Belles lay bare their affection for Carnforth village with charity calendar
A group of women from Burton-in-Lonsdale have done a Calendar Girls style photo shoot to raise money for a cancer charity.
The group of friends and neighbours, known as the Burton Belles, are showing their deep love for their home village by highlighting its amenities and scenic spots through a series of tasteful and elegantly photographed, partially clothed portraits.
The images are being compiled into a 2027 calendar, with proceeds going to Rosemere Cancer Foundation.
The first run of 150 calendars, which are in full colour, A4 size and ring bound, are currently in print to be available to order at £10 each from early October.
Among the 12 Belles featured is Karen, whose husband Lee is manager of the village pub the Punch Bowl Inn.
Karen is photographed behind the bar for April, while the calendar’s front cover has most of the group together at the Burton-in-Lonsdale sign on the approach to the village.
The majority of the calendar’s photographs are the work of Belle Susan Hirst, who is also featured in August’s bowling club shot.
Another Belle, Kate, has done all the artwork, posters and flyers to support the calendar.
Belle Marilyn Smith, who is photographed surrounded by plants and flowers in her garden summer house for June, explained: “The calendar started off as a bit of a jokey conversation in the pub, but interest grew and we decided to make it happen to raise funds for Rosemere Cancer Foundation.”
“A number of villagers and friends of villagers have been treated at Rosemere Cancer Centre. One of the Belles went there for radiotherapy in 2015 as part of her treatment for endometrial cancer.
“She is a big tennis fan. Wimbledon was on and she was following Andy Murray. The radiotherapists timed her radiotherapy sessions so she would be home to watch all his matches, which was a kindness she will never forget.
“I have only ever heard people say good things about the centre and its staff.”
To support the calendar, which will go on sale in the village’s community-run shop, which is also featured, the Belles are organising a launch night on November 20 at the Punch Bowl Inn, when there will be an auction, a raffle and entertainment provided by singer Tim Riley.
Marilyn added: “We have received some great prizes from local and national businesses, including a Virgin balloon flight for two, worth more than £350, and a barrel of lager from Carlsberg. Our hope is to combine everything to make a significant donation to Rosemere Cancer Foundation.”
Hannah Leahy, fundraising assistant for Rosemere Cancer Foundation, said: “We are very grateful to the Belles for taking an idea and making it into something that a lot of people in Burton-in-Lonsdale are very much looking forward to having! We wish the Belles every success with their calendar and events.”
Rosemere Cancer Foundation works to bring world class cancer treatments and services to cancer patients from throughout Lancashire and South Cumbria being treated at Rosemere Cancer Centre, Lancashire and south Cumbria’s regional specialist cancer treatment and radiotherapy centre at the Royal Preston Hospital, as well as at another eight local hospital cancer units across the two counties, including those at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and Westmorland General Hospital.