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.
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Llandovery Cricket and the Claerwen Dam
From a cricket match in Llandovery to a love match at the Elan Valley Hotel, with shots of a dam and a hunting party thrown in.
From the collection of:
Overview
A film of four distinct parts. To open, we have independent schools Llandovery College and Christ College, Brecon, battling it out on Llandovery’s cricket pitch, an annual event. We then view the structure and surrounds of Claerwen Dam, part of the Elan Valley reservoirs system, from its giddy heights. Then it’s back down to earth for wedding photographs in the grounds of the reception venue, the Elan Valley Hotel and, to close, shots of a hunting party and their bag.
[Penry] Noel Lewis (1911-1984) from Gaufron, Rhayader, and his wife Blodwen (nee Price, from Tredegar) took on the tenancy of the Elan Valley Hotel, just outside Rhayader, in 1959. Their son Alan and his wife Pauline joined them in the business in 1969. Alan (who attended Christ College, Brecon and is seen batting in the cricket match), and Pauline later purchased the hotel. The newly-weds seen in the grounds of the hotel are Mary Lewis of Frondorddau farm in the Elan Valley and Victor Thomas of Llanafan (Powys). The hunting at Llanddewi Ystradenni is undertaken by Alan and Pauline (who have an ammunition belt) and Noel, together with a friend and dogs.
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