The exciting Pioneerium project, which aims to develop a cinema, social space and training centre run by and for the local community, has just received a grant towards carrying out a feasibility study.

The West Cornwall Local Action Group, under the Rural Development Programme for England, will put forward 90% of the costs of the study.  A further 7% comes from Hayle Social Enterprise Trust, who are team driving the project, and the remaining 3% has been allocated by Hayle Town Council.

The study aims to investigate the feasibility of the Pioneerium project.  The project is not just about providing a cinema: it will also provide the town with a much-needed social hub, and link up with local businesses and education providers to create a training academy for Hayle’s young people.  Another important aspect of the project is communicating the town’s fascinating heritage. The feasibility study will examine all these elements, and also explore whether it is possible to house a tourist information centre within the Pioneerium.

Rex Sadler, Chairman of West Cornwall Local Action Group, which considered the grant application in November, said “The panel were impressed with the innovation shown by this project and its commitment to the future for local people in Hayle.”

Following the success of the travelling cinema’s visit to Hayle last August, the town’s desire to have its own cinema again has become clear.  Hayle Social Enterprise Trust has been in talks with Dutch bank ING about the possibility of working in partnership to build a community cinema and hub within its new development.  Gary Cartmell from ING says:

“We have been working with the Pioneerium team for the last four months, and we have been impressed with their vision for a social enterprise hub and cinema in Hayle.

“We were delighted to be one of the largest sponsors of the Screen Machine, and naturally we are very pleased by the reaction of everyone to the concept of high-quality cinema in the town.

“We have included the Pioneerium cinema/ social enterprise concept in our plans for South Quay which have just been deposited with Cornwall Council. The space identified is at the very entrance to South Quay and brings a unique and exciting cinema to the entrance to Foundry Square. This will undoubtedly add to the day and night vibrancy of an already special part of Hayle.”

Bob Amos, Chair of Hayle Social Enterprise Trust says:

“We have come a long way since we introduced the Pioneerium concept to the community of Hayle just over a year ago.  The Screen Machine event last August proved that people here want, and deserve, excellent entertainment and community facilities; and we are delighted that we now have the funding to take the Pioneerium another step forward.  We are indeed closer than ever to realising our goal.”

The project has support from local MP George Eustice, who comments:

“The Pioneerium project is the brightest idea to come out of Hayle for years and it has my full support. It gives us a unique opportunity to link our town’s industrial heritage with modern cinema technology. It is great to see it a further step closer to fruition.”

The study will commence later this month, with the final results available by next March.  Leading the research are cinema consultant Ron Inglis, and architect Stefanie Fischer, who have advised on similar projects elsewhere in the country.

The answer is a resounding yes!

The travelling cinema, The Screen Machine, played to packed houses every show over the August Bank Holiday Weekend in Hayle.  In fact, nearly every show was a sell-out, and tickets for family blockbuster Toy Story 3 could have sold tenfold.

It was a great attraction for visitors to the town: however, the majority of tickets were bought by the community.  Hayle residents turned out in force, enjoying the experience of leaving the car at home and walking to the cinema –  many for the first time in thirty years, some for the first time ever.  Local MP George Eustice, and Hayle’s Mayor and Deputy Mayor came along to the premiere screening, as did Pirate FM’s Bob McCready, who has already shown the project a lot of support.

As well as the films, movie-goers enjoyed refreshments from local food providers (mmmmm, Mr B’s ice-cream….). The hand of the community was to be seen everywhere – the excellent short films shown before the main features, Hayle Town Band playing movie themes, the team working as bar staff and ushers…  Even Buzz Lightyear had a Cornish accent!

With crowds of lovely locals milling about, drinking wine and eating popcorn, it was a great opportunity to find out more about what people would like to see in Hayle, and to update them on the Pioneerium project so far.  Trustee and architect Bob Mims has created a marvellous model of what the cinema/social centre could look like; and talented local film-makers Ben Amos and Jack Reynolds directed a short film, Night and Day at the Pioneerium.  Many thanks to all the audience members who participated in our evaluation questionnaire: we’ll publish the results on the website in the near future.

And, as for the films themselves… Well, who would have thought that a truck could be so comfortable?  And that 3-D (Toy Story 3) really does make a huge difference?  The amazing Ian came down from Scotland with the cinema, and acted as driver, projectionist, ticket man, and popcorn mopper-upper.  The other films he showed were Inception, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang – a good range of films to suit a wide audience.

When the cinema-on-wheels was packing up to return to the Highlands, a small, sad crowd gathered to watch its departure.  The most frequently asked question (well, apart from “Do 3-D glasses make you dizzy?”), was “Do you think we really can have a cinema here again?”  We didn’t have to make up the title quotation – several people told us this.

The community has spoken.  Hayle wants its own cinema and venue again – and this is just the start…

If you can spare an hour (or perhaps a bit more…) between Thursday 26th and Monday 30th August, we would love to hear from you.

