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
Farrier at Castle Caereinion and Front Field Ride
Walter Price welcomes Ion Trant of Maesmawr Hall and his mare 'Nutmeg' (Iceland x Thoroughbred) to his smithy at Castle Caereinion, Powys.
From the collection of:
Overview
Schoolchildren observe the practice of an ancient craft as farrier Walter Price provides new shoes for 'Nutmeg' at his smithy in Castle Caereinion. It looks as if one lucky boy has been allowed to work the bellows. Janet Trant is also present. Her husband, Ion, rides the newly-shod mare away and their youngest daughter, Rosemary, then demonstrates her complete ease in the saddle as she gallops round the front field at Maesmawr Hall, the Trants' home/farm near Welshpool.
Ion Trant of Dovea Farm, Tipperary, Ireland, studied agriculture in Canada and then took up a post at the Welsh Plant Breeding Station, Aberystwyth, where he met his future wife, Janet Owen of Maesmawr Hall, Welshpool, both of them working on improved grasses for upland farms with George Stapledon. The Trants farmed at Maesmawr Hall, the adjoining farm Cefn Du, and Esgairdraenllwyn at Llaithddu, Llandrindod, where Janet bred Welsh Black cattle crossed with Herefords. Ion created the "Country Close-Up" series for children (BBC 1956-62) – an extract seen here without live narration - to foster an understanding of the countryside. As John Kerry, he wrote a column for the Montgomeryshire Express.