Detail
Collection John Wood Collection
Summary
This collection includes films relating to the lives of British businessmen Austin Reed and Ken Wood, along with mixed family gatherings, weddings and holiday films photographed from the 1930s to the 1970s.
Collection ID | 766 | Reference code | SE 051118 |
---|---|---|---|
Title | John Wood Collection | ||
Dates | 1930s - 1970s | ||
Production | Austin Reed, Ken Wood and extended families | ||
Materials | FILM 16mm Standard 8mm Super 8mm | ||
Access status | Contact Screen Archive South East for details |
Description
This collection features family material from two significant British business dynasties - Ken Wood and Austin Reed.
Kenneth (Ken) Wood established an electrical firm in the 1940s and went on to launch the highly successful Kenwood Chef food mixer in 1950. The mixer became an iconic design as well as a key appliance in British kitchens and internationally, across the 1950s and 1960s.
Austin L. Reed opened his first store on Fenchurch Street in the City of London in 1900, shortly followed by two others at 5 St Mary Axe and 157 Cheapside; and in 1911, the iconic flagship Regent Street store, selling men's ready-to-wear clothing in addition to the bespoke tailoring services.
These two family collections are now connected through marriage. The films in the collection date from the 1930s to the 1970s and include various branches of the families. The films show family events and outings as well as foreign holidays and yachting trips. There are also glimpses of the two businesses in the collections including a promotional event for 'The Kenwood Chef' and scenes at the Austin Reed Regent Street store.
Films in this collection:
Showing 1 to 15 of 46 results.
![[StellaŐs Wedding] (1927) A still from [StellaŐs Wedding] (1927)](/wp-content/uploads/films/5414/image_a_thumb.jpg)
[Stella’s Wedding]
Date | [1927] | ID | 5414 |
---|
This black and white film features the wedding day activities of Stella Reed, eldest daughter of Austin Reed, outside St Mark's Church on North Audley Street, London. A large number of friends and family attend the service, lining the street outside the church. The shots focus on family members and guests as they enter the shot.
[Family at Sandbanks]
Date | [ca. 1932?] | ID | 5413 |
---|
This black and white film shows the Reed Family aboard a boat on a family outing, followed by mixed scenes of the family playing together on a beach and in a garden pool.
[Garden Scenes; Wedding; Family Scenes at Sandbanks]
Date | 1931; 1933; 1934 | ID | 5415 |
---|
This black and white film opens with family scenes featuring Austin Reed in a garden with the family, followed by scenes of a family church service wedding and a family holiday to Sandbanks, Dorset (?). The family relax on the beach, swim in the sea and enjoying a sea fishing trip aboard a boat.
![[Manor House Estate; King George V Silver Jubilee; Family; Holiday; Airfield] (1935-37) [Manor House Estate; King George V Silver Jubilee; Family; Holiday; Airfield] (1935-37)](/wp-content/uploads/films/5438/image_a_thumb.jpg)
[Manor House Estate; King George V Silver Jubilee; Family; Holiday; Airfield]
Date | [ca. 1935-1937] | ID | 5438 |
---|
This film shows the Reed family making preparations to celebrate King George V Silver Jubilee with intercut shots of The Royal Landau passing the Austin Reed Store on Regent Street and Pathe film of the procession. The next part shows a family at the seaside and in the garden. Scenes at an air display feature amateur aircraft including a Le Pou du Ciel HM. 14.
![[Toddler and Family; Garden Scenes; Beach Holiday] (1934-1935) A still from [Toddler and Family; Garden Scenes; Beach Holiday] (1934-1935)](/wp-content/uploads/films/5418/image_a_thumb.jpg)
[Toddler and Family; Garden Scenes; Beach Holiday]
Date | [1934; 1935?] | ID | 5418 |
---|
This family film features Stella and her family at home and on an outing to a seaside. The family also visit their holiday home and a small playground and zoo.
[Playing Golf; Etc.]
