Roy Rogers' Riders' Club – January Past Pavilion

The December edition was entitled entitled “Heroes and Villains”. This month we are going to be introduced to another hero who played a relatively brief but significant role in the history of the Pavilion. Roy Rogers starred in many films, often westerns, alongside his trusty Palomino horse, Trigger. In September 1953 Selsey Pavilion signed up to become members of the the rapidly expanding Roy Rogers’ Riders’ Club. 2023 marks the 70th anniversary of this event. “Past Pavilion” is going to dip into a few highlights concerning this popular innovation.

A "Roy Rogers' Riders' Club" has been formed at the Selsey Pavilion. The cinema has just received its charter incorporating it into the Roy Rogers organisation. Mr. Rodney Hesse is the ranch foreman.
Bognor Regis Observer 26/9/53

The Roy Rogers’ Riders’ Club meets on Saturday mornings at the cinema. Some novel competitions with attractive prizes are being organised for the winter months.
Bognor Regis Observer 10/10/53

Saturday Morning. 10-30 "ROY ROGERS' RIDERS' CLUB" Terminates,12-15 approx. "RAINBOW OVER TEXAS", "PERILS OF NYOKA "(Episode 5). CARTOON.
Bognor Regis Observer 16/10/53

The programme often centred on a film starring Roy Rogers and a gripping serial in which the hero or heroine was often in dire straits at the conclusion of the episode.

Saturday Morning 10-30 - ROY ROGERS' RIDERS' CLUB (Terminates 12-10 approx.) "HELDORADO", "PERILS OF NYOKA "(Episode 6). Grand Cowboy and Cowgirl Competition with Attractive Prizes.
Bognor Regis Observer 23/10/53

Admission to the Roy Rogers’ Riders’ Club show at the Pavilion was for the princely sum of 6d. Many youngsters also arrived with enough money to purchase an ice cream between films. The club had a set of rules and a membership card. Roy Rogers also said the Cowboy’s Prayer at the start of every show.

The Roy Rogers Riders Club Rules

1. Be neat and clean.
2. Be courteous and polite.
3. Always obey your parents.
4. Protect the weak and help them.
5. Be brave but never take chances.
6. Study hard and learn all you can.
7. Be kind to animals and take care of them.
8. Eat all your food and never waste any.
9. Love God and go to Sunday school regularly.
10. Always respect our flag and our country.

The Roy Rogers Cowboy’s Prayer

"ROY ROGERS' RIDERS' CLUB" Saturday Morning 10-30. Special Attraction Roy Rogers in "APACHE ROSE".
Bognor Regis Observer 1/1/54

The final picture taken from the Kinematograph Weekly 6/1/1955 shows the success that the Roy Rogers’ Riders’ Club brought to a number of cinemas, including the Selsey Pavilion.

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