Filmhouse nets a winner with Screen Memories get together
There are times when going out to a show or a concert seems like the best bet for entertainment, and taking a look at the PA this weekend, there is plenty to go out and do.
But when the news goes round that the Northern Light are offering a free celestial show in the sky, what could be better?
At around 7pm on Tuesday night across Perthshire and Kinross-shire, folk went out to admire the Aurora Borealis lighting up the sky – and some lucky people found themselves in the right place at the right time.
This image was taken by Paul Adams of the scene over Loch Leven as the colourful display took over the horizon.
“It went huge around 6.45pm until around 7.15pm then went a bit quiet, but there was still a huge arc across the sky for a while after,” he explained.
“With such clear skies, the air temperature was pretty arctic for observing the display reflected in the calm waters of Loch Leven. “It was out of this world. “It made for really exciting photography, one of those natural wonders you need to see.” Saints in the Community kicked off a new social benefits project – Screen Memories - at the Birks Cinema in Aberfeldy on Wednesday, November 8.
A group of movie fans enjoyed a lively discussion sharing favourite cinema-going and film stories over a cup of tea in the comfort of the Birks Cinema café, which has been picked to be the first venue for the initiative in Perthshire.
Organised by the St Johnstone Community Trust team, Screen Memories aims to build on the success of the award-winning Football Memories initiative – supported by Sir Alex Ferguson - with free sessions aimed at helping people of all ages benefit from social interaction by reviving football-related recollections from days gone by.
Dave Black of Saints in the Community said: “We are pleased to have launched Screen Memories at the Birks Cinema today as a venue with a proud history of bringing entertainment to the local community
“Judging by the response, these film-related get-togethers will be just as popular in giving people an opportunity to socialise and share their memories.”
Recollections included regular trips ‘to the movies’ – many at the original Birks Cinema – to watch newsreels followed by classic Hollywood films.
And another person shared their memory of a holiday in the south of France which led to a chance meeting with Kirk Douglas who was visiting for the wedding of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier of Monaco.
Fiona MacEwan, community development officer for the Birks Cinema, added: “As a communityowned and operated cinema, we’re delighted to have been chosen as the first venue for the Screen Memories project.
“This is a great addition to our community events programme. Almost everyone has a relationship with film and memories of special moments shared watching the big screen. We hope The Birks is
Paul Adams took this picture of the Northern Lights over Loch Leven, Kinrossshire on Tuesday, November 7, 2017
Seated left and standing l-r) Lyndsey Turfus (Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership); Michael White (Screen Memories Scotland); Fiona MacEwan (community development officer, the Birks Cinema) and Dave Black (Saints in the Community) with film fans somewhere future memories are being made every day.”
The Birks Cinema re-opened in April 2013 after the empty, dilapidated 1930s Art Deco building in the town square was taken over by the community and converted into a state of the art cinema. It is now established as community hub showing a wide range of film entertainment throughout the week as well as providing a café and gathering place for a variety of community activities and events.