Stroud alpaca boyband pose for stylish snow snaps

Fantastic images of the gang, posing as if in a boyband photoshoot, were captured by their owner Sandra Randle as the squad charged around playfully in the icy weather.

The alpacas, Dumbledore, Salvador, Teagan and Apollo, live in Sandra’s smallholding, Tibbiwell Alpacas, and give locals and tourists guided tours of Painswick.

“They’ve all got really individual characteristics. Dumbledore is quite chilled out. He’s a very easy-going relaxed kind of character,” said Sandra.

“He’s named after a wizard because we think he’s quite wise and nothing really bothers him. His attitude is he’s seen it all before.”

Above: Dumbledore

Apollo, 2, is the cuddly maverick of the gang, making friends with everyone and everything even when he’s not supposed to.

“Apollo is our friendliest alpaca, I don’t think he realises he is one. They’re supposed to be afraid of dogs but Apollo has a friend called Alice who’s a terrier,” said Sandra.

Apollo and her friend Alice

Their leader is Teagan, 3, who determines whether it’s time to eat or to walk to the hill for a sit.

“He is the decision make, he decides where everybody is going.”

Teagan and Apollo

Last but not least is Salvador who, despite being the youngest, acts like the big brother of the heard. 

He always checks to make sure Sandra is cutting everyone’s hair properly or clipping their toenails to the right standard.

Tibbiwell Alpacas is closed during lockdown, but when they reopen they hope to develop the business to do some therapeutic and educational work.

“People really enjoy it, they get a great deal from spending time with the alpacas. They’re very gentle creatures and very therapeutic to spend time with which is particularly important at the minute,” said Sandra.