Cofiwch Dryweryn wall to be rebuilt and repainted to protect legacy
THE iconic ‘Cofiwch Dryweryn wall’ is to be rebuilt to protect its legacy.
The wall, which became famous throughout Wales in the 1960s when the words ‘Cofiwch Dryweryn’ were scribed over it in tribute to the village of Capel Celyn, has been vandalised on several occasions.
It has also reduced in size over the years due to adverse weather, but now plans have been put in motion to rebuild it, strengthen it, and paint it again, with local schoolchildren set to play a key part in its refurbishment.
The plans were discussed at a recent meeting in Llanrhystud, on the outskirts of which the Cofwich Dryweryn mural has been for almost 60 years, next to the A487.
At the meeting were Ceredigion AM Elin Jones, county and community councillors, representatives from local school Ysgol Myfenydd, one of the volunteers who helped to repaint the wall following an act of vandalism, and the wall’s owner,
Dilys Davies, who bought it from local farmers in 2019.
AM Elin Jones said: “At the meeting, it was agreed that work would begin shortly to protect and present the history of the wall, as well as clearing the surrounding site of the trees whose roots are undermining the structural integrity of the wall.
“The wall will be rebuilt closer to its size when it was originally painted in the 1960s, using the fallen stones which still lie at the site. Following the conservation work, a local artist will be working with the children of Ysgol Myfenydd to paint the wall once again with its iconic design. The intention is that an interpretation board will be put in place to tell the story of Tryweryn and the wall.”
Since the 1960s, the Cofiwch Dryweryn mural has been a poignant reminder of the lost Welsh village of Capel Celyn, in the Tryweryn Valley, which was drowned to create a reservoir that would supply water to the north-west of England, resulting in almost 70 residents having to abandon their homes. The words mean ‘Remember Tryweryn’ in English.
A chapel, a school and a dozen farms, which had been key cogs in their community, were all consigned to history.
Last year dozens of ‘Cofwich Dryweryn’ slogans were painted all over
Wales, on walls, roadsides, bridges and on the sides of homes. This was thought by many to be in response to several incidents of vandalism at the original wall, which seemed to be more prevalent last year, following some respite.
In 2008, the slogan painted on the wall was altered so that it read ‘Angofiwch Dryweryn’. It was targeted again in 2010, 2013 and 2014, and last year it was subjected to more than one incident of vandalism. In February 2019, the word ‘Elvis’ was written over the original slogan in white paint, then in April a part of the wall was knocked down by vandals.