Sean Hawkins

Yes. Right, you go first, Peter. Don't trip over the step.

Yes. Right, you go first, Peter. Don't trip over the step.

Reigate, it did have a swimming bath, of course, up top of Tunnell Road, you know, just opposite the council buildings. But this was something rather different, more of a Lido.

Reigate, it did have a swimming bath, of course, up top of Tunnell Road, you know, just opposite the council buildings. But this was something rather different, more of a Lido.

It's slightly difficult to determine which direction we're looking at. One's rather lost one's sense of direction. We've come down from there. Now, that's probably south. This must be the western end of the pool here. You can see here that this angle suggests that it ran slightly from northeast to southwest.

It's slightly difficult to determine which direction we're looking at. One's rather lost one's sense of direction. We've come down from there. Now, that's probably south. This must be the western end of the pool here. You can see here that this angle suggests that it ran slightly from northeast to southwest.

And they had a little shop here too. Jack used to sell drinks and... Afternoon teas as well. Afternoon teas, that's right. Yes.

And they had a little shop here too. Jack used to sell drinks and... Afternoon teas as well. Afternoon teas, that's right. Yes.

There were changing rooms. Small. Still there.

There were changing rooms. Small. Still there.

As far as one understands it, during the war it was closed, and then it reopened after the war, and it rather staggered along with it. And it had a slightly, amongst the... It had a rather strange reputation. Those who loved it and those who thought it was a terribly dirty place and wouldn't allow their children to swim there.

As far as one understands it, during the war it was closed, and then it reopened after the war, and it rather staggered along with it. And it had a slightly, amongst the... It had a rather strange reputation. Those who loved it and those who thought it was a terribly dirty place and wouldn't allow their children to swim there.

I met several people when I was doing work on it who'd been told, they've grown up now in fact at my age, and were saying, you know, we weren't allowed to come here.

I met several people when I was doing work on it who'd been told, they've grown up now in fact at my age, and were saying, you know, we weren't allowed to come here.

Yeah, the eastern end, there were certainly quite a lot of trees hanging over it.

Yeah, the eastern end, there were certainly quite a lot of trees hanging over it.

I don't know, and I can't tell you exactly what the season was. Probably a little bit more exploration in the same era. You'd be able to discover that.

I don't know, and I can't tell you exactly what the season was. Probably a little bit more exploration in the same era. You'd be able to discover that.

Yes, yes. That was definitely so.

Yes, yes. That was definitely so.

That was inside. This was the only outdoor pool, and that was the thing in the summer. It was just so nice to come and swim your lengths or just sit down. I think quite a lot of people probably never swam here, just lay on one of their loungers and got brown.

That was inside. This was the only outdoor pool, and that was the thing in the summer. It was just so nice to come and swim your lengths or just sit down. I think quite a lot of people probably never swam here, just lay on one of their loungers and got brown.

I don't from any great distance. I think mostly local people and quite young people, I would think. Certainly the one person who I'm very close to and who used to come here when she was a girl describes it as somewhere she went in her lunch hour. So I don't think it was very expensive to bathe here. And it was quite pleasant and they apparently were allowed to bring their sandwiches.

I don't from any great distance. I think mostly local people and quite young people, I would think. Certainly the one person who I'm very close to and who used to come here when she was a girl describes it as somewhere she went in her lunch hour. So I don't think it was very expensive to bathe here. And it was quite pleasant and they apparently were allowed to bring their sandwiches.

I think that was right. They wanted a little bit of a leisure centre. And also, I think on the back of what they were offering here, it was an encouragement to the local council to grant them the right to... do the work they had to do. And this road that had to go in, Bancroft Road, didn't go through without quite a few problems.

I think that was right. They wanted a little bit of a leisure centre. And also, I think on the back of what they were offering here, it was an encouragement to the local council to grant them the right to... do the work they had to do. And this road that had to go in, Bancroft Road, didn't go through without quite a few problems.

There was one very old house which they pulled down, which was, in its day, quite frequently photographed, dating back to Elizabethan times, Cottage. And so local people were not totally in favour of it.

There was one very old house which they pulled down, which was, in its day, quite frequently photographed, dating back to Elizabethan times, Cottage. And so local people were not totally in favour of it.

No, no.

No, no.

Yes, I think the chap who had it didn't run it very well. And he had other cafes in Ryegate and in Redhill. And this was probably because it was just seasonal. Didn't do him a lot of good. Early 50s, it was gone. Tried to sell it. and wasn't successful. And when it says sell it, I'm not sure who actually owned the land.

Yes, I think the chap who had it didn't run it very well. And he had other cafes in Ryegate and in Redhill. And this was probably because it was just seasonal. Didn't do him a lot of good. Early 50s, it was gone. Tried to sell it. and wasn't successful. And when it says sell it, I'm not sure who actually owned the land.

