'Market girls' take it off for charity

MARTIN DE RUYTER/The Nelson Mail

STRIPPED: Claire O'Connor, left, Kathleen Coltherd and Lynda Reay all appear in the Market Girls 2010 calendar, a fundraiser for women's charities

Nelson marketgoers might get a little more than they bargained for on Saturday mornings – a charity calendar that bares almost all will be on sale alongside the asparagus, sea salt and cheese.

Twelve "market girls" got together to produce the calendar, which was officially launched by Nelson MP and market stalwart Nick Smith at Zumo coffee house yesterday morning.

Dr Smith joked that he'd had a concerned phone call from those on the ninth floor of the Beehive, who thought he might be posing with naked women.

Miss May, Kathleen Coltherd of Kathleen's Kitchen, said having the photos taken for the calendar was "great fun".

"We had a ball doing it. We didn't really know each other before but now we do, and it's fantastic."

The women sell various products at the Nelson Farmers Market, Nelson Market and Motueka Market, including clothing, home baking, bread and cheese.

Porij producer Sandra White came up with the idea in September and quickly found a dozen women to join her. All proceeds will go to the Breast Cancer Foundation, Nelson Women's Refuge and the Neurological Foundation.

"We wanted to choose charities that supported women," she said.

Christchurch student photographer Tracey Broadhead shot the images, which show the 12 stall holders showing off their wares in various stages of undress.

Miss March, Marji Scott from Marji's Merino, posed on a couch with one of her blankets draped over her. Miss July, salt seller Viv Smith, poses with a feather boa and a salt grinder, and Miss September, free-range egg producer Linda Reay, smiles from behind a strategically placed basket of eggs.

The calendar costs $10 and will be available at Page and Blackmore, Label Slasher, the Changing Room, the Nelson Farmers Market, Founders Heritage Park on Fridays, and from the women's stalls.