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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Pushball Bouts and Boy Scout Camp in Brecon
The Pushball – an enormous sphere filled with hot air and advertising the ‘Daily Mail’ - comes to Brecon annually, as part of the carnival.
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Overview
Pushball teams get stuck into their games on The Rich Field as part of Brecon’s carnival, pushing and rolling the huge airbag which advertises the ‘Daily Mail’. This ball would be hired every year by the South Wales Borderers, the town’s regiment and carnival organisers, its arrival/inflation greeted no doubt with delight. After the massive inflatable are shots of rumbustious Boy Scouts encamped on the Brecon Promenade which runs alongside the River Usk.
Footage shot by Jack Clark who moved from Herefordshire to Brecon as a boy, setting up a photography shop and studio in the town in 1905, initially in Castle Street, later at larger premises in the High Street. He also worked, during the summer months, as a beach photographer all over Britain, using his skills as a ventriloquist and puppeteer to entertain children. The studio has become a toy shop but is still owned and run by his descendents.
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