Tricia Stewart, founder of the WI alternative calendar, is confirmed as after-dinner speaker at the annual rural development conference, ruralnet|2005. This event is to be held in Bramhope in the West Yorkshire region.
Tricia, whose work is well known through the film, ‘Calendar Girls’, joined the Rylstone & District WI when she moved into the small village of Cracoe in the Yorkshire Dales in 1985. In 1998, Tricia learnt that a neighbour and friend John Baker had been diagnosed with non Hodgkins Lymphoma. Touched by his serious illness, she started plans to raise money for research into blood related cancers. She also came up with an idea to produce a calendar, but instead of the usual pictures of sheep, hills and crafts, in this one the WI ladies would be nude!
When John died later that same year, Tricia was determined to go ahead with the calendar in memory of John and to raise extra funds for this research. As a result, 11 women from the village WI aged 45 – 65 modeled for the calendar, which was launched in April 1999. The calendar touched people’s hearts, changing the perception of the WI and of older women forever. This in turn generated interest from the media and film industry and exposure was huge.
The story still holds interest today, and Tricia’s special story promises to be an insightful and inspiring session for the ruralnet|2005 conference delegates, many of whom are from the Yorkshire region. From a rural community herself, Tricia is well aware of the hurdles many people on the ground face,
"John Baker was Assistant National Park Officer for the YDNP and was nicknamed ‘Mr Sustainability’. His last project was the Countryside museum in Hawes."
"The calendar has achieved amazing results worldwide, all unexpected! One of the best results for us is that here in the Dales, after the area was devastated by Foot & Mouth disease, the calendar and the movie have raised the economy again, increased tourism- we hope in a sustainable way, which would have met with John’s approval."
"I am sure that the initial reaction to the calendar was heightened by the fact we were a group of middle aged women from a tiny village in the Yorkshire Dales. I don’t know whether it could have happened in the South!"
The ruralnet|2005 conference will also be addressed by Geraldine Peacock CBE (Chair of the Charity Commission), Jim Knight MP (Minister for Rural Affairs), and Lord Haskins (Board Member, Yorkshire Forward).
For further information about the conference, including full programme and venue details, go to www.ruralnetuk.org/conference/
Notes to editors
1. ruralnet|uk is a rural regeneration charity (no 1089238). See www.ruralnetuk.org/index.htm
2. The principle sponsor of ruralnet|2005 is Yorkshire Forward.
3. Bookings for ruralnet|2005 are being taken on 0845 1300 411 and the web at www.ruralnetuk.org/conference
4. Further information about Tricia Stewart and her story is available at www.womenspeakers.co.uk
5. The Charity Commission is established by law as the regulator and registrar for charities in England and Wales. Its aim is to provide the best possible regulation of charities in England and Wales in order to increase charities' effectiveness and public confidence and trust. See www.charitycommission.gov.uk
6. ruralnet|2004 attracted 213 delegates and 28 exhibitors. Delegates came from all countries of the UK and included the key rural regeneration decision and policy makers, representatives of the public, private, voluntary and community sectors. Free places were provided to 30 grass roots community groups to ensure their participation.
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