I assume the Bancrofts did still, but that may not have been the case, because they partly sold out to Shipman and King, who were a large distributor of films, and they had cinemas all over Sussex and just a few in Surrey.

I assume the Bancrofts did still, but that may not have been the case, because they partly sold out to Shipman and King, who were a large distributor of films, and they had cinemas all over Sussex and just a few in Surrey.

Yes, yes. It is really quite a sight to see. It's certainly something that has not been explored. I think in a way it's almost too recent. We used to have a very good column in the local paper called At the Crossroads, and an old boy wrote this. And he'd wrote about almost every aspect, but he never ever wrote about... as far as I can find. I've read most of his columns.

Yes, yes. It is really quite a sight to see. It's certainly something that has not been explored. I think in a way it's almost too recent. We used to have a very good column in the local paper called At the Crossroads, and an old boy wrote this. And he'd wrote about almost every aspect, but he never ever wrote about... as far as I can find. I've read most of his columns.

Never wrote ever about the swimming pool, which is really odd.

Never wrote ever about the swimming pool, which is really odd.

It still surprises me slightly, this part of it, this ramp down into it. And I'm just wondering if this is later and that this is the edge of the pool here. there would have been no reason for a ramp like this. I think that's the base, obviously here, for the original swimming pool. So all this is additional, I think.

It still surprises me slightly, this part of it, this ramp down into it. And I'm just wondering if this is later and that this is the edge of the pool here. there would have been no reason for a ramp like this. I think that's the base, obviously here, for the original swimming pool. So all this is additional, I think.

Yes. Anyway, great. Thank you very much indeed. I do like this.

Yes. Anyway, great. Thank you very much indeed. I do like this.

This could have been the little cafe, just possibly in here.

This could have been the little cafe, just possibly in here.

It certainly did have little changing rooms and I think it ran around here, this western end.

It certainly did have little changing rooms and I think it ran around here, this western end.

And also, of course, Rygate Garage, which was immediately here. Their workshops were here.

And also, of course, Rygate Garage, which was immediately here. Their workshops were here.

I don't know. I don't know how noisy it would have been particularly. It might get a bit smelly with the petrol. They sold petrol there.

I don't know. I don't know how noisy it would have been particularly. It might get a bit smelly with the petrol. They sold petrol there.

Well, yes, I think it began to be. It was a kind of bypass for the town. And, of course, you could go round Bancroft Road and then back up Bell Street, or you could come down Bell Street into Bancroft Road. It was quite an interesting little way round the town still, but it serves a different purpose.

Well, yes, I think it began to be. It was a kind of bypass for the town. And, of course, you could go round Bancroft Road and then back up Bell Street, or you could come down Bell Street into Bancroft Road. It was quite an interesting little way round the town still, but it serves a different purpose.

It's still a cinema, and it still offers something that a lot of towns have lost completely. I mean, yes, Rygate has changed, but... I know many other towns, my hometown Yeovil and Somerset, you can hardly recognise it. Everything's demolished that ever was worth preserving. The only things that survive are things that are absolutely hideous. Reigate has at least been saved from that.

It's still a cinema, and it still offers something that a lot of towns have lost completely. I mean, yes, Rygate has changed, but... I know many other towns, my hometown Yeovil and Somerset, you can hardly recognise it. Everything's demolished that ever was worth preserving. The only things that survive are things that are absolutely hideous. Reigate has at least been saved from that.

And that's a wonderful thing, I think.

And that's a wonderful thing, I think.

No, the road was more or less constructed at the time that the pool was constructed. And the car park, which was behind the cinema, was actually a land that was acquired by the council. But there was an agreement. Because Bancroft had bought this land... It was agreed that users of the cinema could park their cars here free of charge.

No, the road was more or less constructed at the time that the pool was constructed. And the car park, which was behind the cinema, was actually a land that was acquired by the council. But there was an agreement. Because Bancroft had bought this land... It was agreed that users of the cinema could park their cars here free of charge.

They didn't have the system that we have today of charging anyway. It just was very fortunate that the council in a way welcomed, which they might well have said, well, we've got one cinema already, although it was rather old-fashioned by that stage. It was known as the Flea Pit. the Hippodrome, but it did have its clientele. People did like it.

They didn't have the system that we have today of charging anyway. It just was very fortunate that the council in a way welcomed, which they might well have said, well, we've got one cinema already, although it was rather old-fashioned by that stage. It was known as the Flea Pit. the Hippodrome, but it did have its clientele. People did like it.

But the Majestic, of course, had its own great theatre organ. It was very much Art Deco style. It was exactly of the period. Lots of chrome and ocean liner windows. Of course, I remember it well, of course, as a kid. Great. Thank you very much.

