Collections Online

This pamphlet marking the de-consecration of Eglwys Celyn prior to its demolition in preparation for the flooding, was donated to the museum by Dafydd Roberts – a 65 year old farmer from Capel Celyn who were affected by the reservoir scheme. His farms – Caefadog and Coedymynach – in total 52.5 acres of land were to be drowned. Dafydd Roberts joined Dr Tudor Jones and Gwynfor Evans, at the Liverpool Town Hall to protest, and had to be forcibly ejected by police

Capel Celyn, a Welsh-speaking community in the Tryweryn valley, was drowned to provide a new water supply for Liverpool. There were protests throughout Wales. Most Welsh MPs opposed the bill to build the reservoir, yet it was passed by the Conservative government of the day. The villagers were forced to move, abandoning their homes, chapel, school and farmland. Liverpool City Council apologised in 2005. Tryweryn has become iconic. It is a symbol to some people of how powerless Wales is.