THE Beatles’ iconic Abbey Road image has been re-created to celebrate the launch of a music film season at Saffron Screen.

Saffron Walden Reporter: Mark Starte (John Lennon), Han Mallett (George Harrison), Rebecca Del Tufo (Paul McCartney) and Rachel Thomas (Ringo Starr).Mark Starte (John Lennon), Han Mallett (George Harrison), Rebecca Del Tufo (Paul McCartney) and Rachel Thomas (Ringo Starr). (Image: Archant)

Onlookers could have been forgiven for thinking they’d inadvertently stepped into a time warp when volunteers at the not-for-profit cinema teamed with the Tourist Information Centre to dress up as John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.

Using the pedestrian crossing next to the Common car park, Hana Mallett and Rebecca Del Tufo were joined by TIC duty managers Mark Starte and Rachel Thomas as the Abbey Road album cover was brought to life with a Walden twist.

The idea was sparked by Mark and Rachel, both of whom were instrumental in finalising the programme for the music film season beginning next month.

“Both Rachel and I are huge rock n’ roll fans and we love our music. It was Rachel’s idea for a music film season and we worked together with Hana and Rebecca at Saffron Screen to make it happen.

“We had a brainstorm about how to publicise it in a funky and dynamic way and I came up with this idea. There were a few people looking completely bemused but many got it straight away and shouted ‘Look, it’s John Lennon and George Harrison!’ The picture took a few takes but was great fun.”

American Rock legend Bruce Springsteen kicks things off on September 8. The documentary Springsteen & I combines footage of performances with fan reflections. For younger music fans the much-hyped One Direction documentary This Is Us will be shown at the end of October, while Morrisey, Spinal Tap and Led Zeppelin all feature ahead of The Sound of Music singalong.

Other highlights include a Q&A with Underworld’s Karl Hyde following Outer Edges, a documentary about the Essex borderlands, and a performance from Livewire Rock Academy before the Led Zeppelin film.

Rachel said: “We are honoured to be part of this project and wanted to have a good mixture of films, not only ones that influenced us but those for families and a younger generation.”

To find out more about the music film season, visit saffronscreen.com or call 01799 500238.