Story by Jennifer Booth, Cinema feasibility co-ordinator
We thought we had planned for every possible situation, only to discover with less than a week to go that our cinema screening venue was unsafe.
That was the beginning of what ended up with over 200 people attending a visually and acoustically amazing ensemble of screenings, supported by a live performance from Sundaze, and an array of moving images from both Burngreave- and Yorkshirebased filmmakers.
The venue, Burngreave’s Cemetery Chapel was being surveyed ready for a bid for money to renovate it. But the survey declared the spire to be dangerous and banned entry. Frantic phone calls to Bereavement Services, resulted in some concern about the £3,000 needed to fix the problem.
Christine Steers, of Friends of Burngreave Cemetery and Chapel, was despairing until “I heard a rumble on Burngreave Road and when I looked out the window there was a massive crane that had arrived to access the spire.” It’s Thursday, the day before the event, several men are up the big crane with a blacksmith considering the options to make the spire safe. The blacksmith has to nip back to his workshop to fashion a custom-made part. Before we know it, it is 4pm and it was all fixed.
Friday morning, we set about cleaning the chapel and setting up. From 6.30pm people start to arrive, including a bus load of delegates from all parts of Europe (on a regeneration/cultural exchange prearranged with Spat-C).
Before we know it the evening has ended, thanks to all who supported this event especially Cassie Limb and the heroic efforts of Bereavement Services and the blacksmith.