Romany Cinema, Totnes

We had an organised visit today to Totnes Cinema. Not to see a film, just a visit and a talk.
It is magnificent. This is the reception. The  Cinema is located in the former Temperance Hall, opened March 1st, 1885, and built by Wm Reeves. 
The Temperance movement (active from 1860) encouraged general abstinence from alcohol.
In June 1951 the Romany Cinema opened in the Assembly Hall, closing on October 23rd 1964.
Devon County Library’s Totnes branch was housed here between 1964 and 2013.
After the library’s closure Jane Hughes and William Johnson decided to bring Totnes Cinema back to life.They purchased the defunct Library building, acquired two projectors, seats and even a coffee machine. Totnes Cinema re-opened in June 2016 after 50 years of closure, thanks to local people crowd-funding the project. Refurbishment during Lockdown included under-floor heating from an Air-source heat pump, a feature stained-glass door window and a royal box. We will return soon to see a film.