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
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.
From the collection of:
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.
Related
In Welsh Hills - a record of pleasant hours among the mountains of Snowdonia In Welsh Hills - a record of pleasant hours among the mountains of Snowdonia
Amateur film 1950 15 mins Silent Location: Nant Ffrancon
A film highly commended in 1950 by the National Eisteddfod in Caerffili, the Scottish Amateur Film Festival, and Amateur Cine World magazine.
Jack Frost. Frozen waters of Ogwen Falls Jack Frost. Frozen waters of Ogwen Falls
Non-Fiction 1926 2 mins Silent Location: Nant Ffrancon
Jack Frost has been out and about, freezing the River Ogwen’s waterfalls with striking effects.
Eryri - yr unigeddau agos Eryri - yr unigeddau agos
Promotional 1987 25 mins Location: Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa
An introduction to the splendours, both ancient and modern, of Snowdonia: land, sheep, slate, gold, water, power, outdoor pursuits and the artist Kyffin Williams.
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.