Prison provides a perfect pew for the WI

When Longhoughton and Boulmer WI started making plans to commemorate its 100th anniversary, members approached HMP Northumberland to see if it could produce a bench in its workshops.

By The Newsroom

Published 19th Jan 2017, 08:28 BST

Updated 19th Jan 2017, 08:31 BST

When members of Longhoughton and Boulmer Women's Institute started making plans to commemorate their 100th anniversary, they approached HMP Northumberland to see if they could produce a bench in their workshops. They were prepared to pay for the seat and were therefore delighted to learn that the prison director, as a gesture of goodwill to the local community, said there would be no cost. The Director of the Prison Tony Simpson is seen with the WI members and their new bench. The money that had been raised for the seat will now be used to treat the members to afternoon tea.
Picture by Jane Coltman — When members of Longhoughton and Boulmer Women's Institute started making plans to commemorate their 100th anniversary, they approached HMP Northumberland to see if they could produce a bench in their workshops. They were prepared to pay for the seat and were therefore delighted to learn that the prison director, as a gesture of goodwill to the local community, said there would be no cost. The Director of the Prison Tony Simpson is seen with the WI members and their new bench. The money that had been raised for the seat will now be used to treat the members to afternoon tea. Picture by Jane Coltman

The prison director Tony Simpson, as a gesture of goodwill, said there would be no cost, and he is pictured with the WI members and their bench.