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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Mam's 80th Birthday
Mrs Amy Jane Richards of Upper Tumble, Carmarthenshire, mother of 7, beams as her large family gather round to celebrate her 80th birthday.
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Overview
A get-together to celebrate the 80th birthday of Amy Jane Richards (1890-1972), a widow blessed with sisters, seven children and numbers of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The family, most of the men miners, meet at her home in Upper Tumble, Carmarthenshire, for initial photographs and then head to The Smiths Arms, Foelgastell, for the party. ‘Mam’ beams from the bosom of her family, gives a speech, cuts her cake, is toasted and kissed and songs are sung.
Mrs Richards is seen initially, being led into her house - Rock Cliffe, 19 Heol Llety, Upper Tumble - for photographs/shots with her daughter Ruby, Ruby’s daughter Anne Howells (the first grandchild), and Anne’s children Martyn and Paula. Walford, Mrs Richards’ youngest son, is seen at the party playing with his dentures to the amusement of those around him. Walford’s daughters, Mari and Catrin, wear dresses in red and pink, crocheted by their mother, Alvis. Walford had a job in a mine office and his brother, Marcus, also escaped work underground by training in a London store to be a window dresser. The piano player is the Rev. Glyndwr Richards of the Bethel-y-Bedyddwyr Chapel attended by the Richards family.
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