STAFF and regulars at Wales' oldest cinema in Brynmawr are set to celebrate 50 years of a Gwent man's career in the film industry with a special screening.
The Market Hall in Brynmawr will mark the occasion with a special gala preview screening of the new Meryl Streep film 'Suffragette'.
Bernard Snowball, originally from London but now living in Cwmbran, first entered the cinema business in 1965 as a trainee projectionist for ABC cinemas.
"I fell in love with cinema's as a boy when I went into the Capitol Forrest Hill in London, and it's been a lifelong love affair since then," he said.
During his 50 years in the movie business, Mr Snowball has managed cinemas across the UK, including seven in Wales - The Castle and The Scala in Merthyr, The Colliseum in Brecon, The Globe in Clydach, Scene 123 and The Olympia in Cwmbran, and now The Market Hall in Brynmawr.
"The first films I ever booked were a double bill of Elvis and Laurel & Hardy - that's how far back I go," said Mr Snowball.
"Remember, half the product was still in black and white when I began.
"More recently, I've seen the change from old 35mm film to digital projection, which has been great for the industry, even if we have lost the romance of film. "Heaven knows how many tons of popcorn I must have sold in that time."
Most recently, Bernard has been the film booker for the Market Hall Cinema, and has helped secure the prestigious Cinema Of The Year award for the historic venue.
Peter Watkins-Hughes, cinema director at The Market Hall, added: "Bernie is a true legend of the cinema trade.
"He is our mentor and inspiration. His knowledge and understanding of the business is staggering. I honestly don't think there's anything he doesn't know about cinema's and how to fill them."
In recognition of Bernard's standing in the UK cinema industry, 20th Century Fox have arranged a special gala preview screening of the latest Meryl Streep film Suffragette in his honour at the Market Hall, 7pm on Sunday, October 11.
Tickets for the gala screening of Suffragette will be available from the Market Hall box office.
For further information contact - Peter Watkins-Hughes - 07850371853
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