A GRANT and social loan financing of more than £50,000 will see new "state-of-the-art" cinema equipment installed at Victoria Hall in Settle.

"We're bringing cinema back to Settle," said Victoria Hall manager Ann Harding. "We've got a grant and social loan financing of £52,000 to install a state-of-the-art automated 5.3 metre screen, projector and surround sound system."

In addition to its regular programme of entertainment, the new cinema equipment will allow the Settle venue to stage National Theatre Live performances, regular cinema, film festival offerings, relaxed afternoon performances, ballet and more.

"This financing will allow us to continue to have a building open for use by the people of Settle," she said. "The reason we have been given the money is because we will be giving relaxed cinema performances during the day for carers and people who find it difficult to access cinema and theatre in the evenings.

"The more we can keep people engaged and active in their community, the less suffering there will be from mental health issues.

"It's particularly important for people in a rural context to have social contact, as this is definitely good for positive mental health."

Ann explained the afternoon sessions would be in a relaxed surroundings, with tables arranged in circles and the films would have an intercession where people can then enjoy a cup of tea and a chat with others.

Ann said that roughly half of the £52,000 is a grant from Power to Change and Northern Futures, with a large portion of the rest of the money being provided as social loan financing by Northern Futures and facilitated by KeyFund.

The Ribblesdale Area Moving Picture Show (TRAMPS), which frequently screens subtitled foreign films at Victoria Hall, also provided £5,000.

Ann said that the financed portion of the money would be paid back through receipts generated from ticket sales of the National Theatre Live performances, which will also include some ballet shows.

She said Victoria Hall is aiming to have the new state-of-the-art equipment installed for the National Theatre Live performance of Stephen Sondheim's musical Follies on Thursday, November 16.

Ann also pointed out that the new equipment would provide an even better experience for bands wanting to perform at Victoria Hall.

Ann said during the grant application and financing process, the price of the equipment they ordered increased by £3,000, so she said if anyone would like to make a donation to the Victoria Hall to help cover the shortfall, they can ring her on 01729 825718.