E Mpire Cinema Crumlin
A Memory of Crumlin.
Albert Victor Whitaker known locally as Pop was the propieter of the Empire it belonged to Headly Roberts upon who's death was left to his wife and upon her death she left it to the Catholic nuns based in Blackwood. Pop, his wife Betty along with their daughters ,Nora and Irene ran the Cinema and later Bingo for some 40 years. I am Pops granddaughter Heather, daughter of Nora and her husband Capt Harry Hatherell. Bingo started after the cinema trade declined due to TV beIng more a available to all. Bingo was run as a charity affiliated to Crumlin Cricket Club and the funds made enabled the Cricket Club to purchase their own ground at Rhiw Farm Crumlin. Harry was the bingo caller and was also Secretary of the Cricket Club at that time. Crumlin was a thriving village in those days full of charachters like Pop who would never be seen without a Castella cigar in his hand.
Billy Durrant (a keen photograper and part-time Fireman) was the projectionist and all round handyman. Stella Woosencroft and Nina Shepherd also worked at tne Cinema.
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