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
Dyffryn. A Short Film of Happy Days during 1935
Days of fishing for mackerel, sea bathing and Barmouth carnival with horse-drawn floats. Smut the dog discovers the joy of digging in the sand.
From the collection of:
Overview
Record of a holiday taken by the Cox family and friends at Dyffryn Ardudwy, together with Smut their terrier dog who enjoys nothing better than digging in the sand. The Coxes arrive by car and celebrate with a cup of tea, days of fishing for mackerel, shooting rabbits, sea bathing and the Barmouth Carnival all to come.
According to the label on the original can, this was the first film shot by Harold Cox who, it is believed, had a music business in Birmingham but who often holidayed in Dyffryn Ardudwy where he and his brother had neighbouring bungalows built (one named ‘Bodlondeb’) for their eventual retirements. Harold’s parents are seen, as are Will Rogers, a friend, and local people e.g. Will Davies, also known as Will Fox because of his prowess at shooting foxes (accompanied by terrier Taff, who could balance on his bike), and Annie Gladys Davies, the Barmouth carnival queen. Harold Cox was known locally for his striking knitted garments which he created on a machine.
Related
Watch for free
Along the Cambrian Coast Along the Cambrian Coast
Travelogue 1930 3 mins Silent Location: Barmouth/Abermaw
Stencil coloured coastline of Wales
Watch for free
A is for Aberdyfi, B for Barmouth and Bala and C for a Camel A is for Aberdyfi, B for Barmouth and Bala and C for a Camel
Home movie 1934 7 mins Silent Location: Aberdyfi
A remarkable sight: a camel on the beach at Barmouth! And work horses pulling felled trees through Dolgellau, and shots of Bala and Aberdyfi.
Watch for free
Roving in Wales Roving in Wales
Amateur film 1937 13 mins Silent Location: Dolgellau
The Cox family, who have lost their hearts to Wales, motor from Dolgellau in Gwynedd to Red Wharf Bay on Anglesey, and Smut the dog comes too.
Watch for free
Shorts of 1936 Shorts of 1936
Amateur film 1936 16 mins Silent Location: Barmouth/Abermaw
The year starts with the death of the King but life goes on for the Cox family and includes a singing dog and “sand frolics”.
Watch for free
Dyffryn for Ever Dyffryn for Ever
Amateur film 1936 12 mins Silent Location: Dyffryn Ardudwy
A station – “Dyffryn on Sea” - without a train, a plane at Llanbedr, automobiles in use at Dyffryn and Barmouth carnivals, and some footballers.
Watch for free
Cambrian Coast Cambrian Coast
Promotional 1940 10 mins Location: Paddington Sta
“Dear Old Wales” awaits the holiday-makers boarding a train at Paddington Station, offering all that London lacks: “smooth sands, sparkling seas, sunshine and good clean air”.
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.
Watch for free
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Watch for free
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.