But the Majestic, of course, had its own great theatre organ. It was very much Art Deco style. It was exactly of the period. Lots of chrome and ocean liner windows. Of course, I remember it well, of course, as a kid. Great. Thank you very much.

Not quite next to each other. Before Bancroft Road came into being, there were two, if not three, shops where Bancroft Road enters Bell Street. Very old buildings, I'm sure, today. They would not have been allowed to be pulled down. Then there were... two other businesses, and the Hippodrome was just a little bit further north in Bell Street, on the right-hand side, the eastern side.

Not quite next to each other. Before Bancroft Road came into being, there were two, if not three, shops where Bancroft Road enters Bell Street. Very old buildings, I'm sure, today. They would not have been allowed to be pulled down. Then there were... two other businesses, and the Hippodrome was just a little bit further north in Bell Street, on the right-hand side, the eastern side.

And that occupied land back probably about 100, 150 yards back. And so when he... Because cinemas have to be quite deep, don't they? Yes, they have to be deep. And he was able to acquire this land for... relatively small amount of money.

And that occupied land back probably about 100, 150 yards back. And so when he... Because cinemas have to be quite deep, don't they? Yes, they have to be deep. And he was able to acquire this land for... relatively small amount of money.

Would it be on the same kind of footprint as the... Majestic went back to just about where this office is now. So the furthest development in Bank Off Road here is where the cinema reached. There was an emergency exit just beyond... the entrance to the car park under this building, Bancroft Place.

Would it be on the same kind of footprint as the... Majestic went back to just about where this office is now. So the furthest development in Bank Off Road here is where the cinema reached. There was an emergency exit just beyond... the entrance to the car park under this building, Bancroft Place.

Oh, yes, yes, yes. I remember the Hippodrome. It was quite amusing. It had very much sort of second-string films, but it had a lot of the Hammer House of horror and that sort of thing. And when I was young, I quite liked occasionally to go and see that. But I suppose when most often went for the more important feature films were The Majestic. Mrs Bancroft died before The Majestic was complete.

Oh, yes, yes, yes. I remember the Hippodrome. It was quite amusing. It had very much sort of second-string films, but it had a lot of the Hammer House of horror and that sort of thing. And when I was young, I quite liked occasionally to go and see that. But I suppose when most often went for the more important feature films were The Majestic. Mrs Bancroft died before The Majestic was complete.

Indeed, I think she'd lived to see the foundation stones laid. And her husband, although he had financial interests in it, he had quite a few cinemas up in the East Midlands and he spent most of his time there. He always kept a flat here all his life. His wife seems to have been in his thoughts.

Indeed, I think she'd lived to see the foundation stones laid. And her husband, although he had financial interests in it, he had quite a few cinemas up in the East Midlands and he spent most of his time there. He always kept a flat here all his life. His wife seems to have been in his thoughts.

Every year he had a memoriam piece put in the local paper and apparently his loss was really heartfelt all his life.

Every year he had a memoriam piece put in the local paper and apparently his loss was really heartfelt all his life.

I mean, they must have met. Maybe they met halfway somewhere. I've no idea. I mean, but maybe the romance was not quite so heated in their later years. And certainly she was... quite ill for the last year or so of her life.

I mean, they must have met. Maybe they met halfway somewhere. I've no idea. I mean, but maybe the romance was not quite so heated in their later years. And certainly she was... quite ill for the last year or so of her life.

They had quite a hard carapace. You had to. You couldn't survive in that environment. But she was obviously a very good businesswoman. And he trusted her. It's an unusual relationship. As far as I know, it was his only really second solid relationship. The first relationship was with his sister.

They had quite a hard carapace. You had to. You couldn't survive in that environment. But she was obviously a very good businesswoman. And he trusted her. It's an unusual relationship. As far as I know, it was his only really second solid relationship. The first relationship was with his sister.

And when she decided to marry and retire and have a child, then he joined up with this lady that he'd been seeing around the musicals. And that relationship seemed to have satisfied him.

And when she decided to marry and retire and have a child, then he joined up with this lady that he'd been seeing around the musicals. And that relationship seemed to have satisfied him.

If you read some of the stage newspapers, which are online now, there is quite a bit about her. She, of course, had made her name as a lady with a good pair of legs who could look well in a pair of tights, particularly at pantomime time and so on. This was quite scandalous in the 20s and 30s.

If you read some of the stage newspapers, which are online now, there is quite a bit about her. She, of course, had made her name as a lady with a good pair of legs who could look well in a pair of tights, particularly at pantomime time and so on. This was quite scandalous in the 20s and 30s.

