The Carterton Fast Forward Action Plan highlighted the lack of a community venue and local cinema. At one of the Partnership Meetings we explored the interest in setting up a community cinema and over 30 people put their names forward.
A bid for funding was made to the UK Film Council to buy equipment to show films in local venues such as the Football Club, and we learnt in September 2004 that the bid had been successful and we were awarded just under £5,000. A further £2,000 was raised from the Oxfordshire Community Foundation, the Town Council and Cottsway Housing Association. Projection equipment and a screen were purchased and a group formed to run the cinema.
Films were initially shown twice a month at the Football Club, and this changed to once a month when the showings were moved to the Town Hall. The last showing took place in June 2007.
Discussions are taking place with the Witney Cinema Screen at the Square, and it is hoped they will relaunch the cinema at the Carterton Community Centre before long. To register to be kept up-to-date with developments, email the Centre Manager, Gill Carver, at gill.carver@tiscali.co.uk