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
Malltraeth and Menai Bridge Horse Fair
Anglesey-based artist Charles Tunnicliffe records some of the island's wonders which include turkeys, Ty Newydd and horse mane plaiting!
From the collection of:
Overview
A cinematic 'sketchbook' featuring Anglesey's man-made and natural wonders filmed by artist Charles Tunnicliffe. There are shots of the neolithic burial chamber 'Ty Newydd', Llanfaelog and, at Malltraeth, the viaduct and church - 'Crist y Brenin'. Elsie Holroyd, Tunnicliffe's wife's sister-in-law, is out in the field using binoculars and a group of women sit on a wall and play up for the camera. Turkeys, and the plaiting of a mane at the horse fair are recorded too.
It was evident from a young age that Tunnicliffe (1901-79) had a gift for drawing. From a farm in Cheshire he won scholarships to the Macclesfield School of Art and the Royal College of Art, London. He worked as an etcher/engraver, a teacher and an illustrator for e.g. Ladybird books and Brooke Bond tea cards. He also illustrated books by e.g. Alison Uttley and Henry Williamson. He married Winifred Wonnacott (1902-69), a fellow RCA scholarship student from Holywood, Belfast, and they moved to 'Shorelands', a bungalow by the Cefni estuary, Malltraeth, in 1947. Their friends included naturalists T G 'Wack' Walker, Norman 'Nomad' Ellison, Ted Breeze Jones (also a photographer) and artist Kyffin Williams.
Related
Ponies (Cable Bay) and Posies (Shorelands, Malltraeth) Ponies (Cable Bay) and Posies (Shorelands, Malltraeth)
Home movie 1955 3 mins Silent Location: Malltraeth
Artist Charles Tunnicliffe’s cinematic ‘sketches’, include shots of a dredger and a horse-drawn cart on the Cefni estuary.
Landmarks and Seagulls Landmarks and Seagulls
Home movie 1955 4 mins Silent Location: Aberffraw
Charles F Tunnicliffe’s artist’s eye informs this footage he caught on camera of birds and bridges, clouds and snow.
Malltraeth: birds observed Malltraeth: birds observed
Home movie 1955 3 mins Silent Location: Malltraeth
Anglesey-based artist Charles Tunnicliffe swaps brushes for a camera and offers us the chance to look a cormorant in its emerald-green eye.
Shorelands, Malltraeth: snow, swans, gulls and Nomad Shorelands, Malltraeth: snow, swans, gulls and Nomad
Home movie 1950 10 mins Silent Location: Malltraeth
Wildlife artist Charles Tunnicliffe and his wife Winifred lived at 'Shorelands', Malltraeth, Anglesey, surrounded by birds, river and sea.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Luke Bean of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Samantha Arnold of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.
Horace Ové on Pressure Horace Ové on Pressure
Inside Film 2005 36 mins
The acclaimed director discusses his landmark film in this interview from 2005.
Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 28 mins
Directors Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor dig deep into their thrilling biopic Baltimore, in discussion with Nadia M Oliva.
Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film
Inside Film 2023 17 mins
Actor Herbert Norville discusses working with the pioneering filmmaker on his groundbreaking 1975 drama, Pressure.
Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective
Inside Film 2023 77 mins
An impassioned discussion on the life, work and legacy of the eminent filmmaker Horace Ové, chaired by Samira Ahmed.