National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales preserves and celebrates the sound and moving image heritage of Wales, making it accessible to a wide range of users for enjoyment and learning. Its film collection reflects every aspect of the nation’s social, cultural and working life across the 20th century, giving a fascinating insight into Welsh filmmaking, both amateur and professional.
This film is part of Free
A Village Condemned to Die - Capel Celyn in the Treweryn Valley
A Llanrwst resident films the transformation of Capel Celyn from village to reservoir, believing it “a worthy contribution” to progress.
From the collection of:
Overview
The title suggests that the film-maker may regard the demolition and drowning of the village – a controversial means of providing water for industry in Liverpool - as a tragedy for justice and fair play but, be that as it may, he concludes that, “Capel Celyn in death now makes a greater contribution to man’s progress than it ever was able to do in life.” Shot by Alfred Mawby (b.1918) of Llanrwst, a founder member of Grwst Cine Club. NB: ‘Treweryn’ is correctly spelt ‘Tryweryn’.
The Tryweryn Bill, passed in 1957, allowed Liverpool City Council to proceed with the flooding of the Tryweryn Valley without the need for planning consent from the relevant local authorities. By 1965, Llyn Celyn reservoir had taken the place of Capel Celyn village and surrounding farms, a Welsh-speaking community, despite the declared opposition of all the Welsh MPs bar one. Protests involved the Free Wales Army and Mudiad Amddiffyn Cymru [Society for the Protection of Wales]. In 2005, Liverpool City Council issued an apology.
Related
Watch for free
1966 - Dulyn, Gwynfor, 'Steddfod, 1968 - Is-Etholiad Caerffili 1966 - Dulyn, Gwynfor, 'Steddfod, 1968 - Is-Etholiad Caerffili
Home movie 1966 15 mins Silent Location: Aberystwyth
1966: Dublin remembers the Easter Rising 50 years ago and, in London, Gwynfor Evans enters Parliament as the first Plaid Cymru MP. Winifred Ewing (SNP MP) arrives in 1967.
Watch for free
Modern Merioneth Modern Merioneth
Promotional 1968 14 mins Location: Llyn Celyn
In a film sponsored by the Central and the Merseyside and North Wales Electricity Boards, much of what is ‘modern’ is electrical! Prologue in Welsh, commentary in English.
Watch for free
Tryweryn, the Story of a Valley Tryweryn, the Story of a Valley
Amateur film 1965 36 mins Location: Cwm Treweryn
Devastation of a Welsh-speaking community: Capel Celyn village and farms of the Tryweryn Valley disappear beneath the waters of a reservoir so Liverpool’s thirst may be slaked.
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Watch for free
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
Watch for free
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Watch for free
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.