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
May Fair at Rhayader
Dixie Glasgow, returning to Rhayader for a holiday from his advertising agency in New York, enlists the help of a prankster to add fun to the fair day.
From the collection of:
Overview
Dixie Glasgow [Robert Maclean Glasgow] returns to Rhayader, his birthplace, for a holiday from his life in New York. Taking his camera to the fair, he enlists the help of a prankster to add to the day’s fun and to provide good footage. Whilst home, he also manages to catch a day of celebration on film, when several football trophies are paraded through the town. The film closes with shots of what is probably his transatlantic crossing back to America.
Robert Maclean Glasgow ("Dixie Glasgow") was born in Rhayader in the early 1900s, emigrating to America with his parents as a small child. He set up one of the first advertising agencies in New York, utilising stills photography and then moving pictures. Several events of note took place during his holiday back home, firstly the fair and then the parade of football cups. These cups were thought to be Cardiff City’s trophies, since this team had won both the FA (or English) Cup and the Welsh Cup in 1927 and a newspaper report refers to these trophies touring the town, two of the team’s directors being from the Rhayader area. Neither cup seen, however, resembles the silverware in question.
Related
The Wye Country 1952 The Wye Country 1952
Amateur film 1952 21 mins Silent Location: Llangurig
From source to estuary – the way of the Wye and the beautiful border country
Llangorse (South Wales Association) - July 1962 Llangorse (South Wales Association) - July 1962
Amateur film 1962 13 mins Silent Location: Llangors
Kingsland, Herefordshire for adorable collie puppies, haymaking and a child's birthday tea in a barn. Rhayader for sheep dog trials and more.
Glanhirin and Bodtalog Shearings – July 1962 Glanhirin and Bodtalog Shearings – July 1962
Amateur film 1962 3 mins Silent Location: Bodtalog
Shearers and helpful neighbours have arrived by car and on horseback to shear and brand 2,500 sheep over 2 days in the Cwmdauddwr hills.
Llandovery Cricket and the Claerwen Dam Llandovery Cricket and the Claerwen Dam
Home movie 1956 7 mins Silent Location: Llandovery/Llanymddyfri
From a cricket match in Llandovery to a love match at the Elan Valley Hotel, with shots of a dam and a hunting party thrown in.
Ford Trucks Ford Trucks
Advert 1929 19 mins Silent Location: Lake Vyrnwy/Llyn Efyrnwy
Across every conceivable land or road condition, a Ford truck can carry the load.
The Wonderful Wye The Wonderful Wye
Travelogue 1926 6 mins Silent Location: Rhayader/Rhaeadr Gwy
Enjoy these charming scenes of Powys follies at Llandrindod Wells, rescued from the cutting room floor
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Blades Blades
Drama 2023 2 mins
A group of young Black boys run into a building. One of them is about to do the unimaginable.
We Collide We Collide
Romance 2023 2 mins
A queercore romance - a visceral and immersive exploration of the power of the mosh pit and finding love in the most unlikely of places.
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.