DAVID

GB
1951
38 mins
Dir: Paul Dickson
Starring: David Rees Griffiths and Rachel Thomas

The life of a school caretaker and former Welsh miner, as narrated by a former pupil

This short biographical film was the first film to be produced by the British Film Institute and was the Welsh contribution to the 1951 Festival of Britain film festival. It was shot in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, and there are a number of glimpses of Ammanford station on the Amman Valley line with trains hauled by ex-GWR 0-6-0PT’s. This station was that on the line from Pantyffynnon to Garnant and Brynamman which was to close to passengers in 1958, though the town is still served by the former Tirydail station on the Heart of Wales line.

A rare glimpse of the old Ammanford station. The year is 1951 and the porter goes about his business.
This is the view from the end of the platform across Park Lane level crossing to the small goods yard beyond
A train approaches hauled by an ex-GWR 0-6-0PT
The train draws to a stand at the single platform, the line on the right was a freight loop only
Miners gather to say their farewells in a later scene. The loco visible at the front is another Pannier Tank but the first coach is a wonderful vintage clerestory
As an interesting aside, I have included this shot of miners heading down to the working face ‘2 miles below ground’ on a rope worked manrider. This is thought to be part of Betws Colliery.