Why England Erased This Welsh Village

[@Faultlinevideos]

Sign up for a 14-day free trial and enjoy all the amazing features MyHeritage has to offer bit.ly/Faultline_MH

[@experimentalelemental92]

They did the same in the 50's to the village of Moreton. Its now Chew Valley Lake, apparently to serve more water to the city of Bristol. The land was cleared & excavated, with Bristol Museum & British Museum hoarding many Bronze Age findings that have never been shown to the public. Moreton was mentioned in the Domesday Book. No one is allowed to swim in the lake, & only members of the sailing club can row there.

[@emmmoo8631]

Chew Magna near Bristol was also a village that was "flooded".......Now Chew Valley lake.........

[@experimentalelemental92]

@@emmmoo8631 the lake was the village of Moreton

[@KayJohnsonArt]

They did the same near Oakham, Rutland Water...

[@experimentalelemental92]

@@KayJohnsonArt Our history is being removed & covered up. Not far from the lake is an ancient 'romano/Celt Temple.. its reconstructed picture is almost the same as the Norway Stave churches. This was a Temple to Diana.. stated by a professor Thomas...also inline with Stanton Drew stone circle, & Pensford church ( st Thomas!) - only church on an island where two waterways join...

[@poljac9517]

It wasn't one of the last Welsh speaking communities, but one of the last monolingual Welsh speaking villages. There are plenty of Welsh speaking villages today.

[@janwhite6038]

The Welsh language isn't hard to learn and it's useful to have

[@arealmandingo]

Why is it useful?

[@jimidave6281]

@@arealmandingo multiple reasons; primarily for communication where Welsh is a primary or community language (which is the case in many places in Wales, but especially the north and west). Having a knowledge of the language allows you to correctly pronounce the place names, to understand their meaning, to access Welsh literature, music and history.

[@thelizardking7234]

​@@arealmandingostupid and ignorant!

[@simon_1987]

​@@arealmandingo it isn't.

[@macklinillustration]

That so terribly sad, the fact that the water was no longer needed and was being sold on it just a gut punch.

[@Youdontknowyetbutuwill]

Also the fact that they could have done it in a non inhabited valley but it was cheaper to steal a town

[@somebloke5565]

Sad, yet disingenuous. It's not a Welsh thing. It doesn't make it right, yet many small English villages have been lost to powerful forces too. Yorkshire's Scar House Reservoir; Tyneham etc

[@siwillz365]

My Taid (grandfather) was born and raised in Capel Celyn so this really tugs at the heartstrings…..Cofiwch Dryweryn

[@janet-leeedsuk2024]

Myself and my father are in South Wales and both of us are disgusted by what happened! I hope that you're family were ok relocating ❤

[@WelshGaymer93]

Was he there when it happened?

[@NiaJustNia]

@@WelshGaymer93 Most of the people who lived there, including the children stood on the hill and watched, completely powerless

[@dianadaly6793]

It made me proud a few weeks ago to pass the spot where the words Coffiwch Dryweryn painted on the stone by the side of the road

[@Inquisitor_Vex]

@@dianadaly6793can you believe people vandalised it?! Pretty sure they’ve had to repaint it a couple times now.

[@James-ld2jc]

The Manic Street Preachers' song 'Ready For Drowning' is about this. Outstanding video

[@lucycarola]

Wow! And an awesome song it is! Thanks! Never heard of this group even though it’s from the 90s (my time). kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXWtp6CdmJKfhs0si=1OTuI5Y9uvkpiqIj

[@struebz]

Thank you for keeping this alive. It’s good to keep history alive. Cymru am byth. Yma o hyd!!

[@tollie_rowlands09]

Thank you for being so respectful with this topic and with our culture. So many people disregard the welsh voice simply because it is not important to them. Youve done a very good job of keeping our culture represented properly, and you avoided some of the common slip ups and mistakes that are often made (such as using Eryri instead of Snowdonia). Thank you.

[@mwnciboo]

​@@johnny2f55 North Wales / Ceredigion thing ... South Wales is the exact opposite. The Goggs - are like Welsh Scousers, always got a chip on their shoulder / resentment or grievance about something 😂😂😂

[@welsh-granddad]

@@johnny2f55I agree with you as long as those days are over but their not, why do the other home countries still have a gripe with the English government it’s because when you’ve stripped a country of its wealth and then say ok boys we’ve taken anything of any value now get on with your lives but don’t look for handouts. The English hate the Barnett formula because they think English money is coming to Wales never thinking about how they stripped the country of it’s wealth even the millions of tons of water that lands here is controlled from across the border as we’ve seen here, Prince William being imposed on the Welsh whether we like it or not. I’m not saying he’s a bad lad but no one in Wales was asked. Naming the Second Severn crossing wasn’t popular by the locals but they were told they haven’t got a voice. In 1606 the Union Jack flew for the first time and 400 years later Wales still hasn’t got a representation on it, so I could go on and on but I’m sure you can understand why some Welsh people are still a little disgruntled with the attitude of Parliament.

[@welsh-granddad]

@@johnny2f55 That’s what the German people said of their governments.

[@VINTERIUM..EXPLORIUM.1]

👍

[@wor53lg50]

@@welsh-granddad you do realise wales is a modern concept even more modern than the name England, it was basically all one lands called Briton, even during the Roman time's it was all classed as one land, even Scotland aswell until the Advent of Hadrians wall, Welsh basically means a Tribe of Britain, just as the English and Scots are a tribe of Britain, the same as First nations Canadian, Apache's and Inca's are first nation native tribes of the America's... To deny this facts is like basically claiming rights of existence in favour or in denying another is not only ignorant its very dangerous and be used and twisted and can back fire, heed that as a warning, "first they came for the English identity, culture, history and heritage but i said and did nothing!!, next they came for the Scottish identity, culture, history and heritage yet i still didn't do or say nothing, Next they came for.????..... Remember its all starts with dehumanising another people and encouraging it can lead to horrific things, look how the Natzie's used the same rhetoric...

