VOLUNTEERS who run a community cinema will launch its centenary celebrations by honouring the memory of a North Yorkshire movie pioneer.

Film enthusiasts at the Ritz Cinema, in Thirsk, will lay a wreath on the grave of Walter Power, who opened the Picture House on Thirsk’s Westgate in 1912.

Marc Davies, a spokesman for the group, said the ceremony would be held at 11.30am on Saturday, February 4, at Thirsk Cemetery, between St Mary’s Church and the Racecourse Stable.

Mr Power, who was buried on the February 4, 1934, was the first to bring moving pictures to a permanent home in the town.

Researchers have found he was born in Darlington and initially worked for a piano retailer, developing piano skills he later used to accompany silent films.

He moved to Thirsk in 1909 and converted the Reading Rooms, setting up the cinema, where kept an eye on the projection room and the box office while greeting patrons as honoured guests.

Mr Davies said: “He had a great skill in impersonating the passion of Rudolph Valentino, the drama of Lillion Gish or the deadpan antics of Buster Keaton. At times he was accompanied by a violinist, and even a cellist.”

During showings of the original, silent Ben Hur, props such as the clapping together of two wooden blocks would be used to mimic the sound as the lash fell on the galley slaves and a local tenor was a accompanied by a trio to sing a soul-stirring climax of When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.

Mr Davies said: “Sadly, Walter died quite young at 47 and never lived to see the immense changes with wide screens and stereo sound, but we at the Ritz like to think he would be very proud to see his early cinema is still screening films in Thirsk.”

Other events to mark the centenary will include a short documentary about the cinema’s history made by a local film-maker, showings of films relating to when the cinema was established, a film-related quiz, a night of historic films from the Yorkshire Film Archive and a themed film show for local schools.

The volunteers are offering a Centenary Year Pass for £100, which will enable pass-holders unlimited free entry to The Ritz.

Applications should be sent to Michele I’Anson, The Ritz Cinema, 16 Westgate, Thirsk, YO7 1QS, along with two passport photos.