launch and said “We were delighted to hear Follifoot WI wished to support the charity in such a novel way. Every 2027 calendar sold will help keep the helicopters airborne and will help save lives.” Clare offered thanks to everyone involved.
“It really does take a village, and a WI, and now we are just hoping to sell as many calendars as we possibly can for the YAA. Please help us to keep them flying if you can.” added Linda Oldridge.
The calendar is now on sale for £10.00 at Follifoot Village Stores or via email to [email protected] for £13.50 including P&P.
If you haven’t bought yours yet get to the Village Stores soon!