[@davidiand7]

I grew up in the fifties and sixties and now at 78 I hear this for the first time, how terrible! Yes I think it could happen again especially in today’s world !!! Excellent video report.

[@davepowell7168]

Learn to swim young man. This is my advice for your wellbeing, breathe regularly..

[@jacobfield4848]

The villages of Derwent and Ashopton tragically drowned. For centuries, both villages, once populated by hard-working folk, have lived underwater in the Ladybower Reservoir, in the Peak District, near Sheffield. Not surprisingly, their fate earned them the name of the 'drowned villages'.

[@whyquestionanythingchannel6976]

Derbyshire Folk, you mean, don't you?

[@hannahk1306]

Thank you, I think Ladybower was the one that I was trying to think of. I knew I'd visited one as a child and was told the story, but I couldn't remember where (was definitely in Northern England though, not Wales).

[@jacobfield4848]

@@hannahk1306 Glad I could help.

[@hobi1kenobi112]

@@whyquestionanythingchannel6976 A mix of both I should imagine. The area is one of those blurred boundaries.

[@Blazin130]

I thought that the village of Derwent was in the Derwent reservoir, not so far from the Ladybower, unless they've merged now? I know there's something in the Ladybower, because we could see remains poking out of the water a few years back when we had that drought. Derwent was used as one of the testing grounds for the bouncing bomb, though - contrary to local legend - that was long after the village itself was flooded.

[@escapetoruralwales]

Great documentary. I am an Englishman who lives in North Wales. I speak Cymraeg hefyd. As a proud modern Brit, I care a lot about the Welsh communities and although I am sad this happened, I am also glad that this was a catalyst for change which eventually led to Wales forming its own assembly in the 90’s. I hope this never happens again

[@Mustafa-Dump]

The British govt will never change, in fact, they are becoming much worse - now they are turning on the English, ruddy scum!

[@celticvalleys6250]

I'm afraid 'modern Brit' is an oxymoron

[@chebailey950]

​@@celticvalleys6250 slaves to the Zionist Jew.

[@curlew-3592]

I live in Yorkshire and we have a village like this just a few miles from where I live. During the bad drought of 1976 the reservoir was dry and people could walk amongst it, the old church included. There are many of them all over.

[@LlywelynapGruffydd]

But this is water for a different country, all of Wales was against it but it changed nothing.

[@jonathanbarnes7981]

And now you have the Welsh government who have fucked your country more than us english 😂😂😂😂😂

[@jonathanbarnes7981]

Yh there's loads of them all around the uk but the Welsh think there special as per usual 😂😢

[@Duncan23]

Thrucross by any chance?

[@janwhite6038]

The impact on a small country is greater. Everyone has smaller friendship and family groups here, there's only 4° of separation

[@lizdavies8030]

In south wales right now over 100000 acres of land has been ripped up and turned into housing, there are plenty of brown field sites and many empty homes a few miles away in the valleys but they have chosen to rip up beautiful pastures and evict many animal owners forcing them to have to find homes for the animals or sell them or as in the case of myself , was forced to give valuable animals away for free because i couldnt travel two hours round trip to see to them every day due to my physical limitations. Losing thousands of pounds with absolutely no compensation at all. I know i am not alone in this, i know not everyone will understand this but animals are part of my family and losing them feels like losing one of my kids. Also many wild animals lost their homes and lives during this brutal project with no regard for their habitat, they were prime feeding grounds for bats who we used to go outside and watch in the nights and many foxes, rabbits and smaller beasties. Over 100000 acres represents a massive loss of animal lives especially those that can ot outrun the diggers. But ofcourse money trumps everything.

[@julianhyde1]

Blame your Welsh goverment then .

[@bradtyson]

I was working for Siemens in Ebbw Vale/Rassau 2020 to 2022 on the new substation built and stayed in premier inn near the train station. I can say it is 100% true, there is some beautiful places being ruined down that way. Tredegar and merthyr tydfil were a bit of a shite hole in all honesty though so I can see why more housing is being built up in the hills

[@nicksmith1415]

The power of those with money out way the right of others lives. It's sad that it's become the norm. I feel for you and the other families affected by this. This is the way now, greed commands how things go for those without power, without money.

[@goodvibes-pw9xlVR]

No houses up the valleys !

[@walterkronkitesleftshoe6684]

I know that the English city of Preston has MASSIVELY swollen in size at the cost of THOUSANDS of acres of previously untouched green belt.... this was done AFTER the globalist political parties that now poppet away in Westminster destroyed the town and country planning acts to allow their rich powerful friends to despoil the Beuatiful British countryside for their own personal greed.

[@My2up2downCastle]

I got a tear in my eye when the fella driving said about how it affected his Mother...... it reminded me of how my Grandfather was affected when they pulled his street down, in Bletchley, to build a bus station....... all part of the Milton Keynes developement. He went downhill fast, after being shipped out of the home he'd known for decades..

[@paulcampbell6316]

I'm sure Wales obtained devolution because Scotland got it didn't it? I don't think it had anything to do with maiming a 10 year old boy. Terrorists boil my piss, since it's always justified, even though it's others that pay the price! Who would ever think that when people get hurt, that it is a justifiable accident...........a terrorist!

[@misomicro]

That was brilliant, thank you very much. We’re incredibly lucky for the days we live in, that such talented people as yourself have an outlet to be seen and heard. Well done!

[@mrswalmsley1154]

Brilliant documentary. Im from Liverpool and know this story well, its incredibly sad and makes me feel guilty. I love Wales with all my heart, its the most beautiful place with the warmest of people.

[@loopymoo6468]

Absolutely nothing for you to feel guilty about. My English great grandad came from the Manchester "slums" and life was so hard in those places there's no way they'd have even contemplated where fresh water was coming from as long as they had it. Those in Liverpool were likely told a very flowery sanitised story

[@andybailz2737]

Everything happens for a reason u said it best it's jus a fucking story more to what meets the eyes open minds please slagging country's off is no future for humanity

[@lewisevans6634]

Why did u flood me 😢

[@iaincphotography6051]

@@lewisevans6634 I wonder why they couldn't move the village up the hill and keep the community intact?

