November 2 is a date which is highly significant to the people of a village community in the Conwy Valley.
It is the date on which a dam high above their village failed, and so lead to millions of gallons of water pouring down into their village.
This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Dolgarrog Dam Disaster and the community is marking the event with a special service, which will take place at the exact time of the disaster.
The deluge on November 2, 1925, killed six children from the village of Dolgarrog and 10 of its adults. More of the village’s people were not killed, because they were watching a film in a hall that was on higher land.
The disaster was caused by insufficient foundations in the dam itself, and lead to improved construction requirements for dams in the United Kingdom.
Dafydd Williams, the Chair of Dolgarrog Community Council said, ‘It was a terrible, terrible disaster which effected the whole community and changed the lives of families here.
“The Church bell is one of the few remaining items that we have from the original church that was washed away in the disaster.
“It will be very moving when that bell is rung at the service in memory of each of the victims. We will be hearing something which those people once heard and which was rung on the night of the disaster. It will unite us.’
The Memorial Service is being held in St. Mary’s Church, Dolgarrog at 8.15pm on Monday, November 2. It will include an act of remembrance of those who died, hymns, information about the fateful night, and pupils from the Dolgarrog Primary School will also be taking part.
Tea and coffee will be available in Dolgarrog Community Centre from 7pm, where there is also a small display about the Disaster. All are welcome.
