A DESCENDENT of the North Wales village which was controversially drowned to create a water reservoir has thanked the group of university students who repaired a mural dedicated to the tragedy.

Elwyn Edwards, Plaid Cymru councillor for Llandderfel, near Bala, praised the Aberystwyth students who twice made the nine-mile journey to the site in Llanrhystud to reinstate the wall with the symbolic words ‘Cofiwch Dryweryn’, Remember Tryweryn.

The group included 21-year-old Grisial Hedd Roberts, from Ruthin, who stayed at the site overnight while the mural's red and white paint dried.

Cllr Edwards' mother’s family had lived in the valley for centuries and he recalls fishing and playing with cousins on their farm. He participated in the march on the streets of Liverpool against the plans to flood the village when he was 13 years old.

The village included a dozen houses, post office, school and chapel with a cemetery.

His mother’s family “lost everything” during the drowning.

Denbighshire Free Press:

Cllr Elwyn Edwards

Cllr Edwards said: “These youngsters’ actions are an inspiration to us all, Welsh or not, to uphold this historic Welsh legacy. It is a national symbol, an insight to our past and a reminder of our future, ensuring that no other community or valley in Wales is ever lost again.”

The Liverpool Corporation’s plan for the dam was approved by the UK Government despite the protests and opposition from all but one of the 36 Welsh MPs.

The mural was created by the late Welsh poet and journalist Meic Stephens to ensure that the tragedy is never forgotten. The words have since been painted in more than 40 locations in Wales.

Denbighshire Free Press:

The mural being repainted by the university students.

Cllr Edwards said: “The drowning of Capel Celyn had a profound effect on me, and many others. This generation of young people have no recollection of the act itself, but as Welsh people we have a deep affinity to the effect this action had on our nation.

“The symbolic act to paint the message ‘Cofiwch Dryweryn’ in Llanrhystud is now gathering apace throughout Wales. We are seeing a resurgence of interest, people with interest in the nation’s story, people wanting to make their voices heard.

“Rebuilding the wall and painting it again by these patriots who came together from many parts of Wales is a catalyst for others to introduce the story that has scarred Wales.

“Thank you to each and every person who has taken the opportunity to remind Wales that another Tryweryn should never be allowed to happen again.”