On Friday evening, Iain had a great time at the Maritime Experience with the Roaring Mouse Drama Group. Roaring Mouse is a group of people with learning disabilities who have come together to form a theatre company and to put on plays. It seemed fitting that a bunch of actors would have their photos taken as movie stars in a variety of film settings, to produce an entertaining art exhibition and calendar. Working with professional photographer Dave Hudspeth, the group recreated their favourite films and actors in a various poses. So we had Titanic recreated, which was appropriate given our coastal setting, Brief Encounter recreated at Hartlepool Railway Station, and Rocky in one of Hartlepool’s boxing clubs.

Iain said

“I was pretty envious of the James Bond photo shoot, where people seemed to have great fun with a top-of-the-range Aston Martin. I also liked the Godfather pose, given that it is my favourite film.

The project was not only great fun, especially it appears with the Aston Martin, but is also linked with a bigger and more serious project, “Did you get a Life?”, which looks at the ambitions and aspirations of people with learning difficulties in Hartlepool. This project will include a performance by Roaring Mouse early next year. My thanks go to Linda Malcolm and Roaring Mouse for inviting me to the event – I really enjoyed it.”

The images are on display at the Museum of Hartlepool in the style of full size Hollywood movie posters. The calendar is really high quality, and I would urge you to consider buying one for the New Year, which isn’t all that far away.
For more information about Roaring Mouse Drama Group call 01429 234111 or 07960 532554.

Supermarkets, corner shops and big food and drink companies this week joined in the campaign. Have a look at nhs.uk/Change4Life for more info.

In Hartlepool there will be Change4Life promotions around healthy food and recipes in supermarkets and activities like walking campaigns or cycling groups.

Starting in January 2009 it will be everywhere – you will see it on television, in magazines, at your local leisure centre, in the supermarket, at school or in your local GP surgery - so look our for it.