IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Pendennis Avenue, BRISTOL, BS16 5DW

Looking north. A veterinary centre is to the left along Pendennis Avenue. Mostly older properties here, some re-roofed.

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.

It used to be the Regal Cinema, as hinted by the grand doorway. Opening in 1913 as the Picture House, it seated 450 and was designed by S. Loxton. It was renovated in 1927 with a new façade built and the auditorium increased to seat over 1,100. The name also changed to Regal. However, as with many provincial cinemas, the projectors stopped in 1963, inly to be taken over as a bingo hall. Even the players dwindled and the site closed in 1992. After a long period of silence, the place became a church.

Formerly known as the Post Office Tavern it was a well known live music venue until the previous landlord closed up following Lockdown. However, it appears to be open again.

On the corner of High Street and Acacia Road.

Looking east, Staple Hill's shopping centre lies ahead then the road continues to Mangotsfield. At the junction with Acacia Road to the right and Pendennis Road to the left.

A painted advert (or perhaps two) on a wall is still there after so long, but the actual words are beginning to fade to the point of obscurity.

Ordnance Survey cut mark benchmark described on the Bench Mark Database at http://www.bench-marks.org.uk/bm48031

There is an OS benchmark Image on the front face of the bottom corner stone at the top of the steps

This OS cut mark can be found on No28 Overhill Road. It marks a point 72.488m above mean sea level.