[@_Why_123]

🥸I'm only half-way through this VERY interesting footage, I can't wait to understand the whole history of this event! ... Everyone understands the need for unpleasant decisions, "Rome wasn't built in a day!"" as we say... however every person involved will need to be duly compensated and satisfied with the final bill, I think!! ... This village community should have been able to be kept together in a new location, with better roads and housing, at no cost to them! 👍 EDIT: I live just a few kms. from a place near Rome, where the exact opposite happened, a whole enormous lake ( Fucine Lake ) was re-directed to supply Rome! ... Take a look, if you are interested: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fucine_Lake

[@pesa1145]

i went here recently and its so insanely bleak when you're actually there and know what happened. i think capel celyn was very similar to nearby arenig and llidiardau, which themselves feel almost abandoned, especially arenig. i saw aeron as the path from the road to his farm goes along the old railway to where capel celyn halt was, but i didnt know he went to the school in capel celyn. haunting

[@rosewindman3802]

I am Welsh and lived in Wales in 1965, but had never heard of this, its a terrible thing to happen. Thank you for making this documentary and making people aware.

[@TheBlackwolfYT]

My family has lived in Liverpool for centuries and I've never heard or all of this happening it's so sad 😞 that our water comes from the home of the lovely Welsh people who lived in this village.

[@milliedragon4418]

As an American we have a lot of towns that were made like this too. And of course affected. You know small rural towns. But especially black majority towns

[@countesscable]

Yes, it’s always the people with the least voice that are ignored and exploited…just like we are in Wales.

[@sanitygone-l9y]

Man, reading about American highway projects and how they purposely cut through majority black communities and redlining in the US in general really makes your blood boil a little.

[@SirZanZa]

@@countesscable Don't make me laugh, we have our own devolved government England does not, we are also a net drain on the British economy getting billion of £ of subsidies and extra budget from the Central government, not as bad as Scotland but a drain nonetheless. England is equivalent to Washington DC without their own representation except by the central government.

[@mildlydispleased3221]

Mate, the United States is a different beast, they destroyed entire civilisations and replaced them with samey concrete grids.

[@tom-ch5ii]

​@@SirZanZawhy are you England's bitch

[@sgwid2353]

Cofiwch Dryweryn!!!!! Thank you for making this video and spreading awarness of our history which is too often forgotten. Diolch yn fawr!

[@neelix139]

My name is Jeff Evans. I live in Melbourne Australia. I just finished watching your documentary on the flooding of that small village over the last number of years felt very strong towards anything from Wales to the people they worked as a volunteer on the Ffestiniog Railway back in 2005 for a week and I got to know a lot of Welsh people Wales close yours Jeff Melbourne, Australia mountains Wales

[@JamesTate-n8l]

I love this area of wales recognise so much of the footage. The tale of the downed village has been chilling me for a while but I have never quite been able to get the to bottom of it. Amazing Video.

[@DanOnTour]

As someone local to north wales and works in the area I’d like to say thank you very much for making this and also making it in a very respectful fashion

[@EncyclopediaQuirkstonia]

Considering how closed off Capel Celyn was, I can sort of see how the English could hide something like this. Doesn't make it any less tragic, though. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@Kaiserinwalton1871]

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿❤️

[@DomnulDarius]

❤

[@droopidroopi]

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿❤

[@Englishman_and_mountains]

*British not English. The majority of MPs at that time were Scottish

[@craigchampagne7797]

It happened in England too.

[@scottcarmichael805]

Thank you for keeping history alive so this is not forgotten

[@helenroberts1107]

I’m originally from Manchester but then moved to Wales about 20 years ago. It’s very well known here and still thought of as an awful tragedy

[@ArtJourneyUK]

Excellent documentary, well done. My heart goes out to all those who lived in and are linked to Capel Celyn.

[@jaywalker3087]

I walked through the village when a drought hit in the 80's... The rivulet still ran under the bridge.... The cemetery was the saddest sight... SHAME

[@aye3678]

Amazing documentary. As a Welshman, this is the first time I am hearing of this.

[@9wowable]

how? are you from the South? Everyone I know (from the North) knows too well about it.

[@aye3678]

@@9wowable I'm from the far south

[@pedrapioan4201]

@@aye3678 Cernyw / Cornwall ? Most in the south who care for their country know about Capel Celyn , COFIWCH TRYWERYN?

[@leeroberts8546]

Dim cymro go iawn llu

[@YrCleddyf]

@@9wowable Im from the South and pretty much everyone knows it here too

[@kildareire]

the production values of this video is amazing. Obvs the content is amazing. But the little radio and the turning/clicking years: chef's kiss! PS if you think this is mad, NofI will blow your mind.

[@DroppedWhisper3]

His editor is using a Johnny Harris template for the production

[@DeirdreMcNamara]

It's a simple but highly effective method of setting historical perspective and contemporaneous communications systems.The Zoomers and post zoomers were born into a digital world. Those transistors are as new to them now as they were to the boomers back when!

[@KayJohnsonArt]

Excellent video. So well produced and very interesting. Thank you.

[@HuwLewis95]

"Ond nid yw'r blodau'n tyfu nawr... Dŵr oer sy'n cysgu yn Nhryweryn" (But flowers don't grow now... Cold water is sleeping in Tryweryn) - Meic Stevens

[@wildflowerspoetry]

He's my grandfather - nice to hear his words

[@haretonearnshaw5842]

A very sad story. But villages in England suffered the same fate: Ashopton (Derbyshire), Mardale Green (Cumbria), Nether Hambleton (Rutland), Peasdown (Essex), and others.

[@RW-nr6bh]

Villages in Wales were also flooded to create reservoirs for Cardiff and Newport. While what Liverpool did to Capel Celyn was reprehensible, Cardiff and Newport treated their own people no better, it's just you couldn't apply a nationalist angle to it, so they got forgotten.

[@TIWNA851]

But it wasn’t to supply water to another nation, and that’s what’s important to remember here.

