AYR Film Society has celebrated is 50th anniversary with a special film screening.

Half a century on from its inaugural event in the now-lost Wellington Leisure Centre in the town, members of the award-winning group had plenty to celebrate at a special showing of the vintage musical Cabaret on Thursday, January 12.

The club, which is run entirely by volunteers and currently has over 70 members, screens an adventurous programme of films from across the globe and has won several national awards over the years.

It also supports local charities, including Whiteley’s Retreat, which provides free therapeutic short breaks and extended support for children, young people, and their families with cancer and life altering illnesses, by organising fund-raising screenings.

Members old and new turned out for the event at Ayr Town Hall where they enjoyed the chance to reminisce about the vast range of films which have been screened over the years.

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And there were memories to be shared of committee members who have made the club an important part of Ayr’s local arts scene - not least former chairman and honorary president Peter Taylor who died in 2018.

Chair Tony Scott thanked the volunteers who run the club, members and guests who have supported the society over the years.

He said: “The Film Society has given the people of Ayr the opportunity to see films from around the world which otherwise you would have to travel to Glasgow to see.

"While some of the films can be more challenging they are always thought-provoking and we would encourage anyone interested in cinema to come along.”

When the club started, members paid just £1 for a season of five feature films.

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And while the subscription has increased, so has the programme, with around 25 films now screened each season.

For many years films were shown at the former Craigie College, and the club was known as Ayr and Craigie Film Society.

There were challenging times when the club was without a permanent home during the 2011-12 season.

Finally, the Town Hall was secured as the new venue in time for the start of the 40th season in 2012.

Ron Currie, the group's long-serving secretary and treasurer, said: “I would like to say a big thank you to audiences past and present for supporting us and having faith in the committee to provide an alternative to mainstream film providers.

"Without them we simply wouldn’t still be here.”

Ayr Film Society meets at Ayr Town Hall on Thursday evenings at 7.15pm, and all are welcome.

ull details of this season’s programme, which runs until March, are available at www.ayrfilmsociety.co.uk