Going to the Pictures in Wantage: a trip down memory lane with Trevor Hancock

THE first cinematographic show in Wantage took place in June 1912 when Mr Reggie Lay from Oxford (seen sixth from left in photo above) booked the Victoria Cross Gallery for film shows on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, every week for six months at a charge of £3 for the three nights inclusive of gas and hall keepers fees.

The first purpose built-cinema was in Wallingford Street and was one of the most popular attractions in Wantage during WWI. Opened on November 12, 1914, by Captain J C Oakes, it played to packed houses throughout the war. Performances were continuous from 6.30pm to 10:30pm with matinees on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Bicycles could be stored at no extra charge for the convenience of customers from the villages. The cinema was managed by Mr D S Holderness for the duration of the war whilst Captain Oakes was away in the army. The management donated the day’s takings to the local Belgian Refugees Christmas Fund in December 1914. The most popular series of films were the Keystone Kops.

In the early 1920s, Aubrey G Beardsley (always known as Jock) was employed by the manager Mr Kirk to look after the generating engine, project the films and sweep the floor for 15/- a week. The minimum admission fee to the cinema at this time was 4d and the most expensive 1/- 6d. The former entitled one to sit on four long, upholsted benches at the front. Films involving stars such as Tom Mix, Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy ensured a large audience.

By 1924 Jock Beardsley had taken over the business. Then in 1935, hearing that Mr A V Gibbs was selling his music business in Newbury Street, he bought and then built a new cinema (along with fellow businessman Arthur Colbert) there, which opened as The Regent on October 12, 1935.

The old cinema in Wallingford Street became a greengrocers, a tractor depot in WWII, and finally, from 1955, Wheelers Cycle Shop. It was demolished in 1991 and now Rowes Newsmarket and Post Office occupy the site.

The first film shown at the Regent was Stormy Weather starring Tom Walls, Robertson Hare and Yvonne Arnaud. Jock Beardsley was involved with Wantage cinemas for more than 50 years and had contacts with similar pioneers of cinema management including Will Day, a well-known figure of the early days of British films.

Jock's wife Adela ran the provisions store next door (which later became Taylors Dry Cleaners) and helped at the cinema, including as an usherette. Many people have happy memories of the Regent Cinema especially in its heyday of the 1950s-1960s. I personally remember going to watch the latest Disney films. Sadly due to dwindling audiences " the original Regent finally closed its doors in 1977 and became a Bingo Hall. The Regent was successfully resurrected after that and ran for many years on Newbury Street, but closed for good in 2005 after operators Paul and Sue Kirwin said it was no longer profitable. It is now Shush the venue and The Regent Shopping Arcade.