National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales preserves and celebrates the sound and moving image heritage of Wales, making it accessible to a wide range of users for enjoyment and learning. Its film collection reflects every aspect of the nation’s social, cultural and working life across the 20th century, giving a fascinating insight into Welsh filmmaking, both amateur and professional.
This film is part of Free
Brecon Day Out - Welsh St Donats
Cardiff Amateur Cine Society members and spouses visit St Donat's Castle, Vale of Glamorgan, and the film-maker's son climbs on a cannon.
From the collection of:
Overview
Ken Jenkins, young teenage son of the film-maker, was present on a trip to Brecon (no shots of the town) and on the Cardiff Amateur Cine Society [CACS] trip to St Donat's Castle in the Vale of Glamorgan. Dressed in shorts, with shirt and tie – and seen trying to evade a kiss from his mother as they sit on a striped swing seat in the garden at home – he has an air of Richmal Crompton's William Brown ('Just William') about him.
The medieval castle of St Donat's was owned by William Randolph Hearst, American newspaper magnate, for a period from 1925 onwards. He effected lavish renovations and held extravagant parties there attended by the rich and famous. By the late 1930s, however, times had changed and he sought to sell it, without success. It was requisitioned for use by troops during WWII and then purchased in 1962 by Antonin Besse II for the establishment of Atlantic College, the first of a number of United World Colleges. This footage was shot by Chris Jenkins, proprietor of a hair salon and a stalwart member of CACS - he captures a shot of fellow film-maker Evan Morgan (wearing a leather jacket) whose films are also held by NSSAW.
Related
Watch for free
Sunshine Girl Sunshine Girl
Advert 1959 12 mins Location: Merthyr Tydfil
What makes a South Wales Sunshine Girl? Well, the answer may vary depending on whether you ask a chauvinist or a feminist!
Watch for free
The Boat Builders The Boat Builders
Documentary 1963 16 mins Location: Cardiff/Caerdydd
A boat is a work of art, as this film illustrates so beautifully.
Watch for free
J.G. - John Ivor Golding J.G. - John Ivor Golding
Biopic 1973 14 mins Location: Cardiff/Caerdydd
A glimpse of the life of a chain-smoking, proud-to-be-gay raconteur-of-sorts and resident of Whitchurch Hospital, Cardiff.
Watch for free
The Opening of the Prince of Wales Hospital at Cardiff The Opening of the Prince of Wales Hospital at Cardiff
Non-Fiction 1918 13 mins Silent Location: Cardiff/Caerdydd
Miss Clara Deacon, matron (or 'commandant' as the press refer to her) of this pioneering hospital, accompanies the royal patron on his visit.
Watch for free
From Dyserth to Llandudno and Cardiff From Dyserth to Llandudno and Cardiff
Home movie 1958 4 mins Silent Location: Llandudno
Donald Duck comes home with the Sunday School trippers from Bethel Chapel, Dyserth!
Watch for free
Encil Yr Haul/ The Sun's Retreat: an example of art in the environment Encil Yr Haul/ The Sun's Retreat: an example of art in the environment
Documentary 1978 19 mins Location: Cardiff/Caerdydd
A mechanical grave digger is co-opted to help with the creation of a garden at Glan Ely High School, Cardiff.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: La Haine New Perspectives: La Haine
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Charlie Hammersley, a student from Northumbria University, explains how Mathieu Kassovitz's 1995 film holds up a mirror to society.
Watch for free
Dreamers Q&A Dreamers Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
The film-makers behind a haunting tale of love and community within a UK immigration detention centre visited the BFI Southbank to discuss their film.
Watch for free
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 50 mins
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation at BFI Southbank, discussing the making of One Battle After Another.
Watch for free
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
Watch for free
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Watch for free
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.