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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Dyffryn. A Short Film of Happy Days during 1935
Days of fishing for mackerel, sea bathing and Barmouth carnival with horse-drawn floats. Smut the dog discovers the joy of digging in the sand.
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Overview
Record of a holiday taken by the Cox family and friends at Dyffryn Ardudwy, together with Smut their terrier dog who enjoys nothing better than digging in the sand. The Coxes arrive by car and celebrate with a cup of tea, days of fishing for mackerel, shooting rabbits, sea bathing and the Barmouth Carnival all to come.
According to the label on the original can, this was the first film shot by Harold Cox who, it is believed, had a music business in Birmingham but who often holidayed in Dyffryn Ardudwy where he and his brother had neighbouring bungalows built (one named ‘Bodlondeb’) for their eventual retirements. Harold’s parents are seen, as are Will Rogers, a friend, and local people e.g. Will Davies, also known as Will Fox because of his prowess at shooting foxes (accompanied by terrier Taff, who could balance on his bike), and Annie Gladys Davies, the Barmouth carnival queen. Harold Cox was known locally for his striking knitted garments which he created on a machine.
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