Brynamman - Newspaper Extracts

There are many references to Brynamman in the 15 million Welsh and English language articles from Welsh newspapers transcribed by the NLW and viewable on Welsh Newspapers Online

Below are English language articles that have been re-transcribed and extracted randomly to illustrate what is available, there are many that are not extracted here that include names of local people

These are not in any date or subject order

• From The Carmarthen Weekly Reporter (Supplement) dated 3rd October 1902. 

"Great Miners Demonstation at Brynamman. THE NECESSITY OF THE MOMENT. On Monday the annual demonstration of the Welsh anthracite miners took place at Brynamman. Headed by the Gwauncaegurwen Brass Band, a large procession marched through the Amman Valley to the meeting place. Another procession, headed by the Brynamman Brass Band, marched through Cwmtwrch and Cwmllynfell to Brynamman station, where both processions met. From here the miners then went to the Public Hall, where a crowded meeting took place under the presidency of Mr Lewis Williams, Cwmtwrch, who was supported by Mr Wm. Abraham (Mabon), M.P., Mr T. Richards (Federation Secretary), Mr David Randall (ex-M.P. for the Gower Division), Mr Daronwy Isaac (the secretary of the district), and Mr Ebenezer Rees (Ystalyfera). The Chairman in opening the proceedings referred in complimentary terms to the services rendered the anthracite district of miners by Mr Daronwy Isaac, their agent. Mr J. James Cwmgors, proposed a motion expressing satisfaction at the continued success cf Trades Unionism and approval of the efforts of the Federation to secure larger representation of labour in Parliament, and reiterated their determination to secure a minimum wage and conciliation board with independent chairman. ...... (part extract) ........."

• From the Carmarthen Journal and South Wales Weekly Advertiser - 15 November 1901

BRYNAMMAN. THE RECENT STRIKE. - The 644 colliers who were recently summoned owing to the Gwauncaegurwen Colliery dispute, were to appear at Pontardawe on Friday, the 8th inst., but an understanding was arrived at by which the hearing was postponed until Friday, the 22nd inst.

• From the Carmarthen Journal and South Wales Weekly Advertiser -  3 June 1910

BRYNAMMAN NOTES  (By "PARK LANE").

 The I.L.P. of Brynamman are beginning to feel down-hearted. Apparently their faith is as strong as ever, but they deplore, and not without cause, the little attention that is given their open-air speakers by the general public. The last two meetings held by them at the railway stations were very small, though the speakers must not be blamed in the least. Some of our local "Young Liberals," enthusiastic, jubilant, and optimistic beyond measure attribute the alleged downfall of the I.L.P. to the effects of the lecture recently delivered under the auspices of the League of Young Liberals.

A pretty wedding was solemnized by the Rev. J. Lee Davies at Siloam Chapel last Saturday. The contracting parties were Mr. Thomas G. Evans, Banwen, and Miss Minnie Ann Booth, Brynamman- road. The bride was very becomingly dressed, and the pleasant ceremony was regarded with much interest throughout the neighbourhood. Their many friends wish the youthful pair may have a long and happy life together.

The following local gentlemen have been nominated as candidates for the two additional seats that have been granted to Caegurwen Ward on the District Council: David James Davies, Caenewydd, Gwauncaegurwen, collier: David Lewis, Myrtle Hill. Gwauncaegurwen. timberman: David J. Thomas Brynamman, colliery manager: W. R. Thomas. Pontardawe-road, Cwmgorse. collier; Morgan Daniel Williams, Cwmnanthir, collier.

The Scarbro Cinematograph Co. have been entertaining us at the Public Hall several times during this and the last week. The pictures were exceptionally good, and large audiences were the rule.

 Messrs. the Gwauncaegurwen Colliery Co. will shortly proceed to sink a new pit to work the Brass or Peacock Vein. The shaft, which will be of large diameter -18 feet - will be sunk close to Brook Colliery. If this new undertaking will be as successful as all the other collieries under the same management, a multitude will have good cause to be thankful.

Last Saturday, after prolonged suffering,  the death took place at the age of 57 of Mr. William Hugh, Glyn-road. Brynamman Mr. Hugh, who leaves a widow and large but grown-up family, was greatly respected by all, and much sympathy is felt for the bereaved.

