
Past Patrons

John Huntley – Film historian and lecturer on the art of cinema
Patron of the Harwich Electric Palace Trust 1985-2003
John Huntley supported the Electric Palace throughout the restoration. He gave an inspiring address to the first Annual Dinner in 1976 and followed on as Patron after the death of Sir John Betjeman.
He visited the cinema several times over the years enthralling full houses with fascinating films and lectures delivered with tremendous enthusiasm and warmth.

Sir John Betjeman – English poet and essayist
Patron of the Harwich Electric Palace Trust 1975-1984
John Betjeman supported the cinema from the very beginnings of formation of the Trust.
He was well known as an admirer and champion of Victorian and Edwardian architecture and social history. He had a special interest in the Gothic Revival. His books on architecture include Ghastly Good Taste 1933, A Pictorial History of English Architecture 1972, and West Country Churches 1973.