Movie fans enjoy reel treat at park
YOUNG movie fans have enjoyed a rare outdoor film screening in their park.
A free open air cinema was set up in Plantation Playground, Stansmore Road, Meir, last night following a week of workshops and activities.
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NIGHT AT THE MOVIES: Allie Tucker watches as the screen is erected. Picture: Malcolm Hart
The makeshift movie theatre was made entirely from recycled materials, including a wooden box office, handcrafted by teenagers.
Run by Newcastle-based community arts organisation B arts, youngsters also contributed to the entertainment. Using modelling clay, stop motion animation and flip books, they made 15 short films which were shown on the big screen before the blockbuster Despicable Me.
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The project, entitled For One Night Only, was funded through the £100,000 Place, Space and Identity 3 scheme, supported by Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
Hilary Hughes, designer for the workshops, said: "We wanted to recreate some of the art deco magic of the old Broadway Cinema in Meir, so we had tall lights and a curved wooden box office made from old pallets.
"Lots of the parents were really intrigued about us building a cinema in a park, but it can be done and it's something I would like to see repeated in other areas in the city. So many communities have large green open spaces which good easily be used for something like this."
The project is the first in the scheme, which is in its third year and aims to provide arts activities to areas in need of regeneration.
Admission to the cinema was free and the audience enjoyed complimentary popcorn.
The projection was provided by Blythe Bridge-based charity Reels On Wheels.
Founder Robert Johnson, said: "We have the latest digital equipment, the kind which isn't available in most cinemas yet.
"We recently received a £100,000 grant from the UK Film Council and have invested it in the best technology which can be used for outdoor events anywhere in North Staffordshire.
"We can screen movies which are on current releases and operas from London and New York.
"We've shown films in schools in Meir before but this is the first time we've been involved in an outdoor community screening. We used a 23 foot by 12 foot screen attached to the railings on the multi-use sports pitch."
Burns Row resident and father-of-five Neil Thompson, aged 45, brought his three-year-old son Hayden and six-year-old step-daughter Allie along to the screening.
He said: "This outdoor cinema has been a great project for the community.
"We don't get a lot around here but at least this shows the authorities are trying and people can come together for something good.
"There's a good level of community spirit here, of course there is always trouble makers but that's the same for every area.
"But people generally respect each other and I'm glad this project came to Meir because we've never had anything like it before."
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