THE FINAL GOODBYE:
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THE FINAL GOODBYE:
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"A LOVE OF CINEMAS:
John Williamson had a major ambition, and that was to run his own picture house. Together with his wife Dorothy, they made the dream become reality, by investing all their life savings into 'The Palace Theatre', at Longridge, near Preston, in Lancashire.
At a time of big chains, and Muliplex cinemas, 'The Palace' became a throwback to a time when the silver screen, was an era of small independently owned movie houses.
John, 71, died just two weeks after his brother Harry, at Royal Preston Hospital, and on the day of his funeral, the cortege, drove past the palace, as a final tribute to "Mr. Entertainment".
The couple had spent seven years together, and all their savings, refurbishing the building, which they opened finally in 2001. The public were rejoicing that the building, which housed the cinema, was believed to be the North West's only surviving independant picture house. John and Dorothy had previously managed the cinema at Clitheroe Civic Hall, and were owners of Preston Film Services, in Meadow Street, Preston, when they took over 'The Palace', which had closed down for refurbishment.
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DOROTHY TELLS OF THE STRUGGLE:
"We didn't get a penny from anyone. We applied to the Lottery, arts, heritage, and even the Council for funds, but they all turned us down. Every penny spent on that building was out of our own pockets",she claimed. The couple, well known in Preston, had been married 45 years, and a packed crematorium were told about "Mr. Entertainment".
He was described as a man with a great sense of humour, and that everything he did was for the pleasure of others. Originating from Stockport, John later moved to Bolton, where he met his wife Dorothy, at a dance hall, where Victor Silvester was appearing, and awhile later they adopted two daughters, Lois and Susan.
After the Crematorium Service, John Williamson's ashes were interred at Mrs. Williamson's family plot in Wales, and since, tributes have poured in from people throughout the film and theatre world. It is ironic, that after such a successful venture, John failed to see his dreams come true, but then like the movies he was to present, not all of them had a happy ending!
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Copyright:The Dynamic Duo in Derbyshire:2002
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