Enjoy a glimpse of history through fascinating old images of the Isle of Anglesey, Wales.
The beautiful coastline of Anglesey has long been a draw for visitors and photographers alike. But during the manufacturing boom following the Second World War, the island was also a busy centre of production and transportation.
Old Photos of Anglesey
A photo montage accompanied by a beautiful tack, this video shows different locations around the village of Benllech in Anglesey through the past century.
Benllech – Portrait of an Anglesey Village – on YouTube
Pictures of Anglesey
Browse a wide range of images on the Local History Videos Pinterest boards, including vintage pictures, old photos, antique maps and archive film.
Menai Strait in the 1930s
This nine minute film, part of the HuntleyFilmArchives collection, is dark and silent. But the titles announcing each segment are informative.
Menai Strait, 1930s – Film 18127 – HuntleyFilmArchives on YouTube
Repairing The Menai Bridge 1939
After 112 years of service, the Menai Bridge needed repairs costing a quarter of a million pounds. At the time, the cost of a typical house was a few hundred pounds.
The lack of health and safety equipment or practices in this British Pathé film is almost comical.
Repairing The Menai Bridge (1939) – British Pathé on YouTube
Steam Train over Britannia Tubular Bridge
From the HuntleyFilmArchive, this post-war film about tubular steel engineering at Stewart’s and Lloyds includes footage of a steam train passing over Robert Stephenson’s 1850 Britannia Tubular Bridge.
Tubular Steel Engineering at Stewart’s and Lloyds. Archive film 5638 – HuntleyFilmArchives on YouTube
1950s Anglesey
In the 1950s, AJF West recorded scenes from Anglesey on 8mm film.
Anglesey, 1950s 8mm – on YouTube
1950s Saunders Roe Aircraft
A short film showing the latest aviation models from the Saunders Roe Aviation Company of Anglesey, flying over and landing on the Menai Strait.
Saunders Roe, 1950s – Film 99990 – HuntleyFilmArchives on YouTube
Dark Adventurer 1954
Royal Navy fast attack craft Dark Adventurer was launched on 28th October 1954, watched by a small crowd. The ship was built and launched at the Saunders Roe factory in Beaumaris.
This silent film recorded parts of the manufacturing and engineering by the factory workmen, and the official launch.
Royal Navy Ship Building In Wales, 1950s – Film 39866 – HuntleyFilmArchives on YouTube
Royal Visit 1958
Queen Elizabeth II ad Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip visited the island in 1958. They met
- Lord-Lieutenant of Anglesey: Sir Richard Williams-Bilkeley
- Chief Constable of Gynedd Constabulary: Lt Col Jones-Williams
- Miss Gwersyl Pierce Jones who presets a bouquet
- Dignitaries at Llangefni County Secondary School
- Other dignitaries and spectators appear in their hundreds
Royal Visit To Anglesey (1958) – British Pathé on YouTube
Anglesey Transport 1961
An informative commentary explains what is happening as train and ferry services connect at the Anglesey Port of Holyhead in the age of steam.
HOLYHEAD 1961 Rail and Port action – on YouTube
More about Wales
- Old Images of Monmouth, Wales
- Old Images of Blaenau Gwent, Wales
- Old Images of Monmouthshire, Wales
- Old Images of Pembrokeshire, Wales
- Old Images of Llanybydder, Wales
- Old Images of Newport Castle, Wales
Find out about Isle of Anglesey Local History Resources
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