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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Sheep Shearing
It’s all hands on deck at shearing time and Maes Caradoc farm, Nant Ffrancon, has help from an Italian prisoner-of-war.
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Overview
Sidney Whiteley of Harrow, a keen climber and photographer who visited Snowdonia regularly during the 1930s/40s, created a detailed, inter-titled record of shearing at Maes Caradoc farm, Nant Francon. A sea of sheep that has flowed down from the hills is gathered near the farm. The animals are sorted, washed in the river (probably at the nearby farm Braich Ty Du), shorn and branded. An Italian prisoner-of-war rolls up the fleeces.
Selected for exhibition at the National Eisteddfod, Caerffili, in 1950, this film was also awarded a special commendation by Amateur Cine World magazine. The Italian prisoner of war may have come from Pabo Hall, Bryn Pydew, Llandudno, where Italian prisoners-of-war were housed during WWII. Mr Whiteley’s wife, Margaret Ellen (nee Simon), was London-born of Welsh parents.
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