Dave Berry 1943 - 2010

Dave Berry, Film Historian
1943 - 2010

We received very sad news on Friday afternoon of the death of Dave Berry, the doyen of Welsh film, who worked tirelessly as Research Officer for the former Wales Film and Television Archive, and later the National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales, until his retirement a few years ago.

Born in Bolton, his career as a journalist moved him to Cardiff, where he worked for may years for the South Wales Echo. He loved all aspects of film, especially the works of the silent era, and eventually left the Echo to write the masterpiece "Wales and Cinema: the first hundred years" which was published by the University of Wales Press (new ed 1996).

There are several tributes to Dave already posted on the web. I'm sure there will be many more over the coming days.

Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru / AGSSC
Nat. Library of Wales / NSSAW
The Bioscope
Facebook
BBC
BBC Cymru
Wales 0n-line
Some flickr photos

Dave had the ability to be infuriating, lovable, erudite, endearing, stubborn, helpful, hindersome, meticulous in his research yet hopelessly vague in his adherence to corporate rules, all at the same time. It was a pleasure to know him; a privilege to have worked closely with him, and help him achieve some of his goals for Wales's screen heritage.

I extend my sympathies to all those, near and far, who are now grieving a great personal and professional loss.