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Barking and Dagenham Archives and Local Studies Service

Dagenham Co-operative Film Society Collection


IDENTITY STATEMENT

Reference code(s): BD29

Held at: Barking and Dagenham Archives and Local Studies Service

Title: Dagenham Co-operative Film Society Collection

Date(s): 1946-1963

Level of description: Collection

Extent: 6 films

Name of creator(s): Dagenham Co-operative Film Society Collection

CONTEXT

Administrative/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.

CONTENT

Scope and content/abstract:

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.

ACCESS AND USE

Language/scripts of material: English

System of arrangement:

Material has been arranged according to chronology.

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.

Finding aids:

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

ARCHIVAL INFORMATION

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

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

ALLIED MATERIALS

DESCRIPTION NOTES

Date(s) of descriptions: Catalogued in 2012. Descriptions added to Aim25 in April 2014.


INDEX ENTRIES
Subjects
Documentary films | Films
Film making | Cinema

Personal names

Corporate names
Dagenham Co-operative Film Society

Places
Dagenham | London | England | UK | Western Europe | Europe
Barking and Dagenham