SAUCY charity calendars seem to have been as much a fixture of the Christmas season as holly and the desperate dash to get your presents bought in recent years.

And the latest one shows that people of all ages can get in on the act.

The over-50s members of The Horrill Centre in Dibden, have set out to raise a few smiles along with funds for Age Concern Hampshire with their new calendar, while proving that you’re only as old as you feel.

The Wellbeing Centre, which is run by Age Concern Hampshire welcomes more than 300 over-50s a week, for a range of activities including laughter yoga, belly dancing and Nordic walking.

Keen to raise awareness of the good work that it does to keep older people fit and active, former wellbeing co-ordinator, Keren Middle, came up with the idea of a fundraising calendar.

Enlisting the help of local photographer, Brian Pain, the team set about recruiting volunteers for cheeky and humorous poses that summed up life at The Horrill Centre.

Daily Echo:

The calendar has steered away from the classic ‘nude but for a well placed bowl of fruit/cricket bat/iced bun’ approach that was popularised by the Women’s Institute calendar immortalised in the film Calendar Girls, opting for fun rather more than flesh.

Within the calendar’s pages are stockingclad Nordic walkers, ‘pussy cat’ ladies doing yoga and a bathing beauty surrounded by bubbles.

There are ‘Turkish delights’ showing off their belly dancing, a gang of girls doing laughter yoga as well as ‘Forest Fancies’ hidden in the woods.

Photographer, Brian Pain, said: “I was amazed by the enthusiasm shown by everyone involved. From ladies in hot pants, showing their stocking tops, to a lady taking a bubble bath, surrounded by tea-lights, everyone threw themselves into the project.”

Horrill Centre wellbeing manager, Christine Beswick said: “Everyone involved really threw themselves into the project and we had a lot of fun doing the photos”.

Daily Echo:

“There’s a perception that older people in wellbeing centres sit around all day playing bingo, but that couldn’t be further from what we offer our clients here!”

  • The calendar costs £6, with all proceeds going to Age Concern Hampshire. To buy a copy or to find out more about activities at The Horrill Centre, call 023 8087 7880.