Sawston Cinema

To find out more about Sawston Cinema and to see the latest screening programme, go to www.sawstoncinema.org. 

Film plays a significant role in the history of Sawston Village College. Benefactor HG Spicer, who donated the land for the school site, wanted to use the College hall for community film screenings, and original plans show that provision was made for this. However, when this did not happen, Spicer then built his own cinema next door to the College. Spicers Theatre opened in 1932 but closed in the early 1960s due to falling audience numbers.  Today, this building, now called the Marven Centre, is part of the school site and home to Sawston Cinema, a school-operated initiative established in 2008. 

The Marven Centre as it looked when it opened in 1932

In the downloads section you can find the heritage statement for this significant cinema building.

The film below was made as part of an intergenerational project funded through the National Lottery Heritage Fund and explores the beginnings of cinema in Sawston.

The original plans for the school show provision for a projection room.