1500 children of unemployed outside Rendez-vous Cinema (MoC74/7/6)

Skating Rink, Pyrometer Factory, Picture Theatre, Rendezvous, Rex, Magrath Avenue

History of the Skating Rink etc

1909

Opened as roller skating rink

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1910

On the reverse of a postcard posted 1910 with this design it reads “Here is a picture of the new Cambridge rink.’

16 December 1910 — Roller-skating championship
Roller skating racing holds a prominent position in the world of sport. In Cambridge a large crowd were attracted to the University and Town Rink in Magrath Avenue to witness a half-mile amateur championship. It is undoubtedly one of the largest rinks in the Eastern Counties and well suited for racing. The floor was in excellent condition and the times recorded very good indeed. H.P. Pilbeam, a youngster of much promise, was leading up to the last lap but lacked training and could not stay the course. It was won by A. Gray who skated very finely.

Credit: Mike Petty, 10 12 16.

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24 November 1911 — Rink converted into a cinema
The University and Town Roller Skating Rink will open its doors as the County Rink Cinema, Magrath Avenue. A small portion of the large building is being converted into an up-to-date picture theatre where the very best films will be shown. The ticket will also give free entry to the rink and use of skates. The ring will certainly be smaller but still allow for racing and hockey. Gymkhanas and carnivals will continue to be held.

Credit: Mike Petty, 11 11 24b.

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1913

University and Town Skating Rink Cinema

A Andrews, manager

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1914

Horace Darwin, founder of the Cambridge Scientific Instrument Company, set up a factory at the outbreak of WWI to manufacture pyrometers which until then were largely imported from Germany. The Porcelain sheaths were sourced from Royal Worcester. The work-force was recruited largely from women, working a fifty-three and a half hour week, and forbidden to wear steel corsets containing ribs. this was because the factory also developed magnetic mines used against submarines and surface vessels.

See Mike Osborne, Defending Cambridgeshire

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1919

Rendezvous Cinema, ballroom and iceskating rink

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5 March 1926 — Residents complain about late-night noise
An application was made for the renewal of the music and dancing licence of the Rendezvous, Magrath Avenue, Cambridge. Several residents objected on the grounds of noise very late at night caused by cars, people talking, and the band and the magistrates in renewing the licence curtailed it until 11 pm. Mr William Evans said the dancing was absolutely letting the whole district down. There were working men living in the area and their rest was being disturbed by motor cars until 1 o’clock in the morning. People promenaded outside and he had known them sit on the step in front of his house to do their courting.

Credit: Mike Petty, 1926 03 05.

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4 February 1927 — Rendezvous seeks a later licence
The Rendezvous Dance Hall asked for an extension of the dancing licence. The hall was built in 1909 as a skating rink and there was then no houses in Magrath Avenue. Those who came to live there afterwards came knowing the hall was there. From 1912 it was used as a variety and picture hall and in 1915 was commandeered for the War Office. In 1919 it was returned and conducted as a dance hall and cinema. In 1925 magistrates decided it should be open until midnight but there were complaints that people leaving made a noise with their motors & cycles. It was the best dance hall in Cambridge and now no one ever dreams of a dance ever terminating until 12. The Guildhall and Masonic Hall had licences until 2 a.m.

Credit: Mike Petty, 1927 02 04.

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13 April 1928 — Dance-band contest
Dancers and band musicians thronged to a dance band contest at the Rendezvous in Magrath Avenue, Cambridge. Eleven bands took their turns on the platforms. Each played a fox-trot and a waltz. A fault with several bands was that the violinists showed a tendency to overdo their parts. Judging was by popular vote and the results were: 1st Cambs Mental Hospital Dance Band, 2nd Jack Vivian’s Dance Band & 3rd Sid Parsley’s Dance Band. The winners, who previously were practically unknown to the dancing public, played in confident style and nicely together. The band is a six-piece and undoubtedly more will be heard of it.

Credit: Mike Petty, 1928 04 13.

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19 October 1929 — Mrs Mason and the origins of the Rendezvous
With the passing of Mrs Eliza Jane Mason of the Livingstone Hotel, Petty Cury, Cambridge has lost a prominent member of the restaurant business. She commenced business with a university lodging house on Market Hill which became known as ‘Masons’ and was converted into a restaurant. It was largely used by cadets and catered for the officers stationed here during the Great War. Almost the first Belgian wounded soldiers were billeted there and she acted as a sort of nursing mother to them. Her next move was to Sadd’s before she bought the Livingstone Hotel which was then only a coffee house. It is now one of the best commercial hotels in Cambridge. She also built the Rendezvous, Magrath Avenue as a skating rink in 1909.

