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When the Newlyn Lights Committee threw down the gauntlet for a daring community project, the town of Newlyn rallied in a way only Newlyn could, writes Janice Rose from CHAOS Radio.
Residents of all ages and backgrounds joined forces to create a unique and spirited fundraiser: a Calendar Girls (and Boys)-style calendar to support Newlyn Harbour’s Christmas Lights display.
This cheeky yet tasteful fundraising calendar challenged participants to pose nude, with local elements as backdrops, celebrating community spirit and laughter to fund the lights for another magical festive season.
The annual lighting of Newlyn Harbour is a cherished tradition, bringing festive cheer for locals and visitors alike. This year, however, the Newlyn Lights Committee faces the daunting task of raising £16,000 to keep the display shining bright.
The funds are essential not only for the lights themselves but for the spectacular switch-on event, complete with fireworks and a grand entrance by Father Christmas and his elves aboard the RNLI Penlee lifeboat.
“It’s worth every penny and every ounce of sweat we put in throughout the year,” shared Judith, the committee’s Secretary, highlighting the dedication behind the scenes.
Ali, one of the lead organisers, recounted the calendar’s beginnings, sharing that it started as a casual idea during a night out at The Star Inn. The idea truly took root during the COVID-19 lockdown, a time when the community needed a new way to come together and support each other.
Tragically, the project took on new meaning after Debbie, The Star’s landlady and an enthusiastic supporter, passed away unexpectedly. Ali and her team felt it was only right to press on in her honour.
The response from the Newlyn community has been nothing short of fantastic. Marcia, a long-time supporter of the lights, noted how people immediately volunteered to participate, with hands raised in the pub during the initial brainstorming sessions.
“Everyone loves the lights, especially the fishermen who see them shining as they come into the harbour. It’s a tradition we all want to keep alive,” she said. “None of this would be possible without the team who put in hours of work, battling cold and rain, to make sure the lights go up for everyone to enjoy.”
Judith took part in the photoshoot, posing in a homemade bubble bath overlooking the harbour. Describing her experience, she laughed, “We had to get water from the shower because the lifeboat kitchen was locked. We didn’t have a bucket, so we used a tea urn and made several trips to fill it up.”
She reminisced about how the improvised “bubble bath” setup in such an open, public space became a cause of much amusement and entertainment for passers-by as well.
“That really broke the ice,” she recalled, “and made it very easy to strip off and climb into my bubble bath with my rubber duck.”
For Pete Bell, another brave participant, the choice to pose wasn’t difficult at all. “I was totally nude and had no qualms about it,” Pete joked. “At one point, the Christmas lights went down, and there I was, stark naked, fixing the lights with the CCTV catching it all.”
He expressed pride in contributing to the fundraiser and looks forward to gifting the calendar to family members as a “special” festive surprise.
Paul Richards, the Creative Director and photographer behind the calendar, has played a vital role in capturing both the humour and heartwarming moments of the project.
“Paul’s work has been nothing short of incredible,” said Marcia. “He’s taken us out on boats, set up shots in the light shed, and made the whole experience truly exhilarating. It’s been such a delightful journey.”
Paul’s photography highlights the spirit of Newlyn, revealing its unique charm—from bars to boats to bathtubs, with everyone cheerfully embracing the cause.
This year’s calendar is now available for purchase at The Star, The Coddiwomple, The Red Lion, and The Fisherman’s Arms in Newlyn.
This bold initiative is a testament to Newlyn’s enduring spirit and the lengths its residents will go to in preserving a tradition that is close to their hearts. As Ali expressed: “We may be small, but we’re a mighty team. This is our way of giving back to a place we love.”
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