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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Mabolgampau Yr Urdd Abertawe, 1933
The Vetch Field stadium in Swansea is occupied by Urdd Gobaith Cymru – The Welsh League of Hope – for 2 days of mass gymnastics in June 1933.
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Overview
Vetch Field, a stadium in Swansea, is taken over by the Welsh language youth movement – Urdd Gobaith Cymru – for two days in June 1933. Boys compete in athletic events, and boys and girls take part in mass exercise displays. The aim of this film, shot by the Urdd's founder, Ifan ab Owen Edwards, was to promote the event and encourage greater participation in future years. Practice exercise sessions in a schoolyard and folk-dancing in a field indicate the preparations required.
Ifan ab Owen Edwards, son of O M Edwards, the first Chief Inspector of Schools for Wales, followed in his father's footsteps as a scholar, writer and educationalist. He also founded the Welsh language youth movement 'Urdd Gobaith Cymru' with the intention of fostering a commitment to the use of the Welsh language amongst the young and inculcating good citizenship, cultural awareness and loyalty, and physical and spiritual well-being within a Christian context. The first sports event took place in Llanelli in 1932, Edwards having been inspired by such events in Europe, and was followed up by the event seen here.
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