Care home rolls out the red carpet

A nursing home for the elderly and young adults with disabilities has unveiled a new cinema for residents and their families.
At the opening of Barnes Court's cinema are, from left, resident Giselle Hughes, activities co-ordinator Julie Haram, resident Tommy Killala, care assistant Laura Adams and resident Margaret Davies.At the opening of Barnes Court's cinema are, from left, resident Giselle Hughes, activities co-ordinator Julie Haram, resident Tommy Killala, care assistant Laura Adams and resident Margaret Davies.
At the opening of Barnes Court's cinema are, from left, resident Giselle Hughes, activities co-ordinator Julie Haram, resident Tommy Killala, care assistant Laura Adams and resident Margaret Davies.

Film fans among the residents of Barnes Court care home in High Barnes flocked to the grand opening of the cinema with a premier showing of ‘Mama Mia’.

The event had a suitably Hollywood flare with a Grauman’s Chinese Theatre themed official opening, with the cinema decorated in red Chinese style lanterns, fans and paper chains and framed posters from cinema classics lining the hallway entrance.

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A true Hollywood landmark, the Chinese theatre opened in 1927 with thousands lining the streets to catch a glimpse of the celebrities attending the opening premier of Cecil B. DeMille’s The King of Kings.

Since then the theatre has always been associated with Hollywood glamour, hosting the Academy awards from 1944-1946 and being visited by countless legends of the silver screen such as Joan Crawford and Micky Rooney through to modern day stars like Jennifer Anniston, Robert DeNiro and George Cluny.

Each year the theatre receives more than five million visitors who come to look at the almost 200 celebrity handprints, footprints, and autographs in the concrete of the theatre’s forecourt.

In tribute the home has their own celebrity wall of fame featuring photographic portraits of stars from past and present as chosen by the residents and staff members of Barnes Court.

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As no cinema trip is complete without snacks, the cinema also features a popcorn maker, vending machine and pick‘n’mix sweet cones.

Resident Giselle Hughes, 52, said: “It was great. I can’t wait to see some Christmas films next!”