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

Stock Car Racing at Neath Abbey Stadium
The ruins of Neath Abbey overlook races that include fire, floodlights and pile-ups. Safer by far are the dodgems and the pedalo which follow.
From the collection of:

Overview
Extensive footage of stock car racing, shot by a Neath plumber. The picture on the title card – a woman holding chrysanthemums to her face – obviously not indicative of the content but a good example of how women are used as decorative additions to male sporting events! Two boxers are present at the races: wholesome Dai Dower, in camel coat, who shakes the hand of a winning driver, and Freddie Mills, in mackintosh with cigarette, who looks every inch the gangster he became.
David William Dower (1933-2016) was a miner from Abercynon [see the 1955 British Paramount News item ‘Dai Dower Takes Mining Course’, held by NSSAW]. He boxed for Britain in the 1952 Summer Olympics and became British and British Empire Flyweight Champion in 1954, and European Flyweight Champion in 1955. He fought for but failed to win a world title in 1957. He made a post-boxing life for himself in Freddie Mills’ old stamping ground, Bournemouth, teaching sport at a school and the university there. Frederick Percival Mills (1919-1965) worked as a milkman in his home town before becoming World Light Heavyweight Champion 1948-50. His post-boxing life included film acting and nightclub ownership in London.
Related

Local Cinema Advertisements - Port Talbot Local Cinema Advertisements - Port Talbot
Advert 1934 2 mins Silent Location: Port Talbot
The message for cinema-goers in Port Talbot, Neath and Briton Ferry is that they should shop local!

North, South and Neath North, South and Neath
Home movie 1954 5 mins Silent Location: Caernarfon
Neath plumber Vernon Hudson takes his family north to Caernarfon, south to Mumbles and Barry, and into the street when the circus comes to town.

Too Funny for Words Too Funny for Words
Amateur film 1950 4 mins Silent Location: Neath/Castell-Nedd
Haydn Ford, cartoonist of Neath, is here celebrated by a friend and amateur film-maker for whom he created a beautiful logo and title cards.

The Premier at Neath The Premier at Neath
Non-Fiction 1918 4 mins Silent Location: Neath/Castell-Nedd
The sun shines down when PM Lloyd George is in town.

Alexandre Desplat (Masterclass) Alexandre Desplat (Masterclass)
Inside Film 2011 33 mins
Over 30 years and 150 projects, the composer shares, with humour and passion, the intricacies of making film music.

Ian Neil (Masterclass) Ian Neil (Masterclass)
Inside Film 2012 74 mins
Neil selected soundtracks for 127 Hours, Shame, Kick Ass, Control and many more. He discusses the job and its complexities, referencing his own work.

Barry Ackroyd (Masterclass) Barry Ackroyd (Masterclass)
2013 61 mins
British cinematographer of The Hurt Locker, Captain Phillips, Hillsborough and Riff Raff reviews the art of the moving image.

Lois Burwell on movie makeup Lois Burwell on movie makeup
Inside Film 2013 17 mins
Lincoln, Braveheart and Magnolia make-up artist Lois Burwell explains how she created some of her most iconic looks, as part of a BAFTA Masterclass.

Gabriel Yared on composing for film Gabriel Yared on composing for film
Inside Film 2013 11 mins
Composer of The Lives of Others, The English Patient and Betty Blue on intimacy and experimentation.

Screenwriters' Lecture: Peter Straughan Screenwriters' Lecture: Peter Straughan
Inside Film 2012 mins
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy's adapter reveals his quest for "the poem of the book" and the importance of simplicity: 'Drain the pond to find the fish'.