Childhood memories of cinema trips

I lived at Gillow Street, Fulledge, 1943-54 (now demolished), attended Todmorden Road School 1947-1955 (now demolished) and the route to school was always along “t’Pentridge Bottom.” I never heard anyone in the district refer to Holmes Street, it was always “t’Pentridge Bottom.”
By The Newsroom
Published 30th Apr 2015, 07:09 BST
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Mum, dad and I were frequent flyers to the Pentridge. There were shows Monday to Wednesday; new films Thursday to Saturdays and a different film on a Sunday – always sat in a circle.

At the interval, I bought a small bottle of pop at the kiosk. There was a superb display with at least six flavours to choose from. They may have been produced locally, perhaps from the premises on the corner of Oxford Road and Parliament Street.

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At the end of the show, the National Anthem was played. I don’t know whether it was a legal requirement or just custom and practice but the Pentridge’s compliance was minimal.

People started to stand up. A 78 record blasted out ‘God Save Our’ and then the record played was ripped across to the final ‘God Save our King/Queen’ – all the middle omitted.

The bar of the fire escape door clanged open and we exited via the fire escape onto ‘“t’Pentridge Bottom.”

C. Fergusson

Burnley