Hebden Bridge Cinema
Most small towns lost their picture house decades ago. But here in the Calder Valley, we are blessed with the fabulous Hebden Bridge cinema. This is a thriving, independent, not-for-profit venue, run by the community for the community.
The Picture House was built in the 1920s, and has been recently refurbished to include great cinema technology, excellent surround sound - and very comfortable seats!
Hebden Bridge cinema is also cosy and warm, making it a great place to hang out on rainy days and dark evenings. (Just don’t be surpised if you end up nodding off. It has certainly happened to me!)
The cinema has a screening every evening, plus family matinees at weekends and during school holidays. There are also some daytime screenings - a firm favourite being the elevenses screening every Thursday morning (which includes a free cup of tea or coffee!). Nothing quite beats settling down to a morning film with a nice cuppa and a slice of homemade cake. So decadent!
Films and Festivals
Hebden Bridge cinema hosts a contemporary film programme, focussing on new releases, including both mainstream and art-house. They also show documentary and foreign language films. Being the pillar of the community that it is, the Picture House also participates in festivals such as the Hebden Bridge Film Festival, the Hebden Bridge Arts Festival, and Happy Valley Pride.
Live Broadcasts
The cinema also screens broadcasts of live arts, beamed in direct by satellite from The National Theatre, The Royal Opera House, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Berlin Philharmonic. This is a great chance to see some of the sell-out national shows, right here in Hebden Bridge.
The shows are recorded live and then shown on cinema screens throughout the country. It’s a great concept. I have been to a few of these showings and it feels almost like attending a live performance, and a fraction of the price, too. There’s always a good turn-out in Hebden. (I have even seen a standing ovation, it’s that good!)
Proper Tea and Cake!
The friendly team of cinema staff will be happy to serve you a brew in a proper mug! (Tea, coffee and chocolate are all FairTrade.) They also sell locally-baked cakes, wine, beer, Yorkshire ice cream - and, of course, popcorn! Unlike many commercial cinemas, you won’t need to sell a kidney to finance your drinks and snacks. Everything in Hebden Bridge cinema is very reasonably priced, including the entry tickets.
Techie news
Since 2012, when the cinema was taken over by Hebden Royd Town Council, the 101-year-old cinema has been screening digital films on a digital projector (on what was then the cinema standard of true 2K).
However, this equipment was coming to the end of its life. And in June 2022, the team at The Picture House was thrilled to receive an upgrade. Ben Gwilliam, Head Projectionist, said: “We’re delighted to have a new NEC Laser light source with an upgrade to 4K and an integrated SSD server from Dolby. What a change it has made!
Fun for all
I really can’t recommend this lovely cinema highly enough. If you’re in Hebden, be sure to put it on your to-do list. It’s a great place for everyone.
Go alone and enjoy a moment of serenity, immersed in another world. Go with friends and share a moment of culture, excitement or terror! Go with kids and family, gather in your masses and pass the popcorn… however you go, this fab little place never fails to delight.
Here’s to the next 100 years!