Pant Glas - Valley of Animals

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.

Pant Glas - Valley of Animals


An inter-faith service to dedicate an outdoor chapel at Elma Williams' animal sanctuary - 'Pant Glas', Tre'r-Ddôl - to St Francis of Assisi.

Methodists, Catholic nuns, spiritualists and members of the Baha'i faith are amongst those present at an outdoor, inter-denominational religious service at 'Pant Glas' animal sanctuary, Tre'r-Ddôl, Ceredigion, on 8/4/1969. The Bishop of Liberal Catholics in Kent, the Rt. Rev. E James Burton, leads the service to dedicate author Elma M Williams' outdoor chapel – complete with pews, pulpit and piano – to St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

Elma M Williams (1913-71), seen here wearing red, moved from Birmingham to Wales in 1957 to write romantic thrillers but became a bestselling author with stories of life at 'Pant Glas' e.g. 'Valley of Animals' (1963), 'The Pant Glas Story' (1970). Accompanying music for the religious service was provided on tape by Professor Ian Parrott, holder of the Gregynog Chair of Music at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, from 1950 to 1983. He is present as are a number of other well-known local people including pianist Michael James from Borth and photographer Phil Davies. Shot by Gwen Davies of 'Dolclettwr' farm, Taliesin, whose husband, John, is seen being interviewed.


Tags