October News Roundup

As autumn arrives and the evenings draw in, the Selsey Pavilion Trust continues to work hard to preserve the Pavilion’s heritage and bring people together through the new Pavilion Studio. October has been another busy month, with a growing programme of activities, a successful open morning and continued support from the local community.

However, first we have to pay our respects and acknowledge the passing of our fellow trustee and dear friend, Professor Pamela Howard OBE.

Pamela Howard OBE: A Remarkable Life, An Enduring Legacy at the Selsey Pavilion

The Selsey Pavilion Trust was deeply saddened by the passing of Pamela Howard OBE, an internationally acclaimed scenographer, director, artist and educator whose extraordinary career inspired generations of theatre practitioners. For us in Selsey, however, Pamela’s legacy is especially close to home. After moving to Selsey in 2003, Pamela alerted the Theatres Trust to the Pavilion’s plight, helping to set in motion the campaign that would ultimately save the building. That journey reached a landmark milestone in February 2024, when the Theatres Trust finally secured ownership of the Pavilion, safeguarding its future. Pamela remained a passionate champion throughout, bringing the building to life through productions including The End of the Journey and Tonight at the Pavilion… Charlie Chaplin, as well as designing and hand-painting its wonderful History Wall. Remembered by fellow trustees for her boundless enthusiasm, creativity, warmth and wonderfully eccentric sense of humour, Pamela never stopped believing in what the Pavilion could become. Her contribution to international theatre was immense, but here in Selsey her legacy will live on in the very building she helped to save. We are profoundly grateful for everything she did and will miss her enormously. To read the Selsey Pavilion Trust's full tribute to Pamela, click here.

A Growing Programme at the Pavilion Studio

The new Studio Snippets feature introduces some of the activities taking place at the Studio and highlights what’s coming up.

Chichester Festival Theatre’s Get Acting workshops continue on Thursday evenings, offering a friendly opportunity to explore acting techniques, build confidence and unleash creativity.

The Studio will also welcome a new craft group, with its first meet-and-greet session on 10 November. Crafters of all abilities and interests are invited to come along, share ideas and meet others. A festive gathering with mince pies and Christmas crafts is planned for December.

Other upcoming events include a drop-in session with the Selsey Photo Archive Group, gathering memories of businesses on the High Street, and a mantra singing session.

A Successful Open Morning

The Pavilion Studio’s open morning on 3 October was a great success, welcoming 55 visitors in just two hours. Combined with the first open morning, the total number of visitors has reached 100.

It was wonderful to hear visitors’ compliments, answer questions and share memories of the Pavilion. The restored vintage cinema projector, brought back to life by Mark Stuckey of The Repair Shop, proved a particular talking point, alongside the collection of vintage film posters on display.

The event also led to several new film poster sponsorships, while donations to the Trust’s scale model of the Pavilion were greatly appreciated.

Two more open mornings are planned before Christmas. The next is on Saturday 14 November, followed by a special themed event on Saturday 12 December, celebrating Selsey’s pantomime history. The Trust hopes to bring back happy memories of a time when as many as 300 people would squeeze into the Pavilion to enjoy a show.

Supporting the Trust’s Work

The Trust is grateful for the continued generosity and enthusiasm of the local community. The Co-op Community Fund’s application period closes on 17 October, and the Trust hopes to share news of its grant in the November newsletter.

There are also opportunities to support the project by sponsoring one of the vintage film posters for £25. Many posters are already on display in the Studio, with more awaiting framing. Anyone interested in choosing a poster to sponsor can contact the Trust for details.

Every donation and expression of support helps the Trust continue its work to preserve the Pavilion’s history and develop the Studio as a welcoming community space.

Glancing Backwards: Genevieve

This month’s Glancing Backwards takes us back to October 1956 and the much-loved British comedy Genevieve.

Released in 1953, the Technicolor film stars Dinah Sheridan, John Gregson, Kay Kendall and Kenneth More. Its story follows two rivals taking part in a veteran car race from London to Brighton, with a £100 wager adding to the competition and comic chaos along the way.

The film proved especially popular with audiences at the Pavilion, receiving several return screenings over the years and becoming its highest-grossing film for the proprietors. Its enduring popularity makes it a fitting choice for this month’s look back at the cinema’s rich history.

Looking Ahead

From creative workshops and craft gatherings to local history projects and nostalgic film memories, the Pavilion Studio is continuing to grow as a place for the community to meet, share experiences and celebrate Selsey’s heritage.

The Selsey Pavilion Trust would like to thank everyone who has visited, donated, sponsored a poster or helped spread the word. Your continued interest and support are greatly appreciated.