Pensioner, 87, returns to serve popcorn at cinema where she worked in her youth

31 May 2023 , 20:22

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Pauline on her return to the cinema of her youth (Image: Care UK/Glastonbury Court / SWNS)

An usherette went back to work at a cinema after a long intermission.

It is more than six decades since 87-year-old Pauline Allen served popcorn to customers at the Central Cinema.

After starting work there aged 20, she went on to meet stars including Dame Barbara Windsor, Joan Sims, Leslie Philips, Sid James and Tommy Steele.

Now living in a care home, Pauline told staff her stories – and they surprised her by organising a night doing her old job at the cinema, now known as The Abbeygate, in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

Pauline said: “It brought back such wonderful memories. Those days working at the cinema were the best of my working life, getting to mingle and meet the stars – as well as getting to watch all the latest films for free with my husband at the back of the theatre.”

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Pauline in the background (far right) at the cinema in 1959 (Care UK/Glastonbury Court / SWNS)

Ana Mihai, manager at Care UK’s Glastonbury Court said: “Pauline often talks about when she used to work as an usherette and how much she loved it.

“We were thrilled to help take her back. It was wonderful to see her face light up as she entered the cinema and to hear so many stories.”

Pauline in her booth at the venue (Care UK/Glastonbury Court / SWNS)

Dan Warburton