One of the most popular Christmas films of all time, It’s a Wonderful Life , will be shown at the Forum Cinema in Hexham at 8pm, with mince pies and mulled wine – courtesy of SCA – served in the foyer from 7.30pm.
Written and directed by Frank Capra, the 1946 production features James Stewart as the big-hearted businessman running the family-owned Bailey Brothers bank.
Hexham’s MP Guy Opperman, who is organising the birthday celebration said: “It is partly on the model of the Bailey Brothers Building & Loan Association that the Tynedale Community Bank was created.
“There is a definite need, with too many high street banks disappearing from rural Northumberland – and into that gap comes a community bank based here in Hexham which can provide proper, local community lending.”
After a successful first year, the bank has plans to expand into Prudhoe and has enlisted the support of SCA Hygiene, the town’s biggest employer.
A spokesman for the company said: “As a major supporter of community activities in Prudhoe, we are delighted that this new bank is thriving and expanding into our part of the Tyne Valley.
“Many of our employees may know someone in need of the services it will offer, or alternatively be in a position to invest ethically in this kind of peer-to- peer lending.”
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