Hemsby residents are smiling in the face of adversity as they launch a new saucy calendar to raise awareness over the problem of their eroding coastline.

Featuring some of the village's best-known faces in a series of risque poses, The Save Hemsby Coastline 2024 calendar is available now.

The calendar features Save Hemsby Coastline (SHC) co-founder Lorna Bevan dressed as a mermaid on the village's sands, calendar creators Joan Naylor and Ann Wilkinson surrounded by their teddy tombola, and Marrams resident and former soldier Lance Martin bathing in a tub near the former spot of his cliff-edge home.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Marrams resident Lance Martin taking a naked dip in a bath for the Save Hemsby Coastline calendar. Picture - Stephan MoleMarrams resident Lance Martin taking a naked dip in a bath for the Save Hemsby Coastline calendar. Picture - Stephan Mole (Image: Stephen Mole)

The cheeky shenanigans are all in good humour, with all money raised from the calendar going towards the SHC charity. 

Formed in 2014, SHC dedicates itself to raising awareness of Hemsby's ongoing battle with erosion.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Calendar creators Joan Naylor and Ann Wilkinson surrounded by their teddy tombola. Picture - Stephen MoleCalendar creators Joan Naylor and Ann Wilkinson surrounded by their teddy tombola. Picture - Stephen Mole (Image: Stephen Mole)

For years the coastline has been consistently battered with tidal surges and strong winds, resulting in the loss of dozens of metres of its cliffs, the demolition of several homes along the Marrams and a loss of trade due to the repeated closures of the beach by Hemsby gap.

But the residents remain defiant and are campaigning for a longer-term solution.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Lance Martin outside his relocated Marrams home in March. Picture - Denise BradleyLance Martin outside his relocated Marrams home in March. Picture - Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)

Planning has been granted for a 1.3km long rock berm, which will be built into the southern edge of Hemsby beach and has a 20-year lifespan. However, there is currently no funding for the £9m project in place.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Save Hemsby Coastline (SHC) co-founder Lorna Bevan in the charity calendar. Picture - Stephen MoleSave Hemsby Coastline (SHC) co-founder Lorna Bevan in the charity calendar. Picture - Stephen Mole (Image: Stephen Mole)

Following a violent battle during a March spring tide this year which claimed more of the Marrams access road, four hundred residents attended an emergency meeting with SHC and Hemsby Independent Lifeboat.

The meeting saw the launch of an ongoing petition to get the government to take responsibility to help save Hemsby's coastline. 

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Lance Martin's house precariously close to falling into the sea during high winds and high tides in March. Photo: Denise BradleyLance Martin's house precariously close to falling into the sea during high winds and high tides in March. Photo: Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)
Residents were also invited to join a protest outside Westminster or Downing Street in the future, and a "war chest" to fund legal assistance had opened.

The calendars are £10 and can be bought at Lacons Arms, Beach Cafe, Hemsby Post Office and other businesses in the village.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Hemsby Lifeboat coxswain Dan Hurd (second-from-right) with residents and crew after the sea had destroyed a lifeguard tower in 2022. Picture - NewsquestHemsby Lifeboat coxswain Dan Hurd (second-from-right) with residents and crew after the sea had destroyed a lifeguard tower in 2022. Picture - Newsquest (Image: Denise Bradley)