Pontyberem
Pontyberem is a village in Carmarthenshire, Wales. It is located about halfway between the towns of Carmarthen and Llanelli.
The village grew in the late 19th and early 20th century due to coal mining in the South Wales Valleys. Four collieries opened in the area - Pontyberem, Pentremawr, Glynhebog and Gwendraeth.
Although it isn't obvious today, the name comes from "pont aber Beran", meaning the bridge (pont) at the mouth/confluence (aber) of the river Beran. It has since changed to be interpreted as "pont y berem", the bridge of the yeast.[1]
Pontyberem is a very Welsh speaking area. In 1991 it was found to have the highest percentage of Welsh speakers in Carmarthenshire. In 2001 it was found that over 60% of Pontyberem was fluent in Welsh.
Pontyberem was in the parish of Llanelli. In 1919 it was made its own civil parish, and in 1974 it became a community.[2] The community also includes the small village of Bancffosfelen. As of 2011 the community has a population of 2768.