Welcome to Chingford Historical Society

Discover more about the history of Chingford and surrounding areas…

• Carry out research with help from members

• Each month from January to July and September to December we have a different guest speaker (free admission to members).

• Summer Visits

• See Events Page for more details

• Newsletter

If you have any photographs or documents, or memories of old Chingford that you think might be of interest to us, please contact [email protected]

We are on YouTube, Facebook, BlueSky, X-(Twitter) and  Instagram.

TALKS & EVENTS

Download our programme of talks and events for 2026 HERE.

NEXT event - On Thursday 15th October at 7.30pm launch of the book 'From Little Acorns, The Legacy of Acorn Films and the Chingford Newsreel' followed by a new film by Linda Cairns about Acorn Films for Chingford Historical Society members and invited guests. Those wishing to watch live transmission of the event by 'Zoom' should register through Eventbrite in advance of the event here. FREE to members, non-members £3 .  

A video of our talk in June, about Churchill and Essex, can be seen on YouTube here

Linda Cairns' magical video about Mornington Hall can be seen here

is a great way of seeing north Chingford's history and heritage on foot. On the trail, imagine you are stepping out into a bustling shopping centre. As well as the Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge from Henry VIII's reign and Carbis Cottage on the Green a number of Victorian and Edwardian buildings survive. Explore North Chingford to see our heritage from previous centuries. Download the Trail Booklet & map: HERE.

David John Piggott 13 December 1939 – 15 October 2025

David Piggott, Acorn Films member and frontman of The Chingford Newsreel passed away last year. He was a pioneering figure in British amateur filmmaking and a beloved chronicler of Chingford’s local life.

2026 sees Acorn Films’ 75th anniversary, and will be marked with a commemorative publication and a celebratory film honouring the legacy of one of Britain’s most enduring community film collectives.

Tim Emblem-English, who now works as an archive telecine specialist, was a member of Acorn Films since 1980 and worked closely with David in various roles, from camera operator to editing and post production, alongside his career with the BBC, says

“David introduced me to the worlds of amateur film-making and subsequently film collecting, both of which chimed with my career as an engineer / operator in post-production at the BBC and led to me becoming the department’s specialist in amateur and archive telecine work. In large part I owe my career to David’s knowledge and enthusiasm. A dear friend, much missed.”   

Since 1958, David Piggott, had been the driving force behind The Chingford Newsreel, capturing the everyday stories, civic milestones, and quiet revolutions of East London life. The Newsreel preserved decades of local history, from local fêtes and festivals, to changes on the high street and royal visits.  Audiences flocked to watch annual screenings at The Parish Hall on The Ridgeway in 1958, then packed out the newly built Chingford Assembly Hall from 1960 until the final screening of The Chingford Newsreel in 2006. 

Acorn Films treated audiences to a yearly round-up of local events and highlighted national events, including the 1977 street party celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee, the 1981 Royal Wedding, the aftermath of the Great Storm of 1987, the 1995 funeral of notorious east-ender, Ronnie Kray and local reactions on the day of Princess Diana’s death in 1997.

As the distinctive voice of The Chingford Newsreel, David offered a uniquely human perspective on the changing face of this suburban London town. His work has undoubtedly inspired generations of amateur filmmakers and community historians.

David, who was interviewed in August this year by researchers Theresa Rendle and Gary Stone, then Chairman of Chingford Historical Society, reflected on his feelings of pride after being stopped in the street following the screening of 1997 BBC2 Documentary Picture This, which was watched by over two million people.

‘One woman said ‘it was through you that we moved to Chingford’ – and the day after the screening at a Saturday event in Ealing, we went into WH Smiths and man came up to me and said ‘it’s you, isn’t it?’.

‘It was amazing that people had watched [Picture This] and that it meant something to them’. 

Gary Stone said, “David will be sorely missed by the society of which he was a member for many years. David was generous in providing us with unique access to the film archive, which documents the changing face of Chingford over more than five decades, for the benefit of our members, the wider community, and local history research”.

David, a life-long Chingford resident, had a successful City career at Lloyds of London working in various roles including event management.  

For press inquiries, interviews, or further information about the 75th anniversary celebrations, please contact: [email protected]

See a talk on Acorn films HERE