Have you ever dreamt about rewinding the clock a century to witness the beginning of one of Berkshire’s oldest cinemas?

For this week’s Nostalgia, we will be looking back at the founding of the Sunninghill Old Picture House in March 1920.

This comes after the shocking news that the 100-year-old building may be at threat of demolition due to ‘severe deterioration’.

An article printed in the local paper, that the Bracknell News has discovered, reports on the first stone laying ceremony on Sunninghill High Street where hundreds of spectators gathered to witness this historic event.

A stone-laying ceremony represents the laying of the foundation stone which symbolises another milestone in a construction project. It marks the finishing of the groundworks and starting on the main stage of the construction.

Her Highness Ranee Margaret of Sarawak performed the ceremony which was attended by many others to witness the historic event.

The building in Sunninghill High Street was built by her son Captain Harry Brooke.

The picture house stands as one of the first cinemas in the UK and played a part in conversations about film’s part in education.

An article that spoke about the event said: “The proceedings opened with the presentation of a silver trowel to Her Highness by Dr F. Pizzoy who designed the hall and is responsible for its completion.

"The Ranee then did what is usual on these occasions and on declaring the stone ‘well and truly laid’ was handed a beautiful bouquet by Miss Isobel Chapman.”

“Two short speeches followed, thanked her Royal Highness for officiating, and also expressed the thanks of the inhabitants to Captain Henry Brooke for providing the district with a picture house where people of all classes could get good wholesome amusement, and see films of an educative and instructive nature, in addition to those dealing with clean comedy or dramatic plots.”

Ranee spoke about the social side of cinema saying that it gave her pleasure to attend local performances because she 'felt she was among friends as she entered the hall.'

The Cordes Hall, which has always had a close connection with both the community and the picture house itself hosted tea and refreshments for the guests following the ceremony.

The Old Picture House was converted into ‘The Novello Theatre’ in the late 90’s where it has hosted performances for the local community throughout the years.