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Take a peek behind the curtains of Hebden Bridge Picture House
Now's the chance to take an inside look at some of Calderdale's most fascinating buildings – including a 1920s cinema. Virginia Mason reports
SITTING in the comfortable red plush velvet seat, I could have been eight years old again, tucking into a strawberry Mivvi, slurping from a square carton of Kia-Ora and waiting for The Sound Of Music to start.
Such is the nostalgia that envelopes you when you step into Hebden Bridge Picture House.
My impromptu tour was a forerunner to the special opening planned as part of the nationally acclaimed Heritage Open Days scheme, now in its 15th year.
Set up in 1994 by the Civic Trust, it is now organised by English Heritage and has become the country's biggest and most popular voluntary cultural event, with more than 3,500 historic and unusual buildings opening their doors to the public for free.
It is estimated that 90 per cent of the population live within 30 minutes of a Heritage Open Days event and last year the scheme attracted around one million visitors.
In Calderdale this year, 25 properties are taking part, from art galleries to cemeteries, theatres to museums, churches to iconic landmarks – including Hebden Bridge Picture House. "It's a really good way for people to come inside and take a peek at the places they might not normally get to see," says Jonny Courtney, the Picture House manager.
"We're expecting a lot of interest – not least because we'll be showing a programme of local films as well," he explains.
Films confirmed so far are The Projectionist and Better than Sex, but more may be added, he says.
Hebden Bridge Picture House opened its doors in 1921, boasting over 900 seats.
Its first screening was a double bill of Torn Sails and The Iron Stair and, apart from short periods of refurbishment, has been in use as a cinema ever since.
The Picture House took over two years to build and was funded by a group of local businessmen called the Thistle Holme Estate Company. The company ran the cinema into the 1930s, when it was let to the Leeds-based Star chain of cinemas.
After this period the cinema was under private ownership for a number of years and was eventually bought by Hebden Royd Council.
Through reorganisation, the cinema was handed to the leisure department of Calderdale Council in 1974.
In 1978 a major refurbishment took place, removing half the seats and leaving the current 493 seats – no wonder the Picture House is often praised for its generous legroom.
Further restoration took place in 1985 and again in 1998.
Today it is not surprising it is a thriving and well-loved place to catch the latest films with matinees every day in the school holidays and a special "elevenses" screening every Thursday morning.
"We've got a reputation for the wide range of films screened, ranging from blockbusters to art house and foreign language, as well as our lovely cakes and proper mugs of tea," says Jonny.
As I sip mine, I marvel at the ornate plasterwork, the domed ceiling and the old-fashioned ticket kiosk and shop.
Climbing the stairs I sit in the balcony (a much missed feature from many modern-day cinemas) and then, as a special treat, I get to see the "guts" of the place – the mesmerising projection room with its huge projectors and reel upon reel of film.
Today digital surround sound, widescreen and cinemascope may be developments we can all enjoy – and developments the Picture House has embraced – but the beauty of the place is that it still remains loyal to its roots. It is a wonderful historic gem.
Heritage Open Day takes place on Saturday September 12 from 11am to 1pm. Further details on 01422 842807.
The full list of properties taking part in Heritage Open Days 2009 is: Square Chapel, Halifax; Halifax Town Hall; Somerset House; Todmorden Town Hall; All Saint's Church, Elland; All Souls', Boothtown; Halifax Parish Church; Mount Zion, Ogden; St Mary's, Elland; St Peter's, Sowerby; Todmorden Unitarian Church; Wainsgate Baptist, Hebden Bridge; Stubb Township, Mytholmroyd; Wainhouse Tower; Lister Lane Cemetery; Clay House, Greetland; Bankfield Museum; Halifax Visitor Centre, Piece Hall; Heptonstall Museum; Shibden Hall; Smith Art Gallery Trails; Halifax Playhouse; Hebden Bridge Picture House; Victoria Theatre.
For opening times and further details visit heritageopendays.org.uk
Further restoration took place in 1985 and again in 1998.
Today it is not surprising it is a thriving and well-loved place to catch the latest films with matinees every day in the school holidays and a special “elevenses” screening every Thursday morning.
“We’ve got a reputation for the wide range of films screened, ranging from blockbusters to art house and foreign language, as well as our lovely cakes and proper mugs of tea,” says Jonny.
As I sip mine, I marvel at the ornate plasterwork, the domed ceiling and the old-fashioned ticket kiosk and shop.
Climbing the stairs I sit in the balcony (a much missed feature from many modern-day cinemas) and then, as a special treat, I get to see the “guts” of the place – the mesmerising projection room with its huge projectors and reel upon reel of film.
Today digital surround sound, widescreen and cinemascope may be developments we can all enjoy – and developments the Picture House has embraced – but the beauty of the place is that it still remains loyal to its roots. It is a wonderful historic gem.
Heritage Open Day takes place on Saturday September 12 from 11am to 1pm. Further details on 01422 842807.
l The full list of properties taking part in Heritage Open Days 2009 is: Square Chapel, Halifax; Halifax Town Hall; Somerset House; Todmorden Town Hall; All Saint’s Church, Elland; All Souls’, Boothtown; Halifax Parish Church; Mount Zion, Ogden; St Mary’s, Elland; St Peter’s, Sowerby; Todmorden Unitarian Church; Wainsgate Baptist, Hebden Bridge; Stubb Township, Mytholmroyd; Wainhouse Tower; Lister Lane Cemetery; Clay House, Greetland; Bankfield Museum; Halifax Visitor Centre, Piece Hall; Heptonstall Museum; Shibden Hall; Smith Art Gallery Trails; Halifax Playhouse; Hebden Bridge Picture House; Victoria Theatre.
For opening times and further details visit heritageopendays.org.uk
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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