Gloucestershire Cinema Gazetteer

SHARPNESS

Gone but not forgotten:  Church Room

During the 1920s a building on New Street operated as a cinema ran by Mr Woolard.  This was most certainly part-time and would have also served the neighbouring town of Berkeley.  The building was hired out by St Mary's Church in Berkeley and came equipped with a gas engine and projector. It is notable that in 1930 this cinema had closed, as Mr Mason had started showing films in Berkeley.  The church had attempted to advertise for a new operator after receiving an advance from Mr Mason to run the cinema.  Having had no enquiries to run the cinema and with Mr Mason again writing with a wish to operate the cinema, the Church Council eventually agree on one year as long as Mr Mason keeps the apparatus in good condition. Mr Mason runs the cinema 2 nights a week in winter and 1 night in summer, no doubt a silent cinema operation it is unlikely to have continued for too long.