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
Miriam Conquers Pendinas
Onwards and upwards goes toddler Miriam Jones, her little legs taking her to the very top of Aberystwyth's hill fort, Pen Dinas.
From the collection of:
Overview
Charming toddler, Miriam Jones, makes a successful ascent of Pen Dinas, Aberystwyth's hill fort. She is aided by mum and dad, who provide an anorak once a certain altitude is reached. At the summit, Wellington's monument offers a welcome seat. There are excellent views of the town from the route up, showing e.g. the football club, The National Library of Wales, the newly-built Plascrug School near the railway, Bronglais Hospital, cranes at work on the university campus.
The film-maker, Gareth Hywel Vernon Jones (1918-1987) was born in Tregaron but his family moved to Aberystwyth when he was 5 and he remained there for the rest of his life. He married Joan Elizabeth Jones (1929-2017) of Lampeter in 1958 (she had also moved to live in Aberystwyth with her family, when she was 18). They had a daughter, Miriam Elisabeth (b.1967). Mr Jones, an audio-visual officer with the council's education department, was interested in recording family and community life on film and was a well-known player of the 'saw', using a cello bow to do so. He would entertain local societies with his skill and demonstrated this talent on television too.