In 1956, a private bill sponsored by Liverpool City Council was brought before Parliament to develop a water reservoir from the Tryweryn Valley. The development would include the flooding of Capel Celyn. By obtaining authority via an Act of Parliament, Liverpool City Council would not require planning consent from the relevant Welsh Local Authorities. This, together with the fact that the village was one of the last Welsh-only speaking communities, ensured that the proposals became deeply controversial. Thirty five out of thirty six Welsh Members of Parliament (MPs) opposed the bill (the other did not vote), but in 1957 it was passed. The members of the community waged an eight-year effort, ultimately unsuccessful, to prevent the destruction of their homes.
Robert Henry McBride pictures.
When the valley was flooded in 1965, the village and its buildings, including the post office, the school, and a chapel with cemetery, were all lost. Twelve houses and farms were drowned, and 48 people of the 67 who lived in the valley lost their homes. In all some 800 acres (3.2 km²; 320 ha) of land were submerged. Llyn Celyn, otherwise known as the Tryweryn Reservoir, was formed. Many of the stones from the original chapel were re-used in the construction of the new Memorial Chapel.
The flooding of the village inspired a Manic Street Preachers song, "Ready For Drowning.
Read the views of those Welsh persons affected in this link.
http://www.llgc.org.uk/ymgyrchu/Dwr/Tryweryn/index-e.htm
I have seen this village re appear in years of drought, its a reminder of what the politics of the day had done.
Robert Henry McBride pictures.When the valley was flooded in 1965, the village and its buildings, including the post office, the school, and a chapel with cemetery, were all lost. Twelve houses and farms were drowned, and 48 people of the 67 who lived in the valley lost their homes. In all some 800 acres (3.2 km²; 320 ha) of land were submerged. Llyn Celyn, otherwise known as the Tryweryn Reservoir, was formed. Many of the stones from the original chapel were re-used in the construction of the new Memorial Chapel.
Both picture's were taken back in 1962 by my father, they have never been published before.
To read more on this sad event read the link.
On 19 October 2005, Liverpool City Council issued a formal apology for the flooding. Some in the town of Bala welcomed the move, though others said the apology was a "useless political gesture" and came far too late.
The flooding of the village inspired a Manic Street Preachers song, "Ready For Drowning.
Read the views of those Welsh persons affected in this link.
http://www.llgc.org.uk/ymgyrchu/Dwr/Tryweryn/index-e.htm
I have seen this village re appear in years of drought, its a reminder of what the politics of the day had done.
Roy
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