Odeon Bishop Auckland
Tenters Street,
Bishop Auckland,
DL14
Tenters Street,
Bishop Auckland,
DL14
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1955 newspaper advert uploaded to photos section.
My apologies. I knew of Alan Smith (via Walter Aylen of Bishop Auckland Odeon and Creswell Watson of Shildon Essoldo where he had worked as a projectionist prior to Bishop Auckland).
He did indeed die tragically in Bournemouth (a drowning incident). Apologies to Ken Close also whom I knew very well at Halifax who had worked at Bishop Auckland with Walter Aylen. The two did indeed look very similar!
the presentation in the piece by terry is being made to alan smith a projectionist about to change to management sadly he died in a tragic accident while at bournemouth odeon
Image uploaded to photos section.
3 photos uploaded including a very rare shot of the auditorium.
Also one taken on the Front of House in the 1960’s:– Manager, Walter Aylen is on the left making a presentation to Assistant Manager, Ken Close as he transferred to another Rank Theatre. Walter was a seasoned Rank Manager who started at the Palace Sunderland (a Gaumont theatre) in the 1930’s. I knew Ken as Manager of the Odeon Halifax when I used to take over as Relief Manager at the ABC in the same town in the mid 1970’s where we had some good times. I heard from Ken recently and he is still alive and well and living in Halifax.
A preview of a fine watercolour by Bishop Auckland artist, Gaz Miller has been uploaded to the photos section…..
Article re the Majestic (Odeon) Bishop Auckland :–
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/history/10737118.A_Majestic_history/
Photos uploaded to relevant section.
There was a third ‘sister’ Majestic theatre in West Hartlepool (now simply Hartlepool); the Head Office for all three (Bishop Auckland, Darlington and Hartlepool)was in High Row, Darlington.
Here is an updated link to the 1970’s exterior photograph of the Odeon Bishop Auckland, posted on Sept 14, 2005:
http://www.mawgrim.co.uk/cavalcade/bishauck.jpg
What a shame this was great cinema, I went as a kid in the 80’s but such is progress.
A 1970’s exterior view of the Odeon Biship Auckland here:
View link