Tri Tryweryn

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-Fifty years ago, these three men...	0:00:03	0:00:05
-..planted a bomb -in the Tryweryn valley.	0:00:05	0:00:08
-They were furious that the village -of Capel Celyn would be drowned...	0:00:09	0:00:13
-..to provide water for Liverpool...	0:00:13	0:00:16
-..and felt Plaid Cymru's attempts -to stop the plans were pitiful.	0:00:16	0:00:20
-Our feeling was that Plaid Cymru -had betrayed Tryweryn.	0:00:21	0:00:27
-In the cold winter of '63, -the three men went to Tryweryn...	0:00:28	0:00:32
-..to set the explosive device...	0:00:32	0:00:34
-..an act which some say changed -the course of Welsh history.	0:00:34	0:00:38
-We talk too much in Wales. -It's a talking country.	0:00:40	0:00:44
-We turned some words into actions -at Tryweryn.	0:00:44	0:00:47
-Tonight, the three men -return to Capel Celyn...	0:00:49	0:00:52
-..and meet for the first time since -that night, exactly 50 years ago.	0:00:52	0:00:58
-How are you?	0:00:59	0:01:01
-It's nice to see you.	0:01:01	0:01:03
-Fantastic.	0:01:04	0:01:06
-I haven't seen you.	0:01:06	0:01:07
-Emyr Llywelyn lives in the village -of Ffostrasol near Llandysul.	0:01:16	0:01:22
-Today, he's on his way to meet the -two who were with him in Tryweryn.	0:01:24	0:01:28
-I've seen Owain once or twice, only -to have a five-minute chat with him.	0:01:30	0:01:35
-I haven't seen John at all.	0:01:35	0:01:37
-I thought the world of John.	0:01:37	0:01:40
-I'm looking forward to seeing John -whom I haven't seen for 50 years.	0:01:40	0:01:46
-Emyr Llywelyn is the son -of author T Llew Jones.	0:01:53	0:01:56
-Although he's well known as a former -chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith...	0:01:56	0:02:01
-..and as the founder of Adfer...	0:02:01	0:02:03
-..his actions in Tryweryn -were what brought him to prominence.	0:02:03	0:02:08
-Today he's taking a book -about what happened in Tryweryn...	0:02:08	0:02:12
-..with him in the car.	0:02:13	0:02:14
-He wants to give it to John Albert -Jones as a sign of their friendship.	0:02:14	0:02:20
-If you look at photographs -of people from Tryweryn...	0:02:22	0:02:26
-..and it's been chronicled -in this book...	0:02:26	0:02:29
-..where you see them on the streets -of Liverpool in their Sunday best...	0:02:29	0:02:34
-..completely lost in the big city.	0:02:34	0:02:37
-The people of Liverpool even -spat at them. They marched in vain.	0:02:38	0:02:43
-He considered the drowning of Capel -Celyn a disgrace to the nation...	0:02:45	0:02:50
-..and that's what made him -take action.	0:02:50	0:02:53
-A hundred miles away, there are two -other men who felt the same way...	0:03:07	0:03:11
-..Owain Williams -and John Albert Jones.	0:03:11	0:03:13
-They're about to begin -their journey back to Tryweryn.	0:03:13	0:03:17
-They're travelling on the same road -as they did in February 1963.	0:03:22	0:03:26
-Emyr was in the car with them -at the time.	0:03:26	0:03:29
-Emyr drove there.	0:03:30	0:03:33
-I think I drove back.	0:03:33	0:03:35
-I think I drove back. - -Yes.	0:03:35	0:03:36
-Owain Williams -comes from the Lleyn Peninsula.	0:03:43	0:03:46
-He's a county councillor and is the -leader of the Llais Gwynedd party.	0:03:46	0:03:51
-At 77 years of age, he still farms -and he runs a caravan park...	0:03:51	0:03:55
-..at his old home, Gwynus, -near the village of Pistyll.	0:03:55	0:03:59
-Coming here to live -is one of my earliest memories.	0:04:01	0:04:04
-I was about three years old. -My father was a tenant on this farm.	0:04:04	0:04:08
-He married young after meeting -Irene, who came from Birmingham...	0:04:19	0:04:24
-..while she was holidaying -in the area.	0:04:24	0:04:28
-They lived in a caravan in Gwynus -for a while before moving abroad.	0:04:31	0:04:37
-When things started to happen in -Tryweryn, I was living in Canada.	0:04:42	0:04:47
-We were married and we had -two children, Iona and Gruff.	0:04:47	0:04:52
-My mother sent me a copy of a -Welsh newspaper - Y Cymro, I think.	0:04:53	0:04:57
-It told the story of Tryweryn -and what was happening there.	0:04:57	0:05:00
-I hadn't realized this was happening -before I left the country.	0:05:00	0:05:04
-He returned to Wales -with his family in 1959...	0:05:04	0:05:08
-..and opened a cafe in Pwllheli.	0:05:08	0:05:10
-Expresso Cafe was located behind -Y Maes, where the market is held.	0:05:12	0:05:16
-Today, John and Owain have come down -to the site of the cafe...	0:05:17	0:05:21
-..to remember those days.	0:05:21	0:05:23
-It was very busy.	0:05:23	0:05:25
-On a Saturday night, the queue would -go around the corner to the cinema.	0:05:25	0:05:29
-That's where John met Owain.	0:05:29	0:05:31
-Lots of young people would go -to the cafe to listen to records...	0:05:33	0:05:37
-..and talk about -anything and everything.	0:05:37	0:05:40
-There was all sorts of music.	0:05:41	0:05:42
-There was all sorts of music. - -Whatever was happening at the time.	0:05:42	0:05:44
-It was the era of rock 'n' roll.	0:05:45	0:05:47
-There was a jukebox in the cafe.	0:05:48	0:05:50
-Were Welsh matters such as -the events in Tryweryn discussed?	0:05:50	0:05:54
-Not much.	0:05:54	0:05:55
-A little.	0:05:55	0:05:56
-A little. - -That came later.	0:05:56	0:05:57
-John Albert Jones -lives near Madryn...	0:06:03	0:06:05