[@RW-nr6bh]

​@@TIWNA851Why is that important? Does it matter less if you lose your entire community to supply water to a city that is one one side of a line on a map compared to another. Did the people losing their homes for Llandegfedd Reservoir console themselves with the fact that the water was for Cardiff?

[@TIWNA851]

@@RW-nr6bh yes, I do think it makes a difference. Don’t you?

[@tomdixon8950]

@@TIWNA851it’s not another nation. Wales was part of England had been for centuries, and England was part of the U.K. and has been for centuries - still is of course.

[@LisanAlGareeb]

Thank you for putting out such an amazing documentary! Especially since it shines a light on a lesser known event in history. We need more of these independent documentaries today more than ever before.

[@Faultlinevideos]

Thank you so much for the super like and so glad you enjoyed it

[@aviamonix]

@@Faultlinevideos You've only given it a heart because they gave you money, your channel is spreading minor misinformation to stir up reactions.

[@harrywalker968]

@@Faultlinevideos here in aus.. we have sooo much water.. but, the gov dont care.. theres been an ausie,& america army, that were going to build a pipe line from w.a. / n.t. to adelaide, sydney, for free. was rejected.. water here could be free.. while in cairns qld, i was digging a hole for pillaers for the casino, in t/ville. 7ft down, i struck fresh water, running out of the soil. 1/4 mile off shore.. being british, & coming to aus in 71, a7 taught nothing about history of u.k. i thought wales was a separate state, gov.. like scotland.. as usual, keep the populace dmb, so we can control them easier.. the american were also going to build a road from adelaide to syd. got rejected also. in cairns, theres a road called aumuller st. it was built by the u.s. army, to get supplies to there ships, over a marsh,bog. a famous general was stationed there.. his boat, was still at cairns ship yards in 85.. the industrial part of cairns, is built over this marsh,bog. it vibrates, when driven over.. really wierd sensation.. you,ll also find, pre historic, finds, buildings, going against mainstream archi. , are drowned, to cover them up.. nothing to see, go home, its just a rock, ...... im scot decent.. & protestant..living in aus.. excellent... 66. keep up the vids, i seek truth, not bs..

[@DeirdreMcNamara]

@@aviamonix "minor misinformation?" Is not necessary when you have the line to the effect that it was cheaper to flood a village, destroy a community rather then use an uninhabited valley. And did they reimburse Wales for the water, the people for the disruption and loss of their historical references?

[@mrrooster0075]

They flooded a village near me to make roadford reservoir and in the summer you can see the roofs of the house

[@stephenwest9757]

Burrator was one of many English Villages drowned under a reservoir. I have great sympathy for those who lost their homes and livelihoods but it still happens now for other reasons. In Plymouth houses were knocked down to widen a road which still has not even happened. I also remember the Drought in 1976 having to get water from Stand pipes in the street and doing it in the rain as they were only on at certain times. The loss for a few benefits the many and if the water were going to Wales rather than Enlgland would they feel the same?

[@Noname-oo9gn]

​@@stephenwest9757 yes we would, this is what war is all about other people thinking they have a right to OUR LAND.

[@ClaribelleC]

​@@stephenwest9757'The loss for a few benefits the many'. That's a very chilling statement to make.

[@VanillaMacaron551]

Spooky.

[@mrewan6221]

There was a film "The Last Days of Dolwyn" released in 1949 that is about a drowned village. The parallels are strong. Probably based on the village of Llanwddyn, drowned in the 1880s, to provide water for Liverpool.

[@ldnwholesale8552]

Coming from a small town flooded by a reservoir in South Australia I can understand this a bit more. Though it happened in the 1880s. My father [born 1920] was a self appointed local historian. The family had been in the area since 1852. What was a small township with a couple of churches, shops etc plus a few dozen homes with vineyards, some grazing was taken as a reservoir. Part of what became a chain of reservoirs sometimes sourced from the river Murray into the Onkaparinga. This over around 75 years.This was not like Wales, water was needed to keep metro Adelaide as well as the local area in decent water. This is the driest state in the driest continent. The thing with this reservoir it was not fed by local catchment which was deemed unsuitable with various farming. Cattle, sheep, pigs, vineyards, orchards and more was deemed to not good for the water which generally came from higher in the hills. Really all that was left of the original township was the blacksmiths home and shop,, our home from about 1950 on and the Congegational church still in business. Also interesting this reservoir has leaked since it was built that made about a third of our 11 acres a swamp that continiued down the low lying land for about 6 miles. The main earthern wall however is as good as new,, if it ever failed it would cause masive disruption for around 10 miles to the ocean. What was inner rural in my youth is now thousands of homes

[@suecollins8199]

@ldnwholesale8552 I am a Tasmanian descendant of the Symonds family from Gumeracha/Chain of Ponds. Are you also a descendant?

[@tjexplore8059]

Incredible content, so underrated. Can’t wait to see you blow up

[@actuallyceri]

Thank you for doing this story justice. Balanced and well executed. 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@paperflowers-ks6vv]

I am in awe at how good this is! Thank you so much for highlighting this part of Welsh history. Diolch o galon i ti. (Thank you from my heart)

[@jacquiestead9557]

This was tragic 😞 no wonder Wales wanted to have their own government. I live in Yorkshire and we have a drowned village not far from me. My Dad was a telephone engineer at the time working in rural areas. He installed a phone in the Post office in the village and the next month they drowned it. Don't anybody think they wouldn't do it again if they want to!! We are all equal but some are more equal than others.

[@candyneige6609]

And of course, this drowning of a Welsh village eventually led to the May 68 protests that were happening all across Britain.

[@jonathanellis1842]

one very interesting fact you missed is that Ffrongoch, only a few miles down stream from Llyn Celyn there was a prison camp that in 1916 housed IRA dissidence from the Easter rising.

[@MateoQuixote]

You do such a wonderful job with your investigative research. I truly hope you have a long prosperous career continuing to do this kind of work

[@barrycrosby8602]

Exactly the same thing happened in northern England when the village of kielder was demolished to make way for kielder reservoir

[@alynwillams4297]

But the difference being England done this to another country.

