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
Three Boys in a Boat
Three hardworking boys burn weeds, cut and transport reeds for an island hut on the lake at Maemawr Hall, Welshpool, and fry eggs outdoors.
From the collection of:
Overview
Country living can afford the sort of opportunities that scouting was invented to deliver: plenty of fresh air and the learning of self reliance through practical and useful tasks, with a bit of fun thrown in. At Maesmawr Hall farm near Welshpool, David Trant, son of the farmer/film-maker, and two friends burn weeds and cut and transport reeds across the lake to an island hut they are building. A pigeon for the pot and campfire fried eggs ensure they don't go hungry.
Ion Trant of Dovea Farm, Tipperary, Ireland, studied agriculture in Canada and then took up a post at the Welsh Plant Breeding Station, Aberystwyth, where he met his future wife, Janet Owen of Maesmawr Hall, Welshpool, both of them working on improved grasses for upland farms with George Stapledon. The Trants farmed at Maesmawr Hall, the adjoining farm Cefn Du, and Esgairdraenllwyn at Llaithddu, Llandrindod, where Janet bred Welsh Black cattle crossed with Herefords. Ion created the "Country Close-Up" series for children (BBC 1956-62) – an extract seen here without live narration - to foster an understanding of the countryside. As John Kerry, he wrote a column for the Montgomeryshire Express.
Related
Nature walk - Maesmawr School Nature walk - Maesmawr School
School programme and Educational film 1959 2 mins Silent Location: Maesmawr Hall
Learning outdoors: children find rosehips and oak apples in the winter sunshine.
Summer Oats for Winter Feed Summer Oats for Winter Feed
School programme and Educational film 1959 8 mins Silent Location: Maesmawr Hall
Oats are mown, threshed and rolled in summer so that calves at Maesmawr Hall farm, Welshpool, can be fed well in winter and pile on the pounds.
Balers: Welger and Jones Balers: Welger and Jones
School programme and Educational film 1960 3 mins Silent Location: Maesmawr Hall
Horses for courses and different balers for different bales. At Maesmawr Hall, a Welger produces very loose bales, a Jones very compact ones.
Farrier at Castle Caereinion and Front Field Ride Farrier at Castle Caereinion and Front Field Ride
School programme and Educational film 1956 7 mins Silent Location: Maesmawr Hall
Walter Price welcomes Ion Trant of Maesmawr Hall and his mare 'Nutmeg' (Iceland x Thoroughbred) to his smithy at Castle Caereinion, Powys.
Pigs, Ponies and Cowboys & Indians in Powys Pigs, Ponies and Cowboys & Indians in Powys
School programme and Educational film 1956 16 mins Silent Location: Maesmawr Hall
There’s work to be done on the farm – e.g. drilling, rolling fleeces, baling hay – but also play to be enjoyed by piglets and children.
Seasonal deliveries: hay on a sleigh and milk from Ma Seasonal deliveries: hay on a sleigh and milk from Ma
School programme and Educational film 1960 9 mins Silent Location: Maesmawr Hall
There’s hay for horses in Welshpool snow, and more is used in springtime round chilly lambs, when mothers’ milk is flowing for the new-borns.
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.