Dolgarrog 100 - 2nd November 2025
2nd November 2025 will mark the centenary of the Dolgarrog Dam Disaster. The Community Council and local businesses are working hard to make this notable event an exciting and special day.
At present there is a lot of planning going on in the background and we are planning to hold a Community Engagement Event will refreshments at the Community Centre in July. In the meantime we are looking for photographs, memories, histories - anything that you can contribute to the event. We are also looking for volunteers to help us welcome visitors to the village, work on the events team (ideas gratefully received) or help on the day with stewarding.
If you don't live in the area but did or have relatives who did, spread the word.
Please help us make this a day to remember for the village in 2025 whilst remembering those who lost their lives in 1925.
Programme for 2nd November 2025:
After months of planning, things are now really taking shape for the Dolgarrog 100 event, marking the anniversary of the 1925 Dolgarrog Dam Disaster.
The Community Council are delighted to share with you the provisional schedule for the day and hope that you will be able to join us in marking this historic event. There is something for everyone here; Art, Music, History, celebration of nature and this wonderful part of the world that we live in and on top of that, a world premiere!!
The day will start at 2pm.
Dolgarrog Past, Present and Future. St. Mary’s Church will be hosting exhibitions. These include an historical exhibition which tells the story of the disaster and its aftermath. This was created by academics from the Universities of Cardiff and Bangor, who will be in attendance throughout the day to speak to visitors. There is also an art exhibition by the Dolgarrog Art Group reflecting the years since the disaster. You will have an opportunity to add your own thoughts about the way forward for the village. There will be a special Exhibition Opening on 24th October from 4-6pm. All welcome.
The Community Centre will be hosting a display on the history of Hydro Power from 2pm until 3pm. The Community Centre will then host the reception for our special guests from 3pm.
Cog Dolgarrog will be hosting, in conjunction with the Northern Eye Photographic Festival, a unique photographic exhibition Now Dolgarrog. Opening on 11th October from 2-4pm with a soft launch of the Dolgarrog 100 programme.
There will also be a special afternoon tea for the older residents of the community (invitation only) at the Ixora from 2-4pm.
At the Memorial Gardens from 2pm there will be an opportunity to walk through the site of the disaster and reflect on the 100 years of regrowth since that terrible event. The walks will be animated with live performances along the way. (Performances finish at 3.30pm)
At 4pm the road will be closed between Tal y Bont and Dolgarrog for the evening’s special events.
At 4.15pm a lantern parade will leave St. Mary’s Church, Dolgarrog and proceed to the Cenotaph where there will be a plaque unveiling ceremony and short and moving commemoration service which will include contributions from community members and the debut of the Dolgarrog Community Choir.
At the end of the service we will move to the Memorial Gardens for the premiere of “Argraff” which is a specially commissioned piece of music for Dolgarrog.
The day will end at around 6.15 with the switching on of the Commemorative Lights hand crafted by Vicky Buxton who lives on the disaster site. These beautiful lanterns will be gifted to the Community of Dolgarrog and sited permanently around the village.
The road will be opened as soon as possible.