Past Pavilion: Fire in The Projection Room and The Story of Sally, the Rhode Island Red

It must have been a slow news year for the Pavilion as this article appeared in the “Croydon Times” and is one of a mere dozen articles that I have managed to uncover for 1924.‍‍

‍"SELSEY HALL," SELSEY. Notable prices were realised by Mr. Cecil A. Bendall, the well-known auctioneer, valuer, and land estate agent, of 7-11, High Street. Croydon, at his sale, on the 11th inst., of furniture at Selsey Hall, Selsey. ‍

Croydon Times 20th September 1924‍

Variety is the spice of life and you have to hand it (excuse the pun!) to the management for the next article.‍

Palmistry. Many visitors and residents have found much amusement during the week in a visit to the Pavilion where Professors of Phrenology and Palmistry have been using their arts. They are well equipped with versatile talents and are well worth a visit.‍

Chichester Observer 27th August 1930‍

We have previously covered the story of the cinema fire of 1926. The following story is of a lesser fire but indicative of the high flammability risk attached to nitrate film.‍‍

‍Selsey Fire. A fire took place at the Pavilion Kinema during the Wednesday evening performance. Apparently a film broke and a portion became ignited by the arc lamp. This fell on to another film and a burst of flame filled the operator's box. Mr. F. W. Phipps. the proprietor, was operating the machine, and, with great presence of mind, he threw both films into a bin of water, placed there in case of emergency. In so doing he was slightly burnt on his hand. Two coats hanging in the box were burnt but no other damage occurred owing to the asbestos construction of the box. The audience remained perfectly calm.‍

Hampshire Telegraph 5th June 1931

‍You may well be curious as to why a Rhode Island Red hen and the Disney Rooster are featured above. This is my all time favourite oddball story linked to the Pavilion.

‍Selsey Gossip. Having listened with incredulity to an extraordinary story recounted me by Mr. L. V. Manning, an inveterate film fan, about a hen that went to the cinema every week in Selsey, decided I would investigate this seeming leg-pull and actually ran to earth a real “Ripley.” A rich chestnut Rhode Island Red called Sally, and belonging to Toby Lee, lives in the stables behind the Pavilion and twice, sometimes three times a week calmly ascends the iron staircase leading to the projecting room, enters and stays until the performance is over. As she never views the same programme twice the suggestion is put forward that on her first visit, probably made out of curiosity, she became enamoured with a Walt Disney cockerel and is determined to meet him.

‍Chichester Observer 18th July 1942‍

Sometimes the truth can be stranger than fiction! 😂

As previously mentioned “Past Pavilion” will be adopting a lower profile in future editions of the newsletter. There will be a much greater emphasis placed upon looking forward rather than back. However, my thirst for information about the past has not been quenched. Research is always ongoing and memories will continue to be most gratefully received. Currently I am wading through a pile of S.C.A.M.P.S. scrapbooks, based on the annual pantomimes, which are absolutely fascinating.