-..at the far end -of the Lleyn Peninsula.	0:06:06	0:06:08
-He's 69 years old.	0:06:09	0:06:10
-His mother was an Irishwoman -from Dublin...	0:06:14	0:06:16
-..but his father's family -came from Lleyn.	0:06:17	0:06:19
-I was born in Wrexham. -My father worked on the railways.	0:06:22	0:06:26
-We then moved to Shrewsbury.	0:06:26	0:06:29
-My mother died -when I was 18 months old.	0:06:31	0:06:35
-I then came back to Pwllheli and -was brought up by my grandmother.	0:06:35	0:06:40
-John has ten children - -eight sons and two daughters.	0:06:44	0:06:48
-He's now a widower -after losing his wife six years ago.	0:06:50	0:06:55
-Before getting married, -he was a member of the RAF.	0:06:57	0:07:02
-Were you a patriot -from the beginning?	0:07:04	0:07:07
-Erm...	0:07:07	0:07:08
-Not to an extreme.	0:07:11	0:07:13
-I was a proud Welshman.	0:07:13	0:07:16
-How did this business with Tryweryn -come about?	0:07:19	0:07:22
-We just talked about it... I talked -to Now about it for a while.	0:07:22	0:07:28
-I just felt those people -were being so unfairly treated.	0:07:29	0:07:33
-Most Welsh MPs -were against the idea...	0:07:33	0:07:37
-..yet they were pushed to one side -and ignored.	0:07:38	0:07:42
-Did that make you angry?	0:07:44	0:07:46
-Did that make you angry? - -Yes. The Irish in me came out!	0:07:46	0:07:48
-# Wales for me, each time #	0:07:49	0:07:53
-The plan to drown Capel Celyn...	0:07:54	0:07:56
-..was a hot topic for Welsh students -at Aberystwyth...	0:07:56	0:07:59
-..in the late 1950s and early 1960s.	0:08:00	0:08:02
-When some of those students came -home, they would discuss Tryweryn...	0:08:06	0:08:11
-..at Owain Williams' cafe -in Pwllheli.	0:08:11	0:08:15
-The students -talked about what was going on...	0:08:16	0:08:19
-..and that something -needed to be done.	0:08:19	0:08:21
-I would ask them what we could do.	0:08:21	0:08:24
-Gwynfor Evans had written a letter -to the mayor of Liverpool.	0:08:24	0:08:28
-I'm sure the mayor of Liverpool -was quaking in his boots after that!	0:08:28	0:08:32
-He didn't even know -who Gwynfor Evans was.	0:08:32	0:08:35
-I hardly knew who he was -at the time.	0:08:35	0:08:38
-I asked them if anyone was serious -about doing something.	0:08:38	0:08:42
-Really serious, that's what I meant.	0:08:42	0:08:45
-One person who was a student -in Aberystwyth at the time...	0:08:45	0:08:49
-..was Gwilym Tudur, -a farmer's son from Chwilog.	0:08:49	0:08:52
-When he was at home, he would go -to the Expresso Cafe in Pwllheli...	0:08:52	0:08:56
-..and he knew Owain Williams, -or Now Gwynus as he was known.	0:08:56	0:09:00
-Now was different from other lads -in rural Lleyn...	0:09:00	0:09:04
-..even though he was from Pistyll.	0:09:04	0:09:07
-He'd travelled, -he'd lived in Canada.	0:09:07	0:09:10
-He was a bit of a bright spark.	0:09:10	0:09:12
-There was a jukebox in the cafe...	0:09:12	0:09:14
-..that played Elvis, Chuck Berry, -Fats Domino.	0:09:15	0:09:18
-That all fitted well -with Now's character.	0:09:18	0:09:21
-Gwilym Tudur has been the owner -of Siop y Pethe in Aberystwyth...	0:09:22	0:09:27
-..for many years.	0:09:27	0:09:28
-But as a student, he was friends -with Emyr Llywelyn...	0:09:29	0:09:32
-..and shared a flat with him -above Caffi Morgan...	0:09:32	0:09:36
-..next door but one to the shop.	0:09:36	0:09:38
-Above that number 20 over there.	0:09:38	0:09:41
-That's where I think -Emyr's bedroom was.	0:09:41	0:09:44
-That's where he read -and made his plans.	0:09:46	0:09:49
-He was very concerned -about the state of the country.	0:09:50	0:09:54
-The 1960s was a period -of protest and rebellion...	0:09:57	0:10:01
-..for many young people -across the world.	0:10:01	0:10:04
-Aberystwyth students -were no exception.	0:10:04	0:10:07
-Emyr Llywelyn was one -of the most prominent students...	0:10:07	0:10:11
-..to demand rights -for the Welsh language.	0:10:11	0:10:14
-I don't think students will succeed -in securing a Welsh-language hostel.	0:10:14	0:10:19
-In 1962, he was among those serious -about taking action in Tryweryn.	0:10:19	0:10:24
-Gwilym had told me about Owain -in Pwllheli.	0:10:28	0:10:34
-He said that Owain, along with -his friend John, were keen to act.	0:10:34	0:10:39
-I met them and realized -they were thinking of methods...	0:10:40	0:10:43
-..that were rather different -from mine.	0:10:43	0:10:47
-I also realized that we couldn't -just let things take their course.	0:10:49	0:10:55
-I had to come to an agreement with -them about how we would take action.	0:10:56	0:11:01
-There was heavy snow -in the harsh winter of 1963.	0:11:03	0:11:08
-There was a layer of snow on the -road past Trawsfynydd and Dolgellau.	0:11:12	0:11:17
-There was more -between Dolgellau and Bala.	0:11:17	0:11:20
-We drove between two walls of snow.	0:11:20	0:11:23
-On 9 February, the three men were -headed for Tryweryn to take action.	0:11:24	0:11:29
-But they weren't the first.	0:11:30	0:11:32
-.	0:11:35	0:11:35
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-Emyr Llywelyn -is on his way to Tryweryn...	0:11:46	0:11:49
-..to meet the two -who took action with him in 1963.	0:11:49	0:11:53
-They have not met since Emyr -was at university in Aberystwyth.	0:11:53	0:11:59
-We were discussing Tryweryn -as students...	0:12:02	0:12:05
