Still game to help tenants
TV stars support South Ayrshire’s plans to welcome residents into the community
On screen, they’re Scotland’s most famous council tenants.
Off screen, they have starred in a movie to turn rather dull information into a right laugh for Ayrshire renters.
Still Game favourites Tam and Isa are the stars of a new DVD.
Not some comedy show — but a novel bid by South Ayrshire Council to welcome new tenants.
Ayr Town Hall was transformed into a movie theatre last week as actors Mark Cox and Jane McCarry attended the premiere.
The eleven-and-a-half minute film “Moving in” will be handed to every new tenant in South Ayrshire.
Guests at the premiere enjoyed hot dogs, pop corn and candy floss before the big screening.
Contractually, Mark and Jane could make no mention of Tam and Isa being council tenants in the Craiglang comedy.
But everybody in the audience last Tuesday night who was a fan of the BBC’s Still Game imagined them in the role anyway.
Much of the filming took place in the house of tenant Liz McNish in Muirhead, Troon.
For three days, she turned over her home to Mark, Jane and the film crew.
And Liz admitted: “They were chuckling because I had no idea who they were as I don’t watch Still Game.
“I put my gazebo up in the garden and I was head tea lady, and had to keep it secret from my neighbours.
“It was so interesting to observe the processes of making this film.
“There were three days of hilarity and it was a privilege and an honour to invite them into my home.
South Ayrshire Council tenant participation officer Gordon Campbell was the mastermind behind the movie.
The council owns 8000 homes - and about 800 new lets are made each year.
Gordon said: “We wanted to do something totally different.
“This is the first time we have ever done a DVD and I think it deserves a special premiere.
“Not everyone wants to read a handbook and I think we have put together a fun way to get some really important information out to our tenants.”
“Mark and Jane tell a story to retain their audience.”
The DVD is the companion to the 68-page Tenants Handbook featuring anything from repair rights to smoke detectors.
Two of the tenants who starred in the film were Anne Cameron of Troon and Roger Martin of Maybole.
They were guests of honour at the screening.
Before the showing Jane said: “The Cooncil have pushed the boat out tonight, popcorn, hot dogs and vegetarian burgers.
“It was fantastic fun filming the DVD and we managed to get some local celebrities in it.
“We have Troon’s very own Kim Kardashian, Anne Cameron.
“It would have been too easy for South Ayrshire to do what every other council does. We want people to be interested in the DVD and that way the facts get across with some fun.”
And Mark added: “We also have Roger the Doger Martin, the Robert Redford of Maybole.
“And well done to South Ayrshire Council for taking a wee chance with this project.”
Housing convenor Phil Saxton said: “This DVD and handbook covers any eventuality for our tenants about their house.
“I am hopeful it will catch on and actually free up some time for council officers to do other things.”