The Cinema
The Cinema
Saturday morning picture club
Cinema has always been popular with children as this 1939 newspaper clipping demonstrates! Thanks to Mr J. B Postle, 300 to 400 children were able to visit the cinema to see Shirley Temple in ‘Curly Top’.
County Cinema in 1947
It was an extremely popular location for servicemen from the surrounding airbases during the war years and often there were queues outside the door.
Aylsham Cinema Interior
Films shown here were often serialised. One resident remembers watching Buck Jones and the phantom Riders here, but they were unable to see the final episode as Snow White was being shown and was so popular!
The Cinema
Aylsham cinema was opened in September 1937 by Lady Walpole. It was built on a former Kitchen Garden which belonged to Bank House. The County was a futuristic building in the historic town and was the venture of local businessmen J.B Postle, J.F Bond, Lord Walpole and R. Wolsey. At the opening on 15th September 1937 the big picture was “Rhodes of Africa”.
Before the cinema was built, a van with equipment for showing films would arrive in the town and set up in the Town Hall. Cowboy films featuring John Wayne and the comic Joe. E Brown were popular. A chair on the stage was two-pence and one in the main floor area was three ha’pence.
As a purpose-built cinema it was more successful than an adapted building and attracted many visitors from the town and surrounding villages. During the war years the cinema provided entertainment for service personnel and evacuees.
In 1954 the latest widescreen system Cinemascope was installed and caused great excitement.
The last film was shown in 1960 and was called “The Best of Everything”
The Cinema closed in September 1960 but reopened as a youth centre in 1965.
Su Owen
Say hello to Su Owen, a super-talented illustrator and designer right here in Aylsham! Originally a Manchester native, Su has brought her lifelong love for drawing to Norfolk, creating playful "eco-accessories" that are guaranteed to make you smile.
Su’s work is all about fun, narrative storytelling and a big nod to the planet. She is head-over-heels for anything with a vintage vibe - think retro circus acts, bold cowgirls, nautical sailors, and old-school packaging. She spins these nostalgic themes into a gorgeous collection of wearable art, including characterful wooden pins made from sustainable UK walnut, vibrant greetings cards, and beautiful eco-silk scarves crafted from recycled materials.
If you love unique, sustainably made treasures that pop with personality, Su’s pieces are the perfect souvenir or gift. Pop over to the Su Owen Website to explore her latest designs and take a piece of local creativity home with you and for more of her beautiful work, check out her Instagram feed.
All historical images reproduced here courtesy of Aylsham Town Archive, a part of Aylsham Town Council
