Last updated at 19:44, Thursday, 07 June 2012

A film featuring a Maryport estate’s “heroes” will be premiered next weekend.

Calling All The Heroes was commissioned by Big Local, a lottery project that has granted Ewanrigg £1 million over 10 years.

The film takes its name from a 1986 hit – written in Maryport – by Cumbrian rock band It Bites.

Ian Douglas, storyteller and community theatre specialist, said: “Calling All The Heroes aims to tell local people about the Big Local programme, get people more involved in the life of the community and set them thinking about what they want for their area.”

The film was made in partnership with Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake, with funding from Arts Council England.

Mr Douglas commissioned it from Newcastle theatre group Cap-a-Pie. Filming was completed over just two days with about 30 local people, including children, taking part.

The idea emerged after a lantern procession through the estate before Christmas.

Mr Douglas said: “A group of local people gave so much of their time to help make that event a success. I called them heroes and began to think of this latest project.”

The film is based on a photograph taken in the 1980s of a carnival queen in the Netherton band room and tells the story of how the community works to reopen the centre.

Ellen Richardson, 44, of Ennerdale Road, who played the grown-up carnival queen in the film, said: “It was exciting. You had to learn some words but most of it you made up as you went along.”

Mr Douglas also worked for a month with children at Ewanrigg and Our Lady and St Patrick schools on a project about heroes.

Next Saturday, pupils in hero costumes will lead an estate procession. There’ll be a feast at Ewanrigg Community Centre, an exhibition of the community’s past and present and the screening of the film.

Mr Douglas said: “We hope our day of celebration will help people on the estate to work together.”

He said the project has been fortunate in having the Ewanrigg and Netherton Tenants’ and Residents’ Association to co-ordinate events.

The procession will begin at noon and lunch will be served at Ewanrigg Community Centre from 1pm.

First published at 19:19, Thursday, 07 June 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk