Pavilion news

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2008-10-01T18:40:00.001+01:00

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We met at the Ritz

2008-09-28T19:06:00.006+01:00

We met at the Ritz Ballroom in 1952 and had many a dance at the Ritz until it was burnt down (very sad), I was 17 and Bob 21. Our first date was on a Wednesday at the Ritz Theatre to see Jimmy Young.

We later saved up and purchased a plot of land in November 1956. The bungalow was completed January 1957 and we were married on 2nd March 1957 celebrating our Golden Wedding last year. We have resided in the bungalow ever since.

Bob was born in Osmington Village and I was born in Weymouth.
Brenda and Robert Dimond

I remember being taken to the pantomime at the Ritz

2008-03-17T17:27:00.003Z

I remember being taken to the pantomime at the Ritz as it then was. This would have been in 1952/3.I was only 4 or 5 at the time and I think I may have gone on two successive years. The one I particularly remember was in 1953 which would have been the last one before the fire. I don't remember the name of the panto but I do remember the potted palms and the red carpet in the foyer. The auditorium seemed huge and I can remember looking up at the ceiling and seeing the inside of the dome. There was also a man in an animal suit, possibly monkey, who ran around the aisles encouraging audience participation.

The next memory is of standing at the top of Everest Road with my mother and sister watching the Ritz on fire and seeing the dome collapsing. My father was an officer with Dorset Fire Brigade and was the mobilising officer on the day of the fire. He always said that the fire brigade were concerned when the building was later demolished as they had worked valiantly to save as much as possible and there was little damage to the foyer and ballroom and the auditorium could have been rebuilt. The rapid spread of the fire was caused through its wooden construction.

Geoff Pritchard

"Package Deal" Band

2008-03-13T19:28:00.006Z

Just like to say how much I enjoyed the 'pavilion past' website and video.

I have attached a couple of photos you may be interested in, they were taken in the ballroom and are of groups I was with, the first is the "Package Deal" Band about 1967/68, and the second is "Hexagon" sometime in the early ninties.

Thanks again and good luck with the project.
Andy Prior

booklet/DVD launch in local press

2008-03-09T11:11:00.002Z

Pavilion memories are recorded on film story in the local paper, the Echo. By Miriam Phillips on Tuesday 4th March 2008.
www.dorsetecho.co.uk/search/display.var.2092674.0.pavilion_memories_are_recorded_on_film.php

Follow the link to see the story and photo of us all celebrating the launch of the booklet/DVD.

Karen Bidwell was also interviewed by WessexFM.

Pavilion Past project booklet/DVD released

2008-03-08T18:25:00.002Z

This booklet and film is the result of a creative digital:works project that was developed in association with Westfield Technology College, with funding from the Local Heritage Initiative. It allowed two schools to work closely together for the first time in their history. It has also helped the schools build links with educational resources in the area such as Dorset History Centre and greater links with Weymouth & Portland Borough Council.

Over an 18-month period Joe Stevens, the digital:works artist involved throughout, worked with young people, volunteers and teachers from Westfield Technology College and St Andrew's Primary School. The project saw the children interviewing local residents about their memories of the Pavilion. More than 50 children aged seven to eleven filmed the interviews themselves, which were then put on to the DVD. They also carried out practical investigations into the historic uses of the building, which was once named The Ritz, by looking at books and old newspapers.

David Sekers from the Heritage Lottery Fund said the £8,400 donation for the project was money well spent. He said: "The project hugely rewarding and really heart warming because it shows that every generation wants to find out about their roots and it is inspiring that the children were so interested in their heritage."

Local artist Joe Stevens came up with the idea for the project two years ago and said it has been thoroughly worthwhile and paid tribute to the hard work of both the children and the teaching staff. He said, “this project is a very good example of successful partnerships working. In particular the children from each school have joined forces and worked as a team.”

Inclusion co-ordinator at the college Karen Bidwell said the project will become part of a local archive for years to come. She added: "The children were really passionate about searching for important memories and also how life was in Weymouth as far back as 1908."

Nerys Watts, South West Regional Manager for the Heritage Lottery Fund said “This is yet another example of what the younger generation can achieve given the opportunity, and how the exploration of their heritage has enabled these young people to develop a greater sense of identity, and an appreciation of the diversity and breadth of their heritage, which they are sharing with a wider audience.”

