'Pwyllgor Amddiffyn Capel Celyn' (the Capel Celyn Defence Committee) was established in March 1956. The Committee was formed shortly after it had been announced that Liverpool Corporation was intending to build a new reservoir in the Tryweryn valley, drowning the village of Capel Celyn, north of Bala. The following individuals were elected to serve as Committee officials: President: Rev H. W. Hughes, Fron-goch; Vice-president: Councillor David Roberts, Caefadog; Treasurer: John Abel Jones, Hafodwen; Secretary: Elizabeth M. Watkin Jones. Rev. H. W. Hughes resigned from the Committee in June 1956 as he was leaving the area and E. P. Roberts, Llanfor, was elected the new President. In September 1957, E. P. Roberts announced his resignation and David Roberts, Caefadog, was elected the new President. The Committee launched a spirited campaign to oppose the proposal to drown Cwm Celyn. In addition to canvassing support from local authorities, individuals and national institutions, the Committee organised a series of protest meetings, conferences and rallies across north Wales and in the city of Liverpool. Ultimately, however, the efforts to halt the building of the new reservoir failed and on 1 August 1957 the Liverpool Corporation Act was passed. Work began on the site three years later and was completed in August 1965.

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