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
Newtown - disastrous floods of 1960
In 1960, Newtown found itself under attack by the elements as the River Severn bursts its banks and flooded the town, submerging houses, vehicles and trees.
From the collection of:
Overview
In 1960, on the first weekend of December, the River Severn burst its banks, and water came rushing through the centre of Newtown. At the time, the council could not afford flood defences, which resulted in further flooding on the second weekend of December in 1964, when the river again burst its banks. However under the 1965 New Towns Act, Newtown was designated a new town and government funds were then available for a major flood prevention scheme.