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.
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Merioneth - Stwlan Dam and Capel Celyn
Work on the damming and flooding of north Wales: the Stwlan dam/reservoir above Tanygrisiau and Tryweryn Valley's Llyn Celyn reservoir.
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Overview
The dammed and the drowned: Anglesey-based film-maker David E Sutcliffe worked as a 'stringer' for the BBC i.e. he was the point of contact in the area for any story of note. He ventured into the Moelwyn Mountains to obtain shots of the building of the Stwlan dam/reservoir, part of Ffestiniog's hydroelectric scheme. He also took his camera to Capel Celyn, a village that was about to be evacuated, demolished and drowned in order to provide water for the industries of Liverpool.
The building of the Stwlan dam/reservoir took place between 1957 and 1963. The work enlarged an existing 'corrie' known as Llyn Stwlan, a steep-sided mountain hollow filled with water, and involved the drowning of a community in the Tryweryn Valley - 12 dwellings, a village school, chapel and post office, acres of farmland. The decision was made to flood the valley in 1955, the work was finished in 1965.
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