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.
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Last March of Mr. Jonah Rees at St. Clears
Mr Jonah Rees, 50 years a postman in St. Clears, Carmarthenshire, is transported on his last round before retirement in a chauffeur-driven car. But how will be spend his time now?
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Overview
Postman Jonah Rees was “never absent – never late” in all the 50 years he worked. On his last round before retirement he is, for once, chauffeur driven and his later appearance in suit and bow-tie suggests a celebratory dinner. But how will he spend his well-earned rest? The answer seems to be in sitting and reading by the fire in his shirt sleeves whilst smoking his pipe, his uniform a thing of the past. Title also includes other local events (football final, fire, carnival).
The Football Cup Final took place at St. Clears in 1930 and is complete with clown in drag and a man wearing a newspaper advertisement on his back for the following week’s match – ‘Docksmen v Cup Winners'. The fire is breaking news – it is taking hold of the milk factory in Station Road. Churns are rolled out of a shed, paperwork is thrown from an office window, a chain is formed for carrying buckets of water. The carnival shows people in fancy dress and includes a brief shot of Jonah Rees in postman's outfit with mail bag (post retirement?). Stanley W. Phillips, the film-maker, was a professional photographer (weddings a speciality) with a studio in St. Clears, supplying photos for local and national papers.
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