2011 : The Sanctuary Church, Staple Hill

Image: © Maurice Pullin Taken: 2 Sep 2011

Where the shadows of Fred and Ginger once flitted across the silver screen, the Marx Brothers went west and Frankenstein's monster terrorised the villagers. "Staple Hill Picture House/Regal, 1912-1963 In 1905, Frank Wren, a builder who lived at The Limes in Downend, purchased the land on which the cinema stands.The cinema, known as the Staple Hill Picture House, was built in 1912. In 1913,Wren leased the land to his son, Herbert F.Wren. By 1914, Frank had died and Herbert had purchased the nearby Clematis House (now called Riebeck House) and Bank House, built around 1847. In 1927, the cinema was extended and much altered. Bank House was incorporated into the building, as was the old gospel hall, built around 1900, that stood behind. A dome was removed from the roof and the area beneath became a cafe. The cinema, now called the Regal, reopened on Monday 29 August 1927 with the silent film Mademoiselle From Armentieres." The above was copied from http://www.flickr.com/photos/brizzlebornandbred/4735060009/ where there is more. In 1963 the Regal, driven by television, became a Bingo Hall, then in 1992, driven this time driven by market forces, the Bingo Hall closed in its turn. Glad the old place is being put to good use again.

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