[@wilfulsprite555]

@@alynwillams4297'Another country' aka the Wirral and Liverpool where many many Welsh people commuted or moved to for work because they didn't have any?

[@alynwillams4297]

@@wilfulsprite555 yes that’s it. In the country of England.

[@RW-nr6bh]

​​@@alynwillams4297 So if the water had been for Wrexham it would all have been fine? Actually no it wouldn't. In any case 'England' didn't do it. A city in England did it. Most of England had nothing to do with it. Plus Cardiff used the same UK Parliament acts to flood Pontsticill, but the narrative demands we forget that. If someone is going to flood your home it doesn't make one damned bit of difference if it's "your country" doing it or "another country". The net result is the same.

[@alynwillams4297]

@@RW-nr6bh Dismissing the flooding of Capel Celyn as just “a city in England did it” is infuriatingly simplistic. This wasn’t an isolated act! it was part of a pattern of English dominance over Wales, fueled by a political system where Welsh voices were historically marginalized. The fact that Cardiff also used UK Parliament acts to flood Pontsticill doesn’t erase the specific injustice faced by Capel Celyn. Each incident has its own context, and lumping them together is dismissive of the unique grievances and historical tensions involved. Saying “if it had been for Wrexham, it would have been fine” is a gross oversimplification. The issue isn’t just about who benefits from the water it’s about the sheer disregard for the communities being destroyed. When an entire village is wiped off the map, it doesn’t matter if it’s “your country” or “another country” doing it the pain and loss are the same. But in the case of Capel Celyn, it was exacerbated by a history of English exploitation and control. This isn’t about narrative convenience it’s about recognizing the real and justified anger of people who were ignored and steamrolled by those in power. Ignoring this context is an insult to those who suffered and continue to feel the impact of these decisions.

[@OnlyTheRightTrack]

I saw this video on my recommended and at first watch I was certain that this channel had a million subscribers and the video too but I was completely shocked to see that this channel is frankly, not anywhere near as big as it should be. The investigation and, for me, editing was simply perfect. I wish you the best of luck in future videos as this was just astounding.

[@abdullahsarker3595]

A lot of comments willfully ignoring that Liverpool could've just as easily kept all the water they were selling elsewhere for themselves, and find somewhere else within their own country to flood. The point isn't that England also flooded Cumbrian villages and thereby, not a case of Welsh oppression. Are you somehow trying to insinuate that despite a majority of MPs voting against the bill, that it's perfectly okay to stroll in and flatten a village anyway?

[@paperflowers-ks6vv]

Exactly. Thanks for this comment. So much deflection and whataboutism going on!

[@abdullahsarker3595]

@@paperflowers-ks6vv "But what about the ENGLISH villages that were flooded that don't get any mention." Exactly the point, the video isn't about the English - it's about a different country that England had no qualms about strolling in and meddling with despite political opposition.

[@paperflowers-ks6vv]

@@abdullahsarker3595 Spot on. Plus the destruction of a monolingual village, and the Welsh language has been under threat due to English interference. What England does to it's own people is their business. As you say, Wales is a separate country but had no say, and was used to provide water for a country that has historically oppressed them. People are really trying to deflect!

[@Englishman_and_mountains]

​@abdullahsitarker3595 it wasn't England, it was the British government. A government woth a majority Scottish parliament

[@TransdermalCelebrate]

As a child, I often wondered why it was we received water from Wales, it was always lovely popping to Wales and drinking from the springs and fountains in certain towns. I live in a hard water area now, so that’s actually the one thing I miss. Lovely part of the world is Wales and I’m always happy to visit 👍

[@garethblitz5176]

Very well produced video. It's clear that a lot of effort has been put into this. I do think that rather than this being an England vs Wales issue, it's more a Government vs people issue, as in the 30s a similar event happened in the Lake District to Mardale Green where people were evicted for another dam project. However, I believe that videos like this are crucial in ensuring that these historical events are remembered.

[@EmmaMaySeven]

The framing on this video is just terrible, as you say. Similarly destroyed villages---whether for reservoirs, military grounds, or simply rich people's private property---can be found in England. Too often we see things as ethnicity/nationality conflict, when really it's a people versus elites conflict. Pushing an ethnicity/nationality framing just diverts us from understanding the real problems in the world.

[@mcresearch]

@@EmmaMaySeven Well said. I guess it's fashionable these days to destroy and vilify England's past.

[@cymraegpunk1420]

@@EmmaMaySeven I think there are things in this story that do shift it from just a standard story of elite vs people.The choice to look for a location on the other side of the border in the first place knowing that it would be politically easier, and then that turning out to be the case even though not a single Welsh MP voted for it. No one in our country with or without power consented to it and it happened anyway.

[@candyneige6609]

Eventually, this issue culminated in the May 68 protests.

[@sanitygone-l9y]

​@@EmmaMaySeven There are definitely aspects of ethnicity and nationality which tie into this story but you are right about its rather narrow framing. More than a couple of Faultline videos tend to be a little sensationalist and framed in a way to stir outrage but I imagine that's because its the best way to get impressions and engagement on the videos. I think the most egregious example so far is the Bubble Tea video.

[@9wowable]

I think what a lot of people don’t acknowledge about this is that Liverpool at the time and still today has a very large Welsh population. It was built of the backs Welsh and Irish emigrants, of which most of the current population is descended from today. (Hence, “Scouse not English” saying)Just look at the most common family names there. My great grandad was a 3rd generation scouser and spoke fluent Welsh. Always identified as vehemently Welsh despite being of mixed background, and this went for a lot of the population at the time. The founder of Plaid Cymru himself was from Birkenhead. Just a thought when people think of Liverpool vs the Welsh people. We are extremely interconnected. North Wales has million times more to do with Liverpool than Cardiff; which ironically was founded as an English city.

[@9wowable]

The biggest crime here is the actual wholesale price of Welsh water to England for pennies of its actual value on perpetual leases that were agreed without any significant Welsh consideration. The money lost to Welsh income would be easily enough to fund any deficit we are facing at the moment, but instead it’s going to subsidising private English water companies who are making absurd amounts on a a commodity they Prather for free.

