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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First Road Race. Coll v Town Inaugurating the Aberystwyth Town Harriers
February 22nd 1929: They’re off – competitors in a Town v Gown 5-mile circular run from Aberystwyth Town Hall. Filmed by the Cheethams for showing in the local cinema.
From the collection of:

Overview
The Town v Gown 5 mile circular race around Aberystwyth on 22/2/1929 is started at the Town Hall by the Mayor, Lt Col G Fossett Roberts. Taking part is notable athlete D J P Richards, a cross-country winning runner for Wales and Inter-Varsity Champion in 1928. Also featured are Tommy Parnell – “the baby of the event” (according to an inter-title) and Arthur Cheetham – entrepreneur, film-maker, father of the cameraman and proprietor of cinemas in e.g. Aberystwyth.
Hundreds of people have turned out to watch this contest between the University cross-country runners and the newly-formed town team. The distinguished-looking Arthur Cheetham, a pioneer film-maker operating in Wales from the 1890s onwards, makes an appearance at the finishing line, pushing back the crowd so the camera – operated by his son, Gustavus Cheetham – can get good shots of the runners. The film would have been shown later at the Cheetham’s cinema in Market Street, Aberystwyth, where local people would have been able to see themselves as stars on the big screen. Cheetham also had cinemas in Rhyl, Colwyn Bay and Manchester.
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