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
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_480x270/public/hero-images/da74f21cc3ef5890882e7a60007d03f6.jpg?itok=J1zKGeMP)
Dear Cambria
From Swansea (“its hurry and scurry, bang and rattle”) to Tenby, via Mumbles (“No, we’ll not make a joke about its name!”) and Worm’s Head (“Was there ever such a place for names?”).
From the collection of:
![Logo for National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales](/sites/default/files/styles/association/public/association-logos/NSSAW.jpg?itok=d_ytl5tN)
Overview
Dear Cambria is a "Land of Contrasts!" (as stated on opening inter-title) and this tinted & toned black and white film contains footage of a variety of places in south and west Wales. It opens with "Busy, Striving Swansea - city of toil with most soothing of names" and closes with Roch Castle, Pembrokeshire, looking gothically “grim in the gathering dusk”. In between are shots of a royal visit to the 1926 National Eisteddfod in Swansea, bardic costumes blowing in the wind.
The Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth) are the royal visitors and they are seen being received into the Gorsedd of Bards as "Albert o Efrog" and "Betsi o Efrog" (sadly not Bertie and Betsi), the breeze playing havoc with the bardic costumes. The Archdruid Howell Elvet Lewis [Elfed] is seen with the royal pair and receiving the ritual items - the sword, the Horn of Plenty and the Sheaf of Flowers. The film is mostly tinted but there are some tones (blue, sepia). Tinting gives the whole film – highlights and all - a wash of colour. Toning colours the silver image only (the highlights contain no silver so will not get coloured).
Related
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Swansea-1920.jpg?itok=m6dwFx-3)
StoryTrails: The People's Map Swansea StoryTrails: The People's Map Swansea
Documentary 2022 15 mins Location: Swansea/Abertawe
This map showcases a curated selection of audio stories and digitally animated 3D scans of the people and places in and around Swansea.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/821aeea27d262855cc93fe03598a5210_0.jpg?itok=YRsL5RLk)
The Artist in Wales The Artist in Wales
Documentary 1978 32 mins Location: Swansea/Abertawe
Where would a world of movers and shakers be without the makers and soul-feeders? Long live the poets and musicians, artists and performers!
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/33feaf497ddab8ecad0de228c581b6dc.jpg?itok=hXJFtwCg)
Visit of H.R.H. The Princess Royal President of the Civil Guide Association, to the West Glamorgan Rally, held at Singleton Park, Swansea. May 28th 1938 Visit of H.R.H. The Princess Royal President of the Civil Guide Association, to the West Glamorgan Rally, held at Singleton Park, Swansea. May 28th 1938
Amateur film 1938 15 mins Silent Location: Swansea/Abertawe
After the parade, controlled by gauntlet-wearing commissioners, captains and pack leaders, the 'Brownie Gallop' offers some light relief.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/853d0a1d7d1c648dda36c6490726aef1.jpg?itok=ZJVOHdot)
Mabolgampau Yr Urdd Abertawe, 1933 Mabolgampau Yr Urdd Abertawe, 1933
Amateur film 1933 11 mins Silent Location: Swansea/Abertawe
The Vetch Field stadium in Swansea is occupied by Urdd Gobaith Cymru – The Welsh League of Hope – for 2 days of mass gymnastics in June 1933.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/359ced7e3d7db8e3bce2109de59262c1.jpg?itok=pH75Z3l7)
Ingot Pictorial No. 21 Ingot Pictorial No. 21
Promotional 1954 23 mins Location: Swansea/Abertawe
Experience 150 years of rail transport at Mumbles, enjoy the red sails of Abbey Works’ boat club, watch Sterling Moss discover the steel industry’s impact on racing cars.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/785b72c4bc90c8bfe7c8a94e3d37e01c.jpg?itok=R6fBT6Rs)
Great Western Ports Great Western Ports
Industry sponsored film 1929 86 mins Silent Location: Cardiff/Caerdydd
"Any Ware to Anywhere" - a film advertising the thoroughly modern merits of the Great Western Railway ports (e.g. Cardiff, Newport, Barry, Port Talbot, Swansea, Fishguard).
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Shoot-Your-Shot-02.jpg?itok=KREdlpBS)
Shoot Your Shot Shoot Your Shot
Drama 2022 12 mins
An emotional stand-off takes flight, as teen best friends Ronit and Brennan come to terms with navigating that fuzzy feeling in their stomachs, all whilst learning to skateboard.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Yellow-04.jpg?itok=Bt5NDkC8)
Yellow Yellow
Drama 2023 13 mins
In Taliban controlled Afghanistan, Laili walks into a Chadari store in Kabul to buy her first full body veil from a Talib shopkeeper and face a new future.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/%25E2%2580%258ELook-Like-You-02.jpeg?itok=2R3w9luT)
Look Like You Look Like You
Drama 2022 13 mins
While visiting the adoptive family of her eight-year-old biological son, Tara relays advice she gathered from growing up as a queer outcast.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/NEHEMICH-02.jpg?itok=ba9fjUy4)
Nehemich Nehemich
Drama 2023 23 mins
Banished in a dilapidated village hut during her menstruation, a young girl waits to elope with her lover.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/1717526943-default-ovp-poster-image.jpg?itok=Fk8VLsGa)
Interview with Pam Cullen Interview with Pam Cullen
Inside Film 2020 53 mins
Interview with Pam Cullen who at 97 boasts an incredible career spanning over fifty years in the Indian film industry.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/muscleqanda.jpg?itok=8sw22r7R)
Muscle - Exclusive Q&A Muscle - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 34 mins
Director Gerard Johnson talks Nia Child through the making of Muscle, an adrenalized drama that tears into the stereotypes of masculinity and male friendship.