It is 50 years since the Dulas Valley, home to a thriving farming community of more than 200 people, was threatened with being flooded to provide water for England.
The close-knit rural community, known throughout Mid Wales for its rich social and cultural life, was under threat of suffering the same fate as the residents of the Elan, Tryweryn and Efyrnwy valleys during the 1960s.
The people of the Dulas Valley fought to save their community and homes for future generations and succeeded in a landmark victory in Welsh social history.
It was the first time that a group of people had gone head to head with a River Authority and won, which ensured that any future proposals would include a consultation.
Fifty years on and the memories are still raw in the way in which Welsh rural communities such as the Dulas Valley had been treated in the past.
A book written by Pant-y-dwr author Marian Harris marks the events that unfolded in 1969. ‘The Dulas Valley Victory... and the Tryweryn Factor’ was launched at an emotional occasion in front of a large audience at Chatwood House in Llanidloes on Thursday, April 18. The author was secretary to the solicitor acting in the case, Gareth Morgan, at the time of the public inquiry, while her father was Chair of the Dulas Valley Defence Committee. She believes that the story is worth telling so that lessons can be learnt.
The book’s publisher and incoming Archdruid of Wales Myrddin ap Dafydd explained the story’s importance outlining the wrong-doings from which Wales had suffered in the past, due to the Westminster Government.
Marian Harris with her book 'The Dulas Valley Victory' at the launch evening
In 1969, the people of the valley came together to defend their community, with the backing of the late Emlyn Hooson QC and Member of Parliament, Martin Thomas QC (now Lord Thomas of Gresford), and highlighted the travesties surrounding the schemes at Elan, Tryweryn and Efyrnwy. They acknowledged that demand for water would increase, but they could not understand why the River Authority was prepared to drown a valley well-known for stock rearing.
A public inquiry, which revealed that cost implications were being placed before sociological and cultural considerations, came down in favour of the community, with the inspector refusing permission for the scheme to go ahead.
The new book charts the progress of the campaign as it unfolded with anecdotes and press cuttings, along with present day photographs by the author’s husband, Vyvyan Harris.
“It will resonate with those living within Mid Wales but will have a wider appeal to anyone having a love of our beautiful countryside and a belief that justice and fair play are well worth fighting for,” Mr Harris said.
“The story of that campaign comes straight from the heart of someone deeply embedded in the culture of this egalitarian, highly talented community.”
“The impetus for writing the book was provided by the sadness felt for previous lost communities, notably Tryweryn, but also the author’s determination that present and future generations within the Dulas Valley should not forget what they might well have lost, had the River Authority had its way. The residents believed that someone had to make a stand for the sake of Wales as a whole.”
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