Sheep Shearing

From the collection of

Archif Sgrin a Sain Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru / National Library of Wales Screen and Sound Archive
Established in 2001, the National Library of Wales Screen and Sound Archive holds an unrivalled collection of films, TV and radio broadcasts, video tapes and sound recordings relating to Wales and the Welsh, from 1898 to the present day. The collection spans multiples formats and genres, both professional and amateur.

Sheep Shearing


It's all hands on deck at shearing time and Maes Caradoc farm, Nant Ffrancon, has help from an Italian prisoner-of-war.

Sidney Whiteley of Harrow, a keen climber and photographer who visited Snowdonia regularly during the 1930s/40s, created a detailed, inter-titled record of shearing at Maes Caradoc farm, Nant Francon. A sea of sheep that has flowed down from the hills is gathered near the farm. The animals are sorted, washed in the river (probably at the nearby farm Braich Ty Du), shorn and branded. An Italian prisoner-of-war rolls up the fleeces.

Selected for exhibition at the National Eisteddfod, Caerffili, in 1950, this film was also awarded a special commendation by Amateur Cine World magazine. The Italian prisoner of war may have come from Pabo Hall, Bryn Pydew, Llandudno, where Italian prisoners-of-war were housed during WWII. Mr Whiteley's wife, Margaret Ellen (nee Simon), was London-born of Welsh parents.


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