AT LAST WENT TO THE PICTURES IN ST ALBANS IN OUR OWN LOVELY CINEMA ..and it was great. Just as it must have been when it was first built - only glossier and safer and more comfortable. A* for glamour atmosphere technical quality. I am going to use a phrase I have used about twice in my life..a dream come true. I thought we would only get the Odeon back if the mighty Fairy of Cinema herself came and liberally sprinkled London Road with magic technicolour dust and waved her wand. Well I suppose she must have done because here it is. This is a shot of the opening of Singing in the Rain last night..the green light to the left is one of the emergency doors of course..the one into dear old Lower Paxton Rd.

And now this blog is finally signing off. Go and see something there yourself. Thanks to everyone who got involved and helped and parted with money..and let's hope S.A. council the Labour party and other not very involved lobbies have learnt a lesson.

YAYYY.....HURRAH.....AT LAST..... it's open..and a moon over the steps for

good luck

New website for insider pix of odeon restoration

.....good new site at odeon2odyssey with views of roof and basement most of us have no chance of getting to see any other way...

.....am looking forward to the exciting news mentioned in the blog. Could it be an actual opening date?

St Albans Fire Service & our cinema

long e mail from J.H explaining last weekend's events stopped by our Fire Service. As this pic from 1927 (thanks to S.A. museum site) shows they know what it's like when there's trouble at the cinema.

At some point in the late 90's there was an attempt to burn the cinema down & as some Lower Paxton Rd residents might remember the Fire brigade had to park their appliances in London Rd and run the hoses down the steps to fight the blaze. So the Fire Service has bad memories of this site. Anyway only an idiot wouldn't co-operate with them so we'll all have to wait a bit longer......

All events this weekend cancelled

e mail this a.m. saying both Grease & open day on Sunday cancelled. No explanation. Wd be nice to know why even tho' I couldn't have gone. No doubt reason will be revealed. Annoying for people who'd planned their weekend round it all......

St Albans cinema limbers up -

Yes, the moment has arrived....a showing of Grease on Sat 10 Sept at 7 30pm...take blankets, your own supply of chocolate & wear warm socks etc...for those of you who haven't had an e mail from Mr H the number to ring to book is 01442 877759. Numbers limited to 300.

And the building will also be open 12.30 - 2.30 on Sunday the 11th....just to admire progress.