Chirk photographer raises over £1,500 for local charities

Alan Roberts decided to make calendars following positive feedback he received on his photos posted on the ‘This Is Chirk’ page on Facebook and has gained a following across the globe when his calendars were sent as gifts.

This is his second year making the calendars, the first being just before the pandemic, which also prevented him from doing one the following year.

Images from the calendars and cards by Alan Roberts

This year’s calendars have raised over £1,500 and which has been given to local charities Chirk Hospital Circle of Friends, Chirk Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and Chirk Christmas Lights.

Every photo in the calendar was taken in Chirk, and the surrounding area so Alan thought it was only right that the money raised would be donated to local charities.

Images from the calendars by Alan Roberts

Alan explained: “Every photograph that’s on the calendar is of Chirk, somewhere of Chirk.

“I’ve lived in Chirk all my life and that’s one of the main reasons. Chirk has supported me so why can’t I support Chirk?”

Some of his photos are taken with a camera but most are on his phone during his daily walks because doesn’t carry his camera everywhere.

Images from the calendars by Alan Roberts

The 66-year old commented: “There’s always something different to see in Chirk. I think Chirk is such a fabulous place to photograph.

“People say, ‘How did you get that?’ and ‘Where’s that one?’ and I just think that there’s so many different places in Chirk that are available, and I thought that it would be nice to photograph them and do something with them i.e. the calendar.

“They’ve gone all over the world apparently, to Australia, America, Greece. They send them all over the world apparently for Christmas presents then the people join the ‘This Is Chirk’ website, which is nice, so they follow me then on the site and see what I’m doing in Chirk as well.”

After all the positive feedback, Alan is now looking into selling his prints in the future.