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
Castell Gorfod Farm
Caterpillar, Clyde Higgs and W H Buckley – all makers of agricultural machines featured here in use on Buckley's farm, Castell Gorfod, Llangynin, Carmarthenshire.
From the collection of:
Overview
W H Buckley, a non-executive director of Buckley's Brewery, Llanelli and master of the Carmarthenshire Foxhounds, reveals his interest in machinery, capturing on film the following items in use on his farm, Castell Gorfod, Llangynin, Carmarthenshire: a hay loader, a Clyde Higgs grass-cutting machine, a potato-laying machine invented by himself, a Caterpillar tractor, and Cymag gas equipment for the extermination of rabbits.
Lt Col W H Buckley was based in Bangalore 1925-30 with a calvary regiment, the 5th Inniskilling Dragoon Guards. He retired from the army in 1930 and came back home to take on the family farm. He can be seen driving the Caterpillar tractor, wearing cap and bow-tie, to which is attached his invention - the potato-layer. Two men sit – possibly not very comfortably - in the contraption as it is drawn around the field, rhythmically feeding potatoes into the ground via a hole in the floor of the layer. In pursuit of further mechanical gadgetry, Buckley installed one of the first grass drying machines seen in Wales on his farm, which proved useful during WWII for drying water-damaged grain.
Related
Watch for free
The Buckley Family - Somerleaze (Frome) and Castell Gorfod (Llangynin) The Buckley Family - Somerleaze (Frome) and Castell Gorfod (Llangynin)
Home movie 1931 12 mins Silent Location: Frome
The Buckley's Brewery (Llanelli) family gets about, visiting relatives in Somerset and cutting hay – and hair – at home in Carmarthenshire.
Watch for free
The Wedding, the Beekeeper, the Pigs and the Broads The Wedding, the Beekeeper, the Pigs and the Broads
Home movie 1933 10 mins Silent Location: Pendine Sands
Brayshays in Laugharne, Buckleys at Llangynin, 'Voyager' on the Thames, 'Seafarer' on Pendine Sands and 'Herzogin Cecilie' on the rocks.
Watch for free
Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire Otter Hounds Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire Otter Hounds
Amateur film 1930 14 mins Silent Location: Hook
Otter hunting from start to finish. Some viewers may regard this as an interesting, historical record, others as evidence of human cruelty.
Watch for free
Buckley Family - point-to- point, puppy show and meets Buckley Family - point-to- point, puppy show and meets
Home movie 1932 11 mins Silent Location: Castell Gorfod
A point-to-point, puppy show, hunter trials and meets: the language and life of the hunting fraternity, in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion.
Watch for free
Buckley Family - otter hunting, hare coursing and 'Castell Gorfod' Buckley Family - otter hunting, hare coursing and 'Castell Gorfod'
Home movie 1970 15 mins Silent Location: Castell Gorfod
Castell Gorfod', Llangynin - home of the Buckley's Brewery (Llanelli) family - is the place for puppies and post-hunt parties.
Watch for free
Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire Otter Hounds and Tivyside Hounds Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire Otter Hounds and Tivyside Hounds
Home movie 1965 7 mins Silent Location: Ferryside
From otter hunting at Solva and Llanaeron (no otters seen) to shots of Hatty, the performing bulldog, owned by W Kemmis Buckley.
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.