4 Years of Tring Cinema
‘This is mad, let’s give it a go!’
After being introduced at Tring Together’s BusinessMart networking event and a few enthusiastic cups of coffee later, Lee who runs the design agency Tring Design and Steffi who works for both local enterprises Tring Together and Kay Pictures, set out on a mission to bring a community cinema to Tring.
Convinced that it would be great to provide local residents with the opportunity of a Friday night out at the movies without having to jump in a car, both shared the vision of bringing cult classics and recently released films on to the big screen, altogether in a cosy and community inspired atmosphere.
Did you just say big screen? Don’t you need a really good projector? What about comfortable seating? Won’t we need a bar as well? Oh, and a good PA system for the sound too!
Steffi and Lee had none of the above, but they had a Facebook page to gather whether there was an interest for a community cinema at all. When the page gained over 1,000 Likes within a week, both knew actions to turn this idea into reality had to be taken rather quickly. With no funding available, some creativity but most of all The Great Tring Community Spirit was needed to piece together a functioning cinema.
A 5m-wide screen held together with plastic piping a la DIY Youtube tutorial and donated by Metcalfes, Tring Brewery’s PA system, a brilliant projector provided by Epson (which they still use!), and the Nora Grace Hall as a great central location, formed the set up for Tring Cinema when it first opened its doors in August 2016.
Since then the project developed bit by bit to create the community cinema experience both Steffi and Lee envisaged from the start. One Friday evening every month you can enjoy a great mixture of hilarious comedies, heart-breaking dramas, thrilling action and gripping biopics all with a drink and freshly made popcorn in your hand. There have been outdoor screenings under the stars, buzzing sing-alongs in the Tring Carnival marquee or, if you are very lucky, an Oscar winner might pop in to share his fascinating experiences.
Over the last four years and hopefully for many more to come, Tring Cinema has been growing thanks to the immense support of their fabulous audience, volunteers, so many local businesses, Tring Town Council and the Tring Arts Trust.
Most recently, a significant grant from the Tring Arts Trust catapulted Tring Cinema to another level and allowed the installation of super comfortable raked seating, surround sound and an automatic screen. Steffi and Lee are more than overwhelmed by this amazing opportunity and immensely grateful to the Tring Arts Trust for their incredible support. Yet again, Tring Cinema has been transformed.
Whilst not trying to compete with the big players, Steffi and Lee are so proud of how much of a joint effort Tring Cinema has become, the true definition of a community cinema.
Tickets are available from Beechwood Fine Foods or www.tringcinema.com where you can also find further information. It’s a Tring thing!