Page 6 • The HERALD • 11th December 2025 v PART OF YOUR COMMUNITY FOR OVER 30 YEARS v Waterside Furnishings & Re-Upholstery 023 8020 7895 16 Marsh Parade, Hythe (Opposite Hythe Club) Est 2006 REPAIRS ANTIQUE, MODERN & MARINE REFURBISHED FURNITURE FOR SALE RE-UPHOLSTERY ALL ASPECTS OF ELECTRICAL WORK UNDERTAKEN • Full Rewires • New Circuits • Consumer Unit Replacements • Electric Vehicle Charging Points • Landlord Certification • Smart Homes • Central Heating Controls 023 8089 0932 or 07534 343631 www.alnelectrical.co.uk info@alnelectrical.co.uk Send your news to The Herald by email: editor@herald-publishing.co.uk Hythe Cinema 20th Anniversary September marked a remarkable milestone for Hythe Cinema, as the much-loved community venture celebrated its 20th anniversary. What began as an idea to bring lm and art to the heart of Hythe has grown into a cherished local institution - one that continues to thrive thanks to the dedication of its volunteers and the enthusiasm of its audiences. e cinema was founded in 2005 by Helen Bradley, who at the time worked for Hythe and Dibden Parish Council. With a deep passion for lm and the arts, Helen placed an advert in e Herald seeking volunteers to help her set up a local cinema group. e response was heart warming - a small but passionate team came together, united by a shared love of cinema and a desire to o er something special to the community. Over the years, Hythe Cinema has screened hundreds of lms, from classic dramas to modern blockbusters. Popular titles such as Downton Abbey and e King’s Speech drew such large crowds that the team had to add extra screenings - boosting from two showings to three to meet demand. Some days have seen audience numbers topping 200, a testament to the loyalty and enthusiasm of local lmgoers. simply couldn’t continue without them. Apart from a short pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, Hythe Cinema has shown a lm every month for 20 years. Attendance remains strong - the recent showing of Conclave saw organisers scrambling to fetch more chairs as the audience swelled beyond expectations. Currently, the cinema holds its screenings on the third Tuesday of every month at Hythe. However, from 2026, there will be a small but significant change: showings will move to the fourth Tuesday of each month. is adjustment aims to make it easier for members of local groups, including the U3A, to attend and enjoy the screenings. To mark the 20th anniversary, the audience and volunteers were gi ed Community Spirit badges, with a thank you note attached. An upgrade on biscuits and free tea and co ee to celebrate before the lm (Mr. Burton) that played on the 20th Anniversary. If you attend the cinema frequently and did not receive a badge, please ask Emily at the next viewing you do attend. As Hythe Cinema steps into its next chapter, its success stands as a shining example of what community spirit and a shared passion can achieve. Here’s to the volunteers, the audience, and the enduring magic of cinema - and to many more years of stories on the big screen. Amazingly, many of the same volunteers who answered Helen’s advert two decades ago still help run the cinema each month. eir commitment and energy are the heart of the operation, ensuring each event runs smoothly and that every screening is lled with joy, laughter, and community spirit. As the current organisers proudly note, the cinema Hythe Cinema Volunteers
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