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Uploaded on: August 31, 2025

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Theatre name change - Dec 1971 and we decided on a name change, The New Oxford became ‘The Olympia’ running a policy of Italian, Greek and Chinese films, and for the next seven years it became a Continental house run by Ben & Anna Parri, reflecting the tastes of the changing local community.

Olympia, meaning Mount Olympus the home of the Greek gods. In truth Ben decided on the name because there was a famous cinema in Italy with the same name (Teatro Olympio) Olympic Theatre.

Then the big day when the front signage arrived. We had ordered a 15ft sign to be placed over the front theatre doors featuring one word “Olympia,” also a smaller sign to cover the raised existing New Oxford lettering.

I am indebted to forward thinking Cinema Historian Roy Mudge for being there on the spot to take a series of photographs of our new theatre the Olympia.

Contributed by Greg Lynch -