RITZ CINEMA 30th ANNIVERSARY...

In early 1995 a plea was made to the Thirsk community by the Town Council - effectively, if you want to keep the cinema in town open, come to a public meeting at 7:30pm on Wednesday 15th February. The poster was titled "Putting on the Ritz" and the content simple 'Anyone who is interested is welcome, we need Your ideas & Your help' and so started the story of The Ritz.

On the evening of the meeting chaired by Joe Salmon over 100 enthusiastic members of the public joined representatives of the Town Council and discussions and suggestions on the future where sought. Within that initial group were people of all ages, but two, who the current cinema volunteers recently managed to catch up with, were only teenagers at the time.

Friends Mike Benson & Sam Ward, both 13 then, went along - their memories form part of our continuing story. Marc Davies the Ritz publicist caught up with Mike at the cinema and Sam via email to reminisce.

At the cinema we discussed that day over thirty years ago and Mike shared what he remembered. Thinking back to then and bearing in mind the age they both were it was understandable details were a bit hazy. But being back in the venue Mike remembered the size of the space - all the larger as a 13 year old and the general positivity of the meeting as suggestions were raised and considered.

Having raised some comments themselves Mike recalls hearing a voice from the back of the auditorium saying "Can those young people at the front be involved?" and so the seed was planted. Sam remembered being exited that The Ritz was going to open, as being a teenager, "with exception of the leisure centre, there was little to do in Thirsk in the early 90's".

They can't recall exactly what role they fulfilled at future meetings, but it was likely to get a 'youth' view on the future and plans, they do however remember what they did so far as day to day operation of the cinema once the Ritz re-opened.

Saturday the 4th of March 1995 the Ritz reopened with 'The latest Walt Disney production THE LION KING'. The launch was an outstanding success with queues. literally. forming down the street.










(To read the rest of this article go along to your nearest stockist and buy a copy of the paper)