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
Video Player is loading.
Craig-cefn-parc: Mine, School and Christmas Cake
A stunning record of life in Craig-cefn-parc, Swansea, showing the local mine, the chapel (Pantycrwys), the school and the community.
From the collection of:
Overview
In the days when everyone smoked and women always wore aprons – and rode side-saddle on the back of motorbikes – Joe Ivor Davies of Craig-cefn-parc took his camera out and about, recording his community from men at dangerous work in the local colliery (Clydach Merthyr, aka Nixon's) to children in the schoolyard, a woman washing a shop doorstep and a farmer with dog. A very cute kitten and the postman also feature, and a curious incident involving two men and a Christmas cake!
Clydach Merthyr Colliery (known locally as Nixon's), located at Craig-cefn-parc, was unusual for its almost total absence of gas, its underground blacksmithy and the boilers that were used to raise steam for haulage engines. In 1945, it employed almost 600 people. 16 years later, however, coal production ceased but the colliery was kept open until 1978 to provide ventilation and pumping for the nearby Graig Merthyr Colliery. The schoolyard scenes include shots of Alan Jones (b.1938) as a boy – he went on to play for Glamorgan County Cricket Club (1957-83), achieving renown as a phenomenal run-scorer and, later, an excellent coach.
Related
Watch for free
Toys Will Be Toys Toys Will Be Toys
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1988 5 mins Location: South Shields
Barbie dolls in pink battle khaki killing machines in a Christmas animation that cocks a snook at the “Disney Doctrine”.
Watch for free
A Bronte Christmas A Bronte Christmas
Documentary 1980 14 mins Location: Haworth
Richard Whiteley joins children on the Worth Valley Railway Santa’s Special, while the Haworth Town Band sing On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at.
Watch for free
Christmas in Belfast Christmas in Belfast
Government sponsored film 1977 2 mins Location: Belfast
Christmas in Belfast at the height of 'The Troubles'. Not the most wonderful time of year.
Watch for free
Christmas Play Christmas Play
1959 18 mins
Taking the lid off the creative process - of a group of theatrically-minded 11-year-olds as they stage the nativity.
Watch for free
Wartime Cinema Christmas Greeting Wartime Cinema Christmas Greeting
Announcement 1940 1 mins
A thoughtful Christmas message in hope of peace from early in WWII - the absence of loved ones hit hardest at holiday times.
Currently unavailable
Family Christmas Family Christmas
Amateur film 1952 4 mins Silent Location: Norwich
Christmas Day, Norwich 1952 and following the traditional lunch for 4 generations of the Youngs family and offspring - the party is out in the back garden for some fun and fresh air.
Watch for free
Craig-cefn-parc: Sunday School and New Baby Craig-cefn-parc: Sunday School and New Baby
Amateur film 1949 8 mins Silent Location: Craig-cefn-parc
A home movie medley that includes the Pantycrwys Chapel Sunday School procession and a visit to relatives by proud parents bearing a new baby.
Watch for free
Craig-cefn-parc: Smiling Faces Craig-cefn-parc: Smiling Faces
Home movie 1950 4 mins Silent Location: Craig-cefn-parc
Scenes in the mining village of Craig-cefn-parc, Swansea, in the days when aprons were an integral part of a woman's life.
Watch for free
Craig-cefn-parc: Sunday School, Miners and Cobbler Craig-cefn-parc: Sunday School, Miners and Cobbler
Amateur film 1949 4 mins Silent Location: Craig-cefn-parc
Cake tins and cricket bats (and stumps) are carried along in the Elim Chapel Sunday School parade, indications of good things to come!
Watch for free
Craig-cefn-parc: Men at Work and Birthday Girl Craig-cefn-parc: Men at Work and Birthday Girl
Amateur film 1976 7 mins Silent Location: Craig-cefn-parc
There ARE fairies at the bottom of the garden – and men doing the laundry! Joe Ivor Davies captures Craig-cefn-parc on film.
Watch for free
Christmas 1952 Santa Claus Comes to Craig Cefn Parc Christmas 1952 Santa Claus Comes to Craig Cefn Parc
Amateur film 1952 4 mins Silent Location: Craig-cefn-parc
Santa Claus – wearing the traditional robes and a black mask – arrives in the village of Craig Cefn Parc, near Clydach, Swansea, with a horse-drawn sleigh full of presents.
Watch for free
We’ll Go Down in History We’ll Go Down in History
Documentary 2025 25 mins
Two years in the life of TRUK United FC, a beacon for positive change and trans inclusivity in football.
Watch for free
If I Make It To The Morning If I Make It To The Morning
Drama 2024 9 mins
A Chinese teenager dreams of living with her cool aunt in New York, until tensions boil over during a crab dinner.
Watch for free
Dragfox Dragfox
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2024 8 mins
A child struggling with their identity and a charismatic fox (voiced by Sir Ian McKellen) learn to embrace their differences in this heart warming stop-motion animation.
Watch for free
Wait, Wait, Now! Wait, Wait, Now!
Drama 2024 13 mins
A Maori and a Kiwi teen buddy up to raid their mum’s wardrobe and pucker their lips with red.
Watch for free
NGGAK!!! NGGAK!!!
Drama 2024 8 mins
‘I pronounce you wife and wife.’ A young couple design their perfect wedding online, but then mum dials in.
Watch for free
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.