As the JOURNAL readers are aware, the inhabitants who reside at the Banwen have continual cause to complain of the extremely insanitary state of the ground during and after our fairs. With the view of getting the several nuisances caused by the shows, etc., abated. Councillor Alexander is calling the attention of the Pontardawe District Council to the matter, and has given notice of motion. The people (homagers) who receive tolls from the showmen who visit the Banwen are to be requested to erect the necessary sanitary conveniences for the use of the showmen, properly drain the place, and generally to maintain the Banwen in a proper state of sanitation.

• From the Carmarthen Journal and South Wales Weekly Advertiser - 7 October 1910

BRYNAMMAN NOTES (By "PARK LANE.")

Excellent progress is being made in sinking the East Pit at Gwauncaegurwen. A depth of over eighty feet has already been reached, and the walling of the second portion of the shaft has been commenced.
At one time much water caused some inconvenience, but by using the patent water-barrel described in these notes some weeks ago, sinking was carried on all the time.
Three shifts per day are worked, from nine to twelve men being engaged in sinking and taking the water during each shift. When it is realized that twelve men can find plenty of room in the shaft while sinking, the huge size of the pit can well be imagined. The sinkers, who are a very well-behaved set of men (contrary to the popular belief), and are very robust and hardy. It is a marvellous sight when they are at work. Almost all the time, they are waist-deep in water. But they seem to heed not the water, for the snatches of happy songs that arise to the top of the pit, to the accompaniment of the sledge-hammer blows on the boring chisels, go far to prove that sinkers are determined to live happily, if not well.

The Quarter-bach portion of Upper Brynamman and Tai'rgwaith were for the first time lit by electricity last Saturday. It is now, surely, time for Park Lane to be similarly blessed, and it is hoped that our local members on the Pontardawe District Council will take the matter in hand as soon as possible

• From the South Wales Daily News (Third Edition) dated5th July 1899

"BRYNAMMAN. An Interesting Event.—At the Blaen-Cae- Gurwen Colliery a new drift to the lower veins has just been opened, and the workmen on Monday, to mark the event, presented Mrs O. Powell, wife of the proprietor and manager, with a handsome silver tea service."

•  From the Amman Valley Chronicle and East Carmarthen News dated 12th March 1914

"BRYNAMMAN. NEW BRIDGE. - A new bridge is in course of construction on the railway near Cwmgwaith. ..........DISPUTE.— The Ynys Amman Colliery was idle during the early part of this week, owing to a dispute."

• From The Cambrian dated 15th August 1902

"BRYNAMMAN Postal Facilities.—Through the efforts of the Quarter Bach Parish Council, the Post Office authorities have granted a second dispatch to the inhabitants of Upper Brynamman. This commenced last Monday, the 11th inst.  A mail bag is sent from Brynamman with 11.5 a.m. train. The letter-box at the Upper Brynammam Office is cleared at 10.45 a.m. The Parish Councillor are to be highly complimented. for the persevering and energetic manner in which they have brought this matter to a successful issue"

•  The Cambrian dated 8th August 1902

"BRYNAMMAN Bicycle Race.—On Friday evening a mile bicycle race for £5 was decided on the highway-road (between Old Star Inn and Garth) between John Jones (Garreg, House), Garnant, and Tom Edwards, Brynamman. Jones won by about three yards. Drum and Fife Band.—The Brynamman drum and fife band had a rehearsal at the Banwen Board Schools on Sunday evening last, when the band, under the leadership of their conductor, Mr. Tom Morgan, rendered the test piece of the Cardiff Eisteddfod, and other beautiful selections of classical music. Successful Annual Sports.—The first annual sports were held at Brynamman on Saturday last. The weather was rather showery, and to some extent the attendance was affected.........(part extraction)..... "

•  From The Cambria Daily Leader dated 21st August 1916

"BRYNAMMAN. A lecture was given at Siloam Chapel, Lower Brynamman, on Saturday evening, by the eminent composer and bardic preacher, the Rev. T. E. Nicholas, Llangybi, to an attentive and large audience. His subject was The Militant Welshman." The character meant was "Derfel," the great Welsh social revivalist and founder of the Manchester Cymrodorion Society, a poet and writer on socialist matters. The lecturer was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his discourse. Mr. Edward Phillips, Station-road, presided. The benificare of the event was Mr. John Llewelyn, Tinman's-street, who has been afflicted for upwards of two years."

•  From the Herald of Wales and Monmouthshire Recorder dated 17th July 1915

"BRYNAMMAN. Brynamman is proud of its boys who serve their country so well. There is a movement on foot to form a committee to supply tobacco, cigarettes, and other comodities to the boys in the ranks from this place."

