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The Circus Comes to Denbigh

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.

The Circus Comes to Denbigh

A brave new world of elephants is revealed to waiting schoolchildren when 5 of the enormous pachyderms alight from a train at Denbigh station.

A posse of pachyderms arrive in Denbigh by train and trundle through the town accompanied by the schoolchildren who had waited with anticipation at the station to see 5 of these enormous creatures alight. The Big Top is put up and, in what appears to have been a special performance for the children (a rehearsal, perhaps?), the elephants are put through their paces, trapeze artists and a clown try out their act and a trainer cracks the whip in the cage with his lions and tigers.

A posse of pachyderms arrive in Denbigh by train and trundle through the town accompanied by the schoolchildren who had waited with anticipation at the station to see 5 of these enormous creatures alight. The Big Top is put up and, in what appears to have been a special performance for the children (a rehearsal, perhaps?), the elephants are put through their paces, trapeze artists and a clown try out their act and a trainer cracks the whip in the cage with his lions and tigers.

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From the collection

Ordinary and Extraordinary Lives

Home movies give us unique permission to step inside the lives of people who we've never met and never will.


Home movies are always acutely personal - in subject and perspective - and most were never intended for audiences beyond family and close friends. But even so, these private films share generously with the uninitiated stranger. Watching home movies transports us into other lives and other times, where the actions of people we never knew, in places we've never visited, resonate with our own memories. The home movies of the stars, the rich and the famous, the royals - see past the familiar faces and they're much like anyone's: intimate film portraits of loved people and places, colourful moving picture albums of experience and emotion. These simple point-and-shoot home movies seem to connect with the past in a profoundly authentic way - their images unfiltered by filmmaking technique and artifice.

67 videos in this collection

Lloyd George tours the sights of Nazi Germany while his chauffeurs lark about with an SS Officer in this grimly fascinating film.
1

Visit to Germany - David Lloyd George Personal Film

  • 1936
An intimate portrait of the family life of the Taberhams, including Ruth and Tigger Cat at Christmastime, idling in the garden, and a wedding.
2

Family and Friends

  • 1962-12-01
A newly-built, dream home in Michaelston-le-Pit, Cardiff, where industrialist H H Merrett's grandchildren have ample space to play.
3

Cwrt-yr-Ala - Twins

  • Michaelston-le-Pit
  • 1948-01-01
Socialising at home - on George's birthday, perhaps, and at Christmas – and walking the promenade.
4

George's Party and Porthcawl Prom

  • Porthcawl
  • 1957-01-01
The creator of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, relaxes with his family in Windlesham and goes on tour to Egypt, Africa and Australia
5

Arthur Conan Doyle Relaxes with His Family at Windlesham

  • 1929-01-01
50 years together - congratulations! A family celebration of a long and happy married life.
6

Golden Wedding at Ellel House

  • Galgate
  • 1950-12-18
Astor family and friends at play, from boating on the River Thames to fishing in Scotland and riding at Cliveden.
7

Astor Home Movies No. 1

  • Cliveden
  • 1920
Paddleboats ahoy! Charming film of Rudyard Kipling and young family guests on the ponds of his Sussex estate.
8

Amateur Film of Rudyard Kipling

  • Bateman's
  • 1935
Colour home movie shot by British director David Lean while on holiday in Italy with his then wife, actress Ann Todd.
9

David Lean Home Movies - Italy

  • 1950
Crowds throng the streets of Caernarvon to glimpse King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, in this amateur film by Lloyd George's driver.
10

The King's Visit to North Wales: David Lloyd George Personal Film

  • Caernarfon
  • 1937
An epic tale of one girl's life from the ages of one to 22, lovingly filmed by her dad.
11

Saga of Valerie Jean Douglas

  • 1949
An unusual, poignant piece of wartime correspondence showing how movies can be used to comfort those who are far away.
12

A Movie Letter from Home

  • Wealdstone
  • 1943
If you go down to the woods today, you're sure of a big surprise...
13

The Pioneers of Nudism

  • Bricket Wood
  • 1938
Sabrina bowls! The 50s bombshell takes centre stage - and the attention away from some wonderful cricket footage.
14

Johnny Wardle Home Movies - England in Australia 1958/59; Centenary Test, 1977

  • 1958
Female punks have fun boozing, smoking and talking in this fascinating film by London lifestyle chronicler Captain Zip.
15

Squatparty

  • Putney
  • 1981
At home with Brenda Chamberlain. The artist/writer from Bangor lived on Bardsey 1947-62 and is filmed there by a regular visitor to the island.
16

