Fonds BD29 - Dagenham Co-operative Film Society Collection

Identity area

Reference code

BD29

Title

Dagenham Co-operative Film Society Collection

Date(s)

  • 1946-1963 (Creation)

Level of description

Fonds

Extent and medium

6 films

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

The Dagenham Film Co-operative Society was established under the patronage of the Dagenham Borough Council, in particular the Library Service in order to support cultural activities in the Borough of Dagenham in 1947. The first film made by the society, entitled 'The Seeds of Time' (1948), depicted what life was like on the Becontree Estate and went on to be awarded several national prizes. Further films followed including 'Dagenham Festival' (1951), 'Our Year' (1957), 'Time to Play' (1960), 'Help Yourself to Health' (1963) and 'Playtime' (1969). Members of the society were also involvoed in the British Film Institute, the federation of film societies, the London regional group, the federation of cine societies and the Dagenham Arts Council.

Egbert E. Smart, librarian and Borough Photograph was Honorable Secretary and active member in the early years, other members of the first Board included:

President: Alderman F. Brown ECC

Chairman: R. E. Crawley

Vice-Chairman: C. E Nicklen

Hon. Asst Secretary: T. J. H. Stevens

Hon. Treasurer: G. A. Allen

Film Production: N. Crosby

Members later formed the Fanshawe Film Society. According to the constitution this new society was conducted under the auspices of the Barking Arts Council, and the patronage of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, with the main objective to encourage interest in film and the study of films through the means of exhibitions, lectures and amateur film production. Sadly this society ceased to function in the late 1980s.

Archival history

BD29 1946-1963 Fonds 6 films Dagenham Co-operative Film Society Collection

The Dagenham Film Co-operative Society was established under the patronage of the Dagenham Borough Council, in particular the Library Service in order to support cultural activities in the Borough of Dagenham in 1947. The first film made by the society, entitled 'The Seeds of Time' (1948), depicted what life was like on the Becontree Estate and went on to be awarded several national prizes. Further films followed including 'Dagenham Festival' (1951), 'Our Year' (1957), 'Time to Play' (1960), 'Help Yourself to Health' (1963) and 'Playtime' (1969). Members of the society were also involvoed in the British Film Institute, the federation of film societies, the London regional group, the federation of cine societies and the Dagenham Arts Council.

Egbert E. Smart, librarian and Borough Photograph was Honorable Secretary and active member in the early years, other members of the first Board included:

President: Alderman F. Brown ECC

Chairman: R. E. Crawley

Vice-Chairman: C. E Nicklen

Hon. Asst Secretary: T. J. H. Stevens

Hon. Treasurer: G. A. Allen

Film Production: N. Crosby

Members later formed the Fanshawe Film Society. According to the constitution this new society was conducted under the auspices of the Barking Arts Council, and the patronage of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, with the main objective to encourage interest in film and the study of films through the means of exhibitions, lectures and amateur film production. Sadly this society ceased to function in the late 1980s.

There is no record of the immedate source or date of transfer.

This collection comprises the following films produced and made by the Dagenham Co-operative Film Society:

'The Seeds of Time' was the first film made by the Dagenham Film Co-operative Society. It includes scenes of local children at school and at home, and in doing so provides an insight into family life on the Becontree Estate, Dagenham (1948). This film was commissioned by and produced in association with the Borough of Dagenham.

'Dagenham Festival' was made by the Dagenham Film Co-operative Society (1951). It includes scenes of historical pageant at Valence House, Dagenham held to celebrate the Festival of Britain, as well as other social events, sporting competitions and football matches that took place during the same year. Also depicting stalls and the procession during the Dagenham Town Show. This film was commissioned by and produced in association with the Borough of Dagenham.

'Our Year' was made by the Dagenham Film Co-operative Society (1957). It includes scenes relating to the activities and functions of Dagenham Borough Council. Also depicts the celebrations in the borough surrounding the Dagenham Town Show. This film was commissioned by and produced in association with the Borough of Dagenham.

