On 18 December, Westminster’s Monday Classic Matinée event had a festive twist, as attendees were treated to a large array of Christmas cakes, mulled wine and a special organ recital before viewing the festive 1950s film White Christmas.
Westminster’s Monday Classic Matinée runs every week and is open to Westminster residents over 55 to reduce isolation, encourage social engagement and foster friendships. Each week, the historic Regent Street Cinema screens a film and provides a space for the regular attendees to socialise with their fellow film fans at a subsidised ticket price.
The cinema was filled on Monday for the special annual festive event, where mince pies and mulled wine were flowing. Regular attendees arrived in festive clothing and enjoyed the refreshments on offer from the cinema bar. Groups of friends gathered before the screening to catch up and share the Christmas cakes.
At 1pm the crowds were ushered into the cinema to listen to guest organist, Bernard Tilley, play an array of Christmas tunes before the classic film, White Christmas, lit up the screen.
This year, the Hyde Park Place Estate Charity donated £6,000 to the Monday Classic Matinée, bringing cinema lovers to the Regent Street Cinema every Monday to socialise, watch great films and be part of the Westminster community, since 2015.
Jules Attanayake, Development Manager at the University of Westminster, said: “I would like to thank the Hyde Park Place Estate Charity on behalf of the University for their generous support to our community engagement programme to reduce isolation in older people. Our long-running programme was established with the support of our community partners, including Open Age and Age UK Westminster, and charitable donations continue to ensure our programme is supported for older people across the borough.”
Find out how you can support the programme.
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