Brynamman

Brynamman ( cy, Brynaman) is a village on the south side of the Black Mountain (''Y Mynydd Du''), part of the Brecon Beacons National Park (''Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog''). The village is split into Upper Brynamman and Lower Brynamman by the River Amman, which is also the boundary between the counties of Carmarthenshire and Neath Port Talbot (in 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 people have lived in this area for a long time. The population of Brynamman was 2,608 as of 2011; the urban area including Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen was 5,692.

In the 18th century the Industrial Revolution, with 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, with the countryside and the wild open areas available for walking on the Black Mountain (''Y Mynydd Du''). It is still a stronghold of the Welsh language; children are taught the language at school, and it is spoken by the great majority of the local people.

Brynamman was previously known as Y Gwter Fawr ( cy, "The Big Gutter"); the name was changed when the railway from Ammanford reached the village. George Borrow describes aspects of Gwter Fawr in the mid-19th century in his book ''Wild Wales'' published 1862. The current name is derived from "Brynamman House", the home of John Jones, builder of the railway.

Brynamman Golf Club (now defunct) first appeared in the mid-1920s. It continued into the 1930s.
A feasibility study is being conducted into the reopening of Brynamman Lido, which opened in 1934 and closed in 2010.

Ynys Dawela

Ynys Dawela Nature Park is situated to the west of Brynamman, in the upper reaches of the Amman Valley. Its northern boundary is the Brecon Beacons National Park, and the river Amman, fringed with 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 some scarce flowers, such as the Whorled Caraway and Meadow Thistle, and other wildlife, such as the marsh fritillary butterfly and dormice.

The park 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. 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 recreational and educational use. The park is managed by Carmarthenshire County Council and supported by volunteers.

Tregib Arms

The Tregib Arms in Brynamman was built 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.

Gallery

File:Black Mountain Centre Brynaman by Aberdare Blog.jpg, Black Mountain Centre in Brynamman
File:Brynaman Public Hall and Cinema by Aberdare Blog.jpg, Brynamman Public Hall and Cinema (2008)
File:Brynamman West Station 1929506 df602e8f.jpg, Brynamman GWR railway station (1962)
File:Brynamman East Station 1929493 c3b2829e.jpg, Brynamman LMS railway station (1962)
File:Gibea Chapel Brynamman by Aberdare Blog.jpg, Gibea Chapel (2008)

References

External links

Black Mountain Centre / Community Centre for Brynamman

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Villages in Carmarthenshire
Amman Valley
Black Mountain (hill)