The Scouts – May Past Pavilion

The Pavilion is rightly remembered as a theatre and cinema. However, the Pavilion was always a community hub and staged an eclectic mix of events over the years. Whist drives, handcraft shows, horticultural shows, political meetings, dinners and dances are a few that come to mind.

The Pavilion was the base for a scout group. The building at the back of the Pavilion is known as the scout hut.

We believe this photo was taken in 1953 or 1954. Can anybody assist with identification?

Dances were very popular. Often after a film the chairs would be cleared away and a dance would be held late into the night.

To conclude on a more sombre note, the Pavilion was used on a number of occasions for inquests for inquests.

The opening paragraph from the “Portsmouth Evening News” dated 31/8/1929 warns of the dangers of bathing. We acknowledge the British Newspaper Archive for this article.

Portsmouth Evening News – 31st August 1929

WARNING NOTICE DISREGARDED. Selsey Fatality. INQUEST ON DROWNED VISITOR. Tragic story of an unnoticed warning to bathers was told to an inquest held by Mr F B. Tompkins. Deputy Coroner for the district, at the Pavilion, Selsey, yesterday afternoon, the body of Leslie Albert Denyer (24), son of Mr. F. L. Denyer, Knowsley Terrace, Coombe Common, Chiddingfold, Surrey who was drowned while bathing August 18 and whose body was recovered from the sea on Wednesday.

Our next newsletter will explore further examples of events staged by the Pavilion.