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
Pembrokeshire Castles (Manorbier, Carew, Picton) and Point-to-Pointing (Lydstep)
The castle ruins stand solid and still, the horses race flat out, the Boy Scouts at the Picton Jamboree try balancing on sticks!
From the collection of:
Overview
In filming places/events of interest to his family, W J Smith, like many home-movie makers, also created a social history document. He shot footage of the Carew Cross after its re-positioning post-WWII, when it was moved for safekeeping (the young workman in dungarees probably an apprentice of Smith's brother Freddy). Smith's sons attended the Boy Scout Jamboree in the grounds of Picton Castle in 1952. His wife, a fine horsewoman, would have enjoyed the Lydstep racing.
William John Smith, born in Monkton in 1912, was an electrician and worked to connect many Pembrokeshire villages to the electricity supply in the late 1940s/50s. He also had a smallholding where he bred pigs and spaniels, the latter as gun dogs. His first wife was Sissy Irene Pawlett, of Barn Farm, Rosemarket. They lived in Golden Hill, Pembroke where they brought up 4 children – Billy, John, Mary and Alan. See also 'Pembrokeshire: life on the land and the Alumchine ferry'.
Related
Watch for free
Saundersfoot 1954 Saundersfoot 1954
Amateur film 1954 10 mins Silent Location: Saundersfoot
The joys of sand, sea and ice-creams under a Pembrokeshire sun for the Wright family from Bristol.
Watch for free
Pembrokeshire: life on the land and the Alumchine ferry Pembrokeshire: life on the land and the Alumchine ferry
Home movie 1952 7 mins Silent Location: Manorbier
I could join the circus, thinks the nimble lurcher, perhaps, at Westhill Farm, Manorbier. Over at Barn Farm, Rosemarket, a bull braves dogs.
Watch for free
Five Holiday in Pembrokeshire Five Holiday in Pembrokeshire
Home movie 1961 14 mins Silent Location: Tenby/Dinbych-y-pysgod
Such are the natural beauties of Pembrokeshire that a holiday there is a tonic! This group – 2 women, 1 man, 2 dogs – enjoy the sun, sea and picnics.
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Watch for free
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
Watch for free
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Watch for free
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.