Yes, and she appeared on Cigarette Card, which was a popular picture gallery of the times, one of the very first picture card producers of a firm called Ogham's, and it's the only photograph I've seen of her in her less-dressed attire. LAUGHTER And later on, she was very keen, when they had this cinema in Reigate after 1916, she invited acts here to come and perform on the stage of the cinema.

Yes, and she appeared on Cigarette Card, which was a popular picture gallery of the times, one of the very first picture card producers of a firm called Ogham's, and it's the only photograph I've seen of her in her less-dressed attire. LAUGHTER And later on, she was very keen, when they had this cinema in Reigate after 1916, she invited acts here to come and perform on the stage of the cinema.

And they also had choirs and bands, and at Christmas, a variety performance. So it was, in a way, as well as a cinema, it was also a music hall itself.

And they also had choirs and bands, and at Christmas, a variety performance. So it was, in a way, as well as a cinema, it was also a music hall itself.

But I think she probably had a good eye for an act, which would make money for them. In the Majestic, they used to have, Christmas time, they'd have a band and choirs come and sing. So it wasn't entirely, even then, with this Art Deco cinema, she was also having live performances. occasions with live acts, effectively. Quite interesting that that survived.

But I think she probably had a good eye for an act, which would make money for them. In the Majestic, they used to have, Christmas time, they'd have a band and choirs come and sing. So it wasn't entirely, even then, with this Art Deco cinema, she was also having live performances. occasions with live acts, effectively. Quite interesting that that survived.

How long it's like, I think even in the wartime, she had some acts, some comedians as well.

How long it's like, I think even in the wartime, she had some acts, some comedians as well.

I don't know. I did get in contact with... a nephew who was an academic. I don't think he knew anything about what had happened to the Bancroft fortune, if indeed there was a substantial one left, but she had been a very keen member of the Catholic Church, and when the new church was built in Reigate in the 30s, Quite a lot of money, it was just after she died, was given in her memory.

I don't know. I did get in contact with... a nephew who was an academic. I don't think he knew anything about what had happened to the Bancroft fortune, if indeed there was a substantial one left, but she had been a very keen member of the Catholic Church, and when the new church was built in Reigate in the 30s, Quite a lot of money, it was just after she died, was given in her memory.

And I think her husband continued to support the church in all sorts of ways. And he gave an organ to the church, and I think they have a baptistry there, which was also paid for by him. So this, I think, also does show the measure of his love of his wife, that he...

And I think her husband continued to support the church in all sorts of ways. And he gave an organ to the church, and I think they have a baptistry there, which was also paid for by him. So this, I think, also does show the measure of his love of his wife, that he...

No, and I don't know, even locally, although they used the name in their relationship as Bancroft, until the mid-30s, their name was still, his name was still Abelhans, his son's name.

No, and I don't know, even locally, although they used the name in their relationship as Bancroft, until the mid-30s, their name was still, his name was still Abelhans, his son's name.

No, nobody knows. Well, of course, there was Squire Bancroft, the great, great late 19th-century actor, very much in the sort of Henry Irving mould. He was always called Squire Bancroft, and he was actually, I think, knighted, like Sir Henry Irving. So, yes, possibly that. So he was a sort of musical Squire Bancroft, thought of himself that way.

No, nobody knows. Well, of course, there was Squire Bancroft, the great, great late 19th-century actor, very much in the sort of Henry Irving mould. He was always called Squire Bancroft, and he was actually, I think, knighted, like Sir Henry Irving. So, yes, possibly that. So he was a sort of musical Squire Bancroft, thought of himself that way.

Yes, they were that. I mean, one can't ignore the fact that they would have seen a financial result, which they would hope would have been to their advantage, but of course wouldn't envisage the war. Certainly when the project began, they didn't envisage that she would die before it was finished.

Yes, they were that. I mean, one can't ignore the fact that they would have seen a financial result, which they would hope would have been to their advantage, but of course wouldn't envisage the war. Certainly when the project began, they didn't envisage that she would die before it was finished.

So it may well have been that Harry Bancroft, after her death, though he did come to write it, we know this, he kept this flat, he didn't come that often, I suspect. So his heart wasn't here. It ended really with his wife's death, which is why Poole House, this whole project, was something I think they'd thought up together.

So it may well have been that Harry Bancroft, after her death, though he did come to write it, we know this, he kept this flat, he didn't come that often, I suspect. So his heart wasn't here. It ended really with his wife's death, which is why Poole House, this whole project, was something I think they'd thought up together.

And sadly, apart from the road and the fact that there is a cinema on the site, that's really all that we have to record them, which is why it's important the work you do and other people do is to keep the name alive and explain why the road is called Bancroft Road. This is why I started to investigate it years ago.

And sadly, apart from the road and the fact that there is a cinema on the site, that's really all that we have to record them, which is why it's important the work you do and other people do is to keep the name alive and explain why the road is called Bancroft Road. This is why I started to investigate it years ago.

