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
Abersoch and Portmeirion - Whit Week 1951
A sign in the woods of Portmeirion reading ‘Please No Picking’ causes the 3 young Healey girls some amusement whilst on their hols in Abersoch.
From the collection of:
Overview
As a boy, William Healey would visit Abersoch from Lancashire with his parents and 2 brothers for holidays full of sun, sand and sea. He returns now with his 3 daughters who enjoy the same seaside environment. They take a trip to Portmeirion, the Italianate village built by architect Clough Williams-Ellis from which charabancs are barred and the buildings are a world away from the Abersoch beach huts. As his father Percy would do, William records the holiday on film.
William Healey (b.1916) and his youngest brother Brian followed in their father’s footsteps, running Healey Brothers Ltd, a rope and twine manufacturing business established in Heywood, Lancashire, by their great-grandfather in 1843. Their brother, Donald, was killed in 1940, the ship he was on torpedoed. William married F Marjorie Etherington in 1939 - their 3 daughters feature in the film: Angela (b.1941), Vivien (b.1946) and Rachel (b.1948) who all attended Bury Grammar School and Harrogate Ladies College. The business survived the war (via camouflage netting, parachute cords and string vests) and in 1968 was acquired by British Ropes Ltd. Heywood’s Cartridge Ropery est. 1843 still operates.
Related
Aberdaron and Borth-y-gest - Whit Week 1951 Aberdaron and Borth-y-gest - Whit Week 1951
Home movie 1951 12 mins Silent Location: Abersoch
Holiday highlight: a beautiful horse named 'Battleship' carries Miss Healey round and round on Pat Collins' Colwyn Bay carousel.
The Morgan Family at Abersoch The Morgan Family at Abersoch
Home movie 1948 13 mins Silent Location: Abersoch
When the sun shines, Abersoch beach has everything – all you need is a bucket, a bat, a bathing suit and your sea legs!
Abersoch - The Anchorage Abersoch - The Anchorage
Home movie 1927 14 mins Silent Location: Abersoch
Where better to bring 3 boys on a holiday than this house on the Benar Headland, Abersoch? Sea, sand, boats and fishing keep them well occupied.
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.
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.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Luke Bean of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Samantha Arnold of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.
Horace Ové on Pressure Horace Ové on Pressure
Inside Film 2005 36 mins
The acclaimed director discusses his landmark film in this interview from 2005.
Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 28 mins
Directors Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor dig deep into their thrilling biopic Baltimore, in discussion with Nadia M Oliva.