A SAVED independent picture house is looking for new committee members to steady the ship after a period where events have “rivalled the drama usually seen only up on our cinema screen”.

The last few weeks of 2018 were fraught with tension for Rhys Roberts, owner of CellB in Blaenau Ffestiniog, after the town’s only surviving cinema needed to raise £10,000 to prevent it from closing.

CellB, the former police station turned community centre, had faced the axe after an insurance claim to repair storm damage to the building was rejected.

Following a storm in 2017, a burst pipe went undetected and a claim for insurance was rejected, raising fears for the future of the centre.

Non-profit organisation Gwallgofiaid launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise the five figure sum to keep the centre open.

Among those who backed the campaign were Ruthin-born Rhys Ifans and actor Michael Sheen who posted a video appeal urging people to donate to the fund.

The campaign was successful and now Rhys wants to form a committee to make sure the cinema thrives following its new lease of life.

“For us, recent events at Blaenau Ffestiniog’s CellB cinema have at times rivalled the drama usually seen only up on our cinema screen,” he said, reflecting on the successful fundraiser.

“We’ve seen Hollywood stars lining up to support and drive our imaginative crowdfunding campaign to save the cinema that successfully galvanised community support behind securing a bright future for this most precious of our shared community assets.

“This tale of a plucky independent cinema fighting back against bad luck, corporate culture and increasing social and economic problems is an ongoing process and the next chapter in the drama is now upon us.”

The area’s most innovative people have been called upon to help push CellB to reach a wider, more diverse audience than ever before.

“We have a whole raft exciting new projects ready to go in 2019 and we are looking for individuals to come and join us as we set up a new committee dedicated to building on the spirit and vision of the cinema here in CellB,” Rhys continued.

“We actively want input and commitment from you in order to drive forward all these new policies, initiatives and projects.

“We are in no doubt that cinema is a wonderful unifier of people and provides a great source of pride, joy and strength to all small communities like ours.

“We want the cinema in CellB to reflect the pride, passion, commitment and ingenuity that exists here in Blaenau.

“Will you come and join us?”

For more information, or to declare your interest, please email [email protected]

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