With almost 500 sold so far and hopefully more as the New Year approaches, the Beautiful Kennet calendar produced by Philip Perkins is set to raise at least £1,000 for Action River Kennet (ARK).
His passion for photography and support for ARK have produced too a wave of admiration for his unique enterprise, although the 67-year-old telecommunications consultant from Ramsbury remains critical his own possible over-optimism by producing 750 calendars in total.
“But it’s been fun and I’ve learned a few tricks by becoming something of a retailer,” he told Marlborough News Online. “It’s been really motivating to help ARK in this way.
“If only we can find a way of selling another 100 or so by the end of January, that would be wonderful. And if we make £1,000 profit at the end of all our efforts, then I shall be very satisfied.”
Mr Perkins has been on constant patrol of the shops, post offices, pubs and inns topping up their supplies of his iconic calendar, and with his wife, Chris, took a stall in Marlborough town hall at the last Communities Market event.
“We sold 10 calendars, making a further £80 for ARK,” he revealed. “Everyone who has seen the calendar has remarked how beautiful it is. And I am amazed at the difference it makes to talk to people about it.”
“A lovely lady from Clatford hadn’t heard of the calendar but as soon as I mentioned it and showed her a copy she purchased six of them on the spot. I find it helps to mention too that there is a full-sized mailing envelope enclosed, so that copies can be sent to friends and family.”
The solo effort is also being used by Charlotte Hitchmough, director of ARK, to give as a gift to its key supporters, calendar sales also being boosted by display on ARK’s own newsletter.
In Marlborough the Beautiful Kennet calendar, priced around £9.99, is currently available at the White Horse Bookshop, Mayther’s the Craft Shop at St Peter’s and The Outside Chance pub in Manton.
Inklings, in Hungerford, is also selling it along with Kaleidoscope, the shop known as From the Heart and Cobbs Farm Shop on the A4.
In Pewsey you will find it at the Gallery & Art Centre, as well as Thomson’s Deli, and at Avebury the Henge Shop is stocking it. So too the Post Offices in Aldbourne, Burbage and Great Bedwyn
Ramsbury Post Office and the Crown & Anchor Inn are two other outlets. So too The Red Lion Inn at Axford, the Horseshow Inn at Mildenhall and the Stores & Post Office at Shalbourne.
Take your pick!
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