-..but most of us -hadn't been to Tryweryn.	0:12:05	0:12:07
-Aled Gwyn, his wife Menna and I...	0:12:08	0:12:14
-..went up to Tryweryn.	0:12:14	0:12:15
-We went around the village -and we visited the school.	0:12:16	0:12:21
-The school was still in existence.	0:12:22	0:12:24
-The teacher was there...	0:12:25	0:12:27
-..and she was teaching -what we thought was important.	0:12:28	0:12:32
-A living, breathing Welsh culture.	0:12:32	0:12:36
-It was a close-knit community -with children in their local school.	0:12:36	0:12:41
-The teacher was excellent.	0:12:41	0:12:43
-There was a boy there -called Tryweryn.	0:12:44	0:12:47
-That was my inspiration.	0:12:47	0:12:49
-I really thought about what that -boy's name would mean in the future.	0:12:49	0:12:54
-Will it be synonymous with -betrayal, selling out and failure...	0:12:54	0:12:58
-..or will it signify something else?	0:12:58	0:13:01
-My decision was made -with that thought.	0:13:01	0:13:04
-Elwyn Edwards is the current county -councillor for the Tryweryn area.	0:13:06	0:13:10
-Here, by the memorial chapel, -is where Gwerndelwau stood...	0:13:10	0:13:14
-..his great grandfather's home.	0:13:14	0:13:16
-His roots on his mother's side...	0:13:16	0:13:18
-..are also buried deep -in Capel Celyn's history.	0:13:19	0:13:22
-It was a monoglot Welsh community.	0:13:23	0:13:26
-One that had been rooted here -for many centuries.	0:13:26	0:13:29
-There was a thriving chapel -and a successful school.	0:13:30	0:13:35
-Bards and singers lived here.	0:13:36	0:13:39
-In 1956, a private bill -was brought to Parliament...	0:13:39	0:13:42
-..proposing the flooding -of Tryweryn valley.	0:13:43	0:13:46
-Over a thousand Welsh societies and -councils were opposed to the plan...	0:13:46	0:13:52
-..but Bala Town Council was split.	0:13:52	0:13:54
-I remember that people wanted work.	0:13:55	0:13:57
-Bala Town Council -voted to flood the valley.	0:13:58	0:14:03
-They said it would bring jobs.	0:14:03	0:14:05
-Some businessmen in Bala refused to -sign the petition against the plan.	0:14:06	0:14:12
-They were thinking -of their back pockets.	0:14:12	0:14:16
-It was a mixed response.	0:14:16	0:14:18
-The residents of Capel Celyn and the -valley were united in opposition.	0:14:18	0:14:23
-They took their protest -to the very source of the plan...	0:14:23	0:14:27
-..and marched with banners -through the streets of Liverpool.	0:14:27	0:14:31
-Nearly every member -of the community took part.	0:14:31	0:14:34
-Amongst them was the schoolboy, -Elwyn Edwards.	0:14:35	0:14:38
-We went to Liverpool in two buses...	0:14:38	0:14:40
-..and the police escorted us -through the streets.	0:14:40	0:14:43
-I can remember old women shouting, -spitting and swearing at us.	0:14:44	0:14:50
-Gwynfor Evans, the president -of Plaid Cymru, led the protests...	0:14:51	0:14:55
-..but his party had -a strict rule against law-breaking.	0:14:55	0:14:59
-Despite the protests, -the work continued in the valley...	0:14:59	0:15:03
-..with the blessing of Westminster.	0:15:03	0:15:06
-I don't want to judge Gwynfor Evans -because he had a perfect right...	0:15:07	0:15:11
-..to maintain his stance -as a pacifist...	0:15:11	0:15:15
-..but I think he was wrong.	0:15:15	0:15:17
-He should have led a protest -in Tryweryn instead of Liverpool.	0:15:17	0:15:21
-He could have brought -a lot of followers with him...	0:15:21	0:15:25
-..because he was a man -who garnered great respect.	0:15:25	0:15:28
-John Albert Jones, Emyr Llywelyn -and I were nobodies at the time.	0:15:28	0:15:34
-We had no influence on anyone.	0:15:34	0:15:37
-Do you blame Gwynfor Evans?	0:15:37	0:15:40
-I blame Plaid Cymru for being weak. -They lost a golden opportunity.	0:15:41	0:15:45
-They lost a political chance -to move forwards.	0:15:45	0:15:48
-As the sound of children playing -was drowned out by the machinery...	0:15:49	0:15:54
-..many lost faith with Plaid Cymru.	0:15:54	0:15:56
-Emyr Llywelyn and his friend, -Aled Gwyn...	0:15:57	0:15:59
-..turned to the former leader -of Plaid Cymru, Saunders Lewis.	0:16:00	0:16:05
-He was one of the Penyberth three -who were imprisoned in 1936...	0:16:05	0:16:09
-..for setting fire to the bombing -school on the Lleyn Peninsula.	0:16:09	0:16:13
-Aled and I -went to see Saunders Lewis.	0:16:14	0:16:18
-We were hoping that he would -be willing to lend his name...	0:16:18	0:16:23
-..and come and lead a non-violent, -direct action at Tryweryn.	0:16:23	0:16:28
-Saunders said no, and I think -he was worried about our futures...	0:16:28	0:16:34
-..as we were young lads at the time.	0:16:34	0:16:36
-He told us to go back to college -and continue our careers.	0:16:36	0:16:41
-We were disappointed.	0:16:41	0:16:43
-Even if he had just joined us -on a march to Tryweryn...	0:16:43	0:16:48
-..without even taking part -in any direct action...	0:16:49	0:16:52
-..it would have changed -Welsh history forever.	0:16:52	0:16:55
-Lots of other people -would have joined us...	0:16:55	0:16:58
-..had we secured -that kind of high status name.	0:16:58	0:17:01
-There was one group from -the South East Wales Valleys...	0:17:05	0:17:09
-..planning an act of sabotage -at Tryweryn.	0:17:09	0:17:11
-One of them was this man...	0:17:14	0:17:17
-..David Walters from Bargoed -in the Rhymney Valley.	0:17:17	0:17:21
