This Is Guernsey

By Anna Brehaut

THE new calendar girls in Bramley have caused a stir among the island’s WI members.

The Bramley Women’s Institute Lite, of which former Guernsey Press reporter Emma Cunningham (pictured) is president, attracted the national media’s attention after posing for a charity calendar.

It was also revealed that they have held classes in painting with a nude male model, bra fittings and have a forthcoming visit from a sex therapist.

President of the Fermain Women’s Institute Lorna Le Prevost did not approve.
‘I think it’s a publicity stunt that has gone wrong and they are emulating the Calendar Girls, which to me isn’t the WI,’ she said.

‘I don’t approve of these things and I doubt and certainly hope it won’t catch on. ‘I never approved of the Calendar Girls and I think that these girls are taking things a little bit too far.’

It was reported that the Bramley village group’s first event was a theatre trip to a male nude show.

However, they said they had also done traditional things such making hanging baskets and baking.

‘I think the WI has moved on a bit from the “jam and Jerusalem”, but they didn’t need to go that far,’ said Mrs Le Prevost.

‘I do like tradition and some people may call me a prude, but that’s what I think.’

The Fermain WI has a meeting very soon and Mrs Le Prevost was sure that every member would have a different view.

Chairman of the Island Federation of Women’s Institutes Ann Robilliard, thought that Bramley WI Lite was a good thing.

‘The WI has an image of elderly ladies doing things such as making jam, but it is something that caters for all women of all ages,’ she said.

‘What they are doing is great because younger groups of women do want to do different things and be more adventurous.’

She added that there were 15 institutes in the Bailiwick and each did different activities.

‘It’s great to have an institute like the one in Bramley, doing something they want to do. Some women who like to sit down, have a chat and eat cakes may think that it’s definitely something they don’t want to do, but others will be very interested.’

Calendar girl Bramley WI Lite president Emma Cunningham.

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Article posted on 2nd September, 2008 - 2.29pm