Films Return To Neuadd Buddug

Thanks to the installation of a new digital projector, films will return to Bala from 27 May following a gap of over 12 months. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The first digital film to be shown at Neuadd Buddug will be Yr Ymadawiad (The Passing), a Welsh language masterful melodrama with a killer twist by the crew behind ‘Y Gwyll / Hinterland’ , featuring Gwynedd born actor Dyfan Dwyfor. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Gwynedd Council has been unable to screen films in Y Bala since April 2015 as the right technology was not available. Following discussions with local councillors and the community, it was decided that an application would be submitted to the Arts Council of Wales to enable Neuadd Buddug to remain open for a transition period until the new cultural facility becomes ready in the new community school. In addition to the installation of a new digital projector and sound system, a new access ramp and an accessible toilet have all been constructed on the site. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The total cost of the new equipment was funded by a £55,864 investment and would not have been possible without financial support from the Arts Council of Wales and Ffrindiau Neuadd Buddug with support from Gwynedd Council. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Mandy Williams-Davies, Gwynedd Council Cabinet Member for Economy said: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Screening digital films at Neuadd Buddug is the result of hard work, fundraising and partnership efforts by Ffrindiau Neuadd Buddug, the local community and Gwynedd Council and I would like to congratulate all involved. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Our long term agreed vision is to transfer the digital projector and the knowledge gained by the community to the new and modern cultural facility at the community school by September 2018. I look forward for our continued work with the local community and to realise this exciting vision.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Nansi Thirsk on behalf of Ffrindiau Neuadd Buddug said: “We’re so pleased and grateful for all the support we’ve received from local residents and businesses and look forward to working with Gwynedd Council to put together an exciting programme of events. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We will be offering people the opportunity to become a Friend of Neuadd Buddug and join our monthly Film Club. A discount on ticket prices will be offered and there will be access to interesting films, gigs as well as live streaming from top venues from around the world. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“As Ffrindiau Neuadd Buddug are responsible for the building’s maintenance over the next three years, it’s important that we continue our fundraising efforts and therefore kindly ask for your continued support as we are also continuing to fundraise.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Nick Capaldi, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Wales stressed the importance of supporting the arts in rural Gwynedd: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“It’s great to see the re-opening of a cinema in a location that has been at the heart of the artistic and cultural life of Y Bala and the area for decades. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Upgrading the technology and improving access to the ‘Neuadd’ will lead to even more people benefitting from and seeing the worth of the arts in Bala.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Yr Ymadawiad (The Passing) [Certificate Adv.15] will be shown at 7:30pm on 27 May. Doors open from 7pm. Tickets – Adults: £6, Concessions: £5. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​