A new project explores the largest Punjabi community outside India – from possibly Britain’s first Indian shop to race riots and the fight for rights, Wed 4 Apr 2018 02.30 EDT At Little Punjab’s peak, Punjabis made up almost 70% of Southall’s population of 70,000; that figure is now estimated to be just over half. favorited this theater, Previously operated by: Researchers have gathered rare photographs and oral testimonies, and are working on a film. It was the R Woolf rubber factory in neighbouring Hayes that attracted Punjabis to Southall – the general manager had served with Sikh soldiers during the second world war and was only too happy to recruit them. Scurrying from house to house, her arrival was always greeted with delight because it meant that larders could be replenished with food staples that doubled as a reminder of home. The summer of 1976 saw a major schism develop as the younger generation became increasingly frustrated with the IWA’s “old guard” and their perceived reluctance to confront racism head on. Located in Southall, Middlesex, to the west of what is now part of Greater London. English films did return briefly in the late 1970’s for Saturday morning children’s performances.Also Mrs Ghandi the indian prime minister on a visit to Southall gave a press conference here around the same time as did her predecessor. Balraj Purewal, project director and lifelong resident who knew the Sangha family, said: “When Southall sneezed, the rest of the British Asian community caught a cold. A gregarious man, Sangha (pictured below) was a well-known and popular figure. staircase detail, one of the side exits down from the rear of the circle one of the tiny remaining interior fragments,the deco casing from an odeon exit sign, minus the exit glass Designed by architect Frank Ernest Bromige, the facade was spectacular and included a slender fin-tower feature. The extra floor has been added at a level which appears to coincide with where the top of the front of the balcony must have been, and extends right to the far wall. He would joke that one of the reasons why they settled here was because of its proximity to Heathrow airport, only three miles away, and “if the gooras [whites] ever kicked us out, it would be easy to get on a plane and return home”. Introduction The Dominion Centre and Library is a vibrant arts education and hiring facility situated in Southall, five minutes from Southall mainline station. Sangha’s story forms part of Panjabis of Southall, a Heritage Lottery Fund project. The 10 pin bowling craze did not last long and soon the building became vacant and unusued. Cinema Treasures, LLC It was built for the small independent circuit of Abraham Goide and his partner Glassman. Southall 112 The Green Architect: F.E. The Dominion Cinema was equipped with a 60 feet wide proscenium opening, a stage 22 feet deep and there were six dressing rooms for use when variety performances were held as part of the programmes. 2020. Very good presentation from a very strict chief Tommy Lever. Furniture Showroom, Supermarket. The Dominion Community Centre was built on the site. It tells the history of the largest Punjabi (or Panjabi, the more traditional spelling) community outside India and the pivotal role it played in shaping the destiny of millions of other Asians who came to Britain. For those making new lives in west London, however, it was not all about overcoming adversity. The IWA-owned Dominion Cinema, which attracted more than 8,000 cinemagoers a week for its Bollywood film screenings. We were at the forefront of the fight against racism and led the way in many other areas. Located in Southall, Middlesex, to the west of what is now part of Greater London. The 1982 Dominion Centre is now the new home to Southall Library. It also inspired other Asian youth movements across the rest of the country to organise along similar lines in the fight against racism. The Dominion Cinema was opened on 14th October 1935 with John Beal in "Laddie" and Elizabeth Bergner in "Escape Me Never". The auditorium lay parallel to the road from which the building was set back slightly. Stage 22 feet deep. Built as one of the original Oscar Deutsch chain of Odeon Theatres, it opened on 17th August 1936 with Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. in “The Amateur Gentleman”. Ballroom. http://www.flickr.com/photos/woody1969/3443321654/ It was built for the small independent circuit of Abraham Goide and his partner Glassman. Associated British Cinemas Ltd. Architects: The IWA-owned Dominion Cinema, which attracted more than 8,000 cinemagoers a week for its Bollywood film screenings. It would be interesting to know what the building looked like INSIDE during the final years, considering what it looked like OUTSIDE. The main entrance block was clad in cream faiance tiles and was relieved by a large window over the canopy. photos taken april 2009 showing the still imposing exterior Last modified on Thu 26 Mar 2020 10.32 EDT. Previously operated by: favorited this theater. The initial arrivals settled around Aldgate, east London, but began renting rooms closer to work – and Southall was the most affordable nearby area. 2020. As the sites volunteer theatre editor, I have the ability to go behind the scenes, so to speak, and your comment above is the only one listed for this theatre. Meals were prepared and eaten communally, and beds sharing rotated between those who worked day and night shifts. The response to racism came quickly, with the formation of the Indian Workers Association (IWA) in 1956 by a cadre of locals affiliated to the Communist party of India. The SYM played a pivotal role in subsequent “uprisings” – in 1979, when hundreds were arrested while protesting against the National Front, and in 1981, in retaliation to an attack by skinheads. Bromige 1,856 seats. There have been great changes during 2008, as the former stalls are now occupied by a Lidl Supermarket. The Dominion Cinema was opened on 14th October 1935 with John Beal in "Laddie" and Elizabeth Bergner in "Escape Me Never". It was reconstructed internally with the stalls floor being leveled and the balcony extended forward to the proscenium arch. “The ultimate web site about movie theaters”. © 2000 - Built as one of the original Oscar Deutsch chain of Odeon Theatres, it opened on 17th August 1936 with Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. in “The Amateur Gentleman”. Just curious why do comments keep getting deleted from this cinemas page.Including this one I expect. Bottom: The IWA leadership meeting the Indian PM Indira Gandhi (left) and Labour politician Dennis Healey (right). Many of their descendants have prospered and moved to wealthier pastures, replaced by new communities from Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Somalia. © 2000 - Right: The opening of one of the area’s first textile stores, c.1970. Please read our community guidelines before posting →. This project is about documenting and commemorating an iconic, trailblazing community which influenced British Asian life.”. There were also packed houses for its boxing, wrestling and cultural nights. From the old stalls, now the furniture area, you can still see where the original circle was. All rights reserved. High-profile politicians from both Britain and India regularly met with its leadership, and at its peak it had a membership of more than 20,000. The Odeon closed on 25th February 1961 with Jack Lemmon in “The Wackiest Ship in the Army” and Phillip Carey in “The Trunk”. There is a photograph showing a young Suresh Grover and his friend writing ‘this racist murder will be avenged’ on the pavement. Located in Southall, Middlesex, in the west of today’s Greater London. By the time my own father arrived in 1960, local authority records show that there were approximately 1,000 Punjabis living in Southall, nearly all men. Britain’s first all-Asian football team, formed by Kessar Singh Bhatti (back row, third from left). The furniture store has remained in the old circle. Cinema Treasures is a registered trademark of Cinema Treasures, LLC. Here are a set of vintage photographs of the Dominion Cinema, Southall: Aug 1, 2013 - Used to go to Saturday morning children's films here in the '60s. Very smooth and reliable. nothing remains internally in Lidl, and in the furniture store there is a suspended ceiling and a smaller section of furniture for sale in what must have been the circle lounge. Punjab was partitioned by the British in 1947; part of it fell within Pakistan with the remainder in India.
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