[@FullNietzsche]

I'm Scouse born and proud English, not Irish, Welsh or anything else.

[@siarlb8115]

Cardiff existed as a settlement long before the Normans arrived. It remained relatively small until the industrial boom in the 18C. It is wrong to suggest it was founded by the English.

[@bestboy1986]

​@@FullNietzsche Obviously they weren't talking about you then.

[@kingstannisbaratheon7974]

@@siarlb8115 Exactly, Cardiff Castle still has sections of masonry from the roman legionary fort which was built there. And the romans only built stone forts on pre existing settlements so they could be supplied and keep order. So a settlement almost certainly existed before even the romans arrived, let alone the Normans.

[@tracyr2842]

Same thing happened in the town I live in. Llandegfedd Reservoir in Pontypool. Low water in summer you can still see the foundations of houses and the roads that’s usually below.

[@iwantmycountrybackkg4482]

Who flooded this reservoir?

[@gotrickrolledyeah]

In Portugal (and Spain) we have also drowned villages. Popular ones being Spain's Aceredo near border and Vilarinho das Furnas in Portugal. During a drought the village of Aceredo, which was underwater in 30 years, finally rose again and you could see some houses, an old bridge and even a car that was left behind to drown. The car isn't in the place anymore, and all residents were relocated to a new village with the same name in a higher place. Some houses are still in one piece

[@Borialis]

Excellent video, thank you for this. It’s incredibly important story that not many people know about.

[@kenlennon]

Fantastic documentary. Very well done. 👏

[@damianhockey8890]

I'm from England and i fully support Wales Scotland and NI being self determining away from Westminsters influence. Westminster should have absolutely no say in how they make their own laws and where they want things to be built.

[@loopymoo6468]

If England and Wales were on Facebook their relationship would be "it's complicated". We've been under Y Senedd for 25 years, albeit with varying levels of devolved services. It has been an eye opener as to the sheer nightmare it would be if we totally split from England. Out of the three options of Integrated, Devolved, or semi-devolution I'd opt for semi-devolution...... maybe a little more integrated than it is now

[@neuralwarp]

Wales Scotland and NI have their own parliaments, England doesn't. Yet their MPs and ministers make decisions against the interests of England.

[@Ryanblairfolk]

Amazing work as always.

[@Faultlinevideos]

Thanks!

[@TIWNA851]

And still, unlike in Scotland we don’t have control of the crown estate here in Wales. Has anything really changed? 😢

[@kayk3756]

Thank you for making this documentary, I didn’t even know, I’m proud to be Welsh 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@menofyes1069]

Remember me of Indonesia's Kendungombo Dam, where past government military junta deliberately drowned a village for cost cutting constructions, although the UK Welsh one has more of it's political impact due the bit ugly history between Welsh people with and a stronger one (Prevailing eastern neighboring ethnic's).

[@sof5858]

My water in Liverpool is nice soft water. Looks like I have got Wales to thank. Both Liverpool and North Wales are intricately linked. Spend many of holiday and trip to Wales. Llangollen is one of my favorite places to be in general.

[@emmirose914]

Liverpool has wrecked north Wales

[@sof5858]

@@emmirose914 In what way?

[@emmirose914]

@@sof5858 the drowning, then also Liverpool advertising rhyl to prisoners for when they come out. Making rhyl a abode for criminals who have wrecked what rhyl used to be. All the drugs around here can be linked to drug sellers in Liverpool and surrounding cities like Manchester. All the holiday homes/caravans are full of people from Liverpool and becomes more dangerous to enjoy the summer on our coastline because of this. And your comment alone shows the ignorance and disrespect england has for Wales. "Looks like I have got to thank Wales". No. You have to thank england cos they are the ones that drowned the village you have no consideration for the community that was lost. Wales didn't want it. Thanking Wales for england flooding our village is just has ignorant as it gets. Did you not watch the video. The sooner Wales has its independence the better.

[@markjones6564]

@@sof5858I’m from North Wales & I see Liverpool as the capital city of the North.

[@bollox679]

​@@emmirose914 what did we wreck it with ? All the millions of pound we put into your economy through tourism like we have done forever.

[@chrisevans2686]

46 properties and 100 people displaced for the construction of Elan valley dams near Rhayader.

[@lindajones7219]

Yes indeed . I lived up the Hill in Nantmel 4 miles from Landrindod Wells.. During the war my father A royal Engineer in the Army guarded The Elon Valley Dams,

[@Tazer_Silverscar]

Really appreciate this. I'm not Welsh (I'm in fact Irish), but this resonates with me and reminds me why even though I live in England, I refuse to own a UK passport. Because I can't support the decisions made by the Government at this point in time. And I'll probably still have this position when Labour comes in, because Labour is absolutely not what it used to be. No respect for people at all.

[@countesscable]

My Gran was Irish and when you think of the historical genocide of the Irish poor by the English,I don’t blame you.

[@Tazer_Silverscar]

@@countesscable And slavery too. Slavery is a big thing people seem to forget was a thing. If they weren't slaves to the British, they were slaves to the Church (the church ran a lot of these so-called workhouses in Ireland too). People seem to love to joke about the Irish and potatoes, but those blasted things were the only things we were allowed to grow for a very long time, and when the blight hit, a lot of Irish folk died, while their landowners sat there smug in their castles and fancy manor houses.

[@FullNietzsche]

@@countesscable Most of the Ulster planters were Scottish, not English. Keep stoking the fires of victimhood though, rather than moving on eh?

[@leonwilks4114]

But Irish still blame English people as a whole for what happened in the 1800s, that was our past and is nothing whatsoever to do with us nowadays, many Irish have settled in England and are more likely better off than being back home in Ireland,

[@some-guy-in-the-internet]

Severely underrated video, amazing work as always! Hopefully more people know about this, very interesting and insightful piece of mostly forgotten history for sure!

[@pedrapioan4201]

NEVER FORGOTTEN ! Cofiwch Dryweryn ✊

[@celesteamberbagley3996]

We had this happen in Derbyshire, in a place called Carsington.