•  From The Carmarthen Journal and South Wales Weekly Advertiser dated 30th September 1910

"BRYNAMMAN. THE LOCAL COLLIERIES.—The Ynys Amman Colliery is being rapidly developed, and at present the output per day is about 90 tons. The water which flooded some of the stalls has been pumped out, and there will be fixed shortly a new hauling engine.— The long-abandoned Rhosamman Colliery (known as "Pwll Starch") will shortly be re-opened, and the old level which leads to the pit is now being repaired.— A new drift to work the Trigloyn vein is being opened out by the owners of the Cwmteg Colliery and Corsto, and the drift is immediately above the former farm.

• From The Carmarthen Journal and South Wales Weekly Advertiser (Second Edition) dated 10th March 1916

"BRYNAMMAN ST. DAVID'S DAY.—This was celebrated by the Council School children on Wednesday morning. Songs, glees, and recitations were given by a number of scholars, and a very interesting time was spent."

•  From The Carmarthen Journal and South Wales Weekly Advertiser dated 2nd July 1915

"BRYNAMMAN Resenting particularly the present high cost of eggs, and wishing to circumvent farmers in what he termed their extortions, a Brynamman man recently bought a broody hen. He looked forward to the time when his eggs would cost him next to nothing, for, as he argued to himself, to his wife, and to all and sundry, he would be in a very short time independent of the local merchants of farm produce. Earnestly and eloquently he reasoned day after day —whilst the broody hen stuck stedfastly to her nest —that in a few weeks the chickens (as yet unhatched, bear in mind!) would grow up into fowls, each laying at least five eggs per week. Ten times five are fifty," he learnedly explained," and even after I and Maggie have had two eggs apiece per day, I will have for sale every week 22 eggs, which, at I½d. each, will bring me two shillings and ninepence! Some time after this, one of the ambitious poultry-keeper's friends, feeling in an unusually reckless mood, asked how the fowls were coming on. He did not receive a very expansive reply, and consequently pressed him. Faint o dy fowls dy sy'n dedwy? the tormentor asked.  "Drop it, man, drop it!" was the response. "Why," the tormentor continued, "didn't the eggs come down?" "Yes," was the wrathful reply, "but twelve of the beggars are cocks!" "

•  From The Carmarthen Journal and South Wales Weekly Advertiser dated 22nd July 1910

"BRYNAMMAN ANIMAL INSTINCT.—Here is a story showing the working of instinct in animals. The incident took place In Brynamman Colliery. While a horse, which the company had only a day or two previously acquired from a local farm, was drawing the coal- trams towards the bottom of a steep part of the mine. it began to quiver and snort violently, and after moving reluctantly a few steps it came to a standstill, and was unwilling to go any further. After being repeatedly goaded by the haulier, the horse gave a terrified jump, and rushed past the spot at a wild gallop in the darkness to the coal face. It was covered with sweat, and what caused the poor animal's alarm was the fact that at the spot where it stopped another horse had been killed two days previously through colliding with a runaway tram."

•  From The Carmarthen Journal and South Wales Weekly Advertiser dated 13th March 1903

"BRYNAMMAN. ST. CATHERINE'S YOUNG PEOPLES GUILD.—The members of the above held their meeting last Thursday evening, March 10th. The proceedings were opened by Mr Daniel Rees, and afterwards a paper was read by Mr William Rees, Maldwyn House, upon the " History of Brynamman." ......"

• From The Carmarthen Journal and South Wales Weekly Advertiser dated 13th December 1901

"BRYNAMMAN. LECTURE.—On Saturday evening, at the Public Hall, Dr Pan Jones delivered a lecture to a very good audience on "Our Taxes." The lecturer, in a very able manner, traced the origin of taxes through the feudal times down to the present time. T&e lecture was greatly appreciated. ACCIDENT.—On Monday evening an alarming accident took place at the Caegurwen Colliery, which nearly resulted fatally to Mr Wm Davies, Caenewydd. A stone fell from the roof, crushing the unfortunate collier beneath it. First aids were immediately rendered, and it was found that he had broken his arm and leg. COLLECTION.—Last Saturday was observed as Dr Barnado's Waif Saturday, and the children were early abroad with their collecting boxes. A total of £3 17s 11½d was collected. LIGHTING.—A meeting of the ratepayers was held on Monday evening under the presidency of Mr D W .Lewis to consider the question of lighting the town. The meeting was unanimous on the question, and a committee of seven prominent gentlemen in the locality, was appointed to carry out the work. It is more than likely that electric light will be adopted."