ALTRINCHAM is getting ready to celebrate the 85th season of the UK’s oldest film society, writes Alec Herron.

The Manchester and Salford Film Society hosts monthly showings of selected films at the Altrincham Little Theatre.

Film buffs are due to begin the selection process for next season’s screenings.

Timperley resident John Grieve, 72, has been the Manchester and Salford Film Society secretary for 17 years.

“My mum was a great movie buff, so she used to take us twice a week to the pictures as a child.” said John, originally from Dundee but now living on Bradley Close, Timperley.

“On Saturdays I would also go to the Odeon with a group of friends.”

From a cinematic childhood in Dundee, John moved to the Altrincham area 50 years ago and soon became involved with the local Film Society, which was founded in 1930 by members of civic trade unions.

It was John's decision to move the film society’s monthly social screenings to Altrincham in the 1990s that turned around a declining membership. Since moving from Platt Lane Chapel, numbers have been growing and John believes the society members’ love of variety keeps things interesting.

“We started this season with a Woody Allen, followed by a 1972 Spanish film, then we showed a WWI film and in December we had The Dead, adapted from James Joyce’s The Dubliners.”

Danish drama The Hunt will be the Manchester and Sale Film Society’s next screening, at Altrincham Little Theatre on Oxford Road on March 7. New members are always welcome, visit mandsfs.org.uk for more information.