Thanks to EMI (and Sean Currell’s  “The Dream Palaces of Oxfordshire”) for these pictures of the Picture Palace / Kinema / Pavilion Cinema that was in Stert Street in Abingdon from 1911 until 1949.

That cinema was joined in Abingdon, in 1935, by the 1000 seat Regal Cinema. The Regal carried on showing films until Bingo took over the building in 1976. Bingo ran for about 8 years, then further attempts were made to run The Regal as a cinema again.

Elizabeth sent me this picture of the final film to be shown at the Regal. It was the 1989 Batman film.

She also sent me this picture showing the Regal when it had become an eyesore – before demolition in 2003.

There have been other plans since for cinemas in Abingdon.

The Regal and land all the way to West St Helens Street was owned by the Co-op and Southern Electric, and locals pressed for a studio cinema to be part of any redevelopment of the area. (Herald 19.9.96)

The Vale of White Horse District Council then purchased the Regal site and lots of other land behind which they planned to regenerate. So when in 1998 the owner of the Regent Cinema in Wantage approached them with a plan to re-open the Regal as a three screen cinema he was turned down, as it compromised their bigger plans for the area. (Herald 5.2.98)

In 1999 there was a lot of excitement about plans for a 7 screen multiplex on Marcham Road. The Vale of White Horse District Council was fully behind the plan, but Oxfordshire County Council opposed the plan. In the end John Prescott in Westminster decided for them and  turned down the project.(Herald 27.6.99)

Thoughts then turned to the Old Gaol with plans to redevelop the sports centre as an arts complex – possibly including a cinema, which never happened.

The latest plans for a cinema comes from Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council and forms part of the Guildhall redevelopment. The Guildhall would have a dedicated 100 seat cinema, and a multi-use assembly hall which could also show films. The Town Council has done a survey with the vast majority of people in favour.

Spotted Abingdon, Abingdon’s most liked facebook Site with 6640 likes to date, has created a different survey where people can express their opinions about various choices for Abingdon including the proposed cinema https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XDM9MX5.

John Crowley plays many roles in Abingdon. On some occasions he is the master of ceremonies for Market Place events or shows at the Guildhall. On Saturday he was the Town Crier – announcing that Abingdon Drama Club will be performing Equus at the Unicorn Theatre later this week – 6th – 9th March – 7:30pm. In that play John will become the psychiatrist who tries to cure a young man with a pathological fascination for horses. John said they have a particularly strong cast for this play.