News on Screen

Series

Series Name

Mining Review 19th Year

Issue

Issue No.

4

Date Released

Dec 1965

Stories in this Issue:

• 1. Caernarvonshire - Face Workers
• 2. National Story - Pillars of Strength
• 3. London - The Living Fire
• 4. The Face of Leprosy

Story

Story No. within this Issue

1 / 4

Summary

NoS synopsis: Miners learn about mountaineering in Snowdonia
NCB Commentary - A bus load of young miners - 40 lads from the Yorkshire Coalfield arrive in Snowdonia for a week’s adventure course in the mountains and on the grey waters of North Wales.
The Snowdonia National Recreation Centre, Plas-y-Brenin, was their headquarters for seven days of muscular activity.
First morning some of the party took to the Kayaks like seasoned Eskimos. Balance and confidence have to be learned before you can paddle your own canoe with that air of aplomb. And you have to be able to swim 50-yards, just in case!
Llanberis Pass echoed to the clink - not of pit boots - but climbers’ boots, as the rest of the lads headed off towards high ground. The pace is the pace of the slowest.
The courses are strenuous and applocants must be in good physical shape - not a difficult qualification for the mining lads from Yorkshire.
Here’s a different sort of rock-work from the kind the lads know underground. The party is roped together. Safety is as important on the mountain as in the mine.
No false moves here. Pulling oneself up a rock face has its own reward - time to get back your breath and take in a view usually reserved for the birds.
Evening back at the Hostel. First time all day for a sit-down. They hadn’t even the energy to ask Bronwen for a dance - still, that’s what happens when you spend a strenuous week in Snowdonia.
On the final night two of the lads stayed out for a last look at the tall country - they should have asked
Bronwen along.

Keywords

Sport; Mining

Locations

Wales; Snowdonia

Written sources

British Film Institute Databases
Films on Coal Catalogue   1969, p.51
The National Archives COAL 32   /13 Scripts for Mining Review, 1960-1963

Credits:

Sponsor

National Coal Board

Production Co.

National Coal Board Film Unit