In a bid to give their parishioners access to entertainment that many take for granted, St Hilda’s Cross Green is launching a Community Cinema next month.
The Revd Darren Percival, Interim Parish Priest at St Hilda’s, says, “Cross Green and Richmond Hill is a very deprived area, and I know as a parent myself that going to the cinema is an expensive business - it costs us £25 for a family of three, and then there’s food on top.
“It occurred to me that many people in Cross Green may not get the opportunity to go to the cinema because of the price, so the church applied for a start-up grant through Cinema for All, and we were delighted to be successful”.
They’re starting with the screening on 25 February at 4pm of the film Zootopia.
Darren (who is also Operations Manager at Magna Science & Adventure Centre in Rotherham) adds, “We’re starting off with a family film but we hope to show a variety of films, once a month, over the year. We’ll even be offering hot dogs and popcorn - at a much cheaper rate than commercial cinemas.
“While we have many social problems here, as well as many different cultures, a community cinema is something that brings people together in a safe and warm environment.
“I want to see Saint Hilda’s continue to remain the heart beat of its community, and this is one way where we can bring the church and the community together”.
Cinema For All is a national support and development organisation for community-led cinema, film clubs and societies.
Contact: Revd Darren Percival, 01924 253045 or email.