Businesses rallied round to save a popular annual calendar showcasing archive photographs of the North Walsham area when its future was in doubt.

Eastern Daily Press: April's photograph shows the St John Ambulance & ARP in North Walsham in the late 1930s. Photographed by Les Edwards. Picture: North Walsham archive groupApril's photograph shows the St John Ambulance & ARP in North Walsham in the late 1930s. Photographed by Les Edwards. Picture: North Walsham archive group (Image: Archant)

North Walsham & District Community Archive chairman Wayne Beauchamp warned earlier this year that production of the 2018 calendar was financially 'unviable' due to costs.

But he said that subsequent business support had even allowed the calendar price to be reduced from £6 to £5 this year.

Mr Beachamp said: 'It costs a lot of money to produce and takes a lot of effort mainly because the group refuses to produce it unless it can be the very best quality which means lithographically printing the calendar.

'The news was broadcast on our Facebook group and we were instantly fielding emails and messages from people who were sad to see it go, some offering help and ideas.

'We started talking to people and formulating possible plans which were then posted on the group page to gauge the response.

'The response was very positive and many local businesses offered to sponsor pages or take adverts to help fund the production. The money raised only partly covers the production costs but it made the 2018 calendar viable again. It has also enabled the group to reduce this year's calendar price.'

The 12 gorgeous, historic photos of the North Walsham area, from the archive's collection of thousands, were all taken by respected local photographers of yesteryear.

Mr Beauchamp added: 'We then scanned them professionally, directly from the original negatives where possible.

'Choosing the photos to use - to create an interesting and attractive set - was a vigorous process, making sure we included iconic scenes, lost scenes and people. Final choices were mainly based on the popularity of the photos that have been shared at https://www.facebook.com/groups/NorthWalshamArchive/over the last few years. The calendars were printed by Barnwell Printers of Aylsham and this is a 100pc local product.'

Calendars will be available from mid-October via, as last year, Express Printing & Stationery and Swallows Coffee Shop, both in the Market Place. The calendars will also be available via the group's website www.northwalshamarchive.co.uk