Drowned valley
Betty Davies is known to everyone around Rhayader as 'Aunty Betty'. Her knowledge of the area's history is second to none and she has a collection of old photographs, Welsh hats and sheet music dating back many generations.
"As I look down at the vast tracks of water that are the dams of the Elan Valley, I cannot help but wonder how my great grandparents felt when told they had lost the fight to save the valleys of Nant Gwilt and Cwm Elan.
Their land would be lost to them, as would the land of their friends and neighbours, in order to supply water for a far distant city. Could they envisage the changes to their way of life?
In the process of flooding the valleys, the school, church, chapel, two squires houses, small farms and cottages disappeared. Bodies had to be exhumed.
My family at Henfron were left stranded in the farm on the hill with no road for over fifty years.
They must have been saddened to see their friends and families move away.The fact that they stayed, weathered the storms that came their way, kept working the land to provide for their children and their children's children, so they grew and thrived, is a testament to their strength of character and to their commitment to the land they farmed.
This character has been sustained throughout the generations now the sixth generation. My great nephew and great nieces have the chance to continue making their hopes and dreams a reality.
As the oldest living family member to a farm here, I know that what was lost is lost but we still keep the memories alive."
Betty Davies
