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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Castles (Flint, Denbigh, Hawarden) and Garden (Bodnant)
History looms large for the family visiting Flint, Denbigh and Hawarden castles. Bodnant Garden provides a welcome profusion of colour.
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Overview
Much of Flint castle still stands where it was built 1277-84 on the Dee estuary, Edward I's first castle in Wales. By the 1960s, it is sharing the shore with houses and high-rise flats – no match for the ruins in terms of longevity or solidity - and industrial Deeside is visible. Denbigh and Hawarden castles also feature as destinations for Cone family visits, the son wearing a bow-tie to explore the stones of history. By contrast, Bodnant Garden offers a riot of colour.
Flintshire's Hawarden Castle (the name applies to both the medieval castle ruins and the 18th century mansion) was once lived in by British Prime Minister W E Gladstone – who added a wing to house a library - the castle having been owned by the family of his wife, Catherine Glynne. Bodnant Garden, Conwy, created by the McLaren family, has been owned by the National Trust since 1949. This footage was shot by Joseph Cone, of Pentre, Queensferry, Flintshire, a member of Deeside Cine Club (HQ: Rivertown Schoolroom, Shotton) and a provider of film shows locally. He was proprietor of a General Merchant's business, selling hardware, oil and electrical goods and photographic film which he developed and printed.
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