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The Wye Country 1952

From source to estuary – the way of the Wye and the beautiful border country

Amateur film 1952 21 mins Silent

From the collection of:

Logo for National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales

Overview

Filmmaker John Meredith and his son in law, Arnold Greenwood, follow the meandering Wye river from its source on Plynlimon in mid Wales to the Severn estuary near Chepstow, taking in the border-country villages and towns on their way. The only city, Hereford, sits well in this lovely landscape, and we can imagine the walkers’ twinge of regret as life beyond the Aust Ferry crossing beckons.

John W Meredith was a cine enthusiast who worked for mechanical engineering firm Thompson Brothers at Bradley Engineering Works, Bilston, Staffs. Together with TP colleagues, he came to north Wales – to Penygeulan farm, Llanymawddwy, on camping trips from 1929 onwards, making several films on these visits – including ‘Gwylliaid Cochion Mawddwy/Bandits of Mawddwy’. He also loved the border country, as this film testifies - its travelogue form enabling him to plot the route for the viewer with a map and a pointing finger. The commentary track that was made to accompany the film is sadly lost.