Harriet Walker: The evergreen pull of this innocent kitsch
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Ever since my sister and I first gave each other the same Cliff Richard calendar for Christmas in 2002, we have sought out the great man's art every festive season. There are always two flat, square packages of exactly the same dimensions nestling underneath the Walker family tree at this time of year.
What drew us to them?
Sheer incredulousness, originally: here, a shot of Cliff on the slopes, there, a picture of him laughing in the shower, each decorated with a handwritten witticism and signed "Cliff x".
Could such a festival of kitschy camp really be a best-selling item among the God-fearing gable ends of Middle England?
Brilliantly, yes. Cliff Richard calendars come from a time before innuendo or smut; they are innocent, naïve even, in their hyperbolic jollity. Those teeth, that hair – they never fail to lift the spirits whether you're turning the page to a murky March or a sweaty September.
In fact, I bought my 2012 version yesterday.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments