Photographers Paul Burrell and Lloyd Winters create 2022 calendar for guests of Company at Christmas run by Churches Together in Bishop's Stortford

A calendar featuring eye-catching pictures that capture the essence of every month has been created to bring year-long cheer to elderly people who live on their own.

Photographers and good friends Paul Burrell and Lloyd Winters teamed up to create the calendar, which was one of the gifts given to recipients of last month's Company at Christmas dinner.

Just as in 2020, Churches Together was unable to make the event, which normally takes place at Bishop's Stortford Methodist Church, a 'live' one, with meals and presents instead being delivered on Christmas Day to the homes of people living alone.

Paul, who is also an accomplished musician and is an organist at St Michael's Church, has been involved in providing entertainment for Company at Christmas since 1985, missing only one year for the birth of his grandson.

And he decided to join forces with golfing pal Lloyd, who is events photographer at Alexandra Palace and The Roundhouse in London, to put together a gift that would be both useful and beautiful.

"It has been a privilege to serve with Bishop's Stortford Churches Together's Company at Christmas since 1985. In these difficult Covid times, most of us are still able to be in contact with friends and family, but there are still people who are on their own at Christmas time," said Paul, who currently has a collection of his pictures on display in the waiting rooms at Bishop's Stortford railway station.

"Bearing in mind Covid restrictions and the safety of those we serve, we have not been able to hold a live in-person event for two years. Instead, a Christmas meal and gifts were delivered by a host of volunteers on Christmas Day. For some, it might have been the only person they saw on that day."

Nine of the photographs in the calendar were taken by Paul, with Lloyd supplying the three others. Scenes include a misty morning at Stortford's Southern Country Park, bluebells in Much Hadham and a blue tit puffed up against the autumnal chill.

There are a few calendars available to the general public which can be obtained from the back of St Michael's Church, in Windhill, when it is open. Paul asks that a minimum donation of £5 be made to Company at Christmas via bank transfer, using the reference 'Calendar', to sort code 20-36-98 and account number 60144851.