Outdoor cinema - Fort Gardens

Gravesham's first outdoor cinema screening a success

Film fans spent an evening under the stars with Gravesend's very own bond girl Gemma Arterton as she featured on screen in the hit movie The Boat That Rocked.

All 400 tickets for the event were snapped up and movie-goers of all ages laid down their picnic blankets and set up their deck chairs to watch the showing of this popular film at Fort Gardens, Gravesend, onWednesday 21 July.

The comedy, which was shown as part of Gravesham Borough Council's Big 7 Festival, features Bill Nighy, Philip Hoffman, Lucy Fleming, Rhys Darby and Chris O'Dowd, and tells the story of Radio Rock's DJs, their life on the ship and the battle to continue transmitting their shows even after the government makes it illegal.

Some of the authentic 1960s vintage studio equipment and set decoration seen in the film was ex-Radio Caroline - a former 60s radio ship - which now moors across the river at Tilbury and to this day transmits shows but on 'am' frequency.

Football fans can see Gravesend's next outdoor cinema screening of 'Escape to Victory' at Ebbsfleet United's football ground on Wednesday 4 August. The gates open at 6pm, and the film showing starts at dusk. There is food stalls and a bar on site however feel free to bring a picnic.

Tickets cost £7 adult, £4 children, £20 family (2+2). Book your tickets by calling Woodville Halls Box Office on 01474 33 77 74.

The Big 7 Festival, organised by Gravesham Borough Council in partnership with the Gravesend Reporter, Kent Equality Cohesion Council and South Eastern Trains. The seven day event runs from Sunday 18 July right up to the annual Big Day Out event on Saturday 24 July.

Visit www.gravesham.gov.uk/big7 to find out more.