Lottery fund boost for film society

As they enter their second year of activity, Axbridge Film Society are celebrating some wonderful news: they have been granted funding under the 'Awards for All' scheme that will at last enable them to purchase and install permanent DVD projection and sound equipment at their 32-seat cinema facility, now known as 'The Roxy, Axbridge' and located in what was once the Axbridge Lion pub in the town's High Street. The Awards for All scheme, which is supported by the Arts Council England, the Big Lottery Fund, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Sport England, distributes funding to non-profit community groups that enable people to take part in art, sport, heritage and community activities.

'We are absolutely thrilled to get this grant,' said Juliet Maclay, Chairperson of the Society. 'Since we started showing films just over a year ago we've had to rely on borrowing or renting a DVD projector, and the sound equipment we've been using is really not ideal for the job. Now, though, we can go ahead and set up a proper projection and sound system that will not only enhance our members' enjoyment of the films we show but will also enable us to finish vital work on the interior of the cinema that had to wait until the permanent equipment is in place. We're currently well into our Spring film season, and we're just setting up a new programme of films for showing in June and July, but during the summer holidays we'll be working very hard to get the cinema looking really smart, ready for a gala reopening in early September.'

The Society currently has film shows on most Friday evenings during school term-times; programme and membership information is available from its website at www.axbridgefilmsociety.org.uk, or by calling Juliet Maclay on 01934 733221.