A CINEMA in Tywyn has traced its history right back to the start, thanks to help from the public.

When the Magic Lantern in Tywyn received funding last year through Film Hub Wales and the National Lottery to explore its history, they put out a call for people to come forward with their memories, stories and photos of the cinema over its 128 years.

Since then team member Chris Richards has been gathering the tales together and following the information trail.

The building started in 1893 as the Tywyn Assembly rooms and to date the earliest record of it showing a film is that of the Transvaal War in 1900. Later on it became The Talkies Cinema, The Ritzy and then Tywyn Cinema.

Chris said: “It’s amazing some of the things that have come to light. According to a previous owner, the cinema acquired a second-hand projector from Joachim Von Ribbentrop, the German Ambassador in 1937!

“I followed this up and it seems the German Embassy in London was refurbished that year… I’d love to know how that transaction came about!”

Chris is looking forward to the easing of lockdown so he can get into some of the archives in Dolgellau and Aberystwyth and dig a bit deeper.

Cinema co-director Annie Grundy wonders if anyone else has any more stories.

She said: “Despite all the people who have come forward we still know only a little about the cinema and how it functioned in the ‘40s ’50s and ’60s.

“We are putting together a little souvenir booklet for the cinema and it would be great to fill some of the gaps.”

Staff at the Magic Lantern are asking if people have any information about the cinema, the people who worked there and also who visited to get in touch by email at [email protected] or to call the cinema on 01654 710260 and leave your number.