Why Was the Welsh Village of Capel Celyn Erased?
In 1965, the Welsh village of Capel Celyn, along with its surrounding farmlands, was flooded by England, displacing 70 residents. This event, largely overlooked in England, had a profound impact on Welsh nationalism. In this episode, Andy Burgess visits the site to uncover the motivations and implications of this historical event. He interviews individuals who witnessed the transformation and explores whether such an occurrence could happen again.
The episode delves into the history of Capel Celyn, the political tensions between England and Wales, and the rise of Welsh nationalism following the village's destruction. Discussions include the socio-economic factors at play, the construction of the £16 million reservoir, and the local resistance that emerged. The narrative also touches on the actions of paramilitary groups and the broader implications for Welsh identity and autonomy.
Join Andy as he navigates this complex historical landscape, providing a thorough analysis of the events that reshaped a nation.
#Capel Celyn, #Welsh nationalism, #Tryweryn Valley, #flooding, #England-Wales relations, #reservoir construction, #paramilitary groups, #Welsh history, #Liverpool water crisis, #Welsh devolution
Timeline
00:00:Introduction to the drowned village of Capel Celyn.
02:14:Exploration into why this event is not widely known.
02:51:Life in Capel Celyn before the flooding.
04:22:Post-war Liverpool and its water shortages.
05:41:Liverpool's search for water solutions.
07:17:Seeking out ex-residents of Capel Celyn.
08:50:Journey to Capel Celyn and its current state.
12:12:Reasons behind Liverpool's decision to flood the Tryweryn Valley.
13:16:The £16 million reservoir project.
13:46:Local pushback against the flooding.
15:39:How England executed the flooding.
16:50:Brief history of England and Wales relations.
17:51:The UK votes on the Tryweryn Valley flooding.
19:59:Eviction of Capel Celyn's residents.
20:42:Explosion in Capel Celyn and its aftermath.
24:24:Demolition of the village.
26:39:A new era of Welsh nationalism begins.
27:57:Rise of paramilitary groups in Wales.
31:19:The MAC bombings and their significance.
34:17:Discussion on Welsh devolution.
35:22:Current life in the region.
37:46:Could such an event happen again?