A short film narrated by Charlotte Church showcasing the Elan Valley in Mid Wales is set to be premiered.
Filmed over the course of a year to capture Elan Valley’s changing beauty through the seasons, the 15-minute film explores the history of the Elan Valley dams and its Celtic Rainforest.
The variety of wildlife that inhabit the valley and the abundance of flora and fauna across the estate are captured in the film. After the premiere, visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy the film daily as it is shown on rotation within the visitor centre exhibition.
The film was produced as an initiative of the Elan Valley Celtic Rainforest Expansion Project, supported by TWIG (The Woodland Investment Grant) scheme, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Welsh Government.
Led by Welsh Water, the project was undertaken in collaboration with RSPB Cymru and supported by Natural Resources Wales and Radnorshire Wildlife Trust.
Filming began in July 2024 to capture the lush green valley and abundant wildlife, followed by an autumn shoot at the end of October to capture the vibrant colour changes of the trees.
Jen Newman, Welsh Water estates manager and TWIG project lead, invited Charlotte Church to narrate the film. Charlotte’s retreat, ‘The Dreaming’, borders Elan Valley Estate.
“We wanted to create something that captures the spirit of the Elan Valley – its natural beauty, history, wildlife and the incredible experiences it offers,” explained Jen.
“This film is a warm welcome to all our visitors and a reminder of why this landscape, and our Celtic Rainforests are so special. Charlotte’s narration gives richness to the breathtaking scenery and heritage of the landscape, adding exceptional depth to the film.
“We are incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved and we’re really looking forward to sharing the film with visitors.”
The film is the work of Gloucester-based specialist video production company Bexmedia.
A key element of the TWIG project is the creation of a brand new forest bathing walking trail which travels through the Elan Valley Celtic Rainforest. The trail, which is set to open next spring, will be accompanied by a dedicated leaflet.
Informative interpretation panels have been created and will be installed along the route next spring, enriching the visitor experience with insights into these important woodland sites that are home to rare birds, butterflies and insects. A haven of biodiversity, these woodlands are thought to be under greater threat than tropical rainforests.
It’s the second time Charlotte has supported a film about the local area. In January last year, she narrated a short film for Rhayader 2000 – since renamed Rhayader Tourism Partnership – to promote the neighbouring town of Rhayader as ‘The Outdoors Capital of Wales’.
