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.
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Connah's Quay Carnival and Fete 1965
The Connah's Quay Old People's Association demonstrates that it's not just the young that are embued with carnival spirit.
From the collection of:
Overview
A day dominated by the charms and talents of females old and young. Organised by the Connah's Quay Old People's Association, the event is opened by the twinkly 'Queen of Comedy' – Swansea's Gladys Morgan. She crowns Mrs Whitehouse 'Connahs Quay OPA Queen 1965'. Mrs W, however, is just one of many crowned heads present – spot e.g. the 'Deeside Old Age Pensioner Queen' from Shotton and Flintshire's Rayon Queen. The many cheerleading teams provide additional colour.
This footage comes from the collection of Joseph Cone, of Pentre, Queensferry, Flintshire, a member of Deeside Cine Club and a provider of film shows locally. He was proprietor of a General Merchant's business and developed and printed photographic film. Gladys Morgan (1898-1983), renowned for her laugh, became a household name via 'Welsh Rarebit', the BBC radio variety show on which Harry Secombe was a fellow performer. The Rayon Queen is a particular feature of the area: many thousands of people were employed by Courtaulds in its rayon-making factories at Greenfield and Flint – see also 'The Girls Leaving “The Aber” and Castle Silk Mills Flint' dating from 1920.
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