Lost village exposed for first time in years by heatwave
The recent heatwave has uncovered the remains of one of Wales’ biggest scandals – for the first time in decades.
In 1965, the small Welsh village of Capel Celyn, in the Tryweryn valley, where people had lived, worked and died for generations, suddenly disappeared under 70 billion litres of water.
It was destruction carefully planned and plotted by committee, council meeting, and Act of Parliament.
All 67 residents of the north Wales village were forced to move out after Parliament passed a law allowing Liverpool to flood the valley, where there were buildings including a school, chapel and 12 farms, to create a new water supply.
Now, thanks to the weeks of very hot weather, remains of the village can now be seen.
Cllr Mabon ap Gwynfor paid a visit to the village, where he discovered the remains.
“It was a poignant experience walking the dry slopes of Tryweryn Valley, seeing the ruins of Capel Celyn, drowned in order to provide water to Liverpool.
“There’s still some water left in the reservoir but Capel Celyn and some of the farms are starting to resurface.
“Even though we have had some rain recently, if it does stay dry then we could possibly see the whole village.
“Hedgerow stumps are visible and the old tarmacked road on the northern side of the valley is walkable in parts. One picture is a little bit special. It shows the name of the farm, Garnedd Lwyd, and just in front of the stone with the name lie the floor slates. It looked an awful lot like a grave, and I felt that it was somehow.”
Cllr ap Gwynfor explained that it was very emotional for him.
He said: “It was emotional for me, it was knowing that people lived there and that it was once a thriving village and community, it’s important that we don’t forget.”
According to former Plaid Cymru leader Lord Dafydd Wigley, the events of October 21, 1965, made Wales realise it needed its own parliament to ensure there would never be another Tryweryn.