Severn Dean Lions have given £2,000 to the Palace Theatre (Palace Cinema) in Cinderford to help keep its projectors running.
The Palace is one of the oldest picture houses still showing films in Britain. It dates from the early 1900s and has survived two fires and years as a British Legion hall. In 2005 it reopened as a two-screen cinema. Karen and Andy Lougher have run it for twenty years. During Covid they put everything they had into keeping it open, including Andy's pension.
This summer a maintenance check gave them bad news. The digital projectors, fitted in 2012, are near the end of their life. A full service is needed now just to keep them going. In time, both projectors will need replacing at around £35,000 each.
Karen started a "Keep the Lights On" appeal, and hundreds of local people have already given. Our donation goes towards the immediate repair bill, so the films can keep rolling while the Palace plans for new equipment.
"A cinema on your doorstep matters, especially for families and older people who can't easily travel to Gloucester or Cheltenham," said Brian Willows, Treasurer of Severn Dean Lions. "We're proud to help keep the Palace open for the Forest."
You can support the Palace too: buy a ticket, or give to the Keep the Lights On Projector Fund.
The money comes from what you give at our Bonfire & Fireworks, the Wild Boar Chase, Santa Sleigh and coffee mornings. Thank you. Every pound raised in the Forest is spent in the Forest.
Photo of the Palace, Belle Vue Road, Cinderford: Karen Lougher, Palace Cinema.