Small collection of records, primarily photographic, relating to the ffennell family of Wytham Abbey.
A section of the collection contains photographs and newspaper cuttings relating to the ffennell family and their home, Wytham Abbey. Colonel Raymond ffennell (né Schumacher) (1871-1944) and his wife Hope purchased the Wytham estate in 1920. From 1926, they lived at Wytham Abbey itself, along with their daughter Hazel (1905-1939). The family hosted many society events at the Abbey, and were closely involved with the life of the estate and of Wytham Village.
The Hill End area of the estate was used extensively for outdoor educational visits and classes, particularly for underprivileged children. In August 1942, Raymond and Hope ffennell gifted Wytham Abbey and Woods to the University of Oxford in memory of their daughter. It now operates as Hill End Outdoor Education Centre.
A larger part of the collection relates specifically to Hazel ffennell (1905-1939). Hazel was an amateur actress, director and artist and a keen animal lover. She created a mouth organ band and a theatrical group, The Wytham Players, in the local village. She was a budding filmmaker, having directed the 1928 film Days of Chivalry. She died in 1939 at the age of 33. Material relating specifically to Hazel includes photographs, press cuttings and ephemera concerning both her work and her early death.
The records were deposited as accessions 1495 and 1534 in 1978 and originally catalogued under reference Pe.
Recatalogued by Katherine Kinrade in February 2022.