Credit: Mike Petty, 1929 10 19.

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1931

Cinema burns down.

17 July 1931 — Rendezvous destroyed by fire
Fire completely destroyed the Rendezvous Cinema and Dance Hall at Magrath Avenue, Cambridge. The only part left standing is the fireproof operating box, which is really a separate structure. Staff removed 12,000 feet of film which, if reached by the flames, might have caused a serious explosion. The most spacious dance floor in the Eastern Counties was reduced to charred bits of wood. Renovations and improvements to the dance hall lounges were nearing completion and were to be opened as a special attraction.

Credit: Mike Petty, 31 07 17j & k.

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1932

Reopened  with 913 seats and enlarged to 1,100 with cafe, ballroom and cinema organ.

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1934

Operated by Lou Morris. He left in 1936.

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9 March 1936 — Modern luxury super-cinema
The Rendezvous, in Magrath Avenue has been turned into a modern luxury super-cinema with a new café restaurant. The latest talkie equipment ensures perfect reproduction and sound, the films are of the highest quality and patrons are assured of a three-hour programme. An added attraction is the illuminated Compton organ which is played at every performance. The ballroom has been re-decorated and is one of the finest in the Eastern Counties with popular tea dances and combined tea, picture and dancing tickets.

Credit: Mike Petty, 36 03 09.

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1937

Renamed Rex Cinema.

It also operated as a ballroom and attracted well known names such as Ted Heath and Chris Barber.

The Rex had a poor reputation with local residents. Ian Stephens of 47 Hertford Street remembered in 1981, a nearby menace because of the nocturnal noise it created was the Rex and that mercifully has been abolished. Cristina Sherriff of 14 Hertford Street recalled The Rendezvous. I remember one evening some friends called to take me there but my father wouldn’t let me go.

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25 March 1948 — Miss Cambridgeshire
Eleven brave girls came forward at the Rex Ballroom last night to stake their claim to the title of Miss Cambridgeshire 1948 at the annual Glamour Ball held there. A crowd of 400 dancers watched the judges make the snap decision as to the girl with the best looks, nicest figure and so on as the girls stood in t6he full glare of the limelight. The lucky winner was Miss Eva Simpson of Victoria Road, Cambridge, and the choice appeared to be a popular one as she received a great ovation as she was presented with a silver cup and adorned with the coveted bannerette designating her “Miss Cambridgeshire 1948”.

Credit: Mike Petty, 1948 03 25.

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1954

It made national headlines when it showed the film The Wild Ones, starring Marlon Brando, banned by many other cinemas.

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13 January 1955 — Hooliganism and parking complaints
Complaints of hooliganism and late-night disturbances were aired at a stormy meeting to discuss parking arrangements for Magrath Avenue, Cambridge. The longest tirade came from one lady who said her husband was a working man and unable to get a proper night’s sleep as the men outside were half drunk and the women a darned sight worse. New proposals would create parking spaces in front of the Rex Cinema and in Clare Street so as to avoid people blocking the back entrances to houses.

Credit: Mike Petty, 1955 01 13.

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15 October 1963 — Motor-racing films opposed
Magrath Avenue residents object to Rex Cinema showing motor racing films for Cambridge Car Club.

Credit: Mike Petty, 63 10 15.

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1967

Ceased operating as cinema and was used for bingo. The ballroom was used as a night club and featured ‘all in wrestling’ and ‘women’s wrestling.’

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1968

Abbey Sports Club began to hold cabarets here.

See Janet Haggar interview

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1970-2

Reopened as cinema

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31 August 1976 — Nightclub plans abandoned
Plans for a nightclub in the former Rex Ballroom and Cinema at Magrath Avenue, Cambridge, have been scrapped after residents succeeded in opposing both a drinks licence and a music, singing and dancing licence for the club. Mr Gordon Cave wanted to open ‘The Carioca Club’ on the premises but faced violent objections from the police, the city council and residents who have for years protested about the noise and nuisance caused. Their complaints intensified when the ballroom was turned into a nightclub a few years ago and the cinema became a bingo hall.

Credit: Mike Petty, 1976 08 31.

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1979

Demolished and site became car park

2 February 1979 — County Council buys the former Rex
The old Rex Cinema and ballroom in Magrath Avenue Cambridge which has been a source of controversy among nearby residents is now owned by Cambridgeshire County Council who paid £33,000 for it at auction. The building has been almost derelict since the Abbey Sports and Social Club closed in October 1973. The exact future of the site has yet to be decided but it will extend the present facilities at the Shire Hall.

Credit: Mike Petty, 1979 02 02.