Royal British Legion Club, Christchurch

Image: © Jaggery Taken: 24 Aug 2016

The Royal British Legion Club is at 61-63 Bargates. The Royal British Legion is the UK's leading Armed Forces charity and one of its largest membership organisations. Members get together through the network of branches and clubs all over the country and overseas to participate in social, fundraising and welfare activities. In 2016, men and women of all ages can join the club, whether they have served in the Armed Forces or not. The Cinema Treasures website states that this building opened as the Royal Cinema Theatre on July 8th, 1914, initially with a pianist and vocalist before screening a Keystone comedy. The name changed in December 1919 to New Gaiety Picture House, but also presented live shows. In late summer 1921 the cinema became the Pavilion Electric Theatre and lastly the Pavilion Cinema and dance hall. More than a year after the Regent Cinema opened, the Pavilion Cinema was redecorated and murals depicting country scenes added. However, the reopening on February 14th 1933 was short lived. W.A. Wimbleton who had the controlling interest in this cinema formed a syndicate to buy the Regent Cinema. The Pavilion Cinema closed down after showing Big Cage on December 10th 1933. A variety of uses ensued.

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