When plans to include a cinema in the revamped Town Hall were shelved because of a lack of funds, the Eye Cinema looked liked it was finished before the curtain went up. But after seeing a newspaper article about a community cinema in Suffolk, Town Councillor Penny McSheehy decided to take matters into her own hands.

After discussing her plan with the community and the Town Council the Cinema at Eye was born, showing a film every first Friday of the month in the Eye Community Centre.

The films are supplied by Reg Snowling, who used to run a Video shop in Harleston, and he has all the equipment, including screen, projector, speakers and even the popcorn! But sadly no ice-creams we understand.

Penny and Reg pick the films based on availability and popularity. Once the film has been chosen, posters are distributed around the town and neighbouring villages and Penny puts a message on her answerphone telling people what the film is.

The doors open at 7pm with the film starting at 7.3Opm. A short break is taken half way through the film when the bar is open and tea/coffee is served as well as soft drinks and snacks.

Cinema Eye has shown films including Ladies in Lavender and Girl with a Pearl Earring where over 90 people have attended. On one occasion Penny recalled an evening when the Community Centre had been double booked. Deciding that the show must go on so the cinema was moved to the Town Hall. After some work on the windows with black plastic and gaffer tape, the film went ahead. However the evening was rather eventful as there was also a problem with the film but Penny says ‘Everyone saw the funny side and still had a good time.’

‘It is an enjoyable social evening for everyone. The audience get on so well with each other that sometimes it can be really difficult getting everyone seated after the break to continue with the film!’ Penny says.

‘It really is a community activity and at the end of the evening everyone chips in and helps to clear the hail’.

Films chosen to appeal to a younger audience have not been that well attended, which is a pity ‘It’s a shame, but we need between 50 and 60 people to make the evening viable’ Penny says ‘We now tend to show films which appeal to the more mature audience as these are always well attended.’

Tickets are available on the door but can also be purchased in advance from the chemist or newsagents in Eye,
priced at £4 Adults and £2.50 for children aged 12 and under.

Click here to visit the Cinema Eye website hosted by onesuffolk

If you need more information about Cinema Eye contact: Penny McSheehy 01379 870229 Pennymac_089@fsmail.net

Or if you would like to know more about having a cimema in your community then visit www.mobilemoviezone.co.uk

I would like to thank Penny and Shirley Little for making this article possible.
We would like to encourage participation to other groups or organisations in Suffolk so if you belong or run a club or local organisation which you would like featured on onesuffolk please contact Kerry Burn ( kerry.burn@onesuffolk.co.uk) or (01473) 583891.