[@rosemarygriffin2184]

As someone who was born in England, I find this a shocking abuse of power, over the people of Wales another country, which in my opinion we had no rights to invade and steel their water, and demolish a whole village to do so. It makes me ashamed to be English, that our government could abuse the Welsh people and their homeland like this. On behalf of all the English people, especially people like myself who was just a small child, who feel the same. I whole hearty apologize, for the corrupt English government. Because I know that they didn't care.

[@ZadenZane]

It wasn't one of the last Welsh speaking communities by any means and it wasn't "England" who did this it was the Liverpool corporation. Having said that, the least they could have done was build a replacement village where everyone had x10 bigger houses and x3 more land. Furthermore, when Wales institutes a Welsh Only language policy in politics, the media and all spheres of public life (not before time!) maybe Liverpool should be incorporated into Wales and forced to speak Welsh. While this would serve them right for drowning this gorgeous village, the gift of the Welsh language is the greatest of all blessings. Almost overnight Liverpool's deprived inner cities would be transformed into a Welsh-speaking paradise of song and laughter with a welcome in the hillside for every Scouser from Llanfiangelararth to Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch!

[@jeffreymonks8507]

I've just posted that I'd be happy for the divide lines to be re drawn to incorporate Liverpool in to Wales. But as to force us to speak Welsh? We would happily adopt the language if this happened. But are you telling me that Welsh people are forced to speak the language?. Most people in Liverpool would have more affiliation with Wales that Whitehall.

[@ZadenZane]

I started learning Welsh again and it's so gorgeous I think everyone should speak Welsh!

[@cfor8129]

It was England, because their MPs voted it through. England had the political power to prevent it, but agreed to it going ahead.

[@imarcher6629]

@@cfor8129 NOT 'England'. That makes as much sense as saying Basingstoke forced it on the Welsh. There were no national MPs, only British ones. Their remit was to the UK, not any of the constituent regions.

[@RW-nr6bh]

​@@cfor8129 The same UK parliament allowed Cardiff and Newport to flood communities too. The Welsh cities never cared about the villages that got in their way either.

[@Revenga02]

Amazing video a story than should be told but is brushed under the carpet. Throughly enjoyed the presentation and quality. You have a new subscriber. Can’t wait to watch more of your content.

[@lorimermacandrew]

I caught your (fantastic) talk at the UK Photo Video Show and I think you mentioned you were setting off to film this the next day! Mindblowing that you've managed to capture it and put it all together in just a few weeks. Can't wait to watch, especially with the added context of your talk. Awesome work!

[@MrCur10s1ty]

Thanks for sharing content in such manner and facing this kind of topic. Outstanding video!

[@mixodorians12]

Imagine the outrage if the European parliament decided to flood Leicester.

[@BrandonClark...]

Yeah because the European parliament doesn't own the UK England does own Wales we invaded it ages ago

[@markjames6669]

Turn Leicester into a lake ? Yes please , it’s a 💩 hole

[@KJames2345]

​@@markjames6669 So is London.

[@lavenderlaceladylavenderla5420]

This was also done in Rutland England. They evacuated a whole village and flooded the valley. It’s now called ‘Rutland Water’.

[@alynwillams4297]

But the difference being is England done this to another country.

[@gwallgofrwydd-metel]

This needs to be drained. Or at the very least, England needs to start paying us what they owe for OUR water!!

[@simonbartlett5]

I never knew this stuff happened until watching this brilliantly made and very informative video. Thank you .

[@taniacrawford6104]

Most people don't know about Capel celyn. Great for covering it. Cofiwch Dryweryn

[@sarahlovell2]

Well done with the research a very moving video….thank you for highlighting 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿❤

[@TheGhiaDriver]

It is sad, but important to note it happened all over the UK, several villages were lost so it's not like an England oppressing the Welsh thing, it was necessary infrastructure that unfortunately meant that some communities were relocated. But still interesting history.

[@iaw7406]

it wasnt necessary. liverpool has a water surplus

[@gingernutpreacher]

​@@iaw7406back that up!

[@candyneige6609]

And all this eventually led to the May 68 protests.

[@Tobi-ln9xr]

Yeah but the "England is evil“ agenda generates more attention. It’s like Johnny Harris blaming everything what happened on the US government…

[@newg4515]

I think it’s more the fact it was one of the last 100% welsh speaking village rather than the actual act

[@gearsandtears7643]

Very well put together thank you

[@bbd121]

Why haven't I heard of this? Britain really covered all this up.

[@imarcher6629]

No more a cover-up than Ladybower, Rutland, Kielder etc etc

[@francishuddy9462]

This is an outstanding video / documentary. The sheer production that's gone into it - numerous excellent archive clips, etc. And, being a massive fan of maps, this was a bonus. And the mystery element, tracing those former residents of the flooded / submerged village, Capel Celyn. I've been to Bala once, on a summer holiday back in 1986, staying at the Youth Hostel Association near the famous lake. Back then - being English, and from the South-east - I was struck by how common the Welsh language is spoken. In a pub, you cannot understand a word. Forgot to add, I am one-quarter Welsh (on account of my grandmother, who was from the Rhondda Valley, south Wales).

[@ak22gml85]

Charles seems to have missed that he, his mother, his children, the whole royal establishment are what are truly anachronistic. But once a prat always a prat!

[@williamjohnson4985]

I really enjoyed that I did not know how badly the people of Wales were treated .I have lived in Wales when I was younger and they are really friendly people. Shame on England.

[@mlchallenges9043]

Awsome documentary! I Had no idea of this town but how fascinating! I am loving these longer videos, so good to sit down and watch a brilliantly made documentary

[@MrLancy44]

Absolutely superb insight. We pass this Dam every year and never had a clue this was once a village

[@boggull]

Resonates a bit with the struggle of electricity production in Iceland. The powers that be (mostly foreign capital and their benefactors) see big profit in unexploited valleys, windy sand plains and rocky bays. Iceland already produces the most electricity per capita in the world, and that lead is by a light year. This is mostly due to the government, lead by the servants of capital, selling electricity cheap to big aluminium smelters and data centers while drowning entire valleys. This is all being done while they push out material for tourists about the "unspoiled" nature of the country, the same wilderness they sell to investors to be turned into wind farms and water reservoirs that do nothing but export wealth out of the country.