Island Artist

  • Bardsey Island/Ynys Enlli
  • 1953-01-01
Mrs Amy Jane Richards of Upper Tumble, Carmarthenshire, mother of 7, beams as her large family gather round to celebrate her 80th birthday.
17

Mam's 80th Birthday

  • Tumble
  • 1970-01-01
Out and about with Gary and Stuart, two lively young brothers from Lancashire.
18

Gary and Stuart

  • Broughton
  • 1964-01-01
A teddy bear, a toy telephone, and lots more for baby Gary's first Christmas.
19

Gary's 1st Christmas

  • Broughton
  • 1961-12-25
A new baby - a cause for celebration, and the centre of attention in the household.
20

Gary's Christening

  • Preston
  • 1961-01-01
Anyone for musical chairs? Fun and games at a little boy's birthday party.
21

Nikil's 6th Birthday

  • Heysham
  • 1978-01-01
You're only 21 once, so enjoy yourself, and celebrate with friends and family.
22

Christine's 21st Birthday

  • Bollington
  • 1960-01-01
Joseph Emberton's marvellous film captures the early years of daughters Jocelyn and Gill - with birthdays, Christmas and a trip to Blackpool
23

Joce and Gill at Home

  • 1936-01-01
Merry Christmas! Anyone up for a game of table tennis to work off the turkey?
24

Christmas 1949

  • Galgate
  • 1949-12-25
William Craven-Ellis records the antics of family and friends in his garden, on the beach and in and around Southampton
25

Southampton’s MP Films his Family and Friends

  • Hampshire
  • 1931-01-01
Fun with hammocks and a 'push-me-pull-you' - a relaxing afternoon in a Manchester garden can be an energetic affair.
26

Relaxing in Hammocks

  • Didsbury
  • 1940-01-01
Steady now as handheld captures camping holiday
27

Camping Holiday at Sennen

  • Sennen
  • 1968-01-01
Holidays are close to home for the Parsons' family.
28

Beach Holiday at Sennen Cove

  • Sennen
  • 1930-01-01
There's something reminiscent in this home movie from the 1930s – with refugees escaping from a distant civil war to find safety in England
29

Basque Refugees at Stoneham and a Holiday to Lands End

  • 1937-01-01
Leslie Goulden's amusing home movie combines beach-time fun with what could be courting couples and the wedding of Jim and Monica
30

Seaside at Westgate, Monica and Jim's Wedding

  • 1930-01-01
Join the Waterhouse family on their colourful holiday to the Isle of Wight with views of Chale Bay, Newport and steam trains at Ryde Esplanade
31

A Family Holiday on the Isle of Wight

  • Isle of Wight
  • 1949-01-01
Lord Brabazon, Edwin Hubble and a former American ambassador relax at Bossington House in this delightful home movie from the Fairey family
32

Distinguished Visitors Enjoy the Fly-Fishing at Bossington House

  • Bossington
  • 1953-01-01
Marjorie Glasspool's home movie captures a variety of events and occasions experienced by a Hampshire family
33

Marjorie Glasspool Films Her Family in Alton

  • Hampshire
  • 1930-01-01
Home movie maker films family in Cornish field
34

Coastal Camping in Cornwall

  • Sennen
  • 1971-01-01
Oh, you really shouldn't have, but thank you - presents and party hats for everyone at a family Christmas.
35

Christmas at Marlene's 1965

  • Sale
  • 1965-12-25
The alarm clock goes off and the working day starts - daily routines, up close and in colour.
36

Domestic Scenes at 30 Devonshire Road

  • Lytham St Anne's
  • 1949-01-01
Should old acquaintance be forgot... not likely at this family get-together in Liverpool.
37

Ireland Family New Year Party 1974/5

  • Garston
  • 1974-12-31
Congratulations to the happy couple! A lovely record of a special day in Lancaster.
38

The Wedding of Billy and Joyce 25 March 1950

  • Lancaster
  • 1950-03-25
Even in wartime, the fun goes on for the Hart family of Droylsden, and their friends, and dog.
39

Norma's Birthday Party and Family Get-Together

  • Droylsden
  • 1941-01-01
There are blizzards of confetti in this wedding montage which also features holidays in the West Country and the Empress Queen
40

Weddings and Holidays

  • Devon
  • 1955-01-01
Join the Woolseys as they visit the Scottish Highlands - filming their relatives, pipers, castles, railways and stunning natural scenery
41

Holiday in the Highlands

  • 1937-01-01
John P Mitchell captures many famous and exotic examples of Britain's once vibrant aviation industry at the 1961 Farnborough Show
42

