Ramsbottom Online

Real 2 Reel Brings Movie Magic to Rammy

You might have seen the big sign advertising films in the Market Square, or picked up a flyer at Walmsley’s Butchers. Or you might not have known about the monthly movies at the Civic Hall. But in Real2Reel, Ramsbottom has a thriving local film society that could easily be the envy of larger towns.

The group was started four years ago by some movie-loving friends who thought a film society might help make up for the fact that the village has no cinema. Real 2 Reel has done well, and this season it’s making an exciting move to the newly renovated Theatre Royal.

“We’re delighted to be here,” said Real 2 Reel member Louise Roberts. “Initially this was our first choice, as it was once a cinema, but at the time it wasn’t possible.” Fortunately a large-scale renovation of the Theatre Royal has created a studio space upstairs, so that other groups such as the film society can use the theatre when productions are rehearsing.

And there’s no denying that the seats are more comfortable and the sightlines a big improvement over the Civic Hall. At their first event in the new space, an evening of short films with animator Barry Purves February 11, the audience seemed pleased with the new digs.

The film society has come a long way since its start in 2006. One of the first things they did was buy 150 cushions for the hard seats in the Civic Hall, Roberts recalled. They got some help from Bury Met, who lent equipment until their lottery funding came through – a £10,000 Awards for All grant, which enabled them to buy their own.

Now a group of seven people meets monthly to choose films and run the non-profit society. In 2007 they were named the Best Film Society in the UK by the British Federation of Film Societies, an honour which made the hardworking group very proud. They’ve also done projects in the Ramsbottom community with older people and local schools

“Now we’re in the Theatre, we’re looking to build up our core audience. Our new membership scheme makes us the cheapest cinema in Lancashire – you can see six films for £15,” said member Roy Knowles. “As we go on we’ll look at new initiatives such as film festivals or tie-ins with events like the Wartime Weekends.” They’d also like to do more children’s films (their Christmas screenings are very popular) and put on another outdoor film at the Ramsbottom Cricket Club.

Their next film is The Private Lives of Pippa Lee on Wednesday, March 31 at 8pm (£4/£3.50 concs). The group welcomes new members, and they’re also looking for local businesses to sponsor programs at £75 for a full season.

Brooks said many people seem proud that Ramsbottom has a film society, but she’d like it if more of those people showed their support by coming to see films regularly. “People sometimes take things for granted” she said. “The film society needs people to invest in it. If you like it, come.”

You can get in touch with Real 2Reel and keep up with their programme on their Facebook Page here.

Article by Kate Feld, an American-born Ramsbottom resident who works as a freelance writer and editor. She blogs at The Manchizzle.