Swadlincote care home, Cadley Hill View, have named the second floor of the home after a local historic picture house.
When Home Manager, David Godrich, asked for the help of the community in naming the luxury suites in the home, a conversation was sparked about The Majestic Cinema.
The Majestic Cinema, located on Alexandra Road in Swadlincote, first opened in 1933 with a 33ft wide stage and five dressing rooms.
It was later fitted with CinemaScope, and premiered its first film in 1956, showing Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Sadly, the cinema closed in the early 1960s, but the building remained as a site for several other businesses until it was demolished in 1984.
In discussing the idea with the residents at Cadley Hill View, it was decided that the second floor of the home would bear the name ‘Majestic Suite’, due to its plush cinema room. David said,
‘Our residents loved the idea of naming the floor after The Majestic Cinema, where they had visited so often in the past and remembered so fondly. After hearing so much of the history behind the cinema, we knew we had to plan a grand opening.’
In planning the grand opening, David was approached by 89-year-old Barry Woodward, who worked at The Majestic Cinema for over a decade until its closing.
He became a National Serviceman until he was twenty, and later worked at Cadley Hill Colliery as a Manager of Communications, talking to people all over the world about the Cadley Hill radio station.
Barry spoke fondly of his years working at The Majestic Cinema, and agreed to attend the Oscar-themed grand opening of the Majestic Suite of the care home.
Staff, residents and guests dressed in glitzy formal-wear for the opening, gathering for a glass of bubbly before the opening ceremony, where Barry cut the ribbon to the Majestic Suite. He said,
‘To name this suite after The Majestic Cinema is a real honour. The word ‘majestic’ means fabulous and regal, and this suite matches everything I know about The Majestic Cinema. It’s beautiful and I hope you all enjoy it.’
90-year-old resident, Stella Pitchford, said, ‘It was a lovely grand opening, and hearing Barry’s stories was fascinating. The Majestic is a perfect name to our new suite.’
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Cadley Hill View is a brand-new purpose-built luxury residential and dementia care home, located on Darklands Road in Swadlincote. With 66 ensuite bedrooms, the home provides person-centred care and a full and varied activities programme.