albanyward.com Blog

Cheltenham webpage up and running

Administrator — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 13:45:22 +0000

Regular visitors to the site will have noticed a slow trickle of Gloucestershire pages appearing, but finally a big one, Cheltenham Cinemas.

I have deliberately been quite radical with this page, with I hope some fresh information as well as some interesting interpretations and ideas. Please let me know what you think and if there are any errors!

Clive

Brockworth Cinema?

Administrator — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 14:36:18 +0000

Does anyone have any information on this cinema, on the outskirts of Gloucester. Probably operated from WWII to 1960’s?

February News Update

Administrator — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 10:21:21 +0000

I am sorry for the irregular nature of these posts, here is the news:

Appledore: Gaiety sold to developer and converted to flats, some of the surviving cinema furniture may have been saved by locals.

Newquay: Astor being demolished

Tavistock: Carlton demolished last year, now built on.

Okehampton: Carlton demolished, last of structure gone last week. Projector saved for local museum.

Bridport: Palace reopened for a Pantomime, Cinderella from 23-27.01.2007, lets hope films start soon.

Okehampton: New Carlton two screen cinema opened 22.12.2006. Well done Merlin Cinemas.

Exeter: Vue multiplex opened finally on 22.12.2006. How long for the Odeon?

Chippenham: Astoria rebranded Reel last week.

Site updates:

Nice interior photograph of Troy Fowey.

Old photographs of Imperial Newton Abbot; Odeon Paignton; Empire Torquay; Colony Torquay; Ritz Penzance; Embassy Ilfracombe; Clifton Ilfracombe; Regal Barnstaple; Strand Bideford.

New photographs of Central Barnstaple; Queens Theatre Barnstaple; Savoy Exmouth; Beacon Exmouth; Pavilion Exmouth

New information on Capitol St Austell; Ritz Penzance

Cheltenham Odeon closes

Administrator — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 15:49:28 +0000

The wonderful art deco Odeon (formally Gaumont Palace 1933) closed on 6.11.2006 due to competition from the new Cineworld Multiplex just around the corner. The building had over the years been horribly subdivided to make 7 screens, but the excellent exterior complete with Newbury Trent low relief figures remains much as it did in 1933.

Unfortunately prior to closure Odeon had sold the building along with several others to a nightclub developer. It is unclear whether the new owner intends to convert the existing (not listed) building or to demolish and redevelope the site. Art deco buildings are scarce in Cheltenham so lets hope it survives.

A quick look at the cinema in the 1960s from Odeon Cavalcade:

http://www.mawgrim.sathosting.net/cavalcade/cheltenham.jpg

Bath Bean Nash to become Cabaret Club

Administrator — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 15:18:22 +0000

The beautiful Grade II listed Beau Nash Picture House sadly closed 17th October 2004 when leasee Odeon opened their new multiplex along the road. There are still a few years left on the lease and owners Bath City Council have been looking for a new tenant.

Komedia will run the venue as a mixed Cabaret, Comedy and music club. See link:

http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/14648/brighton-comedy-club-acquires-old-bath-cinema

The interior from old publicity-

Major site enhancements!

Administrator — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 14:50:41 +0000

This year I may not appear to have been updating the site as much as normal. But behind the scenes I have been planning some major improvements. The first of which are now operational.

Where a cinema in another town is mentioned, it is now linked. In addition new industry information pages have been created and links created from all the major individuals and businesses that were involved in cinemas in Cornwall. These information sites give an overview of the business and allows you to link to other pages on the site that feature this operator. This effectively means you can now navigate by business as well as geographically. This will be rolled out for Devon, Monmouthshire and the new Gloucestershire pages very soon. Example Albert Jackson Withers

Additonally the Subject and Place Index has now been fully created to take into account the main pages and the new industry pages. You will probably find it easier to use the index than the search engine, especially for town names.

The Cinema Listings page has had a tidy up and the home page now has a copyright statement, so everyone take note of this.

New Gazetteer content as follows:

Bodmin Palace, Camborne Cameo and Truro Palace have now got cinema programme covers from the 1960s.

Interior pictures now for Exeter Barnfield Hall, Gaumont Palace, Odeon and Picture House. Ilfracombe Embassy and Landmark, Lynton Cinema and Town Hall, plus new cinema at Market Hall identified. Topsham Matthews Hall.

ClivePolden

Webmaster

Trowbridge cinema looks promising

Administrator — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 19:06:31 +0000

You may know that Trowbridge, the County Town of Wiltshire has been without a cinema since it famous/infamous Europa Twins closed in 1982. There has been a real political push to get a cinema back to the town for sometime now.

The latest plan is for a 5-6 screen cinema and bowling alley within the proposed Waterside development which recently went before planners. Several key cinema operators are said to be interested in this development.

Here is a rather good on-line history of Trowbridge cinemas, incase you are curious.

New cinema for Swindon?

Administrator — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 18:59:09 +0000

Just came across the news that a site at Regents Circus in Swindon may be redeveloped as a cinema. The problem with the current cinemas in Swindon are that they are all out of town. Regents Circus is very central, infact it still contains Swindon’s grandest cinema the former Regent/Odeon now on Bingo.

Campaign for a new cinema in Liskeard

Administrator — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 18:42:46 +0000

For some months now a campaign has been run in Liskeard to build their own cinema. It would appear to have a lot of support. We wish them the very best of luck with their campaign.

Cornwall Cinema News

Administrator — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 18:15:03 +0000

WTW Cinemas runs 4 cinemas in Cornwall, Padstow Cinedrome, St Austell Film Centre, Truro Plaza and Wadebridge Regal.

David Williams who runs the company won a prestigous price earlier this year when the Plaza Truro was awarded Best Independent Cinema Award. Further information here.

In July they have also been celebrating the Film Centre’s (former Odeon cinema) 70th Birthday. More information currently on their homepage. The sad news is that the fine old Odeon/Film Centre is unlikely to see its 71st Birthday, as it is due for closure and demolition very soon. Infact I have heard that it may be closing as soon as this month (August) so this is your last chance to see a film there.

David Williams also hopes to be the operator of the proposed new cinema in Falmouth. For the latest on this long running saga, check out the campaign website.