If you would like to get a copy of this booklet/DVD contact Westfield Technology College on 01305 833518 or email joe@pavilionpast.org.uk.

One fine morning in April

2008-01-06T11:56:00.002Z

Tony Bugler told us of his experience one fine morning in April as he looked to the south towards the pavilion he saw a column of smoke rising from the roof of the Ritz. Taking a rowing boat, he rowed across the bay to investigate. By the time he reached the Ritz the whole building was fully ablaze. He could not get very close because of the great heat. It was a tragic sight that this lovely building should disappear before my very eyes. A friend from the Isle of Wight told him that she had heard the news on the radio. An hour later the Ritz was completly gutted only the frontage and foyer suvived.

The Cartwright Four

2007-12-24T14:03:00.002Z

From Jenny Moore we have heard how in 1966 my sister, myself and two friends sang in The Bobby Cook Show as The Cartwright Four. I seem to recall doing this for two years running but am unsure. Memories are fading as I was 10 years old at the time. I wonder if there are any records of this Charity Show with us on the bill?

I never sang again, but tell everyone that I was famous for 3 minutes!

Love the website it was nice to see it all again, I did not remember it burning down, I am sure someone probably told me.

Anyway thanks for the memories

Jenny Moore, nee ROCKEY

I saw a column of smoke rising from the roof of the Ritz

2007-07-21T22:45:00.002+01:00

One fine morning in April I looked to the south towards the pavilion and I saw a column of smoke rising from the roof of the Ritz. I took a rowing boat and rowed across the bay to investigate. By the time I reached the Ritz the whole building was fully ablaze. I could not get very close because of the great heat. It was a tragic sight that this lovely building should disappear before my very eyes. My friend told me that she had heard the news on the radio she lived on the Isle of wight. An hour later the Ritz was completly gutted only the frontage and foyer survived.

Tony Bugler

Weymouth Reference Library

2007-07-21T22:14:00.001+01:00

From our local studies collection we have found a few references.

In 1958 Councilor Wallis wanted it called the Royal Pavilion.

In November 1958 it was referred to as the New Ritz.

On Pg 4 of the Echo 11.3.1959 there was reference to a competition for naming it.

On the 12.3.1959 in the Entertainments and Beach Committee minutes there is a reference to this competition.

In March 1960 it was referred to as Weymouth Pavilion.

We, Weymouth Reference Library, cannot however, find any material regarding a winner of the competition or a special naming ceremony.

'When I'm Calling You'

2007-07-08T15:56:00.002+01:00

Lorraine Swire who now lives in Falmouth, Cornwall told us recently of of how "We were a large family & did not attend many shows. My memory of actually going into the Pavilion was to see Rose Marie (Weymouth Operatic Society). I thought it was wonderful - I had never seen any such thing before. I am 68 now but still remember the duet 'When I'm Calling You', the scenery & the thrill of the whole evening. It was the start of an enthusiasm for musical shows which has lasted until the present day."

Lorraine also recalls the day the Pavilion burned - she watched with some friends on the seafront by the Jubilee Clock.

Iris Board

2007-06-26T22:03:00.000+01:00

Iris Board has told us how much she has enjoyed looking through this
website, especially the old photos of the Pavilion.

The pavilion means a lot to Iris as it is where my sons career
started 4 years ago. She has told us how he has made his way up and
is now recording his debut single at the Jools Holland complex in
London, as well as him being a stunt body double for Harry Potter in
Order of the Phoenix.

Iris has many happy memories over the past 4 years of the Pavilion
and has met some really nice people here. She was sad to hear the
Ocean room will be going as my son did his very first charity event
here to raise money for diabetes UK. He even had TV cameras come down
on one occassion filming him for a documentary and last year he had
his 18th birthday and made a charity event of it in the theatre.

There is so much Iris could go on and tell us . . .

Kind regards
Iris Board

interviewing more people

2007-05-23T09:02:00.000+01:00

We have been interviewing some more people and have learnt about dancing in the 60s and how the Ocean Room and the old ball room at the Ritz were used. Mrs Reay told us about her dancing lessons and Mike Dixon told us about his wrestling at the Pavilion.

