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
Pembrokeshire: life on the land and the Alumchine ferry
I could join the circus, thinks the nimble lurcher, perhaps, at Westhill Farm, Manorbier. Over at Barn Farm, Rosemarket, a bull braves dogs.
From the collection of:
Overview
A lurcher demonstrates his skill at riding bareback at Westhill Farm, Manorbier. At Barn Farm, Rosemarket, a bull indicates that he is non too bullish when he is run out of the yard by dogs but the hens just peck about as usual when farmer Gwilly Pawlett feeds them, assisted by his bevy of grand-daughters. Away from the farms, trips can be taken by train, by bus (Silcox) or paddle steamer, the Alumchine operating between Hobbs' Point, Pembroke Dock and Neyland 1933-56.
Westhill Farm was the home of the Davies family – Wilfy (with hat and pipe), his wife Mary Jane (close-fitting, knitted hat) and their son Peter (seen in field with the horse). Mary Jane was the sister of Sissy Irene, both daughters of Gwilly Pawlett. Sissy married William John Smith (b.1912) from Monkton, an electrician who also shot footage of local and family events. He and Sissy lived in Golden Hill, Pembroke, with their 4 children – Billy, John and Mary (both seen holding very young puppies), and Alan. Derek Williams, also of Golden Hill, is seen pedalling a little bicycle in the street. The train seen was possibly steaming to Bristol, taking children from East End School, Pembroke, on an outing to the zoo.
Related
Watch for free
Saundersfoot 1954 Saundersfoot 1954
Amateur film 1954 10 mins Silent Location: Saundersfoot
The joys of sand, sea and ice-creams under a Pembrokeshire sun for the Wright family from Bristol.
Watch for free
Pembrokeshire Castles (Manorbier, Carew, Picton) and Point-to-Pointing (Lydstep) Pembrokeshire Castles (Manorbier, Carew, Picton) and Point-to-Pointing (Lydstep)
Home movie 1952 5 mins Silent Location: Manorbier
The castle ruins stand solid and still, the horses race flat out, the Boy Scouts at the Picton Jamboree try balancing on sticks!
Watch for free
Five Holiday in Pembrokeshire Five Holiday in Pembrokeshire
Home movie 1961 14 mins Silent Location: Tenby/Dinbych-y-pysgod
Such are the natural beauties of Pembrokeshire that a holiday there is a tonic! This group – 2 women, 1 man, 2 dogs – enjoy the sun, sea and picnics.
Watch for free
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Watch for free
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.
Watch for free
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Watch for free
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.