A special plaque is to be installed at the town’s Pavilion later this month to mark its centenary.
The blue plaque, believed to be the only one in the area, will be unveiled on the building in George Street – it’ll commemorate Alf Shipman and Sam King, the founders of the Hailsham Pavilion.
In 1921, the two British men were excited about the evolution of moving pictures and seized the opportunity to build their first new cinema in Hailsham. The Pavilion became the jewel in the crown of Shipman & King Cinemas Ltd. It was the first of many stylish picture houses.
The plaque will be unveiled on Friday 28th April at 3pm, and on Saturday 29th, the Pavilion will host an evening of jazz from the 1920s and 1930s performed by Chimera Jazz. It’ll celebrate the founders, Shipman and King, with a short talk from Sam King’s granddaughter who will be launching her book ‘Cinema King – a granddaughter’s memoir’.
All proceeds from the evening and any book sales will go to HOPS supporting The Pavilion.
Tickets £10 from Hailsham Pavilion Box Office 01323 841414 or online.
