WE thought that after two years of operation it is timely to say thank you to everyone who has been supporting the project to re-open the cinema.

You may have read recently about some large sums of money coming from Stroud District Council, The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust and the Rural Renaissance Scheme. These generous donations have been won over a long period of time and not least because so many other people and organisations have continued to support us in the two years since we started.

As the fund-raising group we will continue to be acting in support of The Electric Picture House Limited, a co-operative organisation that will be managing the refurbishment and running the cinema.

Whilst much of the funding already announced will go directly to them to pay for work in the building, the bedrock of funding that has come from the public will be invested in much of the hardware and services that will keep it all going.

We are continuing to raise funds in order to cover many costs already incurred since we signed the lease. Solicitors fees, rent and a large slice of money for insurance, to name but a few of the overheads. We also hope to raise money for some "extras" that will make the cinema an even better place to visit once we open in September.

It has to be said that it's unlikely we would be here today without the help of the Wotton Recreational Trust, started many years ago to support local fundraising groups.

The long-term plan for the cinema is to generate money that will return to the Trust and help support other members that are looking to raise funds for their organisations.

Building activity within the cinema is starting in earnest this month with the electricians and voluntary groups going in for more preparatory work. The builders move in next month and there will be activity right through the summer to complete the work.

Initially we will need considerable help from the public to man the facility in the evenings and daytime sessions, in due course we will begin to appeal for volunteers with a longer-term view of creating part-time and full-time jobs All this will happen because the people of Wotton want it to and while saying thank you, we appeal to you to continue to support us through this last period before opening and then of course afterwards.

Jeff Walshe, Electric Cinema Company Water Lane, Wotton-under-Edge