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

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:

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

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"?

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!

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?

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

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

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…

Alexandre Desplat (Masterclass) Alexandre Desplat (Masterclass)
Inside Film 2011 33 mins
Over 30 years and 150 projects, the composer shares, with humour and passion, the intricacies of making film music.

Ian Neil (Masterclass) Ian Neil (Masterclass)
Inside Film 2012 74 mins
Neil selected soundtracks for 127 Hours, Shame, Kick Ass, Control and many more. He discusses the job and its complexities, referencing his own work.

Screenwriters' Lecture: Peter Straughan Screenwriters' Lecture: Peter Straughan
Inside Film 2012 mins
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy's adapter reveals his quest for "the poem of the book" and the importance of simplicity: 'Drain the pond to find the fish'.

Gabriel Yared on composing for film Gabriel Yared on composing for film
Inside Film 2013 11 mins
Composer of The Lives of Others, The English Patient and Betty Blue on intimacy and experimentation.

Lois Burwell on movie makeup Lois Burwell on movie makeup
Inside Film 2013 17 mins
Lincoln, Braveheart and Magnolia make-up artist Lois Burwell explains how she created some of her most iconic looks, as part of a BAFTA Masterclass.

Barry Ackroyd (Masterclass) Barry Ackroyd (Masterclass)
2013 61 mins
British cinematographer of The Hurt Locker, Captain Phillips, Hillsborough and Riff Raff reviews the art of the moving image.