It's still a cinema, and it still offers something that a lot of towns have lost completely. I mean, yes, Rygate has changed, but... I know many other towns, my hometown, Yeovil and Somerset, you can hardly recognise it. Everything's demolished that ever was worth preserving. The only things that survive are things that are absolutely hideous.

It's still a cinema, and it still offers something that a lot of towns have lost completely. I mean, yes, Rygate has changed, but... I know many other towns, my hometown, Yeovil and Somerset, you can hardly recognise it. Everything's demolished that ever was worth preserving. The only things that survive are things that are absolutely hideous.

Reigate has at least been saved from that, and that's a wonderful thing, I think.

Reigate has at least been saved from that, and that's a wonderful thing, I think.

Thank you so much.

Thank you so much.

The road was more or less constructed at the time that the pool was constructed. And the car park, which was behind the cinema, was actually... Land was acquired by the council. But there was an agreement. Because Bancroft had bought this land... It was agreed that users of the cinema could park their cars here free of charge. They didn't have the system that we have today of charging anyway.

The road was more or less constructed at the time that the pool was constructed. And the car park, which was behind the cinema, was actually... Land was acquired by the council. But there was an agreement. Because Bancroft had bought this land... It was agreed that users of the cinema could park their cars here free of charge. They didn't have the system that we have today of charging anyway.

It just was very fortunate that the council, in a way, welcomed, which they might well have said, well, we've got one cinema already, although it was... rather old-fashioned by that stage. It was known as the Flea Pit, the Hippodrome. But it did have its clientele. People did like it. But the Majestic, of course, had its own great theatre organ. It was very much Art Deco style.

It just was very fortunate that the council, in a way, welcomed, which they might well have said, well, we've got one cinema already, although it was... rather old-fashioned by that stage. It was known as the Flea Pit, the Hippodrome. But it did have its clientele. People did like it. But the Majestic, of course, had its own great theatre organ. It was very much Art Deco style.

It was exactly of the period. Lots of chrome and ocean liner windows. Because I remember it well, of course. That's OK. Great. Well, thank you very much.

It was exactly of the period. Lots of chrome and ocean liner windows. Because I remember it well, of course. That's OK. Great. Well, thank you very much.

Not quite next to each other. Before Bancroft Road came into being, there were two, if not three shops there. where Bancroft Road enters Bell Street. Very old buildings, I'm sure, today. They would not have been allowed to be pulled down. Then there were... two other businesses, and the Hippodrome was just a little bit further north in Bell Street, on the right-hand side, the eastern side.

Not quite next to each other. Before Bancroft Road came into being, there were two, if not three shops there. where Bancroft Road enters Bell Street. Very old buildings, I'm sure, today. They would not have been allowed to be pulled down. Then there were... two other businesses, and the Hippodrome was just a little bit further north in Bell Street, on the right-hand side, the eastern side.

And that occupied land back probably about 100, 150 yards back. Because cinemas have to be quite deep, don't they? Yes, they have to be deep. And he was able to acquire this land for relatively small amount of money.

And that occupied land back probably about 100, 150 yards back. Because cinemas have to be quite deep, don't they? Yes, they have to be deep. And he was able to acquire this land for relatively small amount of money.

Would it be on the same kind of footprint as the... Majestic went back to just about where this office is now. So the furthest development in Bank Off Road here is where the cinema reached. There was an emergency exit just beyond... the entrance to the car park under this building, Bancroft Place.

Would it be on the same kind of footprint as the... Majestic went back to just about where this office is now. So the furthest development in Bank Off Road here is where the cinema reached. There was an emergency exit just beyond... the entrance to the car park under this building, Bancroft Place.

Oh, yes, yes. I remember the Hippodrome. It was quite amusing. It had very much sort of second-string films, but it had a lot of the Hammer House of horror and that sort of thing. And when I was young, I quite liked occasionally to go and see that. But I suppose when most often went for the more important feature films were at the Majestic. Mrs Bancroft died before the Majestic was complete.

Oh, yes, yes. I remember the Hippodrome. It was quite amusing. It had very much sort of second-string films, but it had a lot of the Hammer House of horror and that sort of thing. And when I was young, I quite liked occasionally to go and see that. But I suppose when most often went for the more important feature films were at the Majestic. Mrs Bancroft died before the Majestic was complete.

Indeed, I think she'd lived to see the foundation stones laid. And her husband, although he had financial interests in it, he had quite a few cinemas up in the East Midlands and he spent most of his time there. He always kept a flat here all his life. His wife seems to have been in his thoughts.

Indeed, I think she'd lived to see the foundation stones laid. And her husband, although he had financial interests in it, he had quite a few cinemas up in the East Midlands and he spent most of his time there. He always kept a flat here all his life. His wife seems to have been in his thoughts.

