Brechfa
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Brechfa is a small[1] village[2] with a fascinating history[3] that has existed since the 6th century [4] .
[edit] History & Amenities
It is set in beautiful countryside [5] managed by the Forestry Commission or Forest Enterprise[6] at the top of the Cothi Valley[7] in Carmarthenshire in West Wales.
As essential services are threatened[8], the church plays a vital role in sustaining the sense of belonging [9] -a determination that has led to a co-operative being set up to run the village shop[10].In Spring 2007 the villagers' efforts were featured in an article in the Daily Telegraph Magazine[11].
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 is the home of one of the worlds best Mountain Biking trails. See Brechfa Mountain Biking.
[edit] References
- ^ 2001 Census
- ^ Community Web-Site
- ^ Rebecca Riots
- ^ A History of Carmarthenshire Lloyd, Sir J: For The Society (Cardiff) 1935 & 1939, Vol I From Prehistoric Times to the Act of Union (1536)
- ^ Walks around Brecha
- ^ Long term conservation
- ^ Scenic tour
- ^ Village School
- ^ Parish church
- ^ Winner of A Welsh Oscar, Newyddion Cymuned May 25th, 2007
- ^ Saturday 31st March 2007
- John Field, "Learning Through Labour: Training, unemployment and the state, 1890-1939", Leeds University Press, 1992, ISBN 0-900-960-48-5
[edit] External Links