-He had helped establish -a Plaid Cymru branch in the area...	0:17:23	0:17:28
-..and in September 1962, -he and his friend, Dave Pritchard...	0:17:28	0:17:32
-..vandalized a transformer -on the site.	0:17:32	0:17:35
-Dave Pritchard spoke -to Gwynfor Evans at the time...	0:17:37	0:17:40
-..and told him -what was going to happen.	0:17:40	0:17:43
-He was sympathetic to it...	0:17:43	0:17:46
-..let's put it that way.	0:17:47	0:17:48
-Even though it wasn't -Plaid policy at the time?	0:17:48	0:17:51
-He was very sympathetic towards it.	0:17:51	0:17:54
-Dave reported back to us and said -he'd been told there should be...	0:17:54	0:17:58
-..no bombs or loss of life, -which was fair enough.	0:17:59	0:18:02
-On that night, six people -travelled in two cars to Tryweryn.	0:18:04	0:18:08
-In the second car -were two Welsh speakers...	0:18:09	0:18:11
-..Trevor Beasley and Dai Bonner -from the Llanelli area.	0:18:12	0:18:16
-However, they turned back having -been seen by a security guard.	0:18:16	0:18:20
-You had a two-pronged attack.	0:18:22	0:18:24
-It was a two-pronged attack.	0:18:24	0:18:26
-One was on the plant, -the other on the electrical supply.	0:18:26	0:18:29
-The idea was to put -all the heavy plant out...	0:18:29	0:18:32
-..and knock their power off.	0:18:33	0:18:35
-David Walters and Dave Pritchard -were caught...	0:18:36	0:18:39
-..and charged for releasing oil -from the transformer.	0:18:39	0:18:42
-They were fined 50 each -by Bala magistrates.	0:18:43	0:18:48
-Why did you feel so strongly -about the issue?	0:18:50	0:18:54
-As a Welshman, I shouldn't have -to explain to another Welshman...	0:18:55	0:18:58
-..why I feel so strongly.	0:18:59	0:19:00
-It's a case of defending your own.	0:19:00	0:19:02
-If you were in your house -and someone came in...	0:19:03	0:19:05
-..and wanted to beat up your -children, what are you going to do?	0:19:05	0:19:09
-Step to one side, and say, "He's -my landlord, I can't do anything."	0:19:09	0:19:13
-Or you stand up to say, "No, you've -gone far enough," and you defend.	0:19:13	0:19:17
-I class Tryweryn and any other part -of Wales as just that.	0:19:17	0:19:20
-It's a place you defend. -They're your people, your family.	0:19:20	0:19:24
-Part of the Welsh nation, -the Welsh family. You defend them.	0:19:24	0:19:27
-That's what any Welsh person -should do. You defend what's yours.	0:19:27	0:19:31
-If you can't defend your own, -you can't defend anything else.	0:19:31	0:19:35
-By the end of 1962, it was too late -to save the homes of the fifty...	0:19:39	0:19:44
-..who had to move from Celyn valley.	0:19:44	0:19:46
-Despite this...	0:19:47	0:19:48
-..there were people still determined -to protest and disrupt the work.	0:19:48	0:19:52
-A week before Christmas 1962, -a shed on the site was set on fire.	0:19:54	0:19:59
-No-one was caught, -but tonight, we can reveal...	0:19:59	0:20:02
-..that it was students from -Aberystwyth who were responsible.	0:20:02	0:20:06
-After the incident, we heard that a -group from South Wales were livid...	0:20:07	0:20:12
-..that this had happened.	0:20:13	0:20:17
-They had planned -to do something identical!	0:20:17	0:20:21
-There were three or four groups -prepared to act in Wales.	0:20:21	0:20:26
-John Albert Jones, Owain Williams -and Emyr Llywelyn...	0:20:29	0:20:33
-..wanted to go a step further.	0:20:34	0:20:36
-They were convinced that -they should fight fire with fire...	0:20:37	0:20:41
-..in order to defeat Liverpool -politicians like Bessie Braddock.	0:20:42	0:20:46
-Emyr, John and myself understood -that you don't get anything...	0:20:49	0:20:53
-..without a fight.	0:20:54	0:20:56
-Garbage like Bessie Braddock -in Liverpool...	0:20:57	0:21:01
-..wiped their feet -on innocent people.	0:21:01	0:21:04
-The only language they understood -was what they eventually got.	0:21:04	0:21:09
-Before ever meeting Emyr Llywelyn...	0:21:11	0:21:14
-..John and Owain -had planned to strike hard.	0:21:14	0:21:17
-John Albert Jones and I believed -that if we were going to go there...	0:21:20	0:21:24
-..we might as well do a proper job -rather than a small job.	0:21:25	0:21:29
-We thought of targeting -about five things on the site.	0:21:29	0:21:33
-The oil stores, -which we planned to burn down.	0:21:33	0:21:38
-The lorries -that carried things to the site.	0:21:39	0:21:42
-One bridge that allowed -transport onto the site.	0:21:42	0:21:47
-Also, we planned to hit the offices -where plans were kept.	0:21:47	0:21:52
-We planned to target them all.	0:21:52	0:21:54
-The plan was to use explosives -and firebombs.	0:21:56	0:22:00
-However, Emyr Llywelyn disagreed...	0:22:00	0:22:03
-..and worried that acts of this -kind would be seen as terrorism.	0:22:03	0:22:08
-His idea was for a symbolic act.	0:22:10	0:22:13
-Personally, -I didn't see it as a symbolic act.	0:22:14	0:22:18
-I saw it as striking back -to try and defend the valley.	0:22:20	0:22:25
-I didn't think we could stop the dam -but maybe we could wake the nation.	0:22:25	0:22:31
-With his strong pacifist beliefs...	0:22:33	0:22:35
-..Emyr Llywelyn planned -non-violent action at Tryweryn...	0:22:35	0:22:39
-..and then to give himself up -to the police.	0:22:39	0:22:42
-Was there a lot of arguing?	0:22:42	0:22:44
