Thank you for all your kind words about the mice🐁🐁🐁🐁
I mentioned yesterday that it is a hundred years since Brian Aldiss was born in Dereham. At the same time, the townsfolk were celebrating their first cinema. The Old Corn Exchange had been built in 1857 and used for various purposes until the first world war. This photo dates from about 1880. In September 1915, it was slightly damaged in a Zeppelin Raid. 
Here it is as the cinema.You will notice that the statue on top has disappeared - it was destroyed when struck by a bolt of lightning in 1950. The Museum is featuring a special display - including the original ticket machine [which had never before left the building!
Katie asked me for an usherette mouse. So here she is [the current manager is Olly, so K thought Dolly would be a good name] I had fun with her outfit!
Her tray of choc ices is made from a small pill box, cut down and covered with washi tape - and the choc ices are tiny 7mm long sections cut from a cheap chopstick, coloured with brown felt pen, and also wrapped in washi tape. The original girls sold cigarettes, and popcorn came much later - so choc ices seemed a good option!
Here is that ticket machine, a news report, and some vintage posters from the Museum display. I know I visited a few times in my teens, but cannot remember what I saw. I was always amused by the letters they used to spell out film titles. They never seemed to have a complete set for the longer titles [or perhaps they fell off in the wind]. Mary Poppins was OK - but occasionally they displayed things like
-NOW--HIT--AND-THE-EVEN--WA-FS
I will post pictures of my final mouse later - after Friday's Grand Re-Opening ceremony.
Here it is as the cinema.You will notice that the statue on top has disappeared - it was destroyed when struck by a bolt of lightning in 1950. The Museum is featuring a special display - including the original ticket machine [which had never before left the building! 
Those choc ices are a marvel. Your sewing and naking is always so neat and clever
ReplyDeleteIt was a collaboration - Bob cut the chopstick up with his little Japanese handsaw
DeleteThe tiny usherette is a delight! What a clever little model!!! She is a darling!!
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DeleteThe mice are all wonderful and I know it’s fiddly making tiny pieces. . My father’s Aunt Norah was an usherette in Spalding and when she was on duty he was often allowed to go with her and see the films. He always remembered those times with fondness.
ReplyDeleteSue
Oh how lovely to have an Usherette Auntie!
DeleteJust love the usherette mouse, she is delightful.
ReplyDeleteThe tray with the choc ices is genius. Carole R.
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DeleteDolly looks the part. I remember cinema usherettes and their cry of "Choc ices". Chop sticks what an inspired choice. You and Bob are marvels. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteI have a tin full of useful chopsticks - and this one had a 'square section' end
DeleteSo clever, Ang. Chief Mouse maker!
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DeleteIt took me a minute to get the film title. :-)
ReplyDeleteI used to love going to the cinema as a child and having a little tub of ice-cream with a little spade-like spoon. We never had ice-cream at home as we didn't have a freezer.
I was twenty before I even met anyone who had a home freezer! Those little tubs were the height of luxury.
DeleteYou outdid yourself this time! Dolly is exquisite!
ReplyDeleteThose tiny ice creams! Fantastic work. JanF
Thank you Jan
DeleteOH's Auntie was an usherette at their local cinema in Bloxwich, he and his brother always got in for free when she was on duty. Its now a Wetherspoons. I love Dolly the usherette. Xx
ReplyDeleteAll these Aunties who were Usherettes! I love the little old fashioned cinemas like those at Dereham and Fakenham. They are more cosy than the huge multi-screen places ... and often you can see the same films at a fraction of the Big Screen price. I guess becoming a Wetherspoons keeps its character a little
DeleteDolly is so smart. That little hat is so cute. What a team you and Bob make. Hope the kitchen refurbishment is going well.
ReplyDeleteThank you Susan. Refurb has progressed in leaps and bound this week. We hope to do the tiling next week and then we are just about done!
DeleteI love your little mouse usherette, and I remember when we could buy choc ices in the cinema. My aunt was an usherette and her occupation is even listed as such in the 1939 register.
ReplyDeleteIt was an important occupation, clearly!
DeleteThe mouse usherette is absolutely delightful! Warm greetings from Montreal, Canada.
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda, I hope the recent election results prove to be good for Canadians.
DeletePleased to meet you, Dolly! You look so cute!
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