Date | [1936?] | ID | 5416 |
---|
This compilation of colour and black and white film shows a group playing golf on a green followed by shots of a family group together on the beach and swimming in the sea. The family also sit in a garden at their holiday home for a picnic.
[Family at Middleton; Holiday; Wedding; Austin Reed Store on Regent Street]
Date | [1936-1937?] | ID | 5419 |
---|
This edited compilation of black and white and colour films, captures the family in the late 1930s. The family play together in a garden, visit Middleton race course, go on a seaside holiday and attend a post-wedding gathering. The film ends with scenes (magenta cast/damage) from a Royal parade outside the Austin Reed store on Regent Street.
[Family Scenes; Boating; Children]
Date | [ca. 1937 - early 1940s?] | ID | 5422 |
---|
This family film features Stella Reed and her family on a beach holiday, on a pleasure boat trip, in a garden, and in the countryside. One of her sons learning how to swim.
Broadway, One of England’s Prettiest Villages [England in Coronation Year; Country Gardens]
Date | 1937 | ID | 5417 |
---|
This family film shows a family visit to the village of Broadway in Worcestershire in the Cotswolds, as well trips to the towns of Leamington Spa and East Grinstead. The family explore several large homes, gardens and rural spaces as they explore the countryside. [Note: there is a pink/magenta cast to this film]

Among Our English Friends
Date | 1937 | ID | 5420 |
---|
This compilation of colour family film, shows footage of Austin Reed's house along with those of his friends in Surrey and Buckinghamshire in 1937. The film is edited together with subtitles, marking changes in location or introducing friends and family.
![[Coronation Naval Review; Holiday; Hay Farm] (1937) A still from [Coronation Naval Review; Holiday; Hay Farm] (1937)](/wp-content/uploads/films/5421/image_a_thumb.jpg)
[Coronation Naval Review; Holiday; Hay Farm]
Date | 1937 | ID | 5421 |
---|
This film features a Royal Naval Review at Spithead, Southampton to commemorate the coronation of King George VI. The Reed family view the display aboard a pleasure craft. The second part of the film provides scenes from the family's visit to Instow in Devon, that includes a trip to the beach and a working farm.
[Eastbourne; Domestic Garden; Cotswolds; Wedding Scenes]
Date | [1937]; [ca.1938 - 1939 ?] | ID | 5437 |
---|
This family film includes the seafront at Eastbourne, a visit to Bibury, and a boat ride on the River Coln. The film ends with a series of family portraits of men in RAF and US Army uniforms and scenes at a wedding.
![[Marlborough House; Longwood; Canford; Wedding] (1940s)](/wp-content/uploads/films/5423/image_a_thumb.jpg)
[Marlborough House; Longwood; Canford; Wedding]
Date | [ca. 1940 - 1945?] | ID | 5423 |
---|
This film includes scenes of a boat race passing under Marlow Suspension Bridge on the Thames; a sports day at Marlborough House boys School with afternoon tea; exterior views of several school buildings with grounds; a brief family trip to Bodiam Castle and a short sequence of scenes outside the church at a wedding.
[Holiday at Port Isaac and Port Gaverne]
Date | [ca. 1945-1947] | ID | 5427 |
---|
This edited film shows a family holiday exploring the Cornish landscapes of Port Isaac, Port Gaverne and Port Quin; inter cut with the family participating in several outdoor sports activities and events. The film closes with scenes of the family in the garden at the Reed family home.
![[Family and Children; Garden; Austin Reed Headquarters] (1946?) a still from [Family and Children; Garden; Austin Reed Headquarters] (1946?)](/wp-content/uploads/films/5428/image_a_thumb.jpg)
[Family and Children; Garden; Austin Reed Headquarters]
Date | [ca. 1946?] | ID | 5428 |
---|
This film opens with group portrait shots of the extended family, taken in the family garden. In the next scene, Austin Reed and the Board of Directors (?) pose together on the roof of the Austin Reed Headquarters at Summit House, Red Lion Square, London. Views of the open square and street scenes follow, with additional shots of the facade of an Austin Reed branded building.
Showing 1 to 15 of 46 results.