Their nude calendar in aid of Cancer Research UK is just about to hit the streets and is bound to cause a bit of a sensation locally. As well as being a fundraiser, the 2009 calendar marks the 40th anniversary of the popular association.It features 13 well-known Rogart residents and one other person who does not live in the village but has strong local connections. And they are all set to become even better known than ever before. Association committee member Morag Murray said: "It's a fun calendar loosely based on the famous WRI one, and with Rogart people as subjects."

There were no shortage of volunteers when the association's management committee decided earlier this year to go ahead with the idea. Support was also forthcoming from a number of local businesses. Local couple Paul and Hazel Clarke of Inchcape took the photographs over the course of this summer.

Said Moira: "We couldn't get everyone organised to do it in one day, so it was done over a period of time. All the photos have been taken outdoors in and around Rogart." She explained the subjects were given the go-ahead to choose their own "props" which, appropriately for Rogart, include a tractor and a couple of accordions. However, a number of the women pictured chose to stand modestly behind trees or bushes.

An initial print run of 200 calendars has been ordered with the option of more if it sells well. The calendar will be launched at an event in Rogart shortly on a date still to be decided. It will be available in local shops.

Said Morag: "It's likely to go on sale at the beginning of September. I'm just waiting to hear back from the printer.

"I hope everybody supports it, because people have gone to a lot of trouble standing around in the cold. It's for a very good cause – every family is affected by cancer." Since becoming a charitable organisation 19 years ago the association, which holds sheepdog trials twice a year in November and February, has raised thousands of pounds for worthwhile causes.

* Rogart's Calendar Girls and Boys are: Front cover – Hazel Clarke; inside cover – Cynthia Duncan; January – Christine Ross and Monica MacLean; February – Jeremy Allen; March – Liz Allen; April – Donald Ross; May – Susan Priddy; June – Frank Roach; July – Louise Meeres; August – Mackie Ross and Derek Murray; September – Bob Meeres; October – Bridgette Morrison; November – Michael Macpherson; December – Helen Munro.

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