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You are here: Magazine › Country Living (Equestrian, Shooting, Farming etc.) › Calendar Girl is Guest Speaker at New Forest Show President’s Dinner

Calendar Girl is Guest Speaker at New Forest Show President’s Dinner

The New Forest Agricultural Show Society’s newly elected President, Miss Gwen Meaden, recently held her ‘President’s Dinner’ at The Rose Bowl in Southampton. This very popular function attracted a great attendance, who were royally entertained by the after dinner speaker Calendar Girl, Angela Knowles.

(left to right Chairman Geoff Morgan, Gwen Meaden, Angela Knowles, Chief Executive, Richard Cuzens and June Morgan)

Angela Knowles is best known for her fight, with her friends, to raise money for leukaemia research during the illness of her husband John Baker. As Angela and her friends were active members of the Womens’ Institute the idea for the Alternative W.I. calendar was born. This idea provided much mirth and entertainment for John throughout his illness.

After his sad death in July 1998 they were determined to continue and these alternative calendars for the years 2000, 2004 and 2005 have to date helped to raise over 1.5 million pounds for The Leukaemia Research Fund, and have plans for a possible stage show in the future.

This story gained more fame when it was portrayed in the film “Calendar Girls” which is the 7^th most successful British Film of all time. Angela continues to work with her friends, now known as the Baker’s Half Dozen, as ambassadors and fundraisers for the Leukaemia Research Fund.

In November 2005 Angela married Charles Knowles, a university friend of John. She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the University of Bradford in July 2006. She continues to work as deputy Superintendant Registrar in North Yorkshire and currently presides over wedding ceremonies in the area.

Angela was a very interesting and amusing speaker, and Gwen Meaden responded with her thanks on behalf of the Society. Gwen also commented “This is my 30^th consecutive year at the New Forest & Hampshire County Show and I am really looking forward to being able, for the first time, to see the whole Show. I wanted to emphasize what a great honour it is for me to be made President of a Show of this size and stature, something I never expected – Thank you.”

The New Forest & Hampshire County Show will be held at New Park, Brokenhurst, on Tuesday 24^th to Thursday 26^th July.

Discounted advance tickets are already on sale at the Show office on 01590 620409.

http://www.newforestshow.co.uk/