Between the 1890s and 1920s, The County Echo records the popularity of the magic lantern as a means of entertainment and instruction in North Pembrokeshire.Here are a number of local views from slides as well as advertisements from many local villages. The winter months were most suitable for this activity, shorter days making illumination on canvas more effective.
The lane between Siop y Bobol and the Great Western Hotel (near St Mary’s Church, Fishguard) was known as ‘Magic Lane’ because Mr Jones, who gave lantern shows, lived down that lane. He was an ex soldier and a cobbler by trade. His lantern shows are described by Mr Rob Lewis in his book ‘Brith yw Brethyn Bywyd’. He would show slides of South Africa where he had seen action, as well as other more humorous slides.
Below is an article from The County Echo (6-1-1910) about a New Year celebration at Manorowen which included a magic lantern show. | Rhwng y 1890au a’r 1920au, mae tudalennau The County Echo yn cofnodi poblogrwydd y llusern hud fel cyfrwng adloniant ac addysg yng Ngogledd Sir Benfro.Dyma nifer o olygfeydd lleol o sleidiau yn ogystal â hysbysebion o lawer o bentrefi lleol. Misoedd y gaeaf oedd fwyaf addas ar gyfer gweithgarwach o’r fath, â’r dyddiau byrrach yn golygu bod y lluniau ar gynfas yn haws eu gweld. Cai’r feidir rhwng Siop y Bobol a Gwesty’r Great Western (ger eglwys y plwyf, Abergwaun) ei hadnabod fel ‘Magic Lane’ oherwydd roedd Mr Jones, oedd yn cynnal sioeau llusern, yn byw i lawr y feidir honno. Crudd oedd e wrth ei waith yn ystod y dydd, ond bu’n filwr yn Ne Affrica yn ystod ei ieuenctid. Caiff ei sioeau llusern eu disgrifio yng nghyfrol Mr Rob Lewis ‘Brith yw Brethyn Bywyd’. Dangosai sleidiau o Dde Affrica yn ogystal â sleidiau mwy ysgafn. Isod mae erthygl o’r County Echo (6-1-1910) am y Flwyddyn Newydd yn Farnowen a sioe llusern. |
NEW YEAR’S FETE AT MANOR- OWEN. On Saturday afternoon last, January 1st, members of Manorowen Church and Sunday School responded to the kind invitation of Mr and Mrs Johns by attendance at their beautiful residence where tea and dainties of various kinds were generously provided for them.
Amongst those present were seen the Vicar, the Rev E Lincoln Lewis and the Revs J Jenkins, and W E Nesbitt (curates).
The tables were laid for 4.30 p.m. and needleds to say ample justice was done to the good things supplied. After all had replenished themselves, steps were made to one of the spacious outhouses which had been turned into a veritable Hall, and in the centre of the same a beautiful Christmas Tree, laden with valuable presents, majestically stood lit with fairy candles which entranced the attention of the little ones who admiringly clustered round its base.
Before the proceedings of the evening began,” Father Christmas” chracteristically garbed and attended by his clown, to the delight and astonishment of all, entered the hall, introducing himself as a traveller from distant Russia. He was under the impression he said, that the clown came from America as his name was Roosevelt.
After an amusing speech from this Muscovite stranger, not withstanding his weariness after his long journey, he called for the programme of entertainment, which being produced proved an excellent one.
All who took part acquitted themselves most creditably. The items of the programme were as follow: Song-Beatrice Evans; recitations-Howard Jenkins, May Jenkin and Maisie Reynolds; dialogue- Andrew Edwards and Maggie Williams; song- Beatrice Evans; recitations- Bessy Martell, Ronald Nicholas, Hannah Mary Thomas; song- Maria Thomas; dialogue- Andrew Edwards and party; song-Norman Jenkins; recitation by the Clown; reading- Tom Williams.
When this was completed, Father Christmas proceeded to distribute the gifts which awaited presentation. He was assisted in this by Mrs Nicholas, the organist of the Church, who had taken a prominent part in the dressing of the tree with the various prizes which were purchased from the money of the Sunday School Fund.
After the Tree had been stripped of its valuable presents, the Rev J Jenkins, Curate of the Parish, illustrated by lantern slides the pathetic story entitled “Little Nell” taken from The Old Cuiiosity Shop of the immortal Charles Dickens. It is needless to say this was highly appreciated by both young and old.
Mr Vincent John, who, we may here mention, personated “Father Christmas,” delivered an address in which he expressed his joy at meeting them there on that festive occasion, and none he welcomed more than, his trusted old servant Mr James Brown, who’ has now been serving the family at Manorowen for 53 long years, and he hoped he, would still live among them for many years to come. Mr Brown feelingly responded and thanked Mr Johns for his kind sentiments and good wishes.
Before terminating the happy evening the Rev J Jenkins on behalf of all present thanked Mr and Mrs Johns for their great kindness in entertaining them there that day. This was endorsed with acclamation by all present. The singing of the Doxology ended a very pleasant evening.
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