Help with some Northwest cinemas

posted by Vikki on July 12, 2006 at 9:03 am

Hi, I’ve just started a PhD on the Broadhead family, and their theatre circuit.

At least 4 theatres became cinemas. They are the Tameside Hippodrome, Crown Theatre Eccles, Victoria Pavilion Morecambe and the ill-fated Empress Electric.

I have already viewed the interesting pages on this site, but would be delighted if anyone had any more info on any of the above, either as cinemas or theatres, or whatever they were in other incarntions.

Thank you very much,
Vikki

Comments (14)

KenLayton
KenLayton on July 12, 2006 at 9:14 am

I live in the Pacific Northwest and I’ve never heard that name before. What city/state are these theaters in? The most well known and prolific theater operator here in the northwest is Tom Moyer.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe on July 12, 2006 at 2:15 pm

Ken Layton: We are talking North West of England, UK here! No wonder you have never heard of any of these names LOL

Vikki
Vikki on July 13, 2006 at 1:32 pm

Whoops! Yes sorry everyone, North West of England it is. In fact mainly clustered around Manchester. Now that we’ve established that…anyone any info, reminiscences etc?

Yainie
Yainie on August 27, 2006 at 2:16 pm

Hi Vicki

I stumbled across this site and thought brilliant ~ I am too researching W H Broadhead and his theatres, its for my Family History because by ancestors, well my grandfather, greatgrandfather and etc did work for WH Broadhead. And I have a couple of things to help you on and you might be able to help me. Only I have had a hell of a job to register!! Not a happy bunny on that one. Will have to have a word! Have you tried the Art Library in Manchester?? Just int touch with them # they have some information, I am hoping to access it on my way back from a wedding in a couple of weeks. regards Lorraine

pgd
pgd on September 8, 2006 at 4:48 pm

Hi Vicki, Lorraine
I am trying to discover some family history. In particular I am interested in the relationship of William Birks Broadhead (Theatre Proprietor) to the Broadhead family. I know he had died by 1928 when his son William Henry Broadhead (Theatre Manager) b 1901 was married to Betty Hodgkinson in Whalley Range south Manchester. I have the marriage certificate. The wedding was witnessed by Roy Broadhead and Percy B Broadhead.

Any background would be very helpful.

Thanks

pgd
pgd on September 8, 2006 at 4:59 pm

PS Hi Vicki, Lorraine
My email is if it is too difficult to post things on this site. Im not sure how this site really works.
Thanks

pgd
pgd on September 29, 2006 at 2:08 pm

Vicki
Lorraine

Have you see this site
http://www.merciacinema.org.uk/gaz%20M-R.htm

Who was Percy B Broadhead?

I need your help!

Peter

pgd
pgd on October 1, 2006 at 1:11 pm

To see: MARRIAGE OF MARJORIE BROADHEAD 21/04/1921 “Item title reads – Miss Marjorie Broadhead daughter of late W.B. Broadhead married to Mr J.F. Mitchell of football fame. Manchester. The couple emerge from the church and the guests throw rice at them, they are followed by bridesmaids and page boys. Other guests leave the church and pose for the camera.”

AND “Carnivalitas” – Film taken exclusively for W Hy Broadhead & Son, of the Broadhead Theatres. Carnival Week Programme included all the fun of the Fair!‘ Location of events unknown – could be Blackpool, Lancashire. Wintergardens?

Follow Link Below:

View link

PS can anybody identify members of Broadhead family?

harry47tate
harry47tate on February 18, 2007 at 10:46 am

Vicki,
I have recently acquired an old Jack Hobbs cricket bat which once belonged to Percy B. Broadhead. It is signed by him, by Jack Hobbs, by J. Ramsey Macdonald (the PM), and by hundreds of music hall and variety artists of the early 20th century. I would date this bat around the 1920s-1930s.
If you are interested, let me know and I will send you some photos.
Peter Chasseaud

Vikki
Vikki on February 20, 2007 at 1:08 am

Hi Peter,

Thanks for getting in touch. Yes I would be very interested. Please contact me at

Very best wishes

Vikki

Nimnim
Nimnim on April 25, 2008 at 3:09 pm

Hi Vikki, are you still doing your Phd, or is the deed now done?

VictoriaPaleit
VictoriaPaleit on August 22, 2009 at 8:09 am

I’m interested in Percy Broadhead, from a family point-of-view. Are you still writing your Ph.D.? I’d love to read it. Percy married my great-aunt, Alice May Wildman, of Blackpool. They had two children, Percy II, known as Sonny (as indeed he was), and Avril. Family rumour has it that Percy II went through his father’s money and then was made bankrupt, was this really the case? There is almost no-one left from a generation that knew them, apart from my mother, aged 89 with a very dodgy memory!
VeePee

pamelabailey
pamelabailey on November 9, 2009 at 12:45 pm

Hi VeePee
Percy Broadhead was a relative of mine. I am the daughter of William Henry Broadhead (born 1901)I don’t know much about Percy but would be very interested to swap information pb

psbh
psbh on December 4, 2011 at 3:49 pm

Hi, I am part of the Broadhead family. My great Grandfather Percy Honri married W H Broadhead’s daughter Annie. We have lots of paperwork and pictures in our archive which we are currently sorting. If anyone is interested please do put up a post.

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