Brynamman
Encyclopedia
Brynamman is a village sitting on the south facing side of the Black Mountain
, part of the Brecon Beacons
National Park. The village is split in two into Upper Brynamman and Lower Brynamman
by the River Amman
which also acts as the boundary between the counties of Carmarthenshire
and Neath Port Talbot
(the old county of Glamorganshire). Ruins of stone dwellings (possibly prehistoric), an early type of lime kiln and rectangular medieval buildings found on the mountain show that man has lived in this area for a long time.
In the 18th century the industrial revolution, in the form of iron and tin works and especially coal mining, transformed the area from a small, scattered farming community to a built-up, highly populated commercial centre. The Welsh language
was at the fore and the successful participation in local and national eisteddfodau by numerous village people, choirs and bands put Brynamman on the map.
It was once a thriving village, with three bank branches on Station Road in Upper Brynamman alone. Today there are no industries in or around the village, its inhabitants having to commute to Ammanford, Swansea
or Llanelli
for work. The whole area has become more attractive to live in especially for those who love the countryside and the wild open areas available for walking on the Black Mountain
. It is still a stronghold for the Welsh language
and children are taught it in school and it is spoken by a high majority of the local people.
Brynamman was previously known as Y Gwter Fawr , the name was changed when the railway from Ammanford reached the village. The traveller and writer George Borrow
describes aspects of Gwter Fawr in the mid-nineteenth century in his book Wild Wales
which was published in 1862.
area. The group are very enthusiastic and have already undertaken a number of local history projects, the results of which are proudly displayed at the Community Centre. One member is currently co-ordinating a collection of photographs depicting Brynaman weddings and has gathered a wonderful array of photographs, invitations, bills and even a black wedding dress
from 1890. The group has a membership of twenty-nine although only ten of these are very active within the group. For the Community Archives Wales
project, the group are keen to research the changing nature of the shops and businesses in Brynaman, over the last century, and have a wide collection of photographs, billheads, letters and artefacts to digitise.
The park has a has a range of important habitats supporting a diverse assemblage of plant and animal life. The wet grasslands, marshy ground and ponds are particularly important to amphibians, like newts, frogs and toads whose numbers are in decline throughout the world.
The site narrowly escaped opencast mining, before Dinefwr Borough Council secured its future by purchasing it from British Coal. Since then the park has been developed for quiet recreation and educational use. Its patchwork of meadows woods and wetlands, linked by a series of paths are now open for all to enjoy. The park is managed by Carmarthenshire County Council supported by volunteers from the Friends of Ynys Dawela.
The first ever union branch to look after the needs of Welsh anthracite miners was started in the public bar in 1891.
The original certificate can be viewed in the lounge bar.
During the 1930s Welsh Middleweight Boxing Champion Tommy Davies was a regular customer, his photo can be seen in the main bar.
Black Mountain (range)
The Black Mountain is a mountain range in Mid and West Wales, straddling the county boundary between Carmarthenshire and Powys and forming the westernmost range of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Its highest point is Fan Brycheiniog at 802 metres or 2,631 ft. The Black Mountain also forms a part...
, part of the Brecon Beacons
Brecon Beacons
The Brecon Beacons is a mountain range in South Wales. In a narrow sense, the name refers to the range of popular peaks south of Brecon, including South Wales' highest mountain, Pen y Fan, and which together form the central section of the Brecon Beacons National Park...
National Park. The village is split in two into Upper Brynamman and Lower Brynamman
Lower Brynamman
Lower Brynamman is village and an electoral ward of Neath Port Talbot county borough, Wales.The electoral ward of Lower Brynamman forms part of the parish of Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen. The ward consists of some or all of the settlements of Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen, Lower Brynamman and Tairgwaith in the...
by the River Amman
River Amman
The River Amman is a river of south Wales, which joins the River Loughor at Pantyffynnon. The river gives its name to the town of Ammanford and the villages of Pontamman, Glanaman, Brynamman and Rhosaman. Garnant and Betws also lie in the Amman Valley....
which also acts as the boundary between the counties of Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire is a unitary authority in the south west of Wales and one of thirteen historic counties. It is the 3rd largest in Wales. Its three largest towns are Llanelli, Carmarthen and Ammanford...
and Neath Port Talbot
Neath Port Talbot
Neath Port Talbot is a county borough and one of the unitary authority areas of Wales. Neath Port Talbot is the 8th most populous county in Wales and the third most populous county borough....
(the old county of Glamorganshire). Ruins of stone dwellings (possibly prehistoric), an early type of lime kiln and rectangular medieval buildings found on the mountain show that man has lived in this area for a long time.
In the 18th century the industrial revolution, in the form of iron and tin works and especially coal mining, transformed the area from a small, scattered farming community to a built-up, highly populated commercial centre. The Welsh language
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
was at the fore and the successful participation in local and national eisteddfodau by numerous village people, choirs and bands put Brynamman on the map.
It was once a thriving village, with three bank branches on Station Road in Upper Brynamman alone. Today there are no industries in or around the village, its inhabitants having to commute to Ammanford, Swansea
Swansea
Swansea is a coastal city and county in Wales. Swansea is in the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands...
or Llanelli
Llanelli
Llanelli , the largest town in both the county of Carmarthenshire and the preserved county of Dyfed , Wales, sits on the Loughor estuary on the West Wales coast, approximately west-north-west of Swansea and south-east of the county town, Carmarthen. The town is famous for its proud rugby...
for work. The whole area has become more attractive to live in especially for those who love the countryside and the wild open areas available for walking on the Black Mountain
Black Mountain (range)
The Black Mountain is a mountain range in Mid and West Wales, straddling the county boundary between Carmarthenshire and Powys and forming the westernmost range of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Its highest point is Fan Brycheiniog at 802 metres or 2,631 ft. The Black Mountain also forms a part...
