Brechfa

Brechfa is a small [

[http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadAreaSearch.do?a=3&i=1001&m=0&enc=1&areaSearchText=SA32+7RA&areaSearchType=14&extendedList=false&searchAreas=Search 2001 Census] ] village [ [http://www.brechfa.info/ Community Web-Site] ] with a fascinating history [ [http://www.cothivalley.org.uk/rebecca.htm Rebecca Riots] ] that has existed since the 6th century [A History of Carmarthenshire Lloyd, Sir J: For The Society (Cardiff) 1935 & 1939, Vol I From Prehistoric Times to the Act of Union (1536) ] .

History & Amenities

It is set in beautiful countryside [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southwest/nature/thingstodo/walks/allwalks/brechfa.shtml Walks around Brecha] ] managed by the Forestry Commission or Forest Enterprise [ [http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/recreation.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/WalesCarmarthenshireNoForestBrechfa Long term conservation] ] at the top of the Cothi Valley [ [http://www.acadat.com/HLC/Dolaucothi/Dolaucothimap.htm Scenic tour] ] in Carmarthenshire in West Wales.

As essential services are threatened [ [http://www.estyn.gov.uk/inspection_reports/BrechfaE.pdf Village School] ] , the church plays a vital role in sustaining the sense of belonging [ [http://www.cothi-churches.org.uk/Brechfa/BrechfaIndex.htm Parish church] ] -a determination that has led to a co-operative being set up to run the village shop [ Winner of A Welsh Oscar, "Newyddion Cymuned" May 25th, 2007] .In Spring 2007 the villagers' efforts were featured in an article in the Daily Telegraph Magazine [ Saturday 31st March 2007] .

During the 1930s Great Depression, unemployed men were set to work on the Forestry Commission land, breaking ground, building tracks, and undertaking other heavy labour. The men lived in a work camp in Brechfa, which was one of a number of so-called Instructional Centres run by the Ministry of Labour in order to 'harden' young men who had been out of work for some time. By 1938, the Ministry was operating 35 Instructional Centres across Britain, with a total capacity of over 6,000 places. By 1939, unemployment was declining in the face of impending World War II, and the Ministry closed down its work camps.

Brechfa Mountain Biking

Brechfa is the home of one of the worlds best Mountain Biking trails. See Brechfa Mountain Biking.

Brechfa FM

Pupils of Bro Myrddin Welsh Comprehensive School, Carmarthen have launched an on demand podcast website on the bebo network called Brechfa FM. The comedy radio station portrays the Brechfa residents as very isolated people who have no contact with "outside world" places such as Carmarthen. The radio station has become popular among local bebo network users. [http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=5228373167
Brechfa Radio Podcast Site]

References

*John Field, "Learning Through Labour: Training, unemployment and the state, 1890-1939", Leeds University Press, 1992, ISBN 0-900-960-48-5

External links

* [http://www.mbwales.com/en/content/cms/Bases/Brechfa/Brechfa.aspx Mountain Biking in Brechfa - MBWales]
* [http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=2790543 Photos of Brechfa and surrounding area on Geograph]