Well I'll be bowled! (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Well I'll be bowled!

LADIES from Cirencester Bowls Club proved glamour does have a place in the game by posing in their lingerie for a saucy calendar.

In a move reminiscent of that taken in 2000 by the Rylstone and District WI group in Yorkshire, club members showed age is no barrier by posing for the camera to help raise money for the club.

Club director Pam Rogers, also known as Miss February, came up with the idea, which features nine of the club's members, all aged from 60 to 76-year-old Dilys Wheeler (Miss December), posing in underwear and an item of club attire.

She said: "They all laughed their heads off at first and I said, "I'm serious", and it went from there, and now we've got the calendar.

"When it came to the photo shoot they were all a bit nervous and then began to enjoy it and were all walking about in their pants and bras."

The photographs for the calendar were taken at the club in Ashcroft Road one day in December, said Mrs Rogers.

Photographer Dave Jones of Landlight Studios, and graphic designer Nigel Cansdale, both club members themselves, offered their services for free to complete the calendar.

Mrs Rogers said 12 ladies had originally volunteered to take part but three pulled out. Those left are delighted with the results.

She said: "They love it, they are ever so pleased about it.

"We put it on show the other day when we had a tournament and everybody raced to the board to look at it.

"They were absolutely stunned but they were pleased and thought it was lovely.

"I think there are one or two who are regretting not doing it now.

"What we hope we can do with what we raise is to buy an industrial dish washer for the kitchen because we have to do everything by hand."

The calendar costs £5 and is available from the club, club members and Phillip Kersey Opticians and Ashley's, The Wool Shop, both in Dyer Street.