Rural cinemas holding film nights for farmers

Three rural cinemas are planning a series of film events aimed at farmers in a bid to help them feel less isolated.

During the year-long Films for Farmers campaign, starting from 11 July, farmers will be able to bring a friend for free to the screenings.

Shropshire Independent Cinema - a partnership between the three venues - said the aim was to help farmers socialise.

Rose Horner, a farmer's daughter and the curator of one of the cinema's involved, Wem's community cinema, said: "We really wanted to give something back to our farming community."

She added that in her experience, farmers did not get out very much because of their jobs.

"They're so busy doing their own things they don't have time to socialise, or sometimes you make plans to socialise and the sheep get out on to the road," she said.

Shropshire Independent Cinema said the first films would be shown during its three-day celebration of rural life, called the Rural Remix.

Jess Laurie of Ludlow Picture House, another venue involved, stated: "Independent cinemas and small-scale farmers share a determination to survive and do things our own way."

Millie Preece, chair of Shropshire Young Farmers, agreed, adding: "Farmers work all hours of the day, so it's just finding the time to sit and watch a film."

Wem Cinema at Wem Town Hall and Ludlow Picture House at The Assembly Rooms will take part in the initiative along with The Old Market Hall in Shrewsbury.

Audiences at the launch events have been promised "a warm welcome with local beers, mocktails and Shropshire cheeses".

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