-No fierce arguments. I have -a lot of respect for Emyr Llew.	0:22:44	0:22:49
-And for John Albert Jones.	0:22:49	0:22:51
-There was some disagreement.	0:22:52	0:22:55
-In the end, after due consideration, -we had one target, the transformer.	0:22:57	0:23:03
-It was crucial as it brought -all the power to the site.	0:23:03	0:23:07
-We agreed that the transformer -would be the only target.	0:23:07	0:23:11
-On his journey back to Tryweryn...	0:23:16	0:23:18
-..Emyr Llywelyn remembers the -arguments between the three of them.	0:23:18	0:23:23
-Despite this, they all agreed -that they had to act.	0:23:23	0:23:26
-What do you do when you've tried -every constitutional avenue?	0:23:29	0:23:33
-You have to adopt -an unconstitutional approach.	0:23:34	0:23:38
-He was worried that things -could get out of hand...	0:23:39	0:23:42
-..and he wanted assurances -from the other two.	0:23:42	0:23:45
-I had written a kind of oath.	0:23:49	0:23:51
-There were three points.	0:23:51	0:23:53
-To keep our actions secret.	0:23:53	0:23:55
-To ensure -that nobody would be hurt...	0:23:55	0:23:58
-..and that we didn't do anything -that would endanger life.	0:23:58	0:24:01
-The lads agreed to that, -which was very important to me.	0:24:02	0:24:06
-On that condition, we went ahead.	0:24:06	0:24:08
-I didn't make them say it out loud.	0:24:08	0:24:11
-That would be an empty gesture.	0:24:11	0:24:13
-I knew them both well enough.	0:24:14	0:24:15
-If they gave me their word, -they would keep to it.	0:24:16	0:24:19
-How would the three -get hold of any explosives...	0:24:22	0:24:26
-..and overcome all the problems -they had on the night of the action?	0:24:26	0:24:30
-.	0:24:37	0:24:37
-Subtitles	0:24:41	0:24:41
-Subtitles - -Subtitles	0:24:41	0:24:43
-The three who went to Tryweryn -to take action...	0:24:44	0:24:47
-..had decided to plant explosives -on the dam construction site.	0:24:47	0:24:51
-That was 50 years ago -when they were young men.	0:24:51	0:24:55
-John wasn't even -20 years old at the time.	0:24:57	0:25:00
-Emyr Llew and I were in our -twenties. John was nineteen.	0:25:01	0:25:04
-The valley they were driving to -was now like a building site.	0:25:07	0:25:12
-Before taking action, these two men -had been busy planning.	0:25:12	0:25:17
-John Albert Jones and I -surveyed the area at night.	0:25:19	0:25:24
-We looked for movement.	0:25:24	0:25:26
-There were floodlights on -so we could see what was happening.	0:25:26	0:25:30
-We logged the hours they were there -keeping a watch on the site.	0:25:30	0:25:35
-We knew when it would be safe enough -for us to go there...	0:25:36	0:25:41
-..and the most appropriate time -to set off the timer on the bomb.	0:25:41	0:25:45
-Emyr Llywelyn had been researching -how to make explosives...	0:25:50	0:25:54
-..and where he could get assistance -for some time.	0:25:55	0:25:58
-He decided to go to Ireland...	0:26:02	0:26:04
-..to try and track down -some former IRA members.	0:26:04	0:26:08
-I met the foremost Irish language -writer of the twentieth century...	0:26:12	0:26:17
-..Mairtin O Cadhain.	0:26:18	0:26:20
-He had been on the blanket -for three years.	0:26:20	0:26:23
-He held Gaelic classes -at the prison.	0:26:23	0:26:26
-I received a warm welcome -and stayed with him for a week.	0:26:27	0:26:32
-He told me he didn't know -how he could help...	0:26:32	0:26:35
-..and that the other lads were dead.	0:26:35	0:26:39
-He didn't know of anybody -who could help me.	0:26:39	0:26:42
-After returning -from Ireland empty-handed...	0:26:44	0:26:48
-..Emyr heard about some men -in the South Wales Valleys...	0:26:48	0:26:52
-..who could assist him.	0:26:52	0:26:53
-As miners, they had experience -of using explosives in the pits.	0:26:54	0:26:58
-I found a Welshman in South Wales...	0:26:58	0:27:00
-..who had already committed an act -in Tryweryn.	0:27:01	0:27:04
-His name was Dave Pritchard.	0:27:04	0:27:06
-He was one of the most -responsible people I have ever met.	0:27:06	0:27:09
-I didn't know him previously but he -showed us how to use the explosives.	0:27:10	0:27:16
-By the start of 1963...	0:27:19	0:27:20
-..Owain Williams had stolen -detonators from a local quarry...	0:27:21	0:27:25
-..and they'd managed to get hold -of enough explosives.	0:27:25	0:27:29
-Next, they needed to experiment.	0:27:29	0:27:32
-Owain Williams and Emyr Llywelyn -came to this beach...	0:27:32	0:27:36
-..near Butlins, Pwllheli.	0:27:36	0:27:39
-Before going to Tryweryn, -we did what they call a dummy run.	0:27:41	0:27:46
-It was a weekend in the middle of -winter so there was no-one around.	0:27:47	0:27:53
-This was a handy location -because we were out of sight.	0:27:54	0:27:58
-They were joined by the electrician, -Dave Pritchard.	0:28:00	0:28:04
-He showed them how to set the timer -on the explosives...	0:28:05	0:28:09
-..to allow them enough time -to get away safely.	0:28:09	0:28:13
-We placed the explosive in the rock -down there and blew it up.	0:28:14	0:28:18
-That was enough to show us -the effects of the explosives.	0:28:19	0:28:24
-This is exactly where we did it - -Penychain.	0:28:24	0:28:27
-The winter of 1963 was the harshest -in Wales in 200 years.	0:28:39	0:28:43
-Saturday night, 9 February, -the night of the act.	0:28:49	0:28:52
