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
Pushball Bouts and Boy Scout Camp in Brecon
The Pushball – an enormous sphere filled with hot air and advertising the ‘Daily Mail’ - comes to Brecon annually, as part of the carnival.
From the collection of:
Overview
Pushball teams get stuck into their games on The Rich Field as part of Brecon’s carnival, pushing and rolling the huge airbag which advertises the ‘Daily Mail’. This ball would be hired every year by the South Wales Borderers, the town’s regiment and carnival organisers, its arrival/inflation greeted no doubt with delight. After the massive inflatable are shots of rumbustious Boy Scouts encamped on the Brecon Promenade which runs alongside the River Usk.
Footage shot by Jack Clark who moved from Herefordshire to Brecon as a boy, setting up a photography shop and studio in the town in 1905, initially in Castle Street, later at larger premises in the High Street. He also worked, during the summer months, as a beach photographer all over Britain, using his skills as a ventriloquist and puppeteer to entertain children. The studio has become a toy shop but is still owned and run by his descendents.
Related
The Flaming Tar Barrels of Ottery St Mary The Flaming Tar Barrels of Ottery St Mary
News 1978 2 mins Silent Location: Ottery St Mary
Unique tradition of Ottery St Mary’s flaming tar barrels rolls on
Haggis Hurling Haggis Hurling
News 1980 6 mins Location: Belfast
Meet the president leading the haggis hurling revival and learn how delivering lunch became a sport for kilted gentlemen.
Pipe Smoking Contest Pipe Smoking Contest
News 1963 3 mins Silent Location: Rathfriland
A piano player, a magician or sandwiches, which would motivate you to smoke the longest?
Stuntwoman Human Cannonball Stuntwoman Human Cannonball
News 1975 3 mins Location: Knebworth Ho
Human Cannonball Mary Connors has the guts and determination of any Olympian, proving she really is a she performing at Knebworth House, 1975.
Cheese Rolling Cheese Rolling
News 1960 1 mins Silent Location: Cooper's Hill
Injuries abound as the annual cheese rolling at Cooper's Hill near Brockworth claims its usual victims.
Tug of War Tug of War
News 1975 5 mins Location: Leicester
Their training regime includes lifting a lump of concrete into a tree - meet the Leicester tug-of-war team preparing to take on the world.
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…
Adventures on the River Usk - from Brecon to Usk Adventures on the River Usk - from Brecon to Usk
Amateur film 1954 8 mins Silent Location: Brecon/Aberhonddu
The warden of Tyn-y-Cae Youth Hostel gets his first taste of paddling his own canoe, thanks to Manchester Canoe Club.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.