Brynmawr
| Brynmawr | |
  Brynmawr |
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| Population | 5,530 (2011)[1] |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | SO185115 |
| Principal area | Blaenau Gwent |
| Ceremonial county | Gwent |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | EBBW VALE |
| Postcode district | NP23 |
| Dialling code | 01495 |
| Police | Gwent |
| Fire | South Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament | Blaenau Gwent |
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Coordinates: 51°47′46″N 3°10′59″W / 51.796°N 3.183°W
- See also Bryn Mawr (disambiguation) for other places with this name.
Brynmawr (pronounced /brɪnˈmaʊər/ brin-MOWR, Welsh: [brɨnˈmaur], sometimes hyphenated to Bryn-mawr, from Welsh Brynmawr, meaning "big hill") is a market town and electoral ward in Blaenau Gwent, South Wales. The town, sometimes cited as the highest town in Wales, is situated at 1,250 to 1,500 feet above sea level at the head of the South Wales Valleys. It grew with the development of the coal mining and iron industries in the early 19th century.
History
Prior to the Industrial Revolution Brynmawr was a small village settlement called Gwaun Helygen (Cors Helygen in Modern Welsh, meaning "marsh of the willow" in English), and lay in the former county of Brecknockshire. With the expansion of the Nantyglo Ironworks housing was required for the workers and Brynmawr turned into a prosperous town. Although coal mining has virtually ceased, a large mining museum has been established at Big Pit in nearby Blaenavon.
Population
Brynmawr has an estimated population of over 6,000 people. At the 2001 Census 5.75% of the 16-65 age group spoke Welsh, but the proportion of children (ages 3–15) able to speak Welsh was much higher at 30.54%.[2] The town had the only Welsh-medium primary school, Ysgol Gymraeg Brynmawr, in Blaenau Gwent with 310 pupils ranging from nursery to year 6 until 2010, when the school re-located to a brand new, purpose-built building in Blaina.
Commerce and local economy
The town centre's primary shopping areas are contained within Beaufort Street and on Market Square which is also the focal point of the town where many events are hosted. The former Market Hall is now a cinema and theatre presenting films and productions from the local amateur operatic society. The business community offers many traditional, family orientated and independently run shops with friendly and personal service.
Places of interest
Parc Nant y Waun is a nature reserve incorporating 22 hectares of grassland, mires and reservoirs which was officially opened in 2007.[3] Home to many wildlife species, it includes a picnic area, an outdoor classroom, and an angling club.[4]
Sport and leisure
Brynmawr RFC is the local rugby union club which is affiliated to the Newport Gwent Dragons. Brynmawr has a 350 seat cinema (The Market Hall Cinema) which is the longest continually running cinema in Wales. The Market Hall opened in 1893 and has recently been renovated.
Notable people include Adrian Street, professional wrestler, singer-songwriters Huw and Tony Williams and indie pop singer-songwriter Marina Diamandis.
See also
External links
- Brynmawr Town Council website
- Old photos of Brynmawr
- Aerial photograph of Brynmawr
- Photos of Brynmawr and surrounding area on geograph.org.uk
- History of Brynmawr, Wales at thomasgenweb.com, with excerpts from Brynmawr: A Study of a Distressed Area, by Hilda Jennings
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Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Brynmawr. |