THE great days of cinema were recalled at last week's meeting of the Old Cornwall Society at Clease Hall, Camelford.

David Flower spoke of his years working at the Regal cinema in Delabole and surrounding area during the 1940s and 1960s.

David moved down to Cornwall from London when the family home had been bombed during the war in 1940.

He explained that initially during the war years there was a mobile cinema, which would visit Tintagel, Camelford, Delabole, St Teath and St Breward.

Around this time there were a series that was popular called 'The Clutching Hand'. There were 15 episodes. It was shown at the above venues and patrons had to keep coming back to see the next 'exciting' episode.

At Tintagel in the 1940s there was also a government van, which used to have a screen at the back and people had to stand in the road to watch the film. The van was parked by the side of the Old Post Office at Treven.

During the war years the RAF used to hold infrequent shows in the WI hall, now the The Gift House. It seemed the films were always with George Formby. These were favoured by those in the services. David had lived practically opposite the WI hall and managed to get in to see most of the films.

In 1946-47 David was developing his passion for cinema and even showed hired films to children in Tintagel. He was eleven years old at the time and would charge 6d per child. The film shows finished abruptly when one evening a gentleman came into the Nute's Hotel where Mr Flower's family lived. He asked Mr Flower what he was doing and who was in charge? This gentleman worked for the council. He told Mr Flower in no uncertain terms that the shows could not continue as there were no exit lights. That was the end of the home movie shows.

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.