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
Festival of Wales in Dyserth: Cwm Annual Sports
Racing for victory – in a sack, as part of a 3-legged pair or with an egg and spoon - on Whit Monday during the Festival of Wales.
From the collection of:
Overview
The annual sports always took place on Whit Monday, in Pentre field, by kind permission of the owners, Emrys Cunnah and his wife. This year – May 1958 - the sports were included as part of Dyserth and Cwm villages’ contribution to the Welsh Tourist Board’s Festival of Wales. Listed on the festival programme but not captured on film are an ‘Ankle Competition’ for ladies and a ‘Pillow fight’ for men. This year also saw the opening of Dyserth Bowling Club’s new pavilion.
Other events in the festival which ran from May to September were community hymn singing, a music recital, pageants and entertainments provided by the Women’s Institute and the youth movement Urdd Gobaith Cymru. The esteemed local pharmacist Rhys Roberts, who is commemorated by a bronze plaque on the wall beside his shop, filmed some of the festivities. The opening of the bowling pavilion attracted not only the local barber (Mr Wigley, seen walking across the green towards the camera) but also Mr Ellis, the Midland Bank manager, who with red tie and no hat is seen talking to another man (with hat) beside a small van.
Related
Watch for free
Festival of Wales in Dyserth: Molawd Y Crefftwyr/In Praise of Craftsmen Festival of Wales in Dyserth: Molawd Y Crefftwyr/In Praise of Craftsmen
Home movie 1958 3 mins Silent Location: Dyserth
Cobbler, tailor, quarryman, farm hand: Dyserth’s branch of the youth movement Urdd Gobaith Cymru pays tribute to local skills.
Watch for free
Festival of Wales in Dyserth: Pageant of the Triple Wedding Festival of Wales in Dyserth: Pageant of the Triple Wedding
Home movie 1958 2 mins Silent Location: Dyserth
The ties that bind the Mostyns and the Parrys, established local families, are celebrated in Dyserth, Denbighshire.
Watch for free
From Dyserth to Llandudno and Cardiff From Dyserth to Llandudno and Cardiff
Home movie 1958 4 mins Silent Location: Llandudno
Donald Duck comes home with the Sunday School trippers from Bethel Chapel, Dyserth!
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.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.