About Us:

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HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

A visit to a draughty room over the Co-op on a cold and misty winter's night in 1961 to see Widnes Film Society's presentation of "On the Town" made David Hastings, (a lifelong movie buff and enthusiast), want to form a society himself one day. He had to wait until 1969 when Frodsham opened it's own Community Centre and its committee was seeking members of the public to come forward to start clubs and societies for the benefit of the good folk of Frodsham. When the question was posed " Who would be interested in forming a film society?" It was the moment David had been waiting for, and along with Paul Webster, Eric Davies and Barry Wilbraham, Frodsham Film Society was born!

David became the first Chairman with Paul Webster, Vice- Chairman. Eric Davies was the Secretary, with Beryl Read and Pat Hall adding the feminine touch. David is the only remaining member to have continuously served the film society until the present day, having been Chairman (1969-1971), Secretary (1972-1988), President (1989-92), Vice-President (1973-2001) and finally as President again at present.

Paul Webster, who sadly passed away in 1993, was a valuable and knowledgeable film buff who will be remembered for his patience and calming influence in times of difficulty which sometimes occurred during our history. Eric Davies and Beryl Read are still ordinary members of the society and are frequently seen at our shows. Other long serving members during the years include Harry Fielding, Syd Brough, Bob Harding, Nick Smith, Nora Pipkin and many, many others who at one time or another have helped to run your society. Apologies to those whose names are not included!

Our much respected present Secretary, Mike Donovan originally joined us in 1972 and after a brief interlude when he and his family moved away from Frodsham, rejoined us upon their return and has done a first rate job as your Secretary ever since!

OUR FIRST FILM SHOW

Saturday, the 13 th December 1969 was the fateful day when we screened a very average Dean Martin spoof thriller "The Silencers". It wasn't until we showed Olivier's "Henry V" that we were taken more seriously and our membership started to grow significantly. The rest is history and since those early days we have shown countless movie classics of all shades and genres. Indeed we were once known for our double features but these were abandoned years later due to costs and to curtail what were really quite long evenings!

‘INCIDENTS'!

During our presentations over the 32 years, it has not all been plain sailing as far as showing the films by way of the 16 mm format. Its very nature is susceptible to many ways ‘things can go wrong'!

Indeed, some nights are best forgotten! ...We have had films not arriving in time and having to get a replacement via British Rail at the 11 th hour, yards and yards of film piling up on the floor during projection because it had not been caught up on the take-up spool. We have had films arrived for showing which were back to front, upside down and in varying condition ranging from the worn and scratchy to a brand new print.

We have had the ‘Wendy House' (i.e. our home made projection booth made of heavy partitions) collapse on us and a projector knocked off its stand! This meant a trip to Chester to obtain a borrowed one in time for the impending show! We've had lamps blowing, sound failures, film breaks - you name it we have experienced it!

Our new DVD format is the state of the art film presentation and vastly superior to the old 16 mm equipment. We are confident that our members will appreciate its excellent quality.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Our halcyon days were definitely the seventies.

It was during this time we supplemented our film shows with an annual social event of a dance. This was an ambitious affair with a 12-piece dance band and lavish supper. Each dance was ‘themed' and represented usually a film we were to show the following season.

These dances were very popular and raised useful income for the club which in turn, was ploughed back into up-grading our projection equipment.

We also were regular participants in the Frodsham Carnival and every year put on a float again representing various topical film themes.

Special shows were once regular features. We had one such show featuring Philip Strick giving an illustrated lecture on the world's worst movies complete with clips. It was very interesting and good fun!

We also had Mike Valentine (one of the world's leading under- water cinematographers) give us an illustrated lecture on his extraordinary craft.

AWARDS

Sometimes our efforts did not go unnoticed.

We received Commendations from the British Film Institute and the British Federation of Film Societies in 1981 and 1992. We received a Gold award in 1986.

39th Season
Member of British Federation of Film Societies
Supported by Frodsham Town Council & Vale Royal Arts Association & Awards for All Lottery Grant