This film is part of Free
Y Gwr O Gwr Yr Aran
Teacher Frank Letch of Llanuwchllyn, Gwynedd discusses his life and living with his acquired disability in this TV documentary. In Welsh with English subtitles.
Overview
A fascinating portrait of a disabled husband, father, and teacher living in Wales. Frank Letch lives a remarkably independent life. He is shown riding a modified bike, driving an automatic car, and sailing; all with apparent ease. Frank also demonstrates extremely skilful use of his feet while gardening and playing darts. Always on the lookout for challenges, Frank became a fluent Welsh speaker in just two years. Musical interludes throughout help convey his upbeat approach to life.
Frank Letch went on to become Chairman of Reach, a charity for children with upper limb deficiency. He retired to Devon, later becoming a Liberal Democrat local councillor. He has been Mayor of the town of Crediton for the past ten years. Frank received a MBE in 2015.
Related
The End The End
Science Fiction 2011 24 mins
A moving speculation on the future decline of Deaf culture
Smallest Woman in the World Smallest Woman in the World
News 1972 8 mins Location: Bromsgrove
Living in a world that makes no concessions for her size: Joyce Carpenter is Britain's smallest woman.
Trapped Rhythms Trapped Rhythms
Music video 2016 4 mins
Powerful music video that demands respect for difference.
Education of the Deaf Education of the Deaf
Documentary 1946 51 mins Location: Manchester
A brisk look at the tests and education practices for deaf people in 1940s
Resistance Resistance
Drama 2008 13 mins
Artist-activist Liz Crow's haunting film about the Nazis' Aktion-T4 programme during World War Two. In 1939 Germany, a secret institution has sinister plans for its disabled inmates.
Artificial Limb Making Artificial Limb Making
Non-Fiction 1916 1 mins
Occupational therapy turns full circle, as amputee soldiers learn to make artificial limbs for others
Teulu Owain Owain: Llanuwchllyn a'r Bala Teulu Owain Owain: Llanuwchllyn a'r Bala
Home movie 1968 10 mins Silent Location: Llanuwchllyn
A new baby completes the Owain family, birthdays are celebrated, trips out undertaken and son Robin paints, following in his dad’s footsteps.
Cofeb, Coroni a Theithio Cofeb, Coroni a Theithio
Home movie 1972 15 mins Silent Location: Aberystwyth
The unveiling of a statue (Sir Ifan ab Owen Edwards), the crowning of a bard (Dafydd Rowlands) and a trip on the Vale of Rheidol Railway for writer Annes Glynn and friends.
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.