Villagers strip off in bid to save Baginton Fields
A group of villagers, including a 93-year-old woman, have bared all to help save a local nature trail.
In a stunt that would make Lady Godiva blush, 11 residents flashed the flesh for a nude calendar to show the lengths they will go to to protect Baginton Fields .
They say the “much loved and used gateway to the Sowe Valley” is under threat from Coventry City Council which has designated it for development “against the wishes of the community”.
Alongside tasteful and humorous photos of the residents are pictures of some of the plants and animals which can be found in the area, including foxes, sunflowers, poppies and squirrels.
Linda Reece, of Friends of Baginton Fields , explained that despite trying to compromise with the council over protecting the nature trail, they felt they weren’t being listened to.
She said: “The community has got their kit off because we’ve got nothing else to lose.”
However in the process of campaigning to save their nature trail, they have forged strong friendships and gotten to know each other very well.
She said: “The land is really special to a lot of people
“The campaign has joined us together.
“We now have over 500 members of the Friends of Baginton Fields group which was started in January.”
Jon Johnson, who suggested the idea of a naked calendar, said: “The strength of feeling was so great that no one hesitated when I suggested the calendar.
“The council have to start listening to us.”
Despite the serious message behind the calendar, she also explained that they had a lot of fun making it, which some people were nervous of doing.
Linda said: “Ray (Mr July) went first. He didn’t want to do it. We said we have got ten minutes to shoot and he said ‘ok’. He said he was never going to do it!”
However Ray went on to say: “Taking my clothes off to save Baginton Fields was nothing.
“I’ll do anything to show how important this land is to the community and our wildlife.”
Miss February, 93-year-old Edith McGuffie, added: “It was a bit chilly but great fun.
“I’m sending a calendar to my cousin Irene, who is 93 and I haven’t seen for 33 years. I know she’ll have a good laugh.”
Ex Para-Derek Shearer (Mr June) said: “I dusted off my beret to fight to save our green space. If the council leave our land alone I’ll take my hat off to them.”
And why not? He's already taken everything else off!