-It was snowing and Emyr Llywelyn -was on his way...	0:28:52	0:28:55
-..to the South East Wales Valleys.	0:28:55	0:28:58
-I travelled from Aberystwyth -to South Wales...	0:29:00	0:29:03
-..to collect the timer -from Dave Pritchard.	0:29:04	0:29:07
-I then drove through the night -to Owain's home.	0:29:07	0:29:13
-Emyr Llew came here -and from what I remember...	0:29:17	0:29:21
-..he'd hired a car in Aberystwyth - -a red Vauxhall.	0:29:21	0:29:25
-He picked John and me up from the -cafe in Pwllheli and off we went.	0:29:26	0:29:32
-Because of the snow, they had -to drive through Dolgellau...	0:29:33	0:29:37
-..and so were running late.	0:29:37	0:29:39
-There was still snow on the roads. -There were snowdrifts in places.	0:29:41	0:29:45
-Only one road was open in the area.	0:29:45	0:29:50
-I came around the bend quickly...	0:29:50	0:29:53
-..and saw a rock which had fallen -on to the middle of the road.	0:29:53	0:29:59
-I didn't have time to avoid it. -I hit it and my tyre burst.	0:29:59	0:30:05
-Despite not having a jack, -they managed to change the tyre...	0:30:08	0:30:12
-..and then headed towards Bala -before turning for Tryweryn.	0:30:12	0:30:16
-We parked the car -at the back of Ysgol Cwmtirmynach.	0:30:20	0:30:26
-We then crawled on our fronts -through the snow...	0:30:27	0:30:31
-..which was waist-deep.	0:30:31	0:30:33
-To avoid being seen, -they crawled across the fields...	0:30:36	0:30:40
-..to the site's main transformer.	0:30:40	0:30:43
-They carried the explosive device -in parts.	0:30:44	0:30:47
-I had the job of climbing over...	0:30:49	0:30:51
-..and going in there -to set the explosive.	0:30:51	0:30:54
-But Owain insisted that if I was -going in, he would come with me.	0:30:54	0:30:59
-We argued! I told him -he wasn't to come with me.	0:30:59	0:31:03
-It made no sense for the two of us -to be killed that night.	0:31:03	0:31:07
-He insisted. -I admire him to this day.	0:31:07	0:31:10
-We had a strong bond and friendship.	0:31:10	0:31:13
-He followed me in and although -he didn't do anything...	0:31:13	0:31:17
-..he stood right next to me.	0:31:17	0:31:19
-If I'd have been killed, Owain -would've been killed as well.	0:31:19	0:31:23
-That's...	0:31:24	0:31:26
-After placing the bomb, -the three returned to the car...	0:31:30	0:31:34
-..and headed home -via Cerrigydrudion.	0:31:34	0:31:37
-But suddenly, -they came across a local man...	0:31:38	0:31:41
-..whose van was stuck in the snow.	0:31:41	0:31:43
-Tonight, he speaks publicly for -the first time about his experience.	0:31:43	0:31:48
-I'd stopped here -and started walking towards home.	0:31:51	0:31:55
-I was walking on top of -the snowdrift when I saw a light.	0:31:56	0:31:59
-I was surprised to see someone -driving around here.	0:31:59	0:32:03
-Their wheels got stuck in the snow -so I went over to help them.	0:32:04	0:32:09
-We panicked. We thought we'd had it!	0:32:11	0:32:14
-He'd seen us so I told the others -to leave it to me.	0:32:14	0:32:17
-I pretended to be an Englishman.	0:32:17	0:32:20
-At the time, I thought I was -quite good at faking accents!	0:32:20	0:32:24
-I went up to the man...	0:32:26	0:32:28
-..and said -in my best English accent...	0:32:28	0:32:33
-.."What's happened, old chap?"	0:32:34	0:32:37
-There were three of them in the car.	0:32:40	0:32:43
-I helped them to push the car -and we managed to loosen the wheels.	0:32:44	0:32:49
-They were all speaking English.	0:32:49	0:32:51
-They told me they were -on their way back to London.	0:32:51	0:32:55
-I remember thinking it was strange -they'd decided to drive this way.	0:32:57	0:33:02
-The bomb exploded in the early hours -of Sunday morning.	0:33:03	0:33:07
-On Monday, it made headline news -in the Daily Post.	0:33:08	0:33:12
-There was a large-scale search -for the perpetrators...	0:33:12	0:33:15
-..and the police used dogs.	0:33:15	0:33:17
-The story on the front page -of the Western Mail...	0:33:17	0:33:20
-..said that the main transformer -had been destroyed.	0:33:20	0:33:23
-As a pacifist...	0:33:24	0:33:26
-..were you not concerned that -this act could lead to violence?	0:33:26	0:33:30
-No, I didn't think so.	0:33:30	0:33:33
-Why not?	0:33:33	0:33:36
-Why not? - -We knew we'd be caught!	0:33:36	0:33:37
-With such amateur planning, -common sense said we'd be caught.	0:33:39	0:33:44
-If you hire a car -from Aberystwyth...	0:33:45	0:33:48
-..where else -would you begin your search?	0:33:48	0:33:53
-Huw Roberts -was an apprentice butcher.	0:33:55	0:33:58
-Everyone in the shop -was talking about the explosion.	0:33:58	0:34:01
-He mentioned the three men -who were caught in the snow.	0:34:02	0:34:05
-The police were soon questioning him -after his boss had talked to them.	0:34:05	0:34:09
-Within a week...	0:34:09	0:34:10
-..he was in Aberystwyth to identify -Emyr Llywelyn in an ID parade.	0:34:11	0:34:14
-They were stood in front of me...	0:34:15	0:34:18
-..but I was glad that I didn't -recognize any of them.	0:34:18	0:34:23
-Huw Roberts received a number -of threatening letters...	0:34:24	0:34:28
-..because of the evidence -he had given.	0:34:29	0:34:31
-That weighed on his mind -for many years.	0:34:32	0:34:35
-I was worried at the time.	0:34:37	0:34:40
-It's something I think about -every now and again.	0:34:42	0:34:47
-But there we are.	0:34:50	0:34:52
