A PENARTH community group is making a real difference to local life as it continues to improve facilities at a local venue and is now becoming a focal point for cinema screenings.

Lower Penarth Community Association is a registered charity responsible for the management of the Lower Penarth Community Centre at Brockhill Way.

The hall plays host to a diverse range of groups who make use of its facilities, ranging from the very young to more senior citizens with groups focussing on early learning, Tai Chi, mindfulness and exercise and along the way various dog training groups.

Committee member Jonathan Cole told Penarth Nub News: "We're keen to increase our range of activities and welcome any enquiries for new or established classes looking for a suitable venue.

"In addition to our regular users we also hire out the hall for private parties.

"Over the last couple of years we've invested heavily in the hall, relaying the floor, installing magnetic safety locks to our perimeter fencing, installing a CCTV system, installing an audio/visual system and associated sound absorbent curtains.

"We've recently launched a Community Cinema in collaboration with the people behind the Snowcat cinema.

"Our first screening was on Saturday, 10 February this year and was a free event designed to bring the cinema to the attention of the local community.

The Outfit will be screened on Friday, 15 March.

"We were extremely encouraged by the cinema's reception and our first proper screening will be on Friday, 15 March at 7.45pm when the offering will be the Outfit, staring Oscar winner Mark Rylance."

More details on the Association's Facebook page.

And the hall has recently launched a service supporting the Tŷ Hafan children's hospice.

Jon explained: "We were contacted by Ty Hafan's family support team regarding a private screening (due to the constraints with dedicated cinemas, their patients and families find it difficult to visit these premises).

Ken Sievewright, managing director of local haulage company K.C.S. Transport Ltd, is supporting the Tŷ Hafan film event.

Tŷ Hafan offered to cover the costs of the screening. The committee readily agreed to help and following a discussion with Ken Sievewright, managing director of local haulage company K.C.S. Transport Ltd, he readily agreed to sponsor the event.

"As a result of Ken's donation, we have put together something a bit more than was anticipated by the hospice.

"The screening will be opened by Penarth's Town Mayor, Melissa Rabiotti (who also sits on our management committee).

"The event will be hosted by a mystery celebrity, and the children will be entertained by well-known children's entertainer Simon Sparkles.

The Umpalumpa sweet shop

"We'll then screen the singalong version of The Greatest Entertainer. On the day we've arranged for the UmaLumpa sweet shop to hand out sweets and drinks.

"The event takes place on Sunday, 17 March."