The projectionist, 78, who became a cinema stalwart

Pat Church has been a projectionist at Abbeygate Cinema in Bury St Edmunds for six decades

From the moment Pat Church watched his first film more than 70 years ago, he instantly knew a career in the movies was the life for him.

But, while other wide-eyed youngsters may have been dreaming of becoming Hollywood stars, Pat sought to be the one beaming them on to the silver screen.

"I was introduced to a projection room at 10, and I was captivated by it; it was just something so different," he said.

Since then, Pat has spent nearly his entire working life beavering away in the projection room of the Abbeygate Cinema, in Bury St Edmunds.

And it is a passion which runs through his family. His uncle was a projectionist, as is his son, and he even met his wife in a projection room.

Now aged 78, Mr Church has worked at the Abbeygate for 59 years.

"It's been right through my life, it's part of my being, but you have to experience it to understand," he added.

Mr Church's passion for projection started when he was a child

The movie theatre Pat has called his home for six decades is one of the very few cinemas that can still screen films in 35mm – a format that has almost been replaced with 70mm.

And that's not the only change the veteran cinephile has seen over the course of his long career at the town centre venue in Hatter Street.

"The audience is a little more critical now than they were, but the magic of the cinema hasn't changed, and they still find that when they come," said Pat.

"You can see whatever you want on a screen at home, but it doesn't encompass you into the picture or the story like it does at the cinema.

"You can't see it with the same quality you can at the cinema, and it's an event at the cinema, and that's the memory they should go away with.

"It has changed considerably, but there has to be change otherwise we would still be in the dark ages – it's changed for the better."

'Without people, there's no cinema'

The Abbeygate Cinema was originally opened in 1924 under the name Central Cinema and, unlike many picture houses, it has managed to stand the test of time.

But there had been more than a few times when its future looked uncertain – not least during the coronavirus pandemic.

"There is nothing worse than seeing a cinema in darkness," added Pat, who was previously awarded a British Empire Medal for services to the community.

"The people made it survive during Covid, and people have supported us all the way through – without the people, there is no cinema."

The Abbeygate Cinema in Bury St Edmunds has stood the test of time

Over the course of its history - be it during the good times or the turbulent periods of uncertainty - the cinema has changed hands 12 times. The smartly dressed Pat has been the constant.

"From the moment I walked through the doors of the Abbeygate Cinema, I felt at home; it has never failed me," he said.

"I still have the same feeling when I walk through those doors now as what I did then.

"It is a communal cinema because it belongs to the people. I know nearly everyone who comes here. It's their cinema as much as ours."