Life in lockdown has revealed some hidden talents amongst Eden Housing Association residents, especially in the Assisted Living Schemes. Poems and paintings have surfaced and two residents from Carlisle and Kirkby Stephen have showcased their offerings.

Retired Teacher Clem Greenhow put pen to paper and created a poem titled ‘A War Without Bullets’, describing his take on life in lockdown - the first verse summing up:

The World is experiencing World War 3
Corona Virus the common enemy
A reliable vaccine we must see
Before from lockdown we will be free

83 year old resident Donald Walker put colour to paper and has produced a series of watercolours from the town of Kirkby Stephen, which will be displayed along the corridors and communal areas of the Assisted Living Scheme at Mill Gardens. It is intended the pictures will create a more homely look and feel, and can be interchanged within the scheme, giving everybody an occasional change of scenery.

Donald has been resident at Mill Garden since the scheme opened in May 2015, and became interested in painting in his early 30s, encouraged by his father who was an accomplished amateur artist. Donald’s early paintings were in oils, and he only recently changed to watercolour.

Describing his lockdown experience, Donald said “Lockdown did me a favour in getting me restarted in painting again. The project has given me the opportunity to try out many different painting techniques and the sense of achievement has given me so much pleasure.

John Clasper, Chief Executive of Eden Housing Association, commented “ it never ceases to surprise and amaze me just how much unseen and untapped talent there is right across our housing schemes. It’s great to be able to provide an opportunity on the corridor walls of our buildings and in our tenant e-newsletter for these accomplishments to be shared and seen by a wider audience”.

Clem’s poetry recital and Donald’s painting gallery can be viewed on Eden Housing Association’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/EdenHousingUK