Early Childhood Memories
"A Visit to the Cinema in the 1940s by Jean W"
by Group Account

A Typical Poster

Jean 's early childhood memory: I remember as a child there were 2 cinemas in Ashford one was slightly more plush that the other and the seats were more expensive. The tickets had 2 prices, the cheaper ones were nearer to the front where it was less comfortable to look up and see the screen. You would be shown to your seat by an usherette who used a torch to shown you to the right area. The programme usually consisted of 2 films, the shorter one was often a Travelogue followed by a Newsreel and then the main film. It was always very interesting to see the Newsreel because it was the only opportunity that most people had to see the current news because nobody had televisions at home. During the interval a lady would walk through the aisles carrying a tray of drinks and icecreams. A visit to the cinema was always very special because it was quite a rare occasion. About Jean 's early childhood memory: My Granddaughter Summer interviewed me in the Computer Room at School and told me about her visit to the Cinema and how different it is now in 2004. The modern Cinema in Ashford has 12 screens and there is one price for all the seats and usually the programme consists of only one film and several adverts. Jean is 68 years old now and was 8 years old at the time.