. It is still a stronghold for the Welsh language
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
and children are taught it in school and it is spoken by a high majority of the local people.
Brynamman was previously known as Y Gwter Fawr , the name was changed when the railway from Ammanford reached the village. The traveller and writer George Borrow
George Borrow
George Henry Borrow was an English author who wrote novels and travelogues based on his own experiences around Europe. Over the course of his wanderings, he developed a close affinity with the Romani people of Europe. They figure prominently in his work...
describes aspects of Gwter Fawr in the mid-nineteenth century in his book Wild Wales
Wild Wales
Wild Wales: Its People, Language and Scenery is a travel book by the English Victorian gentleman writer George Borrow, , first published in 1862....
which was published in 1862.
Treftadaeth Brynaman Heritage
Treftadaeth Brynaman Heritage is a well-established local history group based in the library of Upper Brynaman Community Centre in the Upper Amman Communities FirstCommunities First
Communities First is a programme designed to increase participation and develop the capacity of Welsh communities to make decisions and run projects. The programme was established by the Welsh Government’s Department for Social Justice and Regeneration in 2002...
area. The group are very enthusiastic and have already undertaken a number of local history projects, the results of which are proudly displayed at the Community Centre. One member is currently co-ordinating a collection of photographs depicting Brynaman weddings and has gathered a wonderful array of photographs, invitations, bills and even a black wedding dress
Wedding dress
A wedding dress or wedding gown is the clothing worn by a bride during a wedding ceremony. Color, style and ceremonial importance of the gown can depend on the religion and culture of the wedding participants.- Western culture :...
from 1890. The group has a membership of twenty-nine although only ten of these are very active within the group. For the Community Archives Wales
Community Archives Wales
Community Archives Wales is a website of digital content created and maintained by a number of community heritage groups from across Wales...
project, the group are keen to research the changing nature of the shops and businesses in Brynaman, over the last century, and have a wide collection of photographs, billheads, letters and artefacts to digitise.
Bryn Rovers AFC
Bryn Rovers football club was founded in 1985 in upper Brynaman by Doug Davies who had previously coached Gwaun Cae Gurwen's junior team. The majority of the players made their way up to Brynaman to form the new club.Ynys Dawela
Situated adjacent to the west of Brynaman, Ynys Dawela Nature Park nestles in the upper reaches of the Amman Valley. Its northern boundary is the Brecon Beacons National Park with the rugged backdrop of the Black Mountain whilst the river Amman, with its fringe of ancient oak woodland, forms its southern boundary. The park covers an area of 39 acres (15.8 hectares) and was once a working farm. The meadows dating from this period now support a rich assortment of flowers, some of which are scarce, like the Whorled Caraway and Meadow Thistle. The meadows are at their most beautiful in late summer when most of the flowers are in bloom.The park has a has a range of important habitats supporting a diverse assemblage of plant and animal life. The wet grasslands, marshy ground and ponds are particularly important to amphibians, like newts, frogs and toads whose numbers are in decline throughout the world.
The site narrowly escaped opencast mining, before Dinefwr Borough Council secured its future by purchasing it from British Coal. Since then the park has been developed for quiet recreation and educational use. Its patchwork of meadows woods and wetlands, linked by a series of paths are now open for all to enjoy. The park is managed by Carmarthenshire County Council supported by volunteers from the Friends of Ynys Dawela.
Notable people
Notable current and former residents and natives include:- Rees HowellsRees HowellsRees Howells was the founder of The Bible College of Wales.Howells was born in Brynamman in Carmarthenshire, Wales. When he was 12 years old he left school and worked in a tin mill and coal mine. He was affected by the 1904-1905 Welsh Revival.He and his wife were later missionaries in Africa...
(1879-1950) - intercessor, Congregationist minister, missionary to Southern Africa, Revivalist and founder of The Bible College of WalesThe Bible College of WalesThe Bible College of Wales, a Bible college based in Swansea, Wales, was founded in 1924 by Rees Howells. He was involved in intercession for many years, before seeing revival across Southern Africa from 1915-1920...
- Swansea (1924) - Roy NobleRoy NobleRoy Noble OBE, DL, O.St.J is a Welsh radio and television broadcaster.-Biography:Noble was born in Brynamman in the Amman Valley of Carmarthenshire, the only son of coal miner Ivor Noble and his wife Sadie...
- broadcaster - Dafydd IwanDafydd IwanDafydd Iwan , is a Welsh folk singer and politician. He was the president of Plaid Cymru .Dafydd Iwan Jones was born in Brynaman in Carmarthenshire, Wales, and is the elder brother of politician Alun Ffred Jones. He spent most of his youth in Bala in Gwynedd before attending the University of...
- folk singer and politician - Huw CeredigHuw CeredigHuw Ceredig, born Huw Ceredig Jones was a Welsh television actor best known for playing Reg Harries in the Welsh soap opera, Pobol y Cwm.-Personal life:...
- actor, brother of Dafydd Iwan - Delme Bryn-JonesDelme Bryn-JonesDelme Bryn-Jones was a Welsh baritone.Born Delme Jones in Brynaman, south Wales,Internationally renowned baritone Delme Bryn-Jones was one of the finest operatic voices to have come out of Wales. Born Delme Jones on 29 March 1934 in Brynamman, he took the extra syllable of his stage name from his...
Tregib Arms
The Tregib Arms is a public house in Brynamman built circa 1860.The first ever union branch to look after the needs of Welsh anthracite miners was started in the public bar in 1891.
The original certificate can be viewed in the lounge bar.
During the 1930s Welsh Middleweight Boxing Champion Tommy Davies was a regular customer, his photo can be seen in the main bar.