In a quaint cafe and community hub in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, known for its cozy vibes and crafty concoctions, a tempest in a teapot brewed over an unexpected display that’s left some locals blushing and others chuckling into their scones.

At the heart of the matter? Naked nudinits – nude Morris dancers, a policeman and a vicar – not flesh and blood, mind you, but rather woolly creations lovingly crafted by the nimble fingers of a local knitting group. 

The Hive Café and Haberdashery’s proprietor, Mike Alford, intended these quirky figures to tickle the funny bones of passersby and raise funds for charity. Yet, as well as having the locals in stitches, it seems the figures have also stirred the tea.

A lady made a complaint, fretting about her grandkids catching an eyeful of the knitted genitals en route to school.

With two schools near The Hive, the worried grandmother took to Facebook to voice her concerns. Her post quickly went viral, getting more than 400 comments, mostly defending the nudinits.

Responding to the kerfuffle, Mike tactfully draped modesty panels over the nudinits. 

Locals rallied to free the knitted nudies from their censorship strips, setting up a Free The Hive Five campaign on social media. 

Now, for a small charity donation, visitors to the cafe can sneak a peek at the dolls’ knitted nudey bits. 

All this fuss has boosted foot traffic and drawn attention to the cafe. 

Indeed, the controversy sparked an unexpected surge in donations for the charity they are fundraising for, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, a vital lifeline for the community. 

Since the social media squabble, folks have been flocking in, wallets in hand. Turns out, nudity sells – for a good cause, at least.

For those eager to support the cause or get their own taste of the nudinits buzz, a donation page has been set up, ensuring Shepton Mallet’s crafty controversy continues to weave its magic for a worthy cause.

You can donate to the Just Giving fundraiser here. 

The Hive Five will soon be going into retirement as the knitters group will be unveiling another display at the cafe, this time inspired by Glastonbury music festival. 


The naked nudinits, as they’ve been christened, have caused a stir at a cafe in Somerset. Picture: Hive Cafe