Dr Kate

Giving and Taking: writer Kate Roberts bestows her childhood home – Cae’r Gors - on the nation, and Caernarfonshire Council moves to close Bryncroes School despite opposition.

Two contrasting stories: celebration of a gift and opposition to the removal of a community resource. Kate Roberts, a writer who generated some of her most well known stories from memories of her childhood in Rhosgadfan, was the daughter of a quarryman and here is recorded bestowing her childhood home on the nation. Meanwhile, the people of Bryncroes are seen protesting against Caernarfonshire Council’s move to close the village school.

A service in Rhosgadfan Chapel takes place before Kate Roberts, sporting a blue and white hat, bestows Cae’r Gors on the nation in 1969. There was no money available at the time to restore what was a ruined cottage but this work was later undertaken by the Friends of Cae’r Gors, leading to its development as a heritage centre and tribute to one of Wales’ foremost authors. After this celebratory footage, the reel continues with a protest in what was a 4 years long campaign against Caernarfonshire Council’s education committee. Dafydd Iwan (singer), R Tudur Jones (theologian) and Emyr Llewelyn (teacher) are all present, as were secret policemen for at least one meeting of the committee and campaigners.