Brynamman
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Brynamman (Brynaman in Welsh[note 1]) is a village to the south of the Black Mountain, in south-west Wales. Brynamman is split by the River Amman - its northern half (Upper Brynamman) forms part of Carmarthenshire, and its southern half (Lower Brynamman) forms part of Neath Port Talbot. In 2011 Brynamman had a population of 2,608.
The village was originally known as Y Gwter Fawr ("the big gutter"). In 1838 a house there was called Brynamman, which gave its name to the railway station in 1864. From the railway station, the village as a whole became known as Brynamman.[1]
Since the arrival of the railway the village significantly increased in size, doubling by 1890. Like most places in the South Wales Valleys this growth was due to coal mining and other industries. A church was built there in 1881, dedicated to St Catherine.[2]
The spelling of Brynamman today is controversial, with the Welsh form Brynaman (with a single 'm') often preferred even in English. The Welsh Language Commissioner suggests to use Brynaman in English.[3] This is also used by Gwaun Cae Gurwen Community Council, which covers the area of Lower Brynamman.[4] Cwarter Bach Community Council uses the Welsh spelling even in historical contexts where Brynamman would be correct.[2] Despite the Welsh spelling's increasing popularity, the Anglicised "Brynamman" still remains very common.[5][6]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ The Place-Names of Wales, 1912
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cwarter Bach Community Council - History - for example "the Swansea Vale railway station opened in 1864 and “Brynaman” was put on the station sign" is historically incorrect to use the Welsh spelling.
- ↑ Welsh Language Commissioner - Brynaman
- ↑ Gwaun Cae Gurwen - Brynaman Isaf - Area History
- ↑ Cwmamman History - Brynamman
- ↑ Brynamman RFC Facebook group
Notes[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Brynaman is also the official spelling in English.