Sunday September 22nd

Secret Spitfires

Let’s not let our heritage be lost!

Witnesses tell the story of this amazing achievement.

In 1940, the Germans destroyed the Spitfire factories in Southampton and believed they had ended the threat from their nemesis. But unknown to them, the British were building Spitfires in secret. Salisbury, a small market town in the south of England became a major centre for manufacturing Spitfires, hidden in sheds, garages, back gardens, a bus depot and a hotel. With a workforce mainly made up of unskilled young girls, boys, women and a handful of engineers, over 2000 Spitfires were built, 10% of the total build, becoming instrumental in winning the war.

Central character in the film is Norman Parker, now in his 90’s, who as a young man was an engineer in the final assembly plant. He later became a respected historian, and a walking encyclopedia on the subject. Norman takes us from the original bombed sites of the Southampton factory to the numerous factory sites in the Salisbury area. We meet various workers, men and women who worked at the factories, describing how life was like working in secret without the faintest idea about the scope of the operation.

Accomanying this we will have a talk from the producer about the making of the movie and a guest appearance from Norman Parker for an informal Q&A session.

This is an opportunity not to be missed!
Tickets for this evening will be £10-00

Sunday 20th October

FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS

Starring: Tuppence Middleton, James Purefoy, Daniel Mays

Ten fishermen from Cornwall achieve a Top 10 hit after they are signed by Universal Records for their canny talent of being able to sing a sea shanty or two.

Sunday 17th November

RED JOAN

Starring: Dame Judi Dench, Sophie Cookson, Stephen Campbell Moore

Joan Stanley is a widow living out a quiet retirement in the suburbs when, shockingly, the British Secret Service places her under arrest. The charge: providing classified scientific information – including details on the building of the atomic bomb – to the Soviet government for decades. As the interrogation gets underway, Joan relives the dramatic events that shaped her life and her beliefs.

Sunday 15th December

ROCKETMAN

Starring: Harland Williams, Jessica Lundy, William Sadler 

A fever dream musical, exploring Elton John’s early years as a young boy and his piano to extravagant superstar famed the world over. Framed through Elton’s scant recollections and musical songbook after a stint in rehab, Rocketman delivers an exuberant and flamboyant dramatic punch.