HEPWORTH CENTRE CAMPAIGN UPDATE

Prior to the declared cabinet meeting on 30th March 2011, Elmbridge Council decided to turn the Old Walton Library over to be used by the Citizens Advice Bureau, thus dashing the hopes of the campaign to set up a new Hepworth Centre there, instead turning the building into a "community hub".

Instead, a vague statement of future intent was made to set up some unspecified tribute to Hepworth in the Playhouse Theatre, Walton, and rename it in memory of Hepworth. The Council had separately agreed to refurbish the theatre. This is a far inferior proposal, being much smaller, non-dedicated, and away from the centre of town. The only merit is that it does concentrate the life and work of Cecil Hepworth in the last remaining building of the Walton Studios. No timescales, budget, nor commitment were given to seeing this through.

Read press coverage here

The campaign is currently considering the implications of the decision and drawing up alternative proposals for a Hepworth Centre within the Playhouse building.

WAKE UP WALTON!

Come and find out about your town’s history

Come to a film show and talk on

Tuesday 22^nd March 2011

from 7.30 to 9pm

Hear about Cecil Hepworth, the pioneer of British cinema, who created many early films at his studio in Hurst Grove, Walton.

Hear about the Old Library and our plans for it’s long-term future

At St Andrew’s United Reform Church Hall, Hersham Road, Walton KT12 1LG

Several speakers will be presenting talks on Hepworth and his films together with a showing of some of the famous silents that made his name. This enjoyable event is another opportunity for you to get involved in the campaign.

View Larger Map

Walton is a cradle of the British film industry.

What better way to celebrate this historic connection than using the old Walton Library building to establish a Film and Visual Arts Centre.

Walton already has a “Heart” - this could be its “Soul”

This attractive old building could be readily adapted for this function.

A 692-signature petition has been submitted to Elmbridge Borough Council to support the case to convert the disused Walton Library into a museum commemorating Hepworth and the local cinema industry.

The Petition was presented to the Council on 4th November 2010 and it was considered by the cabinet on Wednesday, 24 Nov. at their meeting at Civic Centre, Esher at 7 pm.

Hepworthfilm fully supports this wonderful local initiative and urges other supporters to lend their weight to the appeal. You can email the leader of the council John O'Reilly and tell him why you think Cecil Hepworth's memory should be honoured in Walton by a permanent centre in which his career will be recorded and young people will be stimulated to follow his innovative example.

Local people "want to give Walton a Soul" read about it here

What might it look like?

Artist's Impression

of the

Hepworth Centre

View from The Screen Cinema opposite

What it looked like in 1903.

Hepworth would have been familiar with this building since it was between his studios and his house.

He probably borrowed books from here too - maybe some of them inspired his film scripts.

A proposed floor plan for the Hepworth Centre, showing the various visitor zones and cafe-bar.

What a splendid asset to Walton's cultural facilities this would be!

The Library Building

You can see a fantastic photo of the building, taken in 1903, from the Francis Frith Collection.

It is a classic Victorian gothic building, solidly built in 1884, and forms an important part of our local architectural heritage, which is little changed today.

This building, a local landmark, would have been well known to Cecil Hepworth, and probably also used by him, his family, and employees not to mention the stars of his many films.

It has an attractive tower and spire. Despite its age it remains in good condition. Most important, it is directly opposite the Walton Screen, an independent cinema, which occupies the site of a previous cinema made famous by another great local figure in cinema, Clifford Spain.

And of course, the building is close to the site of the Hepworth Studios, including the Playhouse which provides strong synergy of purpose for the museum.

However, being on a prime site in the middle of Walton, the council must surely be tempted to sell it off for housing - there have been at least one precedent of a good public building being sold off like this in recent years.

HEPWORTH CENTRE CAMPAIGN UPDATE

Our dedicated page following developments is here.

Email your views and suggestions.

Get involved in the Forum.