THERE hasn’t been a lot out of the ordinary happening at the cinema this week so a chance to consolidate.

I have had a personal result in that I have always wanted to pass the amateur radio exams and I took two – the foundation and intermediate levels – on March 22 and passed them both.

It has opened up a world where people talk about engineering matters and more in that I have an outlet for my abilities in electronics.

The world of amateur radio, often dismissively referred to as ham radio, is really quite amazing. When the accepted world of communications falls apart, there are dedicated unpaid teams ready to step in. There is also the recreational side that has people in America talking to others all over the world. There is more I could talk about but maybe better to ask me when you see me.

Milton Rooms – I neglected to mention the Typhoons last Friday - very remiss of me. So, to look forward to next Friday, the Milton Rooms plays host to Raven, a group of multi-talented instrumentalists playing a variety of instruments, including keyboard, penny whistles, accordion, guitars, flute, congas, ukulele, recorders and percussion. Their sound is joyful and harmonious. Playing salsa, pop and Rootsy folk fused together – Raven are a sextet of vibrant women doing something they clearly love as their sound is said to be irresistible. I am looking forward to doing the sound on this concert on Friday.

We have had some time to watch some films ourselves now that most of the busy month of March has come to an end. We have watched two films this week – A Long Way Down (15) which was surprisingly good and Grand Budapest Hotel (15) which was absolutely bonkers and a real gem at the same time.

A Long Way Down is an interesting film exploring the lives of four people who had different reasons for ending their lives. Needless to say they didn’t (the story would have been a bit short) the developing stories and the changes in their lives and the journey towards the next New Year were engaging witty and meaningful.

Toni Collete plays Maureen and I don’t remember her in anything since About A Boy – she was absolutely marvellous - so believable. Pierce Brosnan plays a has-been TV presenter and his character is gently changed by the end. Sam Neill and Rosamund Pike are the young element playing JJ and Penny, the line that her Father gives us about politicians is an expected laugh (it is in the trailer).

The Grand Budapest Hotel (15) is, as I said, bonkers, a touching story about the hotel Concierge who starts to annoy from the start but it soon transpires that he is a genuine and committed person. The part of Gustave H (the legendary Concierge at The Grand Budapest Hotel) is played by Ralph Fiennes – as you would expect he is really good in the part. The cast list includes a huge range of brilliant actors including Jude Law as the writer, Saoirse Ronan is the love interest, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Murray Willem Defoe are some of the stellar actors in this unexpectedly brilliant film with a twisted script. The Grand Budapest Hotel looks like it will become a classic that will join many a home collection as well.

Yves Saint Laurent (15) has to be next on our list to watch.

We are expecting Captain America: The Winter Soldier – Chris Evans revisits his role and reports are that it is better than the first (it needs to be for me) for the first week of Easter and for the second week Divergent (12A) which is a film from a story of a post apocalyptic world along the lines of The Hunger Games.

Muppets Most Wanted (U) people leaving have really enjoyed it – as good as the first. Rio 2 (U) is also great fun they have said on the way out.

We are looking at bringing in The Amazing Spiderman 2 as soon as we can.

Stage productions

War Horse Encore on Mother's Day – we decided to give away a bit of a treat to mothers. The theatre programme so we have only a few left for the next performance as a consequence. There is (at the time of writing) only one seat available for the last show on April 9. We will have done our four permitted Encore screenings for War Horse – I think we could have done shows for months more, the response has been utterly brilliant! It is great to be able to bring the London stage into our market town in North Yorkshire.

Elton John’s played his Million Dollar Piano about half a screen full - went down extremely well.

The next live performance we have is The Winter’s Tale from The Royal Opera House on Monday the 28th of April. There are around 10 per cent of seats still available towards the front in general. This performance is a ballet based on Shakespeare’s story of love, loss and reconciliation. Then on May 1 we have more Shakespeare live from the National Theatre. Sam Mendes, who has directed films like James Bond and American Beauty, takes on directing Simon Russell Beal as King Lear. This is the Shakespearian play that has King Lear dividing up his kingdom between his three daughters and the way that his kingdom descends into chaos. Then we have more Shakespeare from Broadway this time on the 6th of April where Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad take on the roles of Romeo and Juliet. There are tickets left for both of these productions.