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Fans Reroute Subsea Cables for Dobby's Grave
11 Aug
Summary
- Fans successfully petitioned to reroute undersea cables.
- Dobby's fictional grave is located at Freshwater West beach.
- Memorial items at the grave were previously asked to be removed.
Fans of the "Harry Potter" series successfully influenced the path of a major energy infrastructure project. The Greenlink interconnector, a 125-mile submarine power cable designed to connect the U.K. and Ireland, initially planned to make landfall at Freshwater West in Wales. This location is significant as it is the filming site for Dobby the house elf's burial in the "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" film.
Upon learning of the landfall site in 2018, numerous "Harry Potter" fans expressed strong objections, fearing the construction would disturb the memorial dedicated to Dobby on the beach. The memorial features a stone inscription reading "Here Lies Dobby A Free Elf" and includes items like socks, a poignant reference from the series. Etchea Energy, the company behind the project, acknowledged the seriousness of the fan concerns.
In response, Etchea Energy collaborated with project planners to reroute the high-voltage cables, ensuring they would not pass near Dobby's memorial. Simon Ludlam, founder of Etchea Energy, highlighted the need for flexibility and thoughtfulness in such projects. The Greenlink interconnector project was completed in 2025.
Previously, in 2022, the National Trust had conducted a survey and determined that Dobby's grave could remain on the beach. However, they advised visitors against leaving further items, citing potential environmental risks to marine life and the food chain from materials like socks and painted pebbles.
