Detail

Collection Cooper Family

Summary

A compilation of 1960s railway and steam locomotive transport films by H. Chris Cooper showing narrow-gauge and miniature railways around the UK. Additional films in the collection include various domestic family holidays and seasonal celebrations.

Collection ID	640	Reference code	S 040700
Title	Cooper Family
Dates	1960s - 1990s
Production	H. Chris Cooper
Materials	FILM Standard 8mm FILM EQUIPMENT
Access status	Contact Screen Archive South East for details

Description

This compilation of films by H. Chris Cooper shows a varied collection of 1960s railway and steam locomotive transport films of many narrow-gauge and miniature railways in Wales, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Kent, the Isle of Man, Isle of Wight and Sussex; with rolling stock from across the UK railway network. Other working films show the Maple & Co. Bedding factory in London, and a series of Maple & Co. staff outings. The collection also includes a series of domestic family films showing family holidays, coach tours, and seasonal celebrations at home in Surrey.

Films in this collection:

Showing 14 results.

Family Holiday; [Outings and Christmas Celebrations]

Date	[ca. 1962?]	ID	5001

A compilation of family outings and domestic scenes that include visits to a beach (Herne Bay, Kent?), the Penny Pot Public House Waltham, Kent; the Mermaid Inn at Rye, Sussex; a trip to the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway followed by several domestic scenes at the family home, and celebrating Christmas. The film opens and closes with commercial animated titles.

[Oxted Lines; KV Tour; Bowaters Railway; Hayling Island Branch]

Date	1961;1962	ID	4999

A series of short films with intertitles showing: the Oxted Line; LCCB Kentish Venturer Rail Tour with shots of several of the engines used in the tour; Bowaters' Narrow Gauge Railway with engines; and the Hayling Island Branch line also with several engines. Instrumental music is used to Illustrate scenes.

[First Film; Test; Railway; High-rise; Church]

Date	1961	ID	5011

A compilation showing several engines and locomotives hauling carriages along a line, with scenes aboard a train and of the local surroundings. Shots are very dark. Urban scenes include Croydon Fire Station, Croydon Power Station towers, industrial cooling towers, high rise buildings under construction, night time shots of neon signs and daytime views of a church.

Roving on Rails

Date	1962 to 1964; 1965 [?]	ID	4828

This film shows a compilation of the final days of steam showing: The Isle of Wight Railway; Britannia from Broad Street; Great Western to Maidenhead, Marlow; Hailsham Signal Box; Brentford Dock Branch; Somerset and Dorset Line; South Croydon Steam; Linger Line accident; Main line steam at Wimbledon; Mona’s Isle - Manx Electric and Snafell railway, Laxey wheel, Billy Cotton ad on horse drawn tram; Bullieds at Wimbledon, 1963 inc. 34059 on milk tanks. The Queen Mary and several smaller steam ships on the water.

[Copper's Tours; Castles and Gardens]

Date	1962 - 1963	ID	5000

This compilation shows a series of coach tour outings to castles and gardens in the South East of England. Sites include Scotney Castle in Kent, Charleston Manor in East Sussex and the Albury Park estate in Surrey. The film-maker captures panoramic exterior views of the buildings and gardens at each visit.

[Grant Brothers Staff Outings]

Date	1962; 1964	ID	5007

A series of Grant Bros. outings to Sheffield Park, East Sussex and several retirement homes for staff that includes Beechwood in Faygate, a site in Horsham (?) and Cottage Homes in Mill Hill, North West London.

[Party Celebrations; Christmas at Home]

Date	[ca. 1966]	ID	5003

Family films showing a series of Christmas celebrations at several houses that includes interior shots of the family serving alcoholic drinks to guests, enjoying several meals around food laden tables; and close-ups of the festive decorations, Christmas tree and cards on the mantle-piece. The film also includes scenes of a woman gardening and another baking in the family kitchen.

[Mona’s Isle]

Date	[ca. 1966]	ID	5009

A travelogue film of the Isle of Man with views of the Manx Electric Railway, horse drawn trams, a pier and several attractions including the Lady Isabella Laxy Wheel, Manx Cattery and Snafell Mountain Railway. The film also includes scenic views of the Island districts of Ramsey, Balawick Glen, Peel and Port Erin. The audio has been removed from the online version for copyright reasons.

Wales by Train

Date	1966	ID	5002

An edited travelogue film showing several train journeys from London Euston onto various railway lines in Wales. Lines includes the Festinoc Railway Line, Fairbourne Minature Steam Railway, Vale of Rheidol Railway, Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway and the Talyllyn Railway. The film has opening and closing titles [Audio removed from online version for copyright reasons].

[Copper’s Tours; Country Gardens and Other Outings]

Date	1966	ID	5006

This intertitled and edited compilation shows a series of coach tour outings to several gardens and parks in the South East of England. Sites include Sheffield Park in East Susex; Boughton Monchelsea in Kent and the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) gardens in Wisley, Surrey. This film has been edited to a instrumental soundtrack.

[Way of the Stour]

Date	1967 to 1970	ID	4829

Films cover the course of the Stour River or Great Stour, Kent from Egerton (Near Ashord) to Richborough Port (Sandwich); Riverside scenes, old buildings Chartham Papermills, the castle and the Cathedral in Canterbury; Hovis breadmill at Fordwich with waterwheel, several apple orchards, an oast house and the coalfield at Chislet.

Glorious Devon

Date	1967	ID	5004

This titled and narrated amateur film shows a visit to Exmouth, the Dart Valley Railway and the Bicton Woodland Railway. The second section explores Bicton Gardens with children playing among the flower beds and lawns. Scenes of the fountains and statues are followed by views of the "Woolwich" engine on a railway rack. [Part of this film is mute for online use]

488 Was Here; [Bluebell Railway in the 1970s]

Date	17th September 1972	ID	5008

An edited two film compilation. The first film: "488 was here" shows the 488 engine on the Bluebell Railway, followed by views of the East Kent Light Railway line at "Shepherds Well" Station and track at "Eythorne" in Kent. Film 2: "A Line for All Seasons" shows several locomotives on the Bluebell Line and an open day at Horsted Keynes station.

[Bluebell Railway Through the Years]

Date	1970; 1980-1990	ID	5010

This multipart film shows several steam engines lined up outside Horsted Keynes Station for an open day style event, inter-cut with scenes of several men laying track on the railway and driving locomotive machinery. The second part shows the transportation of several dilapidated Bluebell engines by road to the Bluebell Railway coach works in Sussex. The audio has been removed from the online version for copyright reasons.

Showing 14 results.