John, 86, continues lifelong passion for film
Film-enthusiast John Zammit, 86, is continuing his passion for movies thanks to our team.
We have organised regular visits from the Norwich Movie Makers and the sessions are also bringing John closer to his fellow residents here at Brooklands where he’s lived since February 2023.
“Ever since I was young, I was interested in cine photography,” said John. “It was an expensive hobby at first, so I didn’t do it very much. Then I joined the Bourne Video Makers where I lived in Buckinghamshire and I loved it. It also helped when video cameras became more affordable.
“I made my own documentary some time ago about a Freemasons’ meeting place at an old school and the 100-year history of that school. I’d love to show this to the residents and the film club at some point.”
Laure Van Minden, our lifestyle lead, said, “Ever since John moved into the home, he has not stopped talking about his film club, so we knew we had to do something. I reached out to Norwich Movie Makers last year as I wanted to rekindle John’s passion about film making and they’ve been brilliant in building a relationship with us and our home. John is thrilled by our collaboration and ongoing partnership with them. It’s been a big hit with our other residents too – we always love to help them find new hobbies.”
“John is very intelligent and often prefers to do activities by himself, so for him to go and be part of the film club with the other residents is significant. It brings him a lot of meaning and joy and we love that this partnership has also inspired him to revisit his own documentary.”
The Norwich Movie Makers are an amateur movie-making club that’s been running since the 1960s. Their visits to Brooklands have not only been powerful reminiscence for the residents but have given them the chance to feature in a film themselves. After sharing archive footage of VE Day back in May, to celebrate its 80th anniversary the Movie Makers then filmed residents sharing their own memories of VE Day. After editing the footage into a short documentary, they returned in November to host a special screening at our home.
Resident Sheila Flory, 91, said, “It was nice to be part of it because I remembered when VE Day happened and how I felt. I remember the people in the streets and the lads climbing the lampposts. I really appreciated being able to share my memories of the war with others in this way.”
John said, “It felt essential to be part of it, because once we are no longer here you can’t replay those memories.”
“Their VE Day film was excellent,” Laure continued. “It was a mixture of residents talking and real footage from the time. It’s so special they were able to capture residents’ memories of the war and it meant so much to everyone involved to be part of it and to have the club return for an official screening. It means the world to me to enable to residents to carry on fulfilling their lifelong passion in our home.”
The films are shown using a traditional projector, which generates more memories for John and the film club members. They most recently enjoyed memories of rail travel in East Anglia, thanks to Phil Slater from Norwich Movie Makers.
“The screening was particularly meaningful for residents who enjoy our trips to the Poppy Line steam railway,” continued Laure, “and for those who grew up locally, bringing back many fond memories.”
John said, “I’ve never used a projector as big as the 16mm, so it was great to see it in action and up close. It’s nice to talk to other fanatics and it’s brilliant that our home has become part of the film club. I’m already looking forward to their next visit, and I’d like to see more films made by the members.”
Brooklands Care Home is a 64-bedroom home, which offers high-quality residential, nursing and specialist dementia care. Our team pride themselves on embracing individuality and each resident’s unique interests, which was honoured when we became finalists in the East of England region of the Great British Care Awards 2025 for the Putting People First Award.