Community Cinema plan

Pictured at the unveiling of a new Peace Sculpture at Richmount Community Centre, Scotch St, are from left, Sydney Anderson, MLA, David Simpson, MP, Councillor Jonny Buckley, Councillor Arnold Hatch, Fionnuala walsh, Arts Council N.I. Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Councillor Darryn Causby, Mike Disley, Artist, Councillor Doug Beattie, Jo-Anne Dobson, MLA and Joe Garvey, chairman of Richmount Rural Community Association. INPT40-204.

It’s part of a package of initiatives planned by the Association thanks to a grant of just under £10,000 from Big Lottery Awards for All.

Joe Garvey, Chairman of the Association said, “We are delighted to receive this grant. We are proposing to have a professional cinema with a large screen and sound system.

“We would be operating full cinema facilities such as tea/coffee, ice cream, soft drinks, snacks and, of course, the ubiquitous popcorn.

“The type of films we would show would be largely at the behest of the community, but some of the lesser known or cult films could be an option.

“There is also the opportunity to show films for our ‘newcomer’ community in their native languages.”

It will also be an option for children’s parties to have suitable films shown - including dining/catering in the adjacent room.

Mr Garvey added, “This could also give us the potential to attract a wider age group to come to our community centre.”

The concept of community cinemas is not new - there are some already operating in Newry, Dungannon and Belfast. They tend to be considerably less expensive than commercial cinemas.

Mr Garvey said, “One man in our community told me he loved Westerns but you rarely see them on television now.

“In the future we could have “High Noon” - in the middle of the village of Scotch Street!

At least in Scotch Street they have their own Clayton Moore, a well known butcher in the area at M&W Meats - his namesake was the actor who played the Lone Ranger