11/04/2026
Great Film last night - and a swift AGM following it. We have a new Chair - Sam - and this was my retiring Chair's report, although I'll still be involved with the team ...
It’s been a great year; we’ve shown 13 films, and entertained 708 people – an average of over 54 per film – at three different venues; at our regular haunt of the Guildhall, at the CommuniTEA Waffle House and at Chard Museum and we are looking a the possibility of visiting other venues during 2026. Some of us are still keen on putting on the Star Wars trilogy back-to-back in one night, but this might prove both tricky to achieve and quite expensive – and it would irritate Cath.
CineChard wouldn’t work without an audience, and it wouldn’t work without the team of volunteers including Cath who has been with it since the very beginning, Judith, Sam, Harry and Chris, Kate, John and Denise, Jeremy – and not forgetting Bev and Terry who tirelessly slave away in the Kitchen, and Richard who lends us bits and pieces for outside broadcasts and always steps in to help if we are a bit short staffed. The other key players without whom we would be in dire straights are of course Gary and Mel who get the venue ready for us, and sort out technical issues. Talking of technical issues, we’ve just taken a tentative step into the post-covid world and acquired sum-up machine, so you’ll be able to buy tickets on the door with your phone or a card.
I’ve been chair for 5 years or so, projectionist a bit longer, and doing the artwork for about the same length of time. The ship is in good shape, and it’s time to hand over to Sam.
We showed Conclave in March 2025, and attracted 130 people – the best audience we’ve had during my tenure. Let’s see if we can find a film to rival its popularity during 2026.
My favourite film of the year? The Ballad of Wallis Island.