Hanbury Cinema
Hanbury Square,
Bargoed,
CF81
Hanbury Square,
Bargoed,
CF81
2 people
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Hi Capelmawr I spent time researching the Jackson Withers Circuit and there has been confusion and debate over the ownership. I have heard the name Alfred Withers and Albert Withers, I assumed they might be brothers although it was Albert Withers who went into business as the Jackson Withers Circuit with Julian Hodge. If you are able to clarify or throw any additional information I would be interested in reading it?
see here:
http://cinemawales.homestead.com/jandw.html
In 1924 the propreitor was Alfred Withers and programmes changed twice weekly with prices of 5d to 1/3d. Under the same ownership in 1938 prices were 6d to 1/– and a Sound Ltd system had been installed to take it into the sound era. By 1951 seating had dropped to 684 seats and prices were 1/– to 1/9d. A GB – Kalee sound system had been installed by 1966, possibly at the same time it was converted to Cinemascope and shows were now twice daily/
Bargoed was never in Monmouthshire or Gwent, as it is west of the Rhymney river. It was in Glamorgan, then Mid Glamorgan, and now it is in the county of Caerphilly, Wales.
It was the second cinema, after The Hall, to be seriously damaged by fire in the late 50’s, but was fully rebuilt by 1960. It had balcony seating, as did the Hall.
I saw Expresso Bongo (rather risque for a 11 year old) with Cliff Richard and Gilbert Harding in it. A couple of years later I saw “Mary Poppins” there, with my first girlfriend.
Polly Denty shone a nasty torch there.
Although I can’t be sure exactly when the Hanbury closed I can confirm it was still showing movies in 1973, I went along to see the POSEIDON ADVENTURE and THE EXORCIST during 1972 and 73.
I think it must have closed in or around 1974 as I went to the town to see EMMANUELLE at the newly opened CAMEO cinema in the high street {since demolished}.
A big shame that the Hanbury failed to re-open in 1990. Hopefully the cinema will not be demolished, it holds a commaning position in the town and I suspect it might well vanish as a result of it’s location.
A redevelopment proposal has been submitted.