Cheeky calendar wins chorus of approval
(Hemel Hempstead Gazette 30/11/2005)
Hospice benefits from choir's cover version of Wl hit fundraiser

Calendar Girls eat your hearts out - Berkhamsted Choral Society has taken a tip from the famous WI venture and produced its very own calendar that has already raised nearly £1,000 for The Hospice of St Francis.

And all without the singers taking their clothes off - well, not all their clothes anyway!

The idea was born just a year ago at a folk evening in Prague, where the choir was on tour and has been masterminded by member Jane Kendall.
"We were eating cabbage soup and the conversation turned to fundraising,' she explained.
"The idea came from a group of us and when we got home I thought pursuing."

Jane, who lives in Bridgewater Road, Berkhamsted, has been a member of the choir for about six years.
After she had an official okay from the committee of BCS, she took her ideas to the choir to collect additional suggestions and to see who wanted to take part.
"I wanted to give everybody the opportunity to choose which shots to be in," she said.
A friend, professional photographer Nick White from Aylesbury, then offered to take all the pictures for nothing because the calendar was to raise money for the hospice.

A second piece of good luck occurred when Dave Davies, managing director of Connekt Colour, Northbridge Road, Berkhamsted, offered to print the calendar free of charge.
There were several photo shoots, mostly in the music department at Berkhamsted Collegiate School, where BCS regularly rehearse, plus one in The Rex Cinema, courtesy of James Hannaway, which shows most choir members reclining happily in the luxurious swivel seats.

"People were absolutely brilliant," said Jane. "Nick came with all his gear and turned up on about six occasions."
The final picture was taken 'at the 11th hour' in Rouen Cathedral, just before the BCS tour concert there this summer.
"We needed it because I felt the last picture already taken didn't work colour-wise," recalled Jane. "The rehearsal came to a stop and one of the choir's supporters took the picture -three days before the calendar went to press!"

All the pictures have a lighthearted musical theme, such as the Valentine's picture for February, which shows regular accompanist Robin Walker, being wooed at the piano by three enthusiastic lady singers - one of them his own wife and another Jane herself.
July shows musical director Graham Wili apparently instructing his small son Ben in the art of conducting, while November has two glamorous choir members straddling chairs in a pose entitled A Duet for Christine Keeler.

"There's nothing risque in it," said Jane. "Everybody's got their clothes on. It's fun and in good taste - in the spirit of Calendar Girls."

The BCS calendar also incorporates specially chosen views around Berkhamsted and on the front is a picture from last May's Truly, Madly, Mozart concert in the Royal Festival Hall, when BCS joined with
Chorleywood Choral Society and raised £26,000 for The Hospice of St Francis and The Peace Hospice, Watford.

"I'm thrilled with the calendar," said Jane. "I'm stunned by the generosity of people."
Already more than 300 calendars have been sold at £5 each. To get your copy phone 01442 869550 or e-mail roger.sharp@stfrancis.org.uk