Unperturbed by news of a multiplex cinema coming to the town, the operators of the Silver Screen cinema in Dover are looking forward to a bright future as they prepare to change over from 35mm film to digital, and they have launched a new magazine.

The 95-seat cinema, in Gaol Lane just off the Market Square, is the fourth smallest cinema in the country, but not only attracts a loyal following for their regular screenings, but also enjoys good support for the weekly Classic Club.

Every Thursday morning, at 11am, people – mainly the over 50s but it’s open to any age – go along to watch one of the interesting films which proprietor Sandy Wallace and projectionist Tim Perrow have lined up for them.

And to make it even more interesting, Tim has started compiling a quarterly magazine, The Classic Picture Goer, not only for the Dover audiences, but also for those at the Silver Screen cinema in Folkestone, the Kavanagh in Herne Bay and it is now incorporating a cinema in Burnham-on-Crouch in Essex.

The magazine contains information about the film schedules, as well as articles on the latest developments in the film industry and about the many former cinemas that used to operate in the towns.

The second edition, which has just been published, includes features on the former ABC cinema in Dover – which closed in 1982 – and the Odeon in Sandgate Road, Folkestone, which closed in 1972.

Mr Wallace, who used to work at the Regent cinema in Deal, is editor-in-chief and Mr Perrow is sub-editor. Former Dover Grammar School boy Chris Lightwing, who works at the Folkestone cinema, has produced the website (www.silverscreencinemas.com)

It was 10 years ago that the first Classic Film Club was set up in Folkestone by Peter Gee and John Swift, and Dover’s followed two years later.

The clubs, on Wednesday at Herne Bay and Thursdays in Dover and Folkestone, have proved popular with people who not only enjoy the films, but are also served with refreshments in their seats.

Both Mr Wallace and Mr Perrow are looking forward to the introduction of digital equipment by the end of this year.