Friday, September 09, 2011

Mowlem's future

There is a movement to try and help the Mowlem! It's called the Swanage 5050 club. There is a meeting on the 14th Sept at the East Bar at 7.30pm.

More info can be found here http://swanage5050club.co.uk/
Would be great to see some local support for this initiative.

Regards

16 comments:

The Postman said...

What about applying for a grant of up to £50,000 from the De Moulham Trust towards improving the Mowlem?(See post below.)

Anonymous said...

The 50/50 email is being shared far and wide. It sounds like a brilliant idea and a good way of encouraging community involvement.

At the last meeting, the trustees said if there were real practical offers of support, then another friends meeting could be arranged. Great to see things are moving forward. Lots of offers of support, and new ideas. Really encouraging !

Lesley said...

Sounds like a great idea to ask for a grant as well and maybe they will be persuaded more if we have wide hoe to see as many of you as possible at the meeting on Wed 14th Sept at 7:30pm.

Anonymous said...

What matters is getting high quality professional work on stage and getting people to come here to see it. It is hats off to the trustees for the fact that we have a theatre when the vast majority of provincial theatres closed decades ago. They now have a chance to work with highly motivated and talented pople in the community to make the most of this resource. The sad paradox is that although the rental income from the restaurant and shops ensures the Mowlem's survival there is little motivation for the trust to use the theatre except as a glorified village hall. Let us hope they take this opportunity to change this.

Reece de Ville said...

Just come back from The Regent Centre in Christchurch. A real example of what you can do with passion and hard work. Same prospective audience as The Mowlem (although Swanage has a better mix of ages to pick from) and a real delight to see full houses on a Sunday.

They show a range of things from theatre to film and live transmissions of opera and National Theatre productions. But their love for keeping the place going - it's traditions and respect for the audience - is paramount.

Now going 80 years, and the community wouldn't be without it. We know we couldn't say the same of the Mowlem.

I'm proud to see the 50/50 movement gathering momentum and aim to help as much as I can as a filmmaker, movie/theatre lover and fan of superb entertainment.

Anonymous said...

Do you not think it would be easier to buy a digital projector and have some up to date films on, join in with the film festivals, and perhaps have a black and white old film matinee each day -in order to make money for the upkeep?
Nick Storer

Lesley said...

Re anonymous comment about a new projector.

The 5050 Club is aimed at raising funds for technical equipment to improve the Mowlem for all. There is no reason that a new projector could not be one such item. Though i would be honest and have to say that being a very expencive individual item it may be that the 5050 Club decide to spend any money it raises on a number of less expencive items to start with. That is just my opinion, it is the 5050 Club that would decide!

The Postman said...

Does anyone have the latest accounts for The Mowlem? The pages can't be accessed via the website (why does that not surprise me?). And no accounts posted since 2009.

http://opencharities.org/charities/243486

Anonymous said...

The BFI/UK Film Council were paying for the digital kit a few years ago but the Mowlem missed the boat, in fact they don't seem to have realised that it was in port.

A cheaper alternative to consider which could bring in some money for not too much outlay may I suggest buying a very large TV and DVD/blueray player for the community room and have a season of world cinema, classics etc.

Anonymous said...

mowlem institute accounts for 2010 from charity commission website. copy and paste this address into the web address bar

http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/Showcharity/RegisterOfCharities/CharityWithoutPartB.aspx?RegisteredCharityNumber=243486&SubsidiaryNumber=0

then click on view accounts in the left hand panel

Anonymous said...
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David Furmage said...
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Anonymous said...

The link to the accounts didn't work for me, so I went to www.charity-commission.gov.uk/ - Search For A Charity (box) - Mowlem Institute - click on Mowlem Institute in search results - then under Financial Summary, click on Accounts

Paul Angel said...

A group of us dads are escaping our houses on a Monday night and going to see the films that are on - they've had some brilliant films on over the months and not too much later than the multiplexes get them. And only £4.50 each on Mondays!

A new projector and screen would be lovely, but a bigger audience would show the demand for this, so please, everyone, encourage people to come and see some films!

Super 8 is on this week til Thursday (absolutely brilliant!)
The Inbetweeners is on next and Rise of the Planet of the Apes after that.

That's a great set of films for a start!

Anonymous said...

Year after year I visit Swanage and find nothing happening at what must be one of the finest small theatres on the South Coast. Good for community events yes but the only 'name' event was Rosemary Squires which, though I am told the highlight of the year, was not properly promoted there being no-one to do it locally. What bothers me a little is that though a Charity one cannot track accounts being oublished since 2009which is unusual. VISITOR

Anonymous said...

As for 'live' theatre the potential of the Mowlem is unlikely to be realised until there is a professional booker; or at least someone with a feel for the local audience potential. An earlier correspondent was right the highlight of recent years was the visit of Rosemary Squires who presented two 1 hour sets of wonderful entertainment. I am told she came for peanuts to help us out but even then was not treated right by the Administration.