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Blakehay Theatre
The Blakehay Theatre can be found in Wadham Street, one street
away from the Playhouse and close to Grove Park car-park for easy
parking. The theatre has been owned by Weston Town Council since
September 2004 and local dramatic and music societies have all  mounted
productions there in last few years. The Blakehay has a 200-seat
auditorium and an upper studio available for hire which can be used
for lectures and conferences and the newly refurbishment Jill Dando
Cafe Bar. The Theatre is fast becoming the place to see anything
from a musical to a comedy, a drama or art festival or even belly
dancing! The RAFA Concert Band is the Blakehay’s Resident
Band and regular concerts are put on throughout the year. The Blakehay
also has its own Actors Company and top quality plays are put on
several times a year.
Weston Library
Weston Library is situated in The Boulevard and can be easily spotted
as it is a stunning tall red brick building, built in 1897. It is
home to more than two million books which are available to loan
as well as a large selection of audiovisual items, and DVD’s
can be rented on a weekly basis. The library also offers use of
computers with the internet and archive and research facilities.
It is open 6 days a week, staying open to 7.30pm four nights a week.
Playhouse Theatre
Weston Playhouse is in Weston’s oldest street - the High Street
close to Grove Park.
From 1825 an outdoor produce market was on the theatre’s site
but in 1946 it was found the market hall was not used enough and
the building was converted into a 500-seat theatre called ‘The
Playhouse’.
It was refurbished in the early 1960’s but on August 21st
1964 fire destroyed the theatre and when it was rebuilt, the Council
wanted it to be larger so two buildings behind the theatre were
bought and demolished, which enabled a larger stage to be built
and 664 seats put in. It was reopened in 1969 with the first play
being ‘Let Sleeping Wives Lie’ which starred Brian Rix.
The Playhouse puts on approx 300 shows a year, both professional
and amateur, which include comedies, children’s shows, ballet,
music and the annual Pantomime.
It is a popular venue for all ages and caters for all tastes.
Odeon Cinema on The Centre
The Odeon was built in 1935 and was designed by Thomas Cecil Howitt.
Alterations were made in 1973 to provide three screens and a fourth
screen was added in 1991. The building is now Grade II listed and
has its original Compton organ which is still played on certain
occasions. There is only one other original cinema organ in the
country, that being at The Odeon, Leicester Square.
In July 1963 between Mon 22nd and Saturday 27th the Beatles performed
a concert at the Weston Odeon which brought in huge crowds. They
also made some unreleased recordings with Gerry Marsden of Gerry
and the Pacemakers at the Royal Pier Hotel.
The Odeon is the only cinema in Weston-super-Mare and is a popular
venue for both parishioners and tourists.
Weston Carnival
Weston Carnival attracts more than 100,000 people from as far away
as Wales and the Midlands. It is an annual event held in November,
normally on a Monday evening, which commemorates Guy Fawkes’
attempt at blowing up The Houses of Parliament in 1605. Most processions
are over 2 miles long and people arrive early to take up a good
viewing point along the streets of Weston-super-Mare for the approx
2-hour parade which includes huge illuminated floats some containing
25,000 light bulbs and which can be 100ft long, 11ft wide and 17ft
high! There are also walkers in fancy dress and marching bands.
Weston-super-Mare is the last town the Carnival visits on its Somerset
circuit, previously visiting Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea, Chard,
Ilminister, Glastonbury, North Petherton, Shepton Mallet, Taunton,
Wellington, Wells and Yeovil. The Carnival floats are designed and
built by dedicated carnival clubs from around the county, whose
members raise money throughout the year.
Sovereign Centre
The Sovereign Centre is Weston-super-Mare’s indoor shopping
mall. It can found in the main High Street and has a multi-storey
car park situated above the centre which has spaces for 850 vehicles
for convenient parking. The shops inside include Wilkinson, Marks
& Spencer, Animal, Burger King, Waterstones, Costa Coffee, Evans,
Card Factory and Hinds to name but a few which are all great to
wander around especially on a wet day being all under one roof.
Famous People connected with Weston
Jill Dando
Roald Dahl
John Polkinghorne
Jeffrey Archer
Mandy Miller
Rupert Graves
Con O’Neill
Diana Dors
Isambard Kingdom Brunel
John Cleese
Hans Price
Henry Butt
Constance Chapman
Racey
John Baker
Gareth Taylor
Bob Hope's father
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