BUILDING work in Odiham led to a taste of nostalgia for local residents when the village’s old cinema was visible for the first time in decades.
The Regal Cinema, a popular venue in Dunley’s Hill between 1937 and 1959, was visible as the cladding from the more recent Mill Lane Mitsubishi dealership was torn down by the developers of a new block of offices and homes.
Bob Merryweather, from North Warnborough, said: “It was a bit sad to see the old cinema being pulled down as people have a lot of nostalgic memories – all the older generation were talking about it.”
Mr Merryweather, 49, said his father worked as a doorman and then a projectionist at the venue for many years, and showed The Bridge On The River Kwai, which was the last film screened at the cinema before it was closed down in 1959.
He added that the cinema was particularly popular with the Canadian personnel of 443 Squadron, who were stationed at RAF Odiham during the Second World War and make block bookings all the time.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article