Bringing memories of the former Odeon back to life (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

St Albans Civic Society awarded Heritage Lottery Grant

4:20pm Wednesday 10th August 2011 in News By Manisha Mistry

MEMORIES of the former Odeon cinema will be gathered for an oral history project thanks to a £32,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The St Albans Civic Society, which applied for the grant, has teamed up with local writer Anna Reynolds to bring history to life.

Named the Odeon Journey, it will recreate residents’ most precious cinematic moments, from the times when the art deco building was a working cinema.

Anna Reynolds, project manager, said the people of St Albans will be able to get involved, helping to create the oral history piece, which will be launched at an exhibition at St Albans Museum and the Odyssey cinema, building work permitting, in 2012.

She added: “Cinema gives us some of our most magical experiences. We’re thrilled to get the grant, and the opportunity to celebrate this building’s heritage.

“Just today I was talking to people who were telling me that for them, going to the Odeon was a big Saturday night event. It’s these memories we want to gather.”

Odeon Journey will begin in September 2011 where people will be invited to share their own – and their parents’ and grandparents’ – memories of the cinema. A stall will be held at St Albans market on September 10 where the information will be gathered.

Children from Camp School and Mandeville School will also take part in the project and there will be the chance for up to 15 volunteers to receive oral history training too.

Marion Hammant of St Albans Civic Society said: We're delighted. The Civic Society campaigned long and hard to save the Odeon from demolition, and we're glad people's memories of this iconic St Albans building can now have the permanence they deserve.”

For more information about the project visit www.odeonjourney.org.uk