Last Friday saw the premiere at Glamorgan Cricket’s “Thank You” event (held in conjunction with The Royal British Legion at their Sophia Gardens headquarters) of the special film produced by pupils from Mount Stuart Primary School which pays tribute to the work of Frederick de Courcy Hamilton in making living conditions better in Butetown for those who returned from serving in the First World War.
Frederick was a leading solicitor in Cardiff during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, besides being a talented cricketer and playing for Glamorgan. Frederick was also responsible for the creation of the Coal Exchange as well as the High Street Arcade – both of which are still prominent features in Cardiff’s urban landscape.
Prior to the Great War, Frederick also became involved in various schemes to improve the living conditions in the dockland communities and in 1917 he encouraged the formation of a multi-racial cricket team in Butetown. Frederick’s philanthropy continued after the First World War as he was also a leading light in the creation of improved workers housing in both Cardiff and Barry.
The film created by the Year 5 pupils from Mount Stuart Primary School – thanks to funding support from Literature Wales and Fusion - pays tribute to Frederick, with the youngsters preparing the script in conjunction with Swansea-based writer Dave Brayley as an extension and enrichment activity to their school-based literacy activities.
Watch the film below