A FREE special screening for the visually and hearing impaired took place at the Flavel last week.

On Wednesday, August 7, more than 40 attended the event, coming from Dartmouth and the surrounding area – Kingswear, Brixham, Totnes, Kingsbridge, Salcombe, Torquay, and even as far away as Tiverton.

The film shown was The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, set in Jaipur, India, with a notable cast including Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy and Tom Wilkinson. The film was run with both audio description and sub titles.

Thanks to the generosity of the Flavel Trustees and private donors, attendance was free, to both the visually/audio impaired attendees and to their carers. No less than four well-behaved guide dogs were also in attendance, three golden and one black Labrador – Zeus, Quiz, Oliver and Muppet.

Before the film was screened, a number of local support organisations displayed their services and wares – Devon in Sight, Royal National Institute for the Blind, South Hams Talking Newspapers and Dartmouth Caring. Free refreshments were served to all who came, thanks to a team of helpful and friendly volunteers.

David and Moira Molloy live in Kingswear and came over for the special screening. They said before the screening that they were looking forward to the film, saying: 'We have seen it before but with difficulty, but thanks to the equipment it makes it a lot easier.'

Denham Wright is almost blind and so is dependent on audio described films in order to fully understand and enjoy them. Dr Wright said: 'The special showing of the Exotic Marigold Hotel was a great event not only to enjoy the film but also the social occasion, as I met other visually impaired people and could exchange views.

'We met a totally blind lady who had never been to a film with audio description and she was very enthusiastic about the whole event.

'My wife and I very much appreciated the helpful and friendly attitude of the staff and volunteers. The drinks and cakes were also much appreciated.

'It was very useful having various organisations like the RNIB and Devon In Sight there to tell us of services and equipment they provide.

'Overall it was a great social and enjoyable occasion. Well done and our thanks to all involved.'

One of the carers who attended, Gill Sole, wrote after the event: 'We all enjoyed it immensely and the hospitality of everyone at the Flavel Centre made it so much more than just a film screening.

'It was a lovely afternoon and we all greatly appreciated the effort put into organising it.'

Organiser, David Wright was very pleased with how the afternoon went and now hopes for more special screenings to be arranged in the future. Mr Wright said: 'I was delighted at the turnout and the pleasure clearly derived from the social occasion as much as from the screening of the film.

'As a number commented to me, and with which I fully agree, it would be great if further special screenings could be organised much more frequently than the five years since the last event, ideally once every other year, perhaps every year.'