Every year he had a memoriam piece put in the local paper and apparently his loss was really heartfelt all his life.

Every year he had a memoriam piece put in the local paper and apparently his loss was really heartfelt all his life.

I mean, they must have met. Maybe they met halfway somewhere. I've no idea. I mean, but maybe the romance was not quite so heated in their later years. And certainly she was quite ill for the last year or so of her life.

I mean, they must have met. Maybe they met halfway somewhere. I've no idea. I mean, but maybe the romance was not quite so heated in their later years. And certainly she was quite ill for the last year or so of her life.

She was a strong woman.

She was a strong woman.

They had quite a hard carapace. You had to. You couldn't survive in that environment. And she was obviously a very good businesswoman. And he trusted her. It's an unusual relationship. As far as I know, it was his only really second solid relationship.

They had quite a hard carapace. You had to. You couldn't survive in that environment. And she was obviously a very good businesswoman. And he trusted her. It's an unusual relationship. As far as I know, it was his only really second solid relationship.

The first relationship was with his sister, and when she decided to marry and retire and have a child, then he joined up with this lady that he'd been seeing around the musicals, and that relationship seemed to have satisfied him.

The first relationship was with his sister, and when she decided to marry and retire and have a child, then he joined up with this lady that he'd been seeing around the musicals, and that relationship seemed to have satisfied him.

If you read some of the stage newspapers, which are online now, there is quite a bit about her. She, of course, had made her name as a lady with a good pair of legs who could look well in a pair of tights, particularly at pantomime time and so on. This was quite scandalous in the 20s and 30s. Yes, and she appeared on a cigarette card, which was a popular picture gallery of the times.

If you read some of the stage newspapers, which are online now, there is quite a bit about her. She, of course, had made her name as a lady with a good pair of legs who could look well in a pair of tights, particularly at pantomime time and so on. This was quite scandalous in the 20s and 30s. Yes, and she appeared on a cigarette card, which was a popular picture gallery of the times.

One of the very first picture card producers of a firm called Ogham's. And it's the only photograph I've seen of her in her less-dressed attire. LAUGHTER And later on, she was very keen, when they had this cinema in Reigate after 1916, she invited acts here to come and perform on the stage of the cinema. And they also had choirs and bands, and at Christmas, a variety performance.

One of the very first picture card producers of a firm called Ogham's. And it's the only photograph I've seen of her in her less-dressed attire. LAUGHTER And later on, she was very keen, when they had this cinema in Reigate after 1916, she invited acts here to come and perform on the stage of the cinema. And they also had choirs and bands, and at Christmas, a variety performance.

So it was, in a way, as well as a cinema, it was also a music hall itself.

So it was, in a way, as well as a cinema, it was also a music hall itself.

But I think she probably had a good eye for an act which would make money for them. In the Majestic, they used to have, Christmas time, they'd have a band and choirs come and sing. So it wasn't entirely, even then, with this Art Deco cinema... She was also having live occasions with live acts, effectively. Quite interesting that that survived.

But I think she probably had a good eye for an act which would make money for them. In the Majestic, they used to have, Christmas time, they'd have a band and choirs come and sing. So it wasn't entirely, even then, with this Art Deco cinema... She was also having live occasions with live acts, effectively. Quite interesting that that survived.

How long it survived, I think even in the wartime she had some acts, some comedians as well.

How long it survived, I think even in the wartime she had some acts, some comedians as well.

I don't know. I did get in contact with Neveu. who was an academic. I don't think he knew anything about what had happened to the Bancroft fortune, if indeed there was a substantial one left. But she had been a very keen member of the Catholic Church. And when the new church was built in Reigate in the 30s, quite a lot of money, it was just after she died, was given in her memory.

I don't know. I did get in contact with Neveu. who was an academic. I don't think he knew anything about what had happened to the Bancroft fortune, if indeed there was a substantial one left. But she had been a very keen member of the Catholic Church. And when the new church was built in Reigate in the 30s, quite a lot of money, it was just after she died, was given in her memory.

And I think her husband continued to support the church in all sorts of ways. And he gave an organ to the church and I think they have a baptistry there which was also paid for by him. So this, I think, also does show the measure of his love of his wife.

And I think her husband continued to support the church in all sorts of ways. And he gave an organ to the church and I think they have a baptistry there which was also paid for by him. So this, I think, also does show the measure of his love of his wife.

No, and I don't know, even locally, although they used the name in their relationship as Bancroft, until the mid-30s, his name was still Abraham, his son-in-law.

No, and I don't know, even locally, although they used the name in their relationship as Bancroft, until the mid-30s, his name was still Abraham, his son-in-law.

