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Pembrokeshire: life on the land and the Alumchine ferry

I could join the circus, thinks the nimble lurcher, perhaps, at Westhill Farm, Manorbier. Over at Barn Farm, Rosemarket, a bull braves dogs.

Home movie 1952 7 mins Silent

From the collection of:

Logo for National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales

Overview

A lurcher demonstrates his skill at riding bareback at Westhill Farm, Manorbier. At Barn Farm, Rosemarket, a bull indicates that he is non too bullish when he is run out of the yard by dogs but the hens just peck about as usual when farmer Gwilly Pawlett feeds them, assisted by his bevy of grand-daughters. Away from the farms, trips can be taken by train, by bus (Silcox) or paddle steamer, the Alumchine operating between Hobbs' Point, Pembroke Dock and Neyland 1933-56.

Westhill Farm was the home of the Davies family – Wilfy (with hat and pipe), his wife Mary Jane (close-fitting, knitted hat) and their son Peter (seen in field with the horse). Mary Jane was the sister of Sissy Irene, both daughters of Gwilly Pawlett. Sissy married William John Smith (b.1912) from Monkton, an electrician who also shot footage of local and family events. He and Sissy lived in Golden Hill, Pembroke, with their 4 children – Billy, John and Mary (both seen holding very young puppies), and Alan. Derek Williams, also of Golden Hill, is seen pedalling a little bicycle in the street. The train seen was possibly steaming to Bristol, taking children from East End School, Pembroke, on an outing to the zoo.