I know the title doesn't sound very exciting - but, to be honest, the impression I had of Hucknall wasn't either. I've never been there before and had intended "cinemas" to be today's theme. I've noticed many ugly, disused ones around Nottingham and was interested that we have some smaller, successful ones. At Broadway_ you can take a drink with you into the show. Nearby Screen 22_ is the smallest cinema in the world and available for private hire. So when a friend suggested I take a look at Byron Bingo in Hucknall, I decided to go.
The building, designed by Alfred J. Thraves, is one of only two Art Deco cinemas still standing in the UK. Currently used as a bingo hall, it is being lovingly and painstakingly restored by a team of volunteers and a passionate individual, Ria Cash.
The building, designed by Alfred J. Thraves, is one of only two Art Deco cinemas still standing in the UK. Currently used as a bingo hall, it is being lovingly and painstakingly restored by a team of volunteers and a passionate individual, Ria Cash.
When the previous owner ripped the seats out to sell on e-bay, you would have thought the process of restoration nigh on impossible. But over the last year or so the team have acquired a full compliment of seats which have been cleaned, installed and look completely original.
During the process of working on the project, many items have been found which help recreate the story of the Byron Cinema. The rubbish collected from the floor, old tins of paint and lightbulbs from decades ago all add to the sense of connecting with the past. Reals of 35mm film...
See Nottingham 30 Days of Discovery's Facebook page for more photos_
During the process of working on the project, many items have been found which help recreate the story of the Byron Cinema. The rubbish collected from the floor, old tins of paint and lightbulbs from decades ago all add to the sense of connecting with the past. Reals of 35mm film...
See Nottingham 30 Days of Discovery's Facebook page for more photos_
The original projector, astonishingly still works. This year, 2nd November will mark the 80th birthday of the Byron's opening. Then, Shirley Temple's The Littlest Rebel was screened.
The restoration team is hopeful that their work will be finished by then and plan to recreate the original opening - complete with a screening of the film on the original projector and with staff dressed in 1930's costume.
Click the button below to view the group's Facebook page and learn more.
The restoration team is hopeful that their work will be finished by then and plan to recreate the original opening - complete with a screening of the film on the original projector and with staff dressed in 1930's costume.
Click the button below to view the group's Facebook page and learn more.
There were plenty more surprises in store in Hucknall, too. I had expected to discover things relating to it's industrial past - but I wasn't aware of the breath of culture, art, innovation and music enshrined in it's history.
The famous poet Lord Byron is buried in the grounds of St. Mary Magdaline, just off the main High Street, in the Byron family grave where his daughter, Ada Lovelace is also buried.
Ada is credited with being the world's first computer programmer. This sculpture recreates a visual image of the binary code of her first program
Ada is credited with being the world's first computer programmer. This sculpture recreates a visual image of the binary code of her first program
- Eric Coates, composer of the dramatic score for the Dambusters movie, lived in Hucknall
- Big Ben was named after Ben Caunt, another Hucknalite? Hucknolian? Ben was a bare knuckle fighter and heavy weight boxing champion
As I pedalled home and got lost...which happens often having been born with no sense of direction, I was again surprised. The green spaces of Farleys Lane Nature Reserve and Bulwell Hall Park were so vast that I literally couldn't see a single building. I discovered the scent of wild garlic growing in the woods and carvings made from tree stumps ... the sun even popped out to reflect its light on the river Lean. It was hard to believe I was in the middle of what had been an industrial mining town. Sadly, both my camera and phone were out of power-so no more photos.