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
Cooke's Explosives Limited - an account of explosives manufacture in Penrhyndeudraeth
Comprehensive but unedited footage of Cooke’s works where cigarettes and matches are confiscated from employees on arrival in order to avoid unintended explosions.
From the collection of:
Overview
Extensive, although unedited, footage of processes at Cooke’s works in Penrhyndeudraeth where salt, ammonium nitrate and glycerine were combined to produce explosives for use in coal mines, mainly, but also for munitions during WWII. Distributing supplies to depots in Derby, Staffordshire, Cumbria and Cornwall the Cooke’s lorries would cover 25,000 miles – the circumference of the world – every week.
Ralph T Cooke inherited a grocery store in the mining village of Annfield Plain, Durham, from his father. He sold it and set up a business selling mine explosives. As there were many different products on the market often lacking significant testing information, and testing them himself was not without its risks, he decided to set up as a manufacturer as well as a supplier and bought the Penrhyndeudraeth factory in 1921. After a disastrous explosion in 1928, Cooke enlisted the support of his major competitor, ICI, who bought shares in the company, contributed technical expertise and bought the business when he retired in 1958 aged 78. The works – including at one time a Male Voice Choir - closed in the 1990s.
Related
Watch for free
The Ffestiniog Railway The Ffestiniog Railway
Amateur film 1957 16 mins Silent Location: Ffestiniog Railway
It’s all go to get the Ffestiniog Railway back on track after its 8 year closure (1946-1954). The Ffestiniog Railway Company, the new owner, is undertaking its restoration.
Watch for free
Ffestiniog Railway - Rough Cut Ffestiniog Railway - Rough Cut
Amateur film 1956 10 mins Silent Location: Ffestiniog Railway
Coach restoration, weed killing and Bessie Jones, wearer of Welsh costume, gathering visitors for tea at her station cottage at Tan-y-Bwlch on the Ffestiniog Railway.
Watch for free
On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.
Watch for free
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
Watch for free
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.