Astra Cinemas

Hi this Swinderbys cinema, not sure if its still there? the photo was taken in 2007.

All the best Matt;)

It was demolised in May 2009. Photos on the AiX thread of the pile of rubble!

There was an Astra at Halton which might even be still going, no picture, sorry

Hi this Swinderbys cinema, not sure if its still there? the photo was taken in 2007.

All the best Matt;)

JK old chap….I have tried Pm’g you about the other stuff…any news? cheers Tony

Best not give our customers beer cans….

Hence the motto…
Per Ardua Ad Astra: After work, to the cinema 🙂

Johnny

This was taken by a friend of mine at RAF Katunayake [aka RAF Negombo] in 1959, the ‘asTra’ was constructed between 1948-51

This one was taken by myself at RAF Gan Maldives in 1959, there was no need for a sign, an all male station and if the film was a good one you threw the empty beer cans at the screen, if the film was bad you threw the full ones, Richard Branson on your Multiplex Cinemas eat yer ‘eart out

Thanks guys, but the Duxford sign, whilst undoubtedly correct, lacks a certain visual flair! I may well be chasing something which never existed, and every Astra cinema may indeed have had a straightforward lettered or even stencilled (!) sign. I will try the AIX, although a search on their forum turned up no Astra cinemas a direct question may well bear fruit.

JK

There are a few images on the net of Astra signs – Duxford still has a pretty much original Astra, at least the seats feel like they have seen a few airmen’s posteriors over the years!!

If you haven’t already tried give AIX a try…
http://www.airfieldinformationexchange.org/index.php

They have some threads of old RAF stations with pics…

EDIT:
Meh, beaten to the draw – that’s what happens when you go to make toast halfway through posting….

Is this any good?

Johnny,
As you probably know there’s an Astra cinema at Duxford. They show films there occasionally and it’s run by some real enthusiasts who I believe are based at the IWM at Lambeth. You might try them as they probably have access to the IWM archives. Good luck.