Pop-up cinema a hit with residents

THERE’S a full house every Saturday and Sunday at a new pop up cinema in Llanelli.

The audience comprises many of the 45 residents at Carmarthenshire council’s Llys y Bryn residential home on Bryn who are aged between 65 and 98 years.

There is no more jostling for the best seats in front of the TV now they have an eight-foot panoramic screen at their home showing films of their choice with staff dressing up as usherettes serving popcorn to add to the atmosphere.

There is little interest in the latest block buster releases with On the Buses being the most requested film and late Reg Varney their film star of the moment.

They have a vast collection of DVD films from the 1950’s and 60’s with many contributed to by families and friends of residents.

They have even sought out a Charlie Chaplin silent movie at the request of their oldest residents Phyllis Rees, aged 98.

Home manager Lyndsay Smith said the pop-up cinema had been funded by popular request of the residents from their own activity fund and the weekly recreational event was one all the residents looked forward to.

She said: “So many more residents can get to watch a film now we have a wide screen. In the past there was a lot of jostling to get the best seat in front the TV.”

Executive board member for social care Cllr Jane Tremlett said: “It is wonderful that residents have a say in providing equipment for their own comfort and entertainment in what is, after all, their home.

“We pride ourselves in our county run homes in encouraging staff to help fill residents days with fun and meaningful activities.

“The staff are to be commended for making a tremendous effort at Llys y Bryn by interacting with the residents as usherettes serving popcorn. They are so professional with the uniforms and trays they could have stepped straight from a London theatre.”