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
Caravan Holiday 1937 - and how we made the film 'The Bandits of Mawddwy'
Engineer John W Meredith works in Bilston, near Wolverhampton, but when he has a chance he exchanges the grime for the green of Llanymawddwy.
From the collection of:
Overview
From the traffic and built-up streets of Wolverhampton to the green and pleasant pastures of Llanymawddwy come John W Meredith and family to stay in a caravan at Penygeulan Farm, home of Richard Ellis Jones. The sun shines on the washing-up outdoors and the pony riding – and on a few off-cuts from a film about the area’s legendary bandits that Meredith, the Rev H E Hughes (seen here with sackcloth and pony) and R E Jones made with the local community in 1936.
John W Meredith was a cine enthusiast who worked for mechanical engineering firm Thompson Brothers at Bradley Engineering Works, Bilston, Staffordshire. Together with TP colleagues, he came to Penygeulan farm on an annual camping trip from 1929. He documented the first trip on film and the group then produced a fully-fledged drama for a few subsequent years (‘We Regret’, ‘Farmer John’, ‘Jack Reforms’) culminating in ‘Gwylliaid Cochion Mawddwy/Bandits of Mawddwy’, available, like the others, on the BFI Player. JWM is seen in this film (he and his brother-in-law relaxing in deckchairs outside the caravan) as are his wife, Elsie, and his daughter Nancy (washing up and on pony).
Related
We Regret We Regret
Amateur film 1932 15 mins Silent Location: Llanymawddwy
Jack takes unemployment on the chin and, using his feet, ensures that it does not prevent him from joining his comrades on vacation in Wales.
Jack Reforms Jack Reforms
Amateur film 1931 15 mins Silent Location: Llanymawddwy
Jack likes the ladies, the beer and the odd flutter but steadfast Ted, who acts as his guardian angel, helps him reach salvation.
Farmer John Farmer John
Amateur film 1930 13 mins Silent Location: Llanymawddwy
O, sighs the office-bound man, how wonderful to be a farmer! And, with breeches and boots, he tries the good life as ‘Farmer John’.
Gwylliaid Cochion Mawddwy / Bandits of Mawddwy Gwylliaid Cochion Mawddwy / Bandits of Mawddwy
Amateur film 1936 22 mins Silent Location: Llanymawddwy
In the old days it was all murder and mayhem around Llanymawddwy as this renactment of an old legend shows but, never fear, peace now reigns.
Early film making at Welsh camp Early film making at Welsh camp
Amateur film 1929 7 mins Silent Location: Llanymawddwy
Men on holiday from work at a Staffordshire firm - and on leave from home – enjoy themselves camping at Penygeulan farm, Llanymawddwy.
Muscle - Exclusive Q&A Muscle - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 34 mins
Director Gerard Johnson talks Nia Child through the making of Muscle, an adrenalized drama that tears into the stereotypes of masculinity and male friendship.
Silver Haze - Exclusive Q&A Silver Haze - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 29 mins
Vicky Knight sits down with Rowan Woods for an extended discussion on the making of the film Silver Haze. *Contains Spoilers*
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.