This week I took Baby for his first visit to the cinema. A landmark day indeed! Most can remember an early cinema experience, grown men still get a bit moist thinking about that first outing to the local fleapit to see Star Wars. For me it was Bambi, although I don’t remember too much about it apart from terrible emotions and a sense of being overawed. Apparently I was taken out of the theatre when Bambi’s mother died.

So, I was full of expectation and excitement at how Baby would react to such a momentous occasion. The chosen venue was local landmark and grand old lady of Brighton The Duke of York's. Being so young (less than two) the feature was only to be a screening of an episode of In The Night Garden, but it would give him a taste.

A quick story about The Duke of York's. Years ago I had a friend who was a student in Brighton. We would often visit her, and a trip to the DOY was often on the cards.

We would pop and see Almodovar’s latest and feel incredibly right-on. Especially because you could smoke and drink while doing so (obviously now I am over 30 I would be appalled if you still could!)

One night we decided to see something slightly dubious – a 70’s French piece of arthouse erotica called The Beast, which was absolutely atrocious. The cinema was populated by us in a small group and a few individual men all sitting alone, and honestly wearing the proverbial raincoats!

Anyway a bit of a kerfuffle broke out behind us, someone had stolen the coat of one of the distracted viewers who had stood up to give chase only to find his wooden leg had given way and he fell to the floor shouting, 'Stop Thief!' All while large fantastical beasts were on the screen trying to have sex with horses and princesses.

A very surreal night all round, but makes me smile fondly when I think about the place or see its kinky kicking legs as I pass by.

Anyway – back to a rather more innocent screening. I was glad to see the cinema was as I remembered and more like a local venue than the reception of a soulless chain. There were plenty of toddlers and babes in arms and we were all given free magazines and toys. Throw in a cup of tea and a big homemade chocolate cookie and all good so far!

The running around madly soon stopped as the opening bars of the famous tune were heard and everyone snuggled in to watch their favourite show. Baby sat on my lap and was still, more than I have ever remembered him to be. Entranced, enchanted and I took my opportunity to have a good cuddle.

It wasn’t an orthodox screening I have to admit – as soon as the initial wonder wore off everyone was soon up and running around again. It was like the Rocky Horror or The Sound of Music singalong cinema experiences for kids – complete with dancing and rushing about, they also knew all the words. Baby faithfully held up his toy blue replica every time Iggle Piggle appeared on screen.

There was a lot of talking, and not just from the kids: I was amused to hear a lot of, ‘Richard, Richard, bring your Pinky Ponk over here’ from the back as everyone called out to each other in the gloom. I had to do a fair bit of running round myself as Baby clambered all over the stage and tried to get into the piano.

There’s lots of varied things going on at The Duke of Yorks, it’s a different, engaging and exciting place and we are lucky to have it. I am sure Baby’s first real memory of going to the cinema will be some far bigger feature a year or so in the future but when he’s a bit older I will be proud to tell him that his first trip to the flicks was at the Duke of York's. The story of The Beast however, can wait until he’s a lot older!