Local History Videos

Isle of Anglesey: Old Photos & Film

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Debbie Death
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Isle of Anglesey Wales UK local history

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.

Share your Anglesey memories on Facebook

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

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