WALTHAMSTOW: Student film in protest at derelict EMD (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WALTHAMSTOW: Student film in protest at derelict EMD

8:35am Tuesday 10th March 2009 in

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A STUDENT angered by the lack of a cinema in Waltham Forest is making a film about the history of the now-derelict EMD cinema.

Charles Pegg, of Gloucester Road, Walthamstow, is so irritated by the absence of a cinema in the borough and lack of cultural facilities that he decided to make his final-year film about the historic picture house, which was closed in 2003.

The 20-year-old said: “There is not much going on in the borough in terms of leisure.

“There are lots of people who say you can go to a cinema in Stratford or Lea Valley but, considering the history of film in Waltham Forest, I find it shocking that we should be expected to travel elsewhere when we could have a cinema on our doorstep.

“It must impact upon the community and the economy of the borough if residents have to go elsewhere for cultural facilities.

“The cinema is a potential gold mine and has been recognised for its historical value, yet it is sitting there doing nothing.”

The building’s owners, the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG), are set to submit a planning application for it to be developed into a church and cafe.

The plan promises some community space, which could be used for film screenings.

A previous similar application was turned down and the building has been left empty for a number of years.

The former Kelmscott School pupil said that, like many local campaigners, he would like to see the Grade II listed building returned to its former glory and used solely to screen films.

As part of his studies at the University of the West of England, in Bristol, he has researched the Hoe Street building’s history and interviewed people with a personal interest.

These included local historians and his Grandmother, Voilet Pegg, who has fond memories of watching show and films there.

He said: “From my research I have learned that at the turn of the last century there were four film studios in Walthamstow and, of course, Alfred Joseph Hitchcock was born in the borough.

“It is very important to me to have a cinema.

“Walthamstow has had many cinemas in the past and a film-making tradition, which we should treasure.”

The 15-minute documentary is still being filmed and edited, and Mr Pegg expects to complete in mid-April.

He plans to submit it to the leisure and culture department of Waltham Forest Borough Council.

Local campaigner and Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Walthamstow, Stella Creasy, is trying to arrange a public meeting with the UCKG.

Anyone interested in attending the public meeting can email: stella@workingforwalthamstow.org.uk.