No, nobody knows. Well, of course, there was Squire Bancroft, the great, great late 19th-century actor, very much in the sort of Henry Irving mould. He was always called Squire Bancroft, and he was actually, I think, knighted, like Sir Henry Irving. So, yes, possibly that. So he was a sort of musical Squire Bancroft, thought of himself that way.

No, nobody knows. Well, of course, there was Squire Bancroft, the great, great late 19th-century actor, very much in the sort of Henry Irving mould. He was always called Squire Bancroft, and he was actually, I think, knighted, like Sir Henry Irving. So, yes, possibly that. So he was a sort of musical Squire Bancroft, thought of himself that way.

Yes, they were that. I mean, one can't ignore the fact that they would have seen a financial result, which they would hope would have been to their advantage, but of course wouldn't envisage the war. Certainly when the project began, they didn't envisage that she would die before it was finished.

Yes, they were that. I mean, one can't ignore the fact that they would have seen a financial result, which they would hope would have been to their advantage, but of course wouldn't envisage the war. Certainly when the project began, they didn't envisage that she would die before it was finished.

So it may well have been that Harry Bancroft, after her death, though he did come to Rygate, we know this, he kept this flat, he didn't come that often, I suspect. So his heart wasn't here. It ended really with his wife's death, which is why Poole House, this whole project, was something I think they'd thought up together.

So it may well have been that Harry Bancroft, after her death, though he did come to Rygate, we know this, he kept this flat, he didn't come that often, I suspect. So his heart wasn't here. It ended really with his wife's death, which is why Poole House, this whole project, was something I think they'd thought up together.

And sadly, apart from the road and the fact that there is a cinema on the site, that's really all that we have to record them, which is why it's important the work you do and other people do is to keep the name alive and explain why the road is called Bancroft Road. This is why I started to investigate it years ago.

And sadly, apart from the road and the fact that there is a cinema on the site, that's really all that we have to record them, which is why it's important the work you do and other people do is to keep the name alive and explain why the road is called Bancroft Road. This is why I started to investigate it years ago.

Yes. Right, you go first, Peter. Don't trip over the step.

Yes. Right, you go first, Peter. Don't trip over the step.

It's slightly difficult to determine which direction we're looking at. One's rather lost one's sense of direction. We've come down from there. That's probably south. This must be the western end of the pool here. You can see here that this angle suggests that it ran slightly from northeast to southwest. Yes. And they had a little shop here too.

It's slightly difficult to determine which direction we're looking at. One's rather lost one's sense of direction. We've come down from there. That's probably south. This must be the western end of the pool here. You can see here that this angle suggests that it ran slightly from northeast to southwest. Yes. And they had a little shop here too.

Jack used to sell drinks and... Afternoon teas as well. Afternoon teas, that's right. Yes.

Jack used to sell drinks and... Afternoon teas as well. Afternoon teas, that's right. Yes.

There were changing rooms. Small. Still there.

There were changing rooms. Small. Still there.

As far as one understands it, during the war it was closed, and then it reopened after the war, and it rather staggered along with it. And it had a slightly, amongst the... It had a rather strange reputation. Those who loved it and those who thought it was a terribly dirty place and wouldn't allow their children to swim there.

As far as one understands it, during the war it was closed, and then it reopened after the war, and it rather staggered along with it. And it had a slightly, amongst the... It had a rather strange reputation. Those who loved it and those who thought it was a terribly dirty place and wouldn't allow their children to swim there.

I met several people when I was doing work on it who'd been told, they've grown up now in fact at my age, and were saying, you know, we weren't allowed to come here.

I met several people when I was doing work on it who'd been told, they've grown up now in fact at my age, and were saying, you know, we weren't allowed to come here.

Yeah, the eastern end, there were certainly quite a lot of trees hanging over it.

Yeah, the eastern end, there were certainly quite a lot of trees hanging over it.

I don't know, and I can't tell you exactly what the season was. Probably a little bit more exploration in the same era. You'd be able to discover that.

I don't know, and I can't tell you exactly what the season was. Probably a little bit more exploration in the same era. You'd be able to discover that.

Oh, yes, yes, yes. That was definitely so.

Oh, yes, yes, yes. That was definitely so.

That was inside. This was the only outdoor pool, and that was the thing in the summer. It was just so nice to come and, you know, swim your lengths or just sit down. I think quite a lot of people probably never swam here, just lay on one of their loungers and got browned.

That was inside. This was the only outdoor pool, and that was the thing in the summer. It was just so nice to come and, you know, swim your lengths or just sit down. I think quite a lot of people probably never swam here, just lay on one of their loungers and got browned.

I don't from any great distance. I think mostly local people and quite young people, I would think. Certainly the one person who I'm very close to and who used to come here when she was a girl describes it as somewhere where she went in her lunch hour. So I don't think it was very expensive to bathe here. And it was quite pleasant and they apparently were allowed to bring their sandwiches.

