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
Adventures on the River Usk - from Brecon to Usk
The warden of Tyn-y-Cae Youth Hostel gets his first taste of paddling his own canoe, thanks to Manchester Canoe Club.
From the collection of:
Overview
Canoeing and camping: for members of Manchester Canoe Club this is the best way to spend their leisure time. They are seen here setting up their folding canoes and repairing any damage, negotiating white water on the River Usk, coping with the odd capsize, enjoying a picnic of sandwiches and tomatoes and relaxing on calm water. Includes shots of Eric Bartlett, warden of the Tyn-y-Cae Youth Hostel, near Brecon, who was being introduced to the sport.
Folding canoes, as seen here, with a wooden frame that could be dismantled and a canvas or rubber covering that could then be attached, were the order of the day before car ownership took off in the 1950s and offered easier transport facilities. The Manchester Canoe Club was a pioneer of Wild Water Racing and the Slalom, in which branch of the sport it has produced many a national champion over the decades.
Related
Watch for free
Brecon Carnival Parade 1937 Brecon Carnival Parade 1937
Home movie 1937 2 mins Silent Location: Brecon/Aberhonddu
Brecon folk let their hair down on this carnival day – or else pile it under a funny hat or behind a jewelled crown…
Watch for free
Pushball Bouts and Boy Scout Camp in Brecon Pushball Bouts and Boy Scout Camp in Brecon
Non-Fiction 1925 2 mins Silent Location: Brecon/Aberhonddu
The Pushball – an enormous sphere filled with hot air and advertising the ‘Daily Mail’ - comes to Brecon annually, as part of the carnival.
Watch for free
Shows: Pentyrch, Wenvoe & District, Brecknockshire Shows: Pentyrch, Wenvoe & District, Brecknockshire
Amateur film 1949 14 mins Silent Location: Brecon/Aberhonddu
At the close of the summer: horse, agricultural and flower shows for Pentyrch, Wenvoe & District and Brecknockshire.
Watch for free
This is a B.D.D.A. film taken by members of Cardiff Branch This is a B.D.D.A. film taken by members of Cardiff Branch
Amateur film 1935 13 mins Silent Location: Brecon/Aberhonddu
Weston-Super-Mare’s pier promises ‘Happiness’, ‘Mirth’ and ‘Enjoyment’ and is the destination of a trip undertaken by members of the Cardiff Deaf Club, who use sign language.
Watch for free
Brecon - livestock market and river Brecon - livestock market and river
Amateur film 1947 6 mins Silent Location: Brecon/Aberhonddu
Brecon – a county town – displays its rural roots at the market. Farmers chat, horses are viewed, cattle and sheep are unloaded from lorries, calves are bottle-fed.
Watch for free
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
Watch for free
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Watch for free
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Watch for free
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
Watch for free
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
Watch for free
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.