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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Machynlleth - ysgol, dwr, gwyngalch
Exciting demonstrations of Beresford’s water pumps draw crowds of men and boys to Maengwyn Street and Felingerrig Bridge, Machynlleth.
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Overview
Machynlleth’s new school demonstrates how it has been designed with the health benefits of fresh air in mind: every classroom’s sheltered windows are open to the sound of the tennis court being mown. Shots of the old school are included for comparison. Cross country running ensures the boys get some exercise, as does swimming in the Dyfi, but neither could have been as exciting as the water pumping demonstrations outside Maengwyn Chapel and by Felingerrig Bridge.
Topical footage believed to have been shot by Arthur Prince, projectionist, for screening at the Powys Cinema, Machynlleth. Teachers from the new Ysgol Bro Ddyfi cheer boys off on a cross country run starting from the entrance to Plas Machynlleth (donated to the town by 7th Marquis of Londonderry in 1948). The water pumping demonstrations were probably connected with the council’s fire service and may well have been arranged by Berwyn Brooks Evans, council surveyor and Maengwyn Chapel deacon, who is present. Perhaps the chapel got a clean as part of the bargain! In Graig Fach, a stud horse on a visit from Tynywern Farm, Cwmllinau, is shown off, and Elen Griffiths applies whitewash to her cottage.
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