MILTON KEYNES, England, December 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
Residents living at a Milton Keynes retirement village have dressed up as pop idols for a 2016 calendar, transforming themselves into stars such as Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, the Spice Girls, Queen and Abba.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151208/294228 )
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151208/294229 )
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Tricia Sweeney, 63, from The ExtraCare Charitable Trust's Shenley Wood Village dressed up as a zombie for Michael Jackson's Thriller. During the photo shoot Beyoncé and Lady Gaga answered calls on reception while the zombies danced to Thriller in the Village piazza.
Lewis Illing, in his 80s, 'joined' Queen for the photo shoot. One of the first residents to move to the village with his wife when it opened in 2012, he said: "Just because you've been round the clock a couple of times it doesn't mean you can't get out the armchair, dress up and have a bit of fun.
"It's nice to think that residents had the opportunity to share a bit of pleasure, especially with our families and friends."
Village Activities Facilitator Leigh West, said: "We wanted this calendar to have a raw, edgy feel. The buzz in the village was amazing; we had members of the band, Kiss, drinking tea and eating cake in the café and Michael Jackson serving customers in the village shop.
Leigh said: "I hope that the calendar promotes the idea that regardless of somebody's age, there is always space for individuality, self expression and fun."
Last year residents dressed up to make a similar calendar paying homage to The Golden Age of Cinema.
ExtraCare's Commissioning and Healthy Lifestyle Director, Angela Bradford, added: "Across the Charity, residents and volunteers participate in hundreds of sociable activities. Our recent research with Aston University shows that these opportunities, especially for those at risk of being isolated, offer people a new 'lease of life'. We applaud our residents' imagination and drive."
Pictures were taken by village photographer Ian Cann. The calendar will be available later this week from http://www.mrcphoto.co.uk. Any profits will support activities for Village residents.
ExtraCare Charitable Trust: ExtraCare is a not-for-profit charity governed by a board of Trustees, was established in 1988 and operates 14 retirement villages and 17 housing developments, providing 3,879 homes for over 4,400 older people across the Midlands and the North.
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