Please contact us at info@haylepioneerium.co.uk

Come to Hayle over the August Bank Holiday weekend to enjoy the latest must-see movies in a unique environment – aboard touring 3D cinema, the Screen Machine.

Of course, like any good film-going experience, there’s much more than the movie… There’s a hospitality marquee, delicious Mr B’s ice cream for sale, rousing film tunes courtesy of Hayle Town Band… There’s also the chance to visit an exhibition explaining exactly what all this Pioneerium stuff is about. (And yes, the Screen Machine is very sensibly located in a car park which has all the Necessary Facilities.)

The Screen Machine is paying us only a short visit – so we’ve packed in as many films as we can!  The full programme is:

Thursday 26th August
17:15           Inception (12A)
20:30         Toy Story 3 in 3D (U)

Friday 27th August
13:30        Toy Story 3 in 3D (U)
17:15        Inception (12A)
20:30        The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (18)

Saturday 28th August
10:00        Saturday Morning Pictures – Nanny McPhee & the Big Bang (U)
17:30        Toy Story 3 in 3D (U)
20:15        The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (18)

Sunday 29th August
13:30        Toy Story 3 in 3D (U)
17:15        The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (18)
20:30        Inception (12A)

Monday 30th August
13:30        Toy Story 3 in 3D (U)
17:15        Inception (12A)
20:30        The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (18)

Please see our film synopsis for details about the films.

Tickets are available from a dedicated box office in Hayle Co-Op, open 10:00 am – 8:00 pm everyday (until 4:00pm Sundays).

Seat prices:-

Adults: £6 (£7.50 for 3D films)

Children (under 12) : £4.50 (£6 for 3D films)

Saturday Morning Pictures – All seats: £3.50

What else do I need to know?

In the time-honoured tradition, there’ll also be a “short feature”. Other films such as Night & Day at the Pioneerium, and films by Penwith College, Penpol School, Hayle Community School, Hayle Oral History Project, Awen Productions and My Cornwall TV will be shown before the main screenings.

All profits from the screenings go to the Hayle Pioneerium fund.  To find out more about the Screen Machine and the Pioneerium, contact info@haylepioneerium.co.uk.

We want everyone to have a great time at the movies, so please take a moment to check out the small print here.

For you clever people who can programme your sat-navs, you’ll find the Screen Machine at Commercial Road Car Park, Hayle, TR27 4DE.

The script read well and the background music that I finally opted for is spot on (immodest or what!) – Ludwig Van Beethoven, excerpt from his Symphony number 7. Coincidentally Beethoven was born and died within a year or two of Trevithick!

Jack and Ben are doing a superb job editing the film and will be going back later next week as there is still more to do.

Yes, it’s as unique as it sounds.  The fabulous Screen Machine is coming to Hayle from Thursday 26 August to Monday 30 August. Based in Scotland, and regularly wowing audiences there, this is the Screen Machine’s first trip to England.  Have a look at www.screenmachine.co.uk to find out more about this unique venue-on-wheels.

Thanks to the County Council, the Screen Machine will put on its brakes in the Commercial Road car park – a great central location (with all those essential facilities), and on-site refreshments from Hayle’s own Salt Bar.

So that’s what it is.  Why is it coming to Hayle?

Well, firstly it’s great fun, and we all love to do fun things, especially in the summer holidays.  We really miss out on a good film here in Hayle, so it’ll be great being able to stroll to the cinema for a change.

But the main reason Hayle Enterprise Trust summoned the Screen Machine is to fundraise towards the Pioneerium project. There’ll be an exhibition on-site to find out more about the project. We will also be premiering our short promo film which is currently being worked by Penwith College Creative and Media students.

What is the main feature?

The screening schedule will include some of the latest releases, such as Shrek Forever After, Toy Story 3 and Streetdance 3 – all in 3D.  They’ll be screened over all five evenings, and there’ll be matinees on four days too.

Sounds great – but if it’s still driving around the continent somewhere, how do I buy a ticket?

From mid-August, tickets will be on sale in the foyer of Hayle Co-Op.  We’ll let you know when.  Just remember, places are limited (it is a lorry, after all).

View the press release here – Screen Machine Press Release July 2010.

This could be the first time that a film about Hayle shares the bill with Hollywood blockbusters – not bad, eh!

The impressive Screen Machine travelling 3D cinema arrives from its long journey from Scotland on Thursday 26th – but we won’t give it time to rest, oh no…  That evening, there will be a Hollywood-themed premier night – Commercial Road car park will never have looked so glamorous…

The screening schedule will include some of the latest releases.  Salt Bar will be on hand for refreshments, including a barbecue and licensed bar.

Our box office opens in mid-August, based in Hayle Co-Op foyer.

As well as raising funds to take the Pioneerium project forward, there’ll be the chance to find out more about this exciting proposal, and how you can get involved.

To find out more about the Screen Machine’s visit, see our News page (link) or contact us at info@haylepioneerium.co.uk.