Centre's cinema focuses on family
IT may not be as glamorous as the Odeon, Leicester Square, or have as much character as The Rex Cinema at Elland but Southowram Community Centre is hoping to capture the magic of the silver screen.
Family films are being shown on occasional Saturday afternoons in a bid to bring people into the centre and provide entertainment for movie-starved villagers. Southowram Community Cinema is a joint venture between the Methodist Church in the village and the community centre and it is hoped that support for the screenings will continue to grow.
So far two hit films have been shown and the next one will be the Disney Pixar animation 'Up' on Saturday, February 13. One of the organisers, Brenda Hudson, said: "We are pleased to have the chance to show 'Up' because it was only released in the UK last autumn and isn't even out on DVD yet. It's good family entertainment.
"For people in Southowram the nearest cinema is The Rex in Elland, which is a lovely venue, or a big multiplex which can be expensive for a whole family. I like films but I'm not a movie-buff. The main reason for holding these screenings is to get people using the community centre. We have to find different ways to attract people."
The organisers don't aim to make a profit, merely cover the cost of hiring the films which can be around 120. They are shown using borrowed projection equipment and a borrowed screen. Admission is only 2 for all and there is the added bonus of a cup of tea or coffee. A grant from the Methodist Church to the community centre helped to get the screenings under way but eventually it is hoped they will finance themselves.
The first film to be shown was 'Hairspray', the 2007 comedy musical starring John Travolta and Michelle Pfeiffer, and in December there was a Christmas showing of 'Fred Claus' starring Kevin Spacey.
"So far there has been a good atmosphere and the films have gone down very well, particularly with elderly people who may not like going out to the cinema at night but we need to build up our audiences if we are going to be able to continue screenings during the year," said Brenda who is also senior steward at Southowram Methodist Church.
"We are trying to get the whole community involved in using the centre. Members of the Methodist Church now meet here on Sundays and there is also bingo, Girls' Brigade, a youth club and a Slimming World group has recently started meeting here.
"The building is important for the village. One day we would like to have the resources to build a new community centre but first of all we have to get people coming along and using the existing premises."
Members of Southowram Methodist Church have been using the community centre for worship for more than two years.
The former church building closed in 2005 and was converted for housing.
'Up' will be shown at Southowram Community Centre on Saturday, February 13 at 2.30pm. Admission for all is 2 and refreshments will be available.
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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