I imagine most people will have heard of the wonderful film 'Calendar Girls', based on the real life exploits of a group of women from a W.I. (Women's Institute) in the Yorkshire Dales, who had the idea to pose naked for a calendar to raise money for charity. It sparked global interest - and since then several other groups have followed their lead and done similar things. It seems that Haworth has joined the trend, with their 2012 calendars 'Haworth Couldn't Wear Less' (women only and men only versions!) Believe it or not, this is part of the fund-raising effort for the restoration of the parish church, which is in a poor state and urgently needs repair. Christmas present, anyone?
The photo above shows an advertisement for the calendar, behind the village stocks - with a picture of the men actually sitting in the stocks. Stocks, of course, were at one time a common sight in English villages. Local troublemakers were pinned into them and exposed to the scorn of passers-by who often threw mud or rotten vegetables at the offenders. No evidence that the calendar models got pelted with anything - but I'll bet there were some ripe comments made at the time.
They must have taken the shots in summer or hey'd be covered in goose-pimps.
ReplyDeleteI loved the movie so much that I have it in DVD! Great idea, and so funny to use this way to help the parish!
ReplyDeleteThat's a novel idea :)
ReplyDeleteA great fun way to raise money. As for stocks, sometimes I think it would be a good idea to bring them back, especially for petty criminals. Public scorn has to be a more effective deterrent than a few nights in jail.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed Wayfarin' Stranger, I recently wittnessed a young man arrested by police in Havana city for dealing cannabis. He was hancuffed to the railings in a public square and left there to be given a toungue lashing by several grand mothers, he looked suitably contrite and shamed, no doubt dreading the appearence of his own mother on the scene . . . . .
ReplyDeleteOh! nice photo by the way . . .
It seems quite ironic that the funds are for a church, but it looks like, at least for the men it is a whimsical calendar. It looks like those stocks got lots of use back in the day.
ReplyDeleteI would never have thought it was a fundraiser for a church, but whatever works!
ReplyDeleteI can't confess in a public forum like this about loving Calendar Girls because it was a huge chick flick and my manhood would be questioned. Suffice it to say that ever since I have had a Pavlovian reaction to even hearing the name Helen Mirren. Seeing her is almost more than I can bear . . .
ReplyDeleteThe guys look a bit cold!
ReplyDeleteNo clothes? No comment! Nice photos from Haworth thanks. It feels and looks just like I remember.Dark and cold and damp...
ReplyDeleteNow I want to watch that movie! :)
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that you given the cause a little extra, well...exposure?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the plug. The calendars are proving very popular but we still have plenty to sell. They are available online www.HaworthCalendar.co.uk. Many shops, pubs, eateries and the Tourist Info Centre on Haworth Main Street are selling them for us too. Haworth Couldn't Wear Less is on Facebook and @HaworthCalendar (#HCWL) on Twitter. We appreciate any help people could give us Retweeting etc to sell as many as poss before Christmas to maximise match funding. The calendars are Community based project.
ReplyDeleteMany Thanks again and Merry Christmas!!
Funny! And I see you got the attention of the calendar fund raisers too. ~Lili
ReplyDeleteWhatever works, hey? :-)
ReplyDeleteI don't remember seeing a stock in person, here we have the pillory.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've seen Calender Girls. Actually I'm a big fan of Helen Mirren.