[@dougiesweeny4833]

The disregard for the people who were kept in the dark to the last minute because they knew full well it would be rejected is an absolute disgrace by a system that couldn't care less about the people of Britain

[@peabody1976]

I'm an American with a LOT of UK friends and contacts, and what's infuriating to me second-hand is how these plans to flood towns for (supposedly) needed water are meeting modern-day neglect of the water system especially in England. The UK government seem to have their eyes covered to the advantage private business have in both extracting water for sale/distribution and how much untreated water is being dumped along English shores, ironically making English waters more polluted and less potable. It feels like a giant waste. And it has a knock-on effect in Scotland and Wales, which seems doubly unfair.

[@janwhite6038]

Teifi Valley is about to be ruined by Green Gen pulins and solar farms. Why? Wales has plenty of electricity but Green Gen will be financed by the Welsh Gov to ruin natural beauty, historic land and farms, to sell electricity overseas. How do the people of Wales benefit?

[@paulpobsanderson6219]

Great film, growing up in Gwynedd as a kid n the 60/70’s this was a massive part of the news. Thank you for bringing it to light.

[@maynard789]

I love this documentary, really great journalism!

[@davidharris4062]

More information can be found on ‘For Wales see England’ on KZbin, 20 minutes long

[@alexanderbaldwin1298]

Cofiwch Dryweryn!

[@Englishman_and_mountains]

😂😂

[@34547]

@@Englishman_and_mountainswhat’s funny?

[@Englishman_and_mountains]

@@34547 being upset with a village being sunk for water to feed a city the Welsh people helped populate.

[@martinjohnsson1525]

​@TotallyAgreeYes A city that when the dam was completed didn't need the water anymore. So sold it of with no compensation to the Welsh for the added revenue of Welsh resources, which they pretty much had stolen from them to begin with... Instead of just working together. They could have turned to Welsh politician and asked for more water and make a solution which benefitted and worked for both parties. Instead of steamrolling one party for the others benefit. I've seen plenty of englishmen here commenting and claming that it is one brittish nation and democracy and such, but then why not behave in such a way? Cause it seems more like a colonization way where one part is disregarded completely and has no voice.

[@johnrees7706]

Diolch/ Thank you for telling this vital and tragic story and for your thorough research and also your clear perception of whole issue

[@DanielEdwards22]

You're a compelling and authentic storyteller. This was a fantastic video, diolch

[@Snaily]

I was born in Manchester (Bolton specifically), I've made no secret of that, but I moved to Wales when I was 8 and over the subsequent years fell in love with this country. When I first read about Capel Celyn I became enraged at the idea of a large force bullying those beneath it and exploiting its resources, even before I formed my current political opinions, and it became a strong foundation of said standpoint. I am a Welsh nationalist, and I'm not afraid to admit it - I have anti-Parliament stickers on my instruments, anti-Parliament keychains on my keys and backpack, pins on everything, write pro-Wales music, and so on. My opinions of the British people don't matter after reading so much about how much the English government has fucked over the Scottish, Irish and Welsh people. I am not English. I am not British. I am Welsh.

[@zappababe8577]

So sad that there were empty, uninhabited valleys that could easily have been used for a reservoir. However, because it was cheaper and more convenient for them, they chose to evict everyone from this charming little village instead. People's homes, their tight-knit community, all the original stone buildings in the village and all the historical value of the place was sacrificed - just because it was cheaper to do so.

[@candyneige6609]

And then the May 68 protests happened.

[@chrismartenable]

I was only 14 when this atrocity took place. It's no wonder that the Welsh have a dislike for the brits. I discovered the work by Wilson & Blackett a couple of years ago. It was a real eye opener. I don't think that many of the Welsh people even know that much about their own history. In 1774 William Caxton brought the printing press to England. The first thing that parliament did was to ban printing in Wales from 1402. It wasn't lifted until 1692. In 1536 Henry VIII Act of Union banned Welsh being spoken. 1846 the education authority sacked all the Welsh teachers & sent in English teachers, none of which could speak any Welsh, they called it - The treachery of the blue books.

[@PakBallandSami]

Wales: is happy* England: nononono we can't allow that know, can we

[@candyneige6609]

And that was how the May 68 protests started.

[@InhertiaPink]

Know?

[@matturner6890]

Now*

[@ryanbernard5287]

Interesting bit of history. Thanks for the great video

[@wilfulsprite555]

Divisive video. A few villages in my part of England were flooded to make a reservoir also.

[@RW-nr6bh]

Yes, and Cardiff and Newport flooded villages for reservoirs too. What Liverpool did was reprehensible, but the truth is there were Welsh cities that rode roughshod over their own people in the precise same way. The narrative demands that we forget Pontsticill.

[@ghostest1719]

It's a question of representation and power. It's one thing to have your government screw you over. It's another to have a distant, non-representitve government screw you over because you have no influence.

[@wilfulsprite555]

@@ghostest1719 Non-representative? We are all part of the UK and before devolved government, they had MP's in Westminster. ?

[@andrewjones-productions]

@@wilfulsprite555 You surely jest. Wales, with just 40 MPs in Westminster and England with well over 500, even with 39 Welsh MPs voting against with one abstention, England got its way. That isn't representation, it is a token and with the number of Welsh seats in Westminster having been reduced to 32 following the boundary changes and Westminster's refusal to still devolve further powers to Wales, the Welsh voice in this farce of a union is even smaller than ever. A recent poll in Wales has shown that 52% of those under 45 years of age now favour independence. Something that will be achieved and more so if fanatical Farage gains power in the 2029 general election.

[@LloydGeorge1863]

@@andrewjones-productions Have you heard of population density?

[@adammmaforex1540]

Brilliant documentary great work 🙌

[@gwynedwards8526]

Excellent, it's clear how much work has gone in to this. Love the illegal trespassing with an OAP farmer. x

[@Faultlinevideos]

😂