The Melton family with an 85-year link to the town cinema

A Melton family has clocked up a remarkable 85 years working at the town’s cinema.
By Nick Rennie
Published 29th Aug 2023, 17:31 GMT
Updated 31st Aug 2023, 12:30 GMT
Long-serving staff member Lesley Parker pictured outside The Regal with owners Jacob and Bryony MundinLong-serving staff member Lesley Parker pictured outside The Regal with owners Jacob and Bryony Mundin
Long-serving staff member Lesley Parker pictured outside The Regal with owners Jacob and Bryony Mundin

Lesley Parker (65) is the cleaner at The Regal but she has done many other jobs over the 35 years she’s been employed there.

Remarkably, her late mum, Pamela Felstead, previously served ice creams and worked as an usherette at the King Street picture house for almost 50 years.

Owners Jacob and Bryony Mundin today (Tuesday) surprised Lesley by presenting her with flowers and a bottle of fizz to thank her for all she has done over the years.

Long-serving staff member Pam Felstead working at The Regal back in the day and her daughter Lesley Parker, who has worked there 35 yearsLong-serving staff member Pam Felstead working at The Regal back in the day and her daughter Lesley Parker, who has worked there 35 years
Long-serving staff member Pam Felstead working at The Regal back in the day and her daughter Lesley Parker, who has worked there 35 years
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Lesley told the Melton Times: “This is an amazing place to work in.

“They are all like family. I love it here. It’s like my second home.

“I am hoping to continue working here as long as I can although I am struggling with my knee at the moment.”

The family’s connection with The Regal began back in the 1950s when Pamela was taken on – this was a time when a second cinema, called The Plaza, operated next door, such was the popularity of a night at the movies.

Lesley Parker clocks up 35 years at The Regal cinema in Melton - she pictured with owners Jacob and Bryony Mundin after they presented her with flowers and fizzLesley Parker clocks up 35 years at The Regal cinema in Melton - she pictured with owners Jacob and Bryony Mundin after they presented her with flowers and fizz
Lesley Parker clocks up 35 years at The Regal cinema in Melton - she pictured with owners Jacob and Bryony Mundin after they presented her with flowers and fizz

Lesley said: “I used to come down here as a kid and the Scarborough family, who owned it then, used to feed me.

"I would help mum and dad also worked here as a projectionist for a time.”

She was 19 when the then owners, John and Jan Calvert, gave her a job at The Regal.

Lesley, who is married to Mick and has sons Gavin and Nathan, also worked for previous owners John and Carol Merryweather before the Mundins took over in 2012.

Lesley Parker clocks up 35 years at The RegalLesley Parker clocks up 35 years at The Regal
Lesley Parker clocks up 35 years at The Regal

She added: “I usually have a few brochures from The Regal in my handbag because people are always asking what’s showing at the cinema.”

The Mundins clearly love working with Lesley. Jacob commented: “If you look at our ratings on Tripadvisor, they all say ‘the place is amazingly clean’, nothing about the great films we show.

"Lesley is very popular and she does a great job for us.”

To celebrate National Cinema Day this weekend, The Regal is screening four classic movies on Saturday - Puss In Boots: The Last Wish; Spiderman: Across The Spider-Verse; Back To The Future; and Top Gun Maverick.

Click HERE to book tickets, which all cost only £3.

Related topics:MeltonKing Street