'Time to Play' was made by the Dagenham Film Co-operative Society (1960). It includes scenes that show how local parks, swimming pools, athletic tracks and other leisure sites were managed and maintained by the Parks and Leisure Department of Dagenham Borough Council. This film was commissioned by and produced in association with the Borough of Dagenham.

'Help Yourself to Health' was made by the Dagenham Film Co-operative Society (1963). It includes scenes relating to health services, such as antenatal and postnatal classes, as well as child welfare, nursery schools, school meals, immunisation, clean fuel and food hygiene initiatives that were available to residents in Dagenham. This film was commissioned by and produced in association with the Borough of Dagenham.

'Playtime' was made by the Dagenham Film Co-operative Society (1969). It includes scenes of local children skipping, doing handstands and playing 'leap frog' in the playground at an unidentified school in Dagenham. This film was commissioned by and produced in association with the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.

Material has been arranged according to chronology.

The material within this collection is open to research by appointment at the Barking and Dagenham Archives and Local Studies Centre. For further information about visiting the reading room please contact localstudies@lbbd.gov.uk or telephone 020 8227 2033.

Copyright of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. For further information about conditions governing reproduction please contact localstudies@lbbd.gov.uk or telephone 020 8227 2033.
English

For additional information on the content of this collection please contact localstudies@lbbd.gov.uk or telephone 020 8227 2033.
Catalogued in 2012. Descriptions added to Aim25 in April 2014. Films Dagenham Cinema Dagenham Co-operative Film Society Film making Documentary films London England UK Western Europe Europe Barking and Dagenham

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

There is no record of the immedate source or date of transfer.

Content and structure area

Scope and content

This collection comprises the following films produced and made by the Dagenham Co-operative Film Society:

'The Seeds of Time' was the first film made by the Dagenham Film Co-operative Society. It includes scenes of local children at school and at home, and in doing so provides an insight into family life on the Becontree Estate, Dagenham (1948). This film was commissioned by and produced in association with the Borough of Dagenham.

'Dagenham Festival' was made by the Dagenham Film Co-operative Society (1951). It includes scenes of historical pageant at Valence House, Dagenham held to celebrate the Festival of Britain, as well as other social events, sporting competitions and football matches that took place during the same year. Also depicting stalls and the procession during the Dagenham Town Show. This film was commissioned by and produced in association with the Borough of Dagenham.

'Our Year' was made by the Dagenham Film Co-operative Society (1957). It includes scenes relating to the activities and functions of Dagenham Borough Council. Also depicts the celebrations in the borough surrounding the Dagenham Town Show. This film was commissioned by and produced in association with the Borough of Dagenham.

'Time to Play' was made by the Dagenham Film Co-operative Society (1960). It includes scenes that show how local parks, swimming pools, athletic tracks and other leisure sites were managed and maintained by the Parks and Leisure Department of Dagenham Borough Council. This film was commissioned by and produced in association with the Borough of Dagenham.

'Help Yourself to Health' was made by the Dagenham Film Co-operative Society (1963). It includes scenes relating to health services, such as antenatal and postnatal classes, as well as child welfare, nursery schools, school meals, immunisation, clean fuel and food hygiene initiatives that were available to residents in Dagenham. This film was commissioned by and produced in association with the Borough of Dagenham.

'Playtime' was made by the Dagenham Film Co-operative Society (1969). It includes scenes of local children skipping, doing handstands and playing 'leap frog' in the playground at an unidentified school in Dagenham. This film was commissioned by and produced in association with the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Material has been arranged according to chronology.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

The material within this collection is open to research by appointment at the Barking and Dagenham Archives and Local Studies Centre. For further information about visiting the reading room please contact localstudies@lbbd.gov.uk or telephone 020 8227 2033.

Conditions governing reproduction

Copyright of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. For further information about conditions governing reproduction please contact localstudies@lbbd.gov.uk or telephone 020 8227 2033.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

For additional information on the content of this collection please contact localstudies@lbbd.gov.uk or telephone 020 8227 2033.

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Subject access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

Barking and Dagenham Archives and Local Studies Service

Rules and/or conventions used

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area