I don't from any great distance. I think mostly local people and quite young people, I would think. Certainly the one person who I'm very close to and who used to come here when she was a girl describes it as somewhere where she went in her lunch hour. So I don't think it was very expensive to bathe here. And it was quite pleasant and they apparently were allowed to bring their sandwiches.

I think that was right. They wanted a little bit of a leisure centre. And also, I think on the back of what they were offering here, it was an encouragement to the local council to grant them the right to... do the work they had to do. And this road that had to go in, Bancroft Road, didn't go through without quite a few problems.

I think that was right. They wanted a little bit of a leisure centre. And also, I think on the back of what they were offering here, it was an encouragement to the local council to grant them the right to... do the work they had to do. And this road that had to go in, Bancroft Road, didn't go through without quite a few problems.

There was one very old house which they pulled down, which was, in its day, quite frequently photographed, dating back to Elizabethan times, Cottage. And so local people were not totally in favour of it.

There was one very old house which they pulled down, which was, in its day, quite frequently photographed, dating back to Elizabethan times, Cottage. And so local people were not totally in favour of it.

No, no. No, it closed... Yes, I think the chap who had it didn't run it very well. And he had other cafes in Reingate and in Redhill. And this was probably because it was just seasonal. Didn't do him a lot of good. Early 50s, it was gone. Tried to sell it. and wasn't successful. And when it says sell it, I'm not sure who actually owned the land.

No, no. No, it closed... Yes, I think the chap who had it didn't run it very well. And he had other cafes in Reingate and in Redhill. And this was probably because it was just seasonal. Didn't do him a lot of good. Early 50s, it was gone. Tried to sell it. and wasn't successful. And when it says sell it, I'm not sure who actually owned the land.

I assume the Bancrofts did still, but that may not have been the case, because they'd partly sold out to Shipman and King, who were a large distributor of films, and they had cinemas all over Sussex and just a few in Surrey.

I assume the Bancrofts did still, but that may not have been the case, because they'd partly sold out to Shipman and King, who were a large distributor of films, and they had cinemas all over Sussex and just a few in Surrey.

Yes, yes. It is really quite a sight to see. It's certainly something that has not been explored. I think in a way it's almost too recent. We used to have a very good column in the local paper called At the Crossroads, and an old boy wrote this. And he'd wrote about almost every aspect, but he never ever wrote about... as far as I can find. I've read most of his columns.

Yes, yes. It is really quite a sight to see. It's certainly something that has not been explored. I think in a way it's almost too recent. We used to have a very good column in the local paper called At the Crossroads, and an old boy wrote this. And he'd wrote about almost every aspect, but he never ever wrote about... as far as I can find. I've read most of his columns.

Never wrote ever about the swimming pool, which is really odd.

Never wrote ever about the swimming pool, which is really odd.

It still surprises me slightly, this part of it, this ramp down into it. And I'm just wondering if this is later and that this is the edge of the pool here, there would have been no reason for a ramp like this. I think that's the base, obviously, here, for the original swimming pool. So all this is additional, I think.

It still surprises me slightly, this part of it, this ramp down into it. And I'm just wondering if this is later and that this is the edge of the pool here, there would have been no reason for a ramp like this. I think that's the base, obviously, here, for the original swimming pool. So all this is additional, I think.

Yes. Anyway, great. Thank you very much indeed. I do like this... This handwriting, yeah. Perfect.

Yes. Anyway, great. Thank you very much indeed. I do like this... This handwriting, yeah. Perfect.

This could have been the little cafe, just possibly in here. Yes, at an angle. It certainly did have little changing rooms and I think it ran around here, this western end area.

This could have been the little cafe, just possibly in here. Yes, at an angle. It certainly did have little changing rooms and I think it ran around here, this western end area.

And also, of course, Reigate Garage, which was immediately here. Their workshops were here.

And also, of course, Reigate Garage, which was immediately here. Their workshops were here.

I don't know. I don't know how noisy it would have been particularly. It might get a bit smelly with the petrol. They sold petrol there.

I don't know. I don't know how noisy it would have been particularly. It might get a bit smelly with the petrol. They sold petrol there.

Well, I think it began... Yes, I think it began to be. It was a kind of bypass for the time. And, of course, you could go round Bancroft Road and then back up Bell Street... or you could come down Bell Street into Bancroft. It was quite an interesting little way round the town, still, but it serves a different purpose.

Well, I think it began... Yes, I think it began to be. It was a kind of bypass for the time. And, of course, you could go round Bancroft Road and then back up Bell Street... or you could come down Bell Street into Bancroft. It was quite an interesting little way round the town, still, but it serves a different purpose.