Brynamman

infobox UK place
country = Wales
map_type=
welsh_name= Brynaman
constituency_welsh_assembly=Carmarthen East and Dinefwr/Mid and West Wales/Neath/South Wales West
official_name= Brynaman/Brynamman
unitary_wales= Carmarthenshire/Neath Port Talbot
lieutenancy_wales= Dyfed/West Glamorgan
constituency_westminster= Carmarthen East and Dinefwr/Neath
post_town= AMMANFORD
postcode_district = SA18
postcode_area= SA
dial_code= 01269
os_grid_reference=
latitude= 51.81512
longitude= -03.87136
population=

Brynamman ( _cy. Brynaman) 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 ( _cy. "The Big Gutter"), the name was changed when the railway from Ammanford reached the village.

Community Archives Wales

Treftadaeth Brynaman Heritage is a well-established group based in the library of Upper Brynaman Community Centre in the Upper Amman Communities First 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 [http://www.ourwales.org.uk 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.

Gallery of Brynamman Photos

Notable people from Brynamman

Notable current and former residents and natives of Brynamman include:

*Roy Noble - Broadcaster
*Dafydd Iwan - Welsh folk singer and politician
*Delme Bryn-Jones

ee also

* The Tregib Arms

External links

* [http://www.ourwales.org.uk Community Archives Wales]
* [http://www.brynammanpublichall.co.uk/ Brynaman Public Hall]
* [http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/CMN/Betws/Brynamman.html Village History]
* [http://www.brynaman.org.uk/ Black Mountain Centre / Community Centre for Brynamman]