Farnborough Air Show

  • Farnborough
  • 1961-09-01
Grandma and Grandad also join in the fun of this home movie - with beaches, swings & roundabouts and a medieval pageant led by Christopher Robin
43

Local Scenes and Family Pictures

  • 1927-09-01
Join the Ross family and friends - and a frisky fox terrier - for fun in the garden, frolics on the beach and plane-spotting at Croydon Aerodrome
44

Ross Family Pictures

  • Croydon
  • 1933-01-01
Sarah celebrates her 18th birthday surrounded by family and friends - but before she gets her front-door key she must endure the 'bumps'
45

The House of Jan and Pete: A Birthday

  • Milton Regis
  • 1984-01-01
It's party time in Bournemouth in the pioneering decade that set the standard for change
46

Joan's Birthday Party

  • Poole Harbour
  • 1929-01-01
A joyous occasion of marrying a man in uniform as rare moving images are taken in Plymouth.
47

Wedding at the Grand in Plymouth

  • Plymouth
  • 1940-01-01
The beginnings of a wedding videography industry as this home movie maker shoots to fill.
48

Wedding Day - Jannaud Rides Again

  • Mousehole
  • 1962-09-09
Bright young things thereto plight troth in a society wedding.
49

Psyche's Wedding

  • Devon
  • 1920-01-01
Iconic area of Plymouth Hoe is the focus for city's entertainment
50

Plymouth Hoe Promenading

  • Plymouth
  • 1940-01-01
Civic and Church leaders gather for a special service in the shell of St Andrew's
51

Plymouth's Bombed Out St Andrew's Church

  • Plymouth
  • 1949-01-01
A whistlestop tour of Devon and Cornwall is filmed in this holiday home movie.
52

Holidaying in the South West

  • Cawsand
  • 1950-01-01
Young members of the family playing, and helping with the chores.
53

Ann Feeding the Hens and Other Scenes

  • Bollington
  • 1959-01-01
Family life in the post-war years: domestic scenes in Lancashire.
54

The Family at Home 1950

  • Galgate
  • 1950-01-01
Drinking and dancing and dominoes - satisfaction guaranteed for a family social evening.
55

A Family Get-together

  • Bollington
  • 1970-01-01
All aboard La'al Ratty for a grand day out, steaming through the Cumbrian countryside.
56

Visit to Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway

  • Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway
  • 1976-01-01
An interwar outing on the River Thames with a reminder of the Great Western Railway's influence in Birmingham.
57

An Outing on the Thames

  • Henley-on-Thames
  • 1933-01-01
From the River Teifi and coracles at Cenarth to Fishguard and the sea around Pembrokeshire for jet-skiing, sailing and sandcastles.
58

Coracles, Jet Skis and the Girls' Friendly Society

  • Cenarth
  • 1960-01-01
A brave new world of elephants is revealed to waiting schoolchildren when 5 of the enormous pachyderms alight from a train at Denbigh station.
59

The Circus Comes to Denbigh

  • Denbigh/Dinbych
  • 1960-01-01
Savage's Garage in Queen's Road, once an institution in Aberystwyth, lives again in this film showing its proprietor and his family.
60

Eddie Savage's Aberystwyth

  • Aberystwyth
  • 1950-01-01
Well-wishers assemble to pat-a-prince as Charles enters and exits the Old College during his pre-Investiture studies at UCW Aberystwyth.
61

1969 Prince Charles at U.C.W

  • Aberystwyth
  • 1969-01-01
A delightful duo perform on bottles and tubs in Taliesin between shots of a wedding near Rhydlewis and a sale of Welsh Black cattle in Scotland.
62

Wedding, 'Dolclettwr' and Farmers in Scotland

  • Rhydlewis
  • 1965-01-01
Home movie shot at the Victorine Studios in Nice, France, on the set of Bryan Forbes' film The Madwoman of Chaillot.
63

Bryan Forbes Home Movies No. 43

  • 1968
Long live the King - and the car! Warminster celebrates the coronation of George V with a parade of motor cars.
64

Warminster Street Celebrations and Street Scenes

  • Warminster
  • 1911
Charming home movie of a London family's holiday in their homeland: back to the Bogside in Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland.
65

Adams Personal Film - Derry Scenes

  • Derry / Londonderry
  • 1959
Eyemouth, a small town in the Scottish Borders, plays host to a popular BBC variety show.
66

Mark Fairbairn Home Movies: White Heather Club, Eyemouth, Scotland / Trawler Launch

  • Eyemouth
  • 1967
67

John Daniel

  • 1925
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