Screen Stories

Screen Stories – Lewes Goes to the Pictures

This book was published by the Lewes History Group on 27 May 2017.

The building of Depot, Lewes’ new cinema, was the original catalyst for Screen Stories. Reel Lewes, a group of Lewes-based film professionals and researchers led by Ruth Thomson, has spent two years investigating the history of the three previous cinemas in the town: the County Theatre (Watergate Lane), Cinema de Luxe (School Hill) and the Odeon (Cliffe), which operated from 1910 to 1971.

Screen Stories book front coverThe team recorded what Lewesians remember about cinema-going in the past. While not intended to be a comprehensive history of Lewes cinemas, Screen Stories does vividly bring to life the importance of film and cinema, both in the life of the town and in the lives of its residents.

With the aim of producing an enticing and amusing read, it combines photographs, advertisements, film posters, programmes, newspaper articles, and architectural plans along with the enthusiastic and enduring memories of the people who frequented these picture palaces.

They have also produced a short film, called ‘Big Screen Memories’, which was shown at the book launch alongside an exhibition at the opening of Depot on 27 May to 30 June 2017.

Screen Stories is available to order by printing this order form and sending it with your cheque to the address shown, price £8.99 plus p&p. It will also be on sale at the Lewes History Group’s monthly meetings, and also from the Lewes Tourist Information Centre.

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