We are now starting to edit the filming we've done so far and we are thinking about our presentation which is going to be on July 18th at the Ocean Room We will tell you more details soon.

by Class 5

filming at the Pavilion

2007-03-26T12:47:00.000+01:00

Dear readres

We will be at the Pavilion filming on Wednesday the 28th from 10am to 2.30pm and hope you can pop along to see us and share your memories with us. We would like to hear of your experiences and memories of this cultural centre.

Your memories do not have to be 'major' events, or to have happened a long time ago. As you all know soon this building will not be there and your experience of last years Christmas Panto is as important as having visited the last building on this site, the Ritz.

We are interested in all your memories. If you would like to be interviewed or have any photographs you are willing to share, please contact us at class5@westfield.dorset.sch.uk or telephone 01305 833518. People can read the latest news and find out more about this work at www.pavilionpast.org.uk

We are now interviewing

2007-03-13T22:52:00.000Z

We are now interviewing people, so please get in contact and arrange a time to come and be interviewed by the children. We are keen to talk to you about your memories of the Pavilion and hear all about your experiences, they sound excellent.

We are at the moment arranging a series of interviews; the available dates are (times are from 9.30am to 12 & 1 - 3pm);
- 23rd march 11 - 12
- 26th
- 27th
- 28th (filming at the Pavilion, in the Green Room)
- 29th
- 30th
can you make any of these days?

Also we are looking for photos of the Pavilion that people are willing to share with us - do you have any?
- it would be good to see how the place changed.

thanks

Wessex FM come to visit!

2007-02-28T11:26:00.000Z

Maria Greenwood from Wessex FM came to visit us today. Stephanie and Hugh came from St Andrew's. Maria interviewed us about the Pavilion Past project. We told her about what we have been doing and what we want people to do. Maria is going to put our interview on the news tomorrow if she can. She is going to send us a copy on CD.

We enjoyed talking to Maria. Some people were a bit shy and didn't know what to say!

We are looking forward to hearing ourselves on the radio.

Filming is fun!

2007-02-02T11:52:00.000Z

First of all myself, Courtney and Charlotte were recorded. We talked about ourselves. After that we filmed each other. We had to talk about ourselves for one minute. We then went out to play, and then we came to the ICT Suite and wrote about it.

To film we had to set the camera and then leave it else it would make the viewers sea sick. We had to talk loudly and clearly.

Joseph

Letter to the Echo

2007-02-02T11:48:00.000Z

2.2.07

Today we wrote a letter to the Editor at the Echo. We asked him to ask the readers to be interviewed. We want them to tell us about their experiences.

Jamie

Questions for a show girl

2007-02-02T11:39:00.000Z

Show girl

What costumes did you wear?

Did you make your own costumes?

Did you dance on your own or with other people?

Hannah.

29.1.07

Pavilion questions

2007-02-02T11:37:00.000Z

Monday 29.1.07

We have been thinking about questions to ask people

by Elliott

Questions for interviews

2007-02-02T11:32:00.000Z

Monday 29.1. 07

We have tried to think of questions which find out what
people remember. It was quite easy.

By Chris

Questions for interviews

2007-02-02T11:29:00.000Z

Cleaning of the Pavilion after the shows

How many people were employed to clean the Pavilion?

Did the audience make much of a mess?

How did you get paid?

How much did you get paid?

Did you get to watch the shows?

Did you look after the costumes when the Actors had changed out of them?

Where were the costumes kept between shows

By Lily and Lauren

2.2.07

2007-02-02T11:25:00.001Z

Spot light man.

Did you have to work up high?

How did you get the colour lights on the stage?

Were you there when the fire started?

By Jack

Questions for interviews

2007-02-02T11:25:00.000Z

Musician 2.2.07

What instrument did you play?

Did the music ever go wrong?

How did you get down to the pit?

Did you meet anybody famous?

Joseph

filmimg

2007-01-29T10:37:00.000Z

We are filming for the pavilion

We are filming the St Andrews childrens
so we can learn how to use the video camera then we are going to film people who have lived in Weymouth and ask them about the Pavilion.

By Hannah and Elliott.

We are filming for the pavilion