After the short-lived Monte Duck cinema [32 Cross Hayes] the next experience the town had of this modern phenomenon was when a travelling cinema came to town in 1927. Jack L. Mott (1900-1981). his step-father and mother Mr. & Mrs. Collins set up their portable wooden building in the old Unicorn Inn yard [92 High Street] just off the road near the South Gate (where the Town Forge now is). Power was initially provided by a Lincoln Imp steam engine operated by 2 of the town's part time firemen. George Vanstone who worked at Ratcliffe & Sons (Foundry Road) and Dick Bishop (b 1889). The piano was played by Arthur Phelps. After connected talkies were introduced and the name changed to the Malmesbury Electric Picturedrome. The business prospered but disaster struck on 15th September 1934 when during a severe thunderstorm the structure was hit by lightning. Mr. Mott quickly drew up plans for the first purpose built permanent cinema on the site now occupied by St. Michael's Court. The finance was provided by Councillor James Jones [17 High Street]. There was much opposition to this proposal particularly from the Abbey congregation but the vicar, Revd. James Deane was in favour and expressed his support in one of his sermons. Four cottages were pulled down and the new Athelstan Cinema opened in 1935. This had 333 seats and a panoramic screen was erected in 1955. Between 1983 and 1988 it doubled as a Bingo Hall. Other events such as Carnival Flitch Trials (a couple would agree not to quarrel for a year and the evidence would be heard at the trial to see if they deserved the flitch, a side of bacon) were held here in late 1930s. It finally closed in 1988 and was demolished in 1993.
During the construction of the present houses in 2003 an archaeological investigation was carried out here. This revealed a graveyard and 76 burials of men, women and children. These bodies were removed for analysis leaving many more in situ. It seems that in medieval times this area was used for graves of the townspeople. This is a puzzle as St. Paul's was the parish church then and this cemetery seems to have been well within the grounds of the monastery.
Source: Charles Vernon
