Hi all Members (past and present)

This week is our birthday and while some of you have been supporting us for many years, many of you are new to us so we thought we’d take this opportunity on our anniversary to share with you a little bit of our story so far!

We started out to create an alternative cinema experience with no money, experience, backing or members. We had the great idea of kicking-off in the winter, without heating, showing Rob’s notorious “happy movies,” to the accompaniment of rumbling trains over head, often wondering whether any one would turn up, sometimes hoping they wouldn’t so we could have a night off.

Inevitably someone would walk through the door minutes before the film was due to start so the show always went on – so thanks to Ade, Flo, Greg, Martha, Matthew, Tram… and the rest of you (you know who you are) who have kept us going.

The cinema has run rent free thanks to Whirled Art Productions and all the staff have worked voluntarily, and continue to do so, with all revenue (no we haven’t drunk it all) being used to continually develop the space and there is more to come.

Although a “free cinema” would be great, we introduced membership fees to cover the cost of films and the plan was always to eventually pay a full-time member of staff. Take up of membership has steadily risen to the point where this is achievable.

Consequently the cinema has steadily grown in stature and with programming changes ahead we plan to be open 4 nights a week and potentially 5 by the autumn. The cinemas versatility has also allowed it to become the host venue for “Up the Junction” literary nights, “Holy Mountain” radio plays and “Viola” music nights all of which we hope will grow with us; this not mentioning some great private screenings, festivals and birthday parties we have had.

All this has turned the cinema from a part time “hobby,” which Rob ran on top of a 50-hour week, into pretty much a full time job. With the little we’ve managed to stash away and before Rob gets any greyer, he will be taking a 50% pay cut to work full-time developing the cinema and hopefully make more little “Whirled Cinemas” in the future.

Unfortunately, as from April 1st, the government will want 20% of our income (VAT) and this will inevitably affect the cost of our membership, but we will write to you exactly how nearer the time about this. Bar prices where possible will however not be affected in the same way as we will absorb these costs ourselves.

With Rob, and then hopefully Oli, on board full-time we are on the search for an additional venue to make our little ‘whirled’ a little bit bigger. Loughborough Junction will remain Whirled Cinema’s home and we will stick to our values and bring you cinema in as inexpensive way as we can.

Thanks

Lee, Mike & Rob