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
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_480x270/public/hero-images/990f2776c78f1e7f4814cdc20fcbb403.jpg?itok=eP20fpuK)
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.
From the collection of:
![Logo for National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales](/sites/default/files/styles/association/public/association-logos/NSSAW.jpg?itok=d_ytl5tN)
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.
Related
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/N_210926_01of01.jpg?itok=Q3uwnWnW)
Local Cinema Advertisements - Blaenau Ffestiniog and Merthyr Local Cinema Advertisements - Blaenau Ffestiniog and Merthyr
Advert 1942 7 mins Silent Location: Blaenau Ffestiniog
Who could deny these advertising claims: "Attractive hair is the ambition of every woman", and "Your family will enjoy Lincoln potatoes"?
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/N_210999_01of01.jpg?itok=ui7FLcDv)
Local Cinema Advertisements - North Wales Local Cinema Advertisements - North Wales
Advert 1965 5 mins Location: Blaenau Ffestiniog
Trefro's Milk Bar, Ruthin, has lovable eclairs and the Taj Mahal Indian restaurants in Caernarfon and Bangor offer tables of enchantment!
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/bf4fd2dede5a09205011f3283f31a51d_0.jpg?itok=mzBTMJMn)
Land of the Red Dragon Land of the Red Dragon
Advert 1968 18 mins Location: Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa
Wales: seeped in history (castles) and clothed in modernity (sports and eating out). Why go elsewhere?
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/53b230b90d61f7053a48a1d0c8c0e961_0.jpg?itok=lizRHmUG)
The Roof over Your Head The Roof over Your Head
Documentary 1937 19 mins Location: Blaenau Ffestiniog
The hazardous, hair-raising journey of Welsh slate - from subterranean rock to the world’s rooftops
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/aca513caa13f1b72a9d3c43b0003226e_0.jpg?itok=_V9OyXSp)
Y Chwarelwr Y Chwarelwr
Drama-documentary 1935 34 mins Location: Llechwedd Slate Caverns
Slate is the lifeblood of Blaenau Ffestiniog, but its dust can be deadly, with a painful legacy for family and society
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/40e5923b1abd9b509664bb16269519e7.jpg?itok=ueTDXZ9U)
The Hardings in Llandudno and North Wales The Hardings in Llandudno and North Wales
Home movie 1965 15 mins Silent Location: Llandudno
Can anywhere beat north Wales for views and thrilling modes of transport? Llandudno has an irresistable hinterland…
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/AWIAL_02_0_0.jpg?itok=RmbJuzdu)
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Khichdi_Still1.jpg?itok=QdfouZ6H)
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.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/Dr_XYZ_2.jpg?itok=uWKy7nA8)
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/EMC_Still07.jpg?itok=6tKUA8sg)
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.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/police-story-panel.jpg?itok=PcSNDGr_)
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.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_32x18/public/hero-images/china-reunion.jpg?itok=HKKrho4y)
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.