On Monday 9th May we will be opening our 50th Anniversary gallery for the public to view images and documents from the construction of the dam. The wall walkway will be open from 11am – 2pm, with a dam scour fountain running at 11.30am for all to see. Everyone is welcome!
Work on Llys y Frân Dam started in February 1968 and the first concrete was poured in the following September. During the construction period it was necessary to divert the Syfynwy River. By June 1970 the stilling basin, control house sub-structure, and pipework in the supply tunnel had been completed and the river was finally diverted through the pipework and the stilling basin.
The final concrete was placed on 19 May 1971 completing a total of over 500,000 tons since placing commenced in September 1968. By May, the depth of water had risen to 40 feet but it was only on 5th December 1971, exactly nine months after impounding had commenced, that the reservoir overflowed for the first time.
The dam is a feat of engineering, but it has also preserved this landscape as a haven for nature and wildlife.
With the help of the public, we have created a fantastic gallery. Two swap shop sessions were held in April where local residents could call into the centre to share their memories, original photos and memorabilia in return for a cuppa.
Our first Swap Shop Day brought us all sorts of historical gems, but we weren’t expecting to see an original invitation and opening brochure from when HRH Princess Margaret Countess of Snowdon officially opened Llys y Frân Reservoir. The opening event took place on Tuesday 9th May 1972, organised by the Pembrokeshire Water Board.
We would like to thank everyone who kindly loaned us their photos and memorabilia for us to use in our gallery. It was wonderful to hear recollections and stories from the building of the dam.
Gallery walkway 11.00am – 2.00pm every day Mon 9th – Sun 15th May
Dam scour fountain Mon 9th May 11.30am
