Cinema celebrates 100 years in the movie business

One of Norfolk's oldest cinemas is celebrating 100 years of showing films to movie lovers.

The Orion Cinema opened its doors in Dereham on 17 November 1924, with a showing of Long Live the King.

It even welcomed royalty in 2003, when Prince William and his friends went to see the final instalment of Lord of the Rings.

Jonny Allwood, from the cinema, said he hoped crowds would continue to visit for "many more years to come".

The building was constructed in 1857 as the town's Corn Exchange, before its conversion into a 700-seat cinema.

It became Orion Cinema in 2019 after previous owner Hollywood Cinema went into administration.

"With the challenges that your typical High Street has faced over the last few years, this cinema has remained a constant fixture for a century now," Mr Allwood said.

"It is a testament to the power of cinema and the big screen experience, which keeps audiences coming back for more."

The building underwent a major refit in the 1960s, being kitted out with a bingo hall and new floor.

It was taken over by businessman Trevor Wicks in 1992, who renamed it Hollywood Cinema before its eventual collapse.

Gordon Olley, from Dereham, first visited as a child and met his wife of 60 years, Mary, during a screening of A Hard Day's Night in 1964.

He recreated the date in 2014 to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary.

"When you see it in a cinema with a big screen you become part of the story, it's all around you," said Mr Olley, who is now in his late 70s.

"It's a different effect than watching it on a television in your living room."

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