Mayor's medal marks independent cinema's 10th year

An independent cinema has celebrated its 10th anniversary with a special weekend of film screenings.
The Sherborne Cinema in Gloucester is known for its art-deco interior, and for a single member of staff selling the tickets, drinks and snacks as well as starting the film.
Owner Mark Cunningham marked the occasion by showing his favourite movie, Cinema Paradiso, a foreign language film about how a man fulfils his dream by opening a cinema, along with other classics including Lady in a Van and Casablanca.
He was presented with a Mayor's Medal and certificate for his "outstanding service to the city".

Mr Cunningham bought the building, which dates back to 1880, in Kingsholm after noticing it being advertised by an estate agent.
"I looked at it and thought it was a lovely building," he said.
"I liked its arched windows. I thought 'I'm having that' and so when the deal for the Christadelphian church to buy it fell through I became the owner of a semi-derelict building."
Mr Cunningham previously worked at the Palace Theatre cinema in Cinderford, and the Guildhall in Gloucester.
"There was an itch to have a go and it was an opportunity that was too good to miss," he explained.
Between 2012 and 2014 he installed the art-deco interior, for which the Sherborne Cinema is well known.
"When I started it was just a cream box. I knew I wanted to get some colour into it," he said.
"There are classic cinema colours, purples, browns, deep reds."

In the entrance foyer of the cinema is an art-deco clock from the 1950s.
The auditorium has statues from the same era and ceiling chandeliers.
"There are even my mum's old velvet curtains to dampen the sound," added Mr Cunningham.
"The decor doesn't add to the film, but it gets people ready for an experience. You want a classical feel to add to the nostalgia."
Mr Cunningham said it was difficult for the business to survive through the Covid-19 pandemic.
"I run this as a labour of love," he said.
"As I own the building, the running costs are low which helped during Covid.
"I had faith to keep going and come out the other side."
Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.