THE villages of Gresford and Marford may only boast about 5,500 inhabitants between them, but the beautiful setting they enjoy will soon be shared by the world.

The fifth calendar produced by the IMAGE group looks like being a sellout once again, and a copy is already winging its way halfway round the globe to San Antonio in Texas, and others have been sent to Australia.

The new calendar shows 12 spectacular photographs depicting Gresford and Marford throughout the seasons, with evocative scenes ranging from a snowy Gresford Lake in January, a typical summer scene on the village cricket pitch a spectacular firework display at the Gresford Flash in November and Christmas Eve at All Saints Church.

The main contributions are from talented local amateur photographers John Nagle and Hilton Roberts.

Emlyn R. Jones, chairman of IMAGE – Improve Marford and Gresford Environment – and producer of the calendar, said: “Having produced four excellent and sellout calendars it was difficult keeping up the standard but thanks to the talent of John and Hilton we have come up with what I personally think is the best calendar so far mainly due to the high quality of the photographs.

“The calendars are not only popular with local people, but also for many that are sent to relatives and friends around the world. To many expatriates it’s a nostalgic reminder of the two villages. Calendars have been sent to Gresford’s twin village, also called Gresford, in Australia.”

Mrs Sue Hill, secretary of the Gresford Craft Group, presented member Mrs Jean Gresty with a copy of the 2011 calendar signed by all members of the group to take back to her American Craft Group in San Antonio, Texas. Mrs Gresty says she very much valued the gift of the calendar as it would be a reminder of her home in Llay and, at the same time, show members of her craft group in Texas some of the beautiful scenes in the Gresford and Marford areas and help her forge a twinning relationship between the two craft groups.

Mrs Gresty and her husband Brian sold up their office cash machines business in 2000 and left their home in Rossett to spend two years travelling 39 states of the USA in a motor home before finally settling in Fort Clark, near San Antonio, some 12 miles from the border with Mexico. They now share their time between an oasis in the desert environment in the USA and the greener pastures of Gresford and district.

- The calendars are on sale at £6 from Gresford Newsagents and the Gresford Post Office and the proceeds will be shared between IMAGE  and All Saints Church, Gresford.