-There was nothing I could do.	0:34:53	0:34:55
-I'd seen them so that was that.	0:34:55	0:34:57
-Emyr Llywelyn was arrested -and appeared in court in Bala.	0:34:59	0:35:03
-Many people -gathered to listen to the case.	0:35:04	0:35:08
-Among them were two busloads -of Aberystwyth students.	0:35:08	0:35:13
-In retrospect...	0:35:16	0:35:18
-..do you think you did right -by using explosives?	0:35:18	0:35:22
-No.	0:35:22	0:35:23
-If I'd had the confidence back then -that I have now...	0:35:23	0:35:29
-..and didn't believe -we needed someone to lead us...	0:35:29	0:35:33
-..I would've been there during -the day with a group of students...	0:35:33	0:35:38
-..sat in front of those lorries.	0:35:39	0:35:41
-That would've been the ideal method.	0:35:42	0:35:44
-We went to Tryweryn at night...	0:35:45	0:35:47
-..because those who should -have been there in the day...	0:35:47	0:35:50
-..failed to lead us.	0:35:51	0:35:52
-I hate to admit it but it's true.	0:35:52	0:35:55
-Emyr Llywelyn -was put on trial in Carmarthen.	0:35:57	0:36:01
-He pleaded guilty and was -imprisoned for twelve months.	0:36:02	0:36:06
-Do you regret your actions?	0:36:07	0:36:10
-I regret -not using a non-violent approach.	0:36:11	0:36:15
-I made up for that by becoming -the chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith...	0:36:15	0:36:20
-..when we adopted -a non-violent policy.	0:36:21	0:36:23
-That decision -is my proudest moment.	0:36:24	0:36:28
-Cymdeithas yr Iaith has acted -honourably over the years.	0:36:28	0:36:33
-That's more important to me -than Tryweryn.	0:36:33	0:36:35
-.	0:36:36	0:36:37
-Subtitles	0:36:40	0:36:40
-Subtitles - -Subtitles	0:36:40	0:36:42
-On his journey back to Tryweryn, -Emyr Llywelyn has reached Bala.	0:36:49	0:36:53
-The memories are flooding back.	0:36:54	0:36:56
-This is the road to Tryweryn.	0:37:01	0:37:03
-Yes.	0:37:04	0:37:05
-Since 1963, have you been there?	0:37:06	0:37:08
-Since 1963, have you been there? - -No, not since our act.	0:37:08	0:37:11
-Not at all?	0:37:12	0:37:13
-Not at all? - -No.	0:37:13	0:37:14
-RS Thomas said, "There are -places in Wales I don't go."	0:37:17	0:37:22
-Some memories are too bitter -and just too sad...	0:37:23	0:37:28
-..the memories -of what happened here.	0:37:30	0:37:32
-There was a protest here -during a drought and I didn't come.	0:37:33	0:37:38
-It was too much for me -to return to Tryweryn.	0:37:38	0:37:41
-So this the first time -you've returned in 50 years.	0:37:43	0:37:47
-This is the first time -I've returned to Tryweryn.	0:37:47	0:37:50
-Emyr Llywelyn was imprisoned -for 12 months for bombing Tryweryn.	0:38:04	0:38:08
-Later, Owain Williams -also received a year's sentence.	0:38:13	0:38:16
-John Albert Jones -received three years probation.	0:38:17	0:38:21
-The view is alien for Emyr -and a very different one...	0:38:30	0:38:34
-..to that of fifty years ago.	0:38:34	0:38:36
-Was it a building site at that time?	0:38:39	0:38:42
-Was it a building site at that time? - -Yes, it was a sea of mud.	0:38:42	0:38:44
-Heavy machinery whirring.	0:38:45	0:38:48
-The mountains are still here. The -surrounding hills are still here.	0:38:50	0:38:55
-The memories of what happened -are still here too.	0:38:58	0:39:01
-Under the water in Tryweryn...	0:39:06	0:39:08
-..there are twelve farms -and houses...	0:39:08	0:39:10
-..that were home to the 48 people -who lived in Capel Celyn.	0:39:11	0:39:15
-I think we're getting close -to the dam now.	0:39:17	0:39:19
-Yes, here's the car park.	0:39:20	0:39:22
-I'll get to meet John and Owain now.	0:39:23	0:39:26
-After fifty years, -the moment has arrived.	0:39:38	0:39:42
-The student, the cafe owner -and the RAF man are back together.	0:39:48	0:39:54
-How are you, lads?	0:40:01	0:40:03
-How are you?	0:40:03	0:40:05
-Well, well, well.	0:40:06	0:40:07
-What will we do, lads? -What will we do?	0:40:09	0:40:11
-It's good to see you.	0:40:15	0:40:17
-I haven't seen you for a while. -I have seen you.	0:40:19	0:40:22
-You haven't seen John for 50 years.	0:40:22	0:40:25
-Fifty years too long.	0:40:26	0:40:27
-You haven't changed a bit, John.	0:40:28	0:40:30
-How are you keeping?	0:40:30	0:40:32
-How are you keeping? - -I'm doing well, how about yourself?	0:40:32	0:40:34
-You haven't changed much.	0:40:35	0:40:37
-You haven't changed much. - -I'm not so sure about that!	0:40:37	0:40:38
-The top's gone a little grey!	0:40:38	0:40:40
-That happens to us all!	0:40:41	0:40:42
-The three try to guess the position -of the transformer they destroyed.	0:40:44	0:40:49
-Do you remember - the transformer -was over there and fed that line?	0:40:52	0:40:57
-It was right at the end of the site.	0:40:58	0:40:59
-It was right at the end of the site. - -I couldn't remember where it was.	0:40:59	0:41:02
-You two scouted it out. -You should remember where it was!	0:41:02	0:41:06
-You did the reconnaissance work!	0:41:07	0:41:09
-You two should be -the ones who remember.	0:41:09	0:41:12
-Fifty years ago, the three -walked here over the hills.	0:41:15	0:41:19
-Everyone carried a part -of the explosive device.	0:41:19	0:41:23
-We went across the fields -and over the mountain.	0:41:24	0:41:27
-John carried a tray of -cream crackers with the explosives.	0:41:28	0:41:32
