The event at The Community Hub in Station Road on Thursday 30th October aims to start conversations with people who have memories of Acorn Films’ The Chingford Newsreel
An event is being held in Chingford to celebrate the upcoming 75th anniversary of Acorn Films which has captured Chingford on film as it has changed through the decades.
The Chingford Historical Society invites local residents – past and present – to the first of a series of special commemorative events: ‘The Chingford Newsreel: Every Memory Matters’.
This event is being held at The Community Hub, Station Road on Thursday 30th October from 2-5pm and aims to start conversations with people who have memories of Acorn Films’ The Chingford Newsreel.
This event will feature screenings of the 1997 BBC documentary Picture This – The Chingford Newsreel shown on BBC2 to over two million viewers. Visitors will also be invited to view exhibits from the vast Acorn archive, including original equipment, publicity material – and photos dating from as far back as the early 1950s.
Archive film specialist and former Acorn member, Tim Emblem-English is keen to meet people who remember seeing The Chingford Newsreel. Tim joined Acorn Films as a member in 1980 but took on various roles in filming, editing and post-production. It is thanks to Tim that much of the early film stock has been preserved and can now be viewed in digital format.
Tim said: “This month’s event will be a fantastic opportunity to meet people and speak to them about Acorn’s legacy. As I worked behind the scenes at the annual screenings of The Chingford Newsreel, I rarely got to speak to members of the audience, so I’m hoping to meet and chat with anyone who has memories of watching our shows.”
The Chingford Newsreel, which was first produced from 1956, covered everything from street fairs and school plays to civic milestones and seasonal rituals. It offered a unique window into the everyday lives of Chingford residents, blending humour, warmth, and technical ingenuity – with the distinctive voice of its main presenter David Piggott.
Gary Stone, chair of Chingford Historical Society is excited at the prospect of inviting local people to share their own stories.
He said: “The Chingford Newsreel has provided a rich record of life in Chingford as a legacy for the local community. It is right that we acknowledge the incredible passion and commitment of the local people involved with Acorn Films – and that we recognise their contributions to recording and preserving local history in a way that can be enjoyed by future generations.”
Speaking about the event, Gary emphasised the importance of local reactions. “We want to give people access to some of the archive and hope this sparks some interesting conversations. We’re keen to hear from anyone who worked behind the scenes, appeared on screen, or simply recalls watching The Chingford Newsreel. It’s vital to understand Acorn’s impact through the memories of its viewing audience. In building a living historical archive—and a long-lasting legacy, every memory matters.”
Chingford Historical Society has commissioned a short commemorative film and a 75th anniversary publication, honouring the legacy of The Chingford Newsreel, which will be released to the public at a formal celebration, next year.
Find free tickets for the event via Eventbrite
If you are unable to make the event, but have memories, photos or stories to share, you can get in touch with Chingford Historical Society by emailing [email protected] or going here
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