CHRISTCHURCH could become home to Dorset’s smallest museum when a new attraction opens at the Regent Centre.

At just 15ft six inches long and 12ft four inches wide, the cinema museum will be in the projection box on the roof of the Christchurch theatre.

Since the introduction of digital cinema at the Regent in 2012, the projection box has only housed the new digital projector.

Now, three cinema enthusiasts have been granted permission from the managing board to create the unique cinema museum.

Philip Stevens from Mudeford, a former board member and Regent projectionist, John Thornley from Bournemouth, a former projectionist at the Rex in Wareham - the last cinema in Dorset to use the old carbon arcs to illuminate a film projector - and Bob Dobson from Bournemouth, a former cinema engineer for Westrex and projectionist at the Regent Cinema from June 1961 – July 1962, have pooled their expertise and enthusiasm to create the facility.

The Regent Centre opened on Boxing Day in 1931 and is well-known as a restored example of an early Art Deco cinema.

Alongside the new Barco Digital Projector will be a 1933 Kalee Eleven 35mm projector with a Westrex sound system from 1954.

Other memorabilia at the Regent Cinema Museum includes a rewinder for getting a roll of celluloid film back to the start of the reel, a bank of three old red velvet seats that date back to when the Regent closed as a Mecca Bingo Hall in February 1982, anamorphic lenses for showing Cinemascope films and an American, 1970s Orcon rectifier, used to transfer AC power to DC power, which was needed to power the Xenon lamps.

There will also be old 35mm trailers, including an end of programme God Save the Queen trailer, VHS trailer videos dating back to the late 1980s and old illuminated cinema signs used for directions to the circle and stalls at the Regent.

THE trio, Philip, John and Bob, are appealing for residents to share stories, memories and memorabilia from the golden age of the silver screen.
If you have any stories to tell then contact Philip Stevens on 07552 781184 or <&bh"mailto:philipstevans31@talktalk.net">philipstevans31@talktalk.net<&eh>. It is hoped the new museum will open next year and be part of tours of the Regent Centre.