-One tray had the timer, -the other one had the detonators.	0:41:32	0:41:36
-Everyone had their job.	0:41:36	0:41:38
-There were no trees there -at that time.	0:41:39	0:41:41
-It took us some time -because the snow was so thick.	0:41:42	0:41:45
-I remember being tired -before we even reached the site.	0:41:45	0:41:49
-It was up to our waist -in some places.	0:41:50	0:41:52
-There were no trees over there.	0:41:52	0:41:54
-We came down the slope -and these lights came on.	0:41:55	0:41:58
-I remember having to depend -on your shoulders at the time.	0:41:59	0:42:02
-We had to get over -those three-pronged spikes.	0:42:02	0:42:07
-Isn't that when you hurt your leg?	0:42:07	0:42:09
-No, that was later on.	0:42:10	0:42:11
-I think they were -about six feet in the air.	0:42:12	0:42:15
-You two raised me up to climb over -it and you insisted on coming in.	0:42:15	0:42:20
-He wasn't supposed to come in.	0:42:20	0:42:22
-He wouldn't listen!	0:42:22	0:42:24
-I tried to reason with him -but he insisted on coming.	0:42:25	0:42:28
-We needed one person outside -to act as a guard.	0:42:28	0:42:31
-You weren't supposed to come in. -I admired you for coming in.	0:42:32	0:42:35
-You said if you were to be blown up, -we'd both go together.	0:42:36	0:42:40
-It was just the three of us. -We felt very close.	0:42:40	0:42:43
-John called us -The Three Musketeers earlier.	0:42:44	0:42:47
-Good one, John! -I think that's very true.	0:42:47	0:42:51
-We were close.	0:42:51	0:42:53
-In October 1965, Liverpool Council -organised a ceremony...	0:43:01	0:43:05
-..to open the dam.	0:43:05	0:43:06
-Things got out of hand as protesters -tried to disrupt proceedings.	0:43:09	0:43:14
-The wire for the microphone was cut -and a tent was taken down.	0:43:17	0:43:21
-The ceremony lasted -less than three minutes.	0:43:21	0:43:25
-Did you come to the opening?	0:43:29	0:43:30
-Did you come to the opening? - -No, I didn't want to come.	0:43:30	0:43:33
-It hurt too much.	0:43:33	0:43:35
-I felt quite flat on that day.	0:43:38	0:43:40
-I was glad that a crowd turned up -to smash the opening ceremony.	0:43:40	0:43:44
-I heard that people -ran down the slopes.	0:43:44	0:43:47
-It was rude to come here -to have a celebration.	0:43:47	0:43:52
-Almost 50 years -after the village was flooded...	0:43:54	0:43:57
-..water from Tryweryn -still flows into the river Dee...	0:43:57	0:44:00
-..to supply Liverpool with water.	0:44:01	0:44:03
-It's sad to be here. -Have you been back at all?	0:44:04	0:44:06
-I've driven past here a few times.	0:44:06	0:44:08
-I haven't been here.	0:44:09	0:44:10
-I haven't been here. - -We pass by it regularly.	0:44:10	0:44:12
-Yes, naturally.	0:44:12	0:44:14
-It's incredibly sad.	0:44:14	0:44:16
-I try to remember it how it was.	0:44:16	0:44:18
-Capel Celyn -was a thriving village...	0:44:25	0:44:28
-..with a school, -a post office and a chapel.	0:44:28	0:44:30
-More than all of that -for Emyr, Owain and John...	0:44:31	0:44:34
-..a Welsh community -was to be wiped out.	0:44:34	0:44:37
-In the village's disappearance...	0:44:37	0:44:39
-..they saw the wider decline -of Welsh-language communities.	0:44:40	0:44:44
-As they look at the book's photos, -the three relive their experiences.	0:44:52	0:44:56
-Fifty years ago -feels like yesterday.	0:44:57	0:45:00
-I've got something for you, John.	0:45:01	0:45:03
-I've got something for you, John. - -Thank you very much.	0:45:03	0:45:05
-The three of us will sign it -after we get back.	0:45:05	0:45:08
-Thank you.	0:45:08	0:45:09
-I was sad to see the dam.	0:45:25	0:45:27
-Where once there was a community...	0:45:27	0:45:29
-..there's nothing but cold water -over Tryweryn.	0:45:30	0:45:32
-That is heartbreaking. You can't -save things that are lost forever.	0:45:33	0:45:37
-It took centuries to create -the beauty of that valley.	0:45:37	0:45:41
-It's disappeared forever -and the community with it.	0:45:41	0:45:44
-It was a very special feeling -for the three of us to meet today.	0:45:50	0:45:54
-A lot of emotions and memories -came running back...	0:45:54	0:45:57
-..especially as we met on the dam -in Capel Celyn.	0:45:58	0:46:02
-Camaraderie.	0:46:08	0:46:10
-I think that describes everything.	0:46:10	0:46:13
-It was there 50 years ago. -Was it there today?	0:46:13	0:46:16
-Absolutely.	0:46:17	0:46:18
-I was married with three children -at the time.	0:46:24	0:46:27
-Emyr was a student -and John was very young at the time.	0:46:29	0:46:34
-Somebody had to act.	0:46:36	0:46:38
-I would have been glad if someone -else had done it instead of me.	0:46:38	0:46:42
-Emyr felt the same, so did John.	0:46:42	0:46:44
-If we'd sat there -waiting for someone to act...	0:46:44	0:46:47
-..nothing would have happened.	0:46:47	0:46:49
-Someone had to act and it became -our responsibility. We took action.	0:46:49	0:46:54
-There is a Tryweryn in every age.	0:46:58	0:47:01
-It's important that we remember it.	0:47:01	0:47:03
-It's important that we -look around us and take a stand.	0:47:03	0:47:08
-Rather than just talking, -that we take action.	0:47:08	0:47:11
-What struck me today -was my pride in taking action.	0:47:11	0:47:16
-S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.	0:48:00	0:48:02
-.	0:48:02	0:48:03

Tri Tryweryn

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