Acorn Films, founded in 1951 and which produced the Chingford Newsreel, will celebrate 75 years in 2026.
The Chingford Historical Society will host a commemorative event on Thursday, October 30, from 2pm to 5pm at The Community Hub in Station Road.
Gary Stone, chair of the Chingford Historical Society, 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.”
The Chingford Newsreel, produced by Acorn Films from 1956, captured everything from street fairs and school plays to civic milestones and seasonal events.
The event, titled The Chingford Newsreel: Every Memory Matters, will include screenings of the 1997 BBC documentary Picture This – The Chingford Newsreel, which aired on BBC Two.
David Piggott, the main presenter of The Chingford Newsreel which is celebrating its 75th anniversary next year(Image: Chingford Historical Society)
Visitors will also be able to explore displays from Acorn’s archive, including original filmmaking equipment, publicity materials, and photographs dating back to the early 1950s.
A short commemorative film and a 75th anniversary publication have also been commissioned by the historical society, both of which will be launched at a formal celebration next year.
Tim Emblem-English, an archive film specialist and former Acorn Films member, is eager to connect with people who remember the newsreel.
He 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 historical society hopes the event will encourage people to share their stories and experiences.
Gary added: “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.”
