The former owner of an award-winning cinema in Gwynedd has written to the venue to offer his praise.

The Magic Lantern Cinema in Tywyn has received a letter from Harry Bromley-Davenport, who was at the cinema’s helm for nine years in the 1970s and 80s.

The letter comes as the cinema celebrates its 125th anniversary.

The current owners of the Magic Lantern, which won the 2025 BIFA Cinema of the Year Award last year, were delighted to hear from Mr Bromley-Davenport, and shared his letter in full on social media.

Announcing the correspondence, a cinema spokesperson said: “We’ve received the loveliest letter from a former owner of the cinema, Harry Bromley-Davenport, who was in charge from 1972 to 1981.

“This is what he had to say. Thank you so much for the kind words, they really made our day!”

The letter reads: “Dear everybody at Tywyn Cinema, Magic Lantern.

“As a past owner/proprietor/ programmer and general lover of the cinema, I deeply congratulate you on your magnificent achievement of revitalising the building and introducing exciting new programming, including music and God knows what else.

“I am kinda jealous because in my tenure from 1972 to 1981, I did not pursue anything other than screening movies.

“My main thrust was to save the cinema because no one else wanted it.

“The building was very run down. No heating (people would bring hot water bottles in winter). The seats had largely collapsed or been vandalised. The screen had holes in it. The film projection consisted of one working projector, which meant a break every 20 minutes to change reels. And it smelled.

“Ripping out all this c**p and replacing it, and installing such things as vintage carriage lamps in the auditorium, carpets, rewiring, treatment of the decaying walls, new seating, heating, and a ton of other essential stuff took place in 1973 when I was 23 years old.

“Thank goodness, the people of Tywyn and surrounding area gave massive support and the audience grew to about 10 times that of when it was a flea-pit. And through contacts in London, I was able to program up-to-date movies.

“However, the credit for that revival must go to the diehard regular customers, their enthusiasm, support and money.

But that was the past.

“Now, excitingly, the cinema has been revitalised with music concerts, live theatre beamed from the National Theatre, classic films, independent cinema, family events, the extension of the stage and lighting, new seats, foyer reconstruction, and the addition of a bar and food service. It’s a transformation which includes the latest in digital projection. It’s a miracle which could only have been achieved by the current proprietors and staff. You deserve an Oscar. The cherry on the cake is that you have been awarded a prestigious Best Cinema award.

“All the above takes tremendous dedication, energy, and love - and a strong and faithful audience.

“As a ghost from the past, I offer you my heartfelt congratulations and my excitement at your 125th anniversary. Nobody could have done better than you.”