IT’S autumn in the Worcestershire countryside and leaves and fruit aren’t the only things falling down. A group of farmers, some young, others not so, have dropped their kit for charity.

Their pictures appear in the 2009 editions of the Farmers’ Calendar and the Lady Farmers’ Calendar, which each year raise thousands of pounds for needy causes.

It’s actually the 10th anniversary of the publications and Nicola de Pulford, the editor of the calendars, is quick to point out: “We were before the WI ladies.” However, this is the first time any models have featured from this part of the world.

For that, they have mainly to thank – or maybe blame – David Howard of Brook House Farm, Shernall Green, near Droitwich.

He said: “A few years ago my daughter Natalie went on holiday to Devon and brought me back, for a laugh, one of the lady farmers’ calendars. We hung it up in the kitchen and it was a real talking point when anyone came around.

“There weren’t any girls in it from Worcestershire, but I thought ‘We could do that’. Anyway, time went on and nothing much was happening. It was difficult to get going and people were saying ‘yes’ and then ‘no’ and so, in the end, I rang up Nicola in Devon and put the idea to her that we had some models who would take part.

“She came up here, stayed the night with us and took the photos. It was a real laugh.”

Leading from the front, David Howard appears as Mr September, completely in the buff apart from his wellingtons, riding the National Hunt winner Fearless Mel, which is owned by Christine Leppington from Elmley Lovatt, near Droitwich.

He said: “We did the pictures here at the farm. I went out in my dressing gown, got in the saddle and whipped it off. The saddle was a bit cold at first, but it soon warmed up. I would have taken my wellingtons off too, but they said it looked better with them on. The horse didn’t seem to notice anything.”

Most of the Worcestershire models have some connection with David, either through family or friends, and already the calendars are causing something of a stir.

He said: “I was out shopping the other day and a lady stopped me and said she had seen my picture on a calendar. She even recognised me with my clothes on, which was good.”

Among the models is David’s niece Emily – co-incidentally Miss September – who is currently at university aiming to be a primary school teacher. So that ought to get plenty of dads to PTA meetings.

The lady behind the calendars, photographer Nicola de Pulford, has her own farm in Devon.

She said: “It originally started in 1999 during the ban on British beef products. I thought to myself, if they don’t want our beef then they can have our burly boys and that is when I did the first male calendar. I wanted an opportunity to raise as much extra money for farmers as I could, but I never expected them to sell so well. We originally thought we might sell about 1,000 but ended up shifting 15,000 and have gone from strength-to-strength ever since.

“We now do both a male and female calendar, and believe it or not, the male one actually outsells the female version.

“They are now so popular we actually get farmers phoning us and asking to take part. They are more than happy to join in because the aim is to help British farming through these difficult times with a smile on our faces. Its a bit of fun really and everyone enjoys it.”

But just remember, winter draws nearer.

Each calendar costs £5.99 plus £1 post and packaging. They can bebought online at thefarmerscalendar.co.uk or by writing to Murtwell Farm, Diptford, Totnes, Devon TQ9 7NQ, telephone 01548 821207.