Dolgelley 1945

The delights of a sunny Dolgellau gladden the hearts of the Meredith family at the end of a long, grim war

Dolgellau surely never looked as idyllic as in this picture-postcard film. Bathed in sunshine, its iconic stone buildings and lovely square with its ivy clad hotels, hint nothing at the world war so recently ended, and the filmmaker, his wife and family members stroll happily about the town and its lush environs. The Welsh ladies of the Idris Dramatic Society provide a fanciful historic backdrop!

John W Meredith was a cine enthusiast who worked for the engineering firm Thompson Brothers at Bradley Engineering Works, Bilston, Staffordshire. He spent many holidays in the Dolgellau area – including camping at Penygeulan farm, Llanymawddwy, from 1929, making several films, including a re-enactment of the 'Bandits of Mawddwy' legend and humourous fiction shorts with a moral message. This film simply captures his enjoyment of Dolgellau and its scenic setting with his family – including wife Elsie, daughter Nancy (in the pink dress at the start of the film), and son-in-law Arnold Greenwood.