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
Caldey Island 1959
Work and school are forgotten as the Wright family re-locates to Caldey Island (Ynys B_r) to enjoy a summer holiday.
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Overview
July 1959: the weather is perfect for a holiday on Caldey, an island off Tenby basking in the Pembrokeshire sunshine. The Wrights, from Bristol, roast sausages on sticks over a fire on the beach, admire the blooming heather and take a ride in an amphibious vehicle (for low tide crossings). The children all enjoy the outdoor life – Sally, Juliet, young Nicholas (who gets to drive a boat) and capable older cousin Ruth – as does Mum Brenda and Dad Philip who is busy with the camera.
This footage was filmed by Philip John Wright, master printer, engineer and inventor, who ran the Bristol-based medical and scientific printers and publishers John Wright and Sons. The Wrights had a particular connection with Caldey via Philip John's wife, Brenda, daughter of William Leonard Roseveare and Marjorie Constance (nee Webb). Brenda's great-grandfather, the Rev W D Bushell (a teacher/chaplain at Harrow School and a keen archaeologist), owned the island 1897-1906. The family stayed in the island's guest house – St Philomena's, a stone house seen in the film – and also at times in one of the terraced cottages, also seen in the film, provided for the men who built the monastery in the 1900s.
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