Hi there! Want to know about Chissy Movie Club?

What is it?

Our very own 'cinema in the community'. We opened our doors at the village hall four years ago.

When is it?

We show films throughout the winter period on a monthly basis, usually on a Saturday night.

How and why did it start?

The village hall committee sought ways of using the hall for the good of the village whilst raising much needed hall revenue. Movie nights were popular in many surrounding villages, so why not give it a go? Before long we had the promises of an old school projector with a flickering bulb, a time expired (semi) white sheet for a screen (holes darned) and a fuzzy, low powered sound system that worked if given a well placed boot. Oh dear, let's face it, the Odeon in Yeovil were not exactly going to be quaking in their boots over lost income!

To the rescue came the National Lottery community fund. 'Good people of Chiselborough' they declared, go buy yourselves all of the goodies you need to get your Movie night 'rolling, rolling, rolling'! So, after a few short months we were up and running, our very own 'Chissy Movie Club'. What's more, it would be operated by a bunch of new and 'youthful' volunteers.

Chissy Movie Club - what does it look like?

Atmospheric lighting entices you in. Small tables are laid out, with candles and flowers in their centre and around which the customer can huddle together, chat before the film starts and enjoy some bonhomie. The suspense builds, the lights are dimmed and finally the professional quality projector, sound system and big screen kick into life and away we go. If the film is a 'weepy' there are tissues for the men to dab their eyes whilst proclaiming 'I cut the onions at tea time'.

At a tense point half way through the showing, the film is paused. Homemade cakes and drinks are served and the time honored raffle is.. raffled. Laughter and merriment is heard as we all win back the prizes we donated several months ago and then it is on with the film, right to its gripping finale. Come the end we all say, 'wow, that was a good film, let's do this again' and then the clearing up fairies spring into action. Finally, we roll across the road for a 'film critics' meeting in the Cat Head.

What sort of films do we show?

Blockbusters..no. Big Disney hits..no. Violence..no. Heavy, deep and hard to follow..no. Watchable, engaging top quality films that win high critics reviews but 'sneak under the radar'... yes. Comedy... yes. Thought provoking.. yes. Escapism for the mind ... yes. Feel good films..definitely!

A good little earner for the hall?

'Wow, you must be making loads of money for the hall' you shout. Well yes and no. The license to show any film costs £100, after which there are running costs. With entry charges of £5, we break even at around 24 attendees. On a good night (30 +) we make a small profit from door takings, however on a bad night it is a loss. Fortunately the takings on teas, cakes and the raffle usually save the day and then some. So, over the course of a winter season we look to make around £500 for the village hall coffers. So overall, not too bad.

Who goes -who is it aimed at?

Everyone, both in the village and beyond. Our Lottery funding bid stated the objectives of providing entertainment for a village that is a bit cut off, and for all age groups. We have been pretty successful so far, although our hardest 'nut to crack' remains the 'Netflix generation', staying at home to watch 'Strictly Come Prancing' on 58 inch TVs. Come on guys, our screen is 20 feet wide and our sound system genuinely makes the windows rattle!

So, is it a serious film club?

Definitely not! It's all about having some fun and a bit of a laugh; a community thing. Life is too short for debating the Oscar winning merits of this or that film's reserve tea boy.

Where do I find out what is on?

A few weeks before each film, flyers are posted around the village and the 'Youth Club' email service sends out details. We also operate a separate dedicated email notification and put up posters in Norton shop.

How has it been affected by Covid?

Simple, put on hold. But we have loads of great films raring to go after restart (Boris to confirm).

See you soon,

The Chissy Movie Gang!