Afon Tryweryn

The Milky Way and Zodiacal light over Llyn Celyn in North Wales

 

The valley here was home to one of the last Welsh-only speaking communities in Wales. In 1965, Liverpool council, backed by the UK government, decided to turn the valley into a reservoir to supply water for industry in Liverpool. Welsh MPs voted against the plans, the residents marched in the city and the new dam was bombed in protest. The reservoir still went ahead. The community was forced to move; their homes, school, church and graveyard remain beneath the water. In 1967 a new chapel, Capel Celyn, was built on the shore in memorial.

 

The incident underlined the need for devolution of powers to Welsh people and today the Welsh government has the final say on water management in Wales. Liverpool council formally apologised in 2005.

 

The drowning of Tryweryn is referenced in songs by Manic Street Preachers (Ready for drowning) and Enya (Dan y dwr / Under the water).

 

 

Sony A7III. 20mm lens, 15x vertical shots at F2.2, ISO1600, 15 seconds each

Done