Brynmawr (Big Hill) - originally known as Gwaen Helygen (Marsh of the Willow) was a mere village in 1800.
A lot of changes have taken place since those days - steeped in history, with its surrounding valley towns sharing its historical past.
It is the highest town in Wales, approximately 1350 feet above sea level - unless anyone wishes to challenge that fact?!
Brynmawr nestles on high above its neighbouring towns of Beaufort and Ebbw Vale; Nantyglo and Blaina; Blaenavon and Llanelly Hill and of course, the Clydach Gorge.
It has a population of around five and a half thousand people and retains a wonderful community spirit, with its own identity and traditions.
This is a market town, although sadly the traditional market feature has diminished over the years.
The Market Square is the focal point of the town, and on it stands the Market Hall Cinema.
It proudly presents first release films, and joins many bigger Welsh towns for this prestigious service.
The trading community still offers traditional, family shops offering a friendly and personal service.
There is a new development underway on the former Dunlop Semtex site which promises the town new houses and an out of town retail and leisure facility.
The town itself has much to offer in the way of historical interest and culture with the newly opened Brynmawr and District Museum.
This project was devised and is run entirely by volunteers and is well supported and highly respected in the town.
In fact Brynmawr Museum houses work from world renowned artists such as Mac Adams (originally from Brynmawr) and Andrew Vicari (rated 15th in the 100 Welsh Heroes).
Brynmawr has a very well established Historical Society; Amateur Operatic Society and an excellent Art and Crafts Society - as well as a Library, Community Education Centre and an Information Technology centre.
Brynmawr Town Centre Partnership is a voluntary Organisation run by the community - for the community, and is held in great esteem.
This organisation is responsible for raising the profile of the town as well as its people, and has made such a difference to what has been known as a 'socially deprived' area.
Christmas lights have been restored in the town; traditional events take place throughout the year and all this is funded by the community.
Brynmawr has its very own Brynmawr Newsletter and website - www.brynmawrscene.net. You can find out all there is to know about Brynmawr here- or it isn't worth knowing!!
Brynmawr - the Welsh valley town that oozes 'Welshness', friendliness and a reigning community spirit.
You ought to try it some time - and you will find out for yourself!!
Sue Ball is editor of www.brynmawrscene.co.uk
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your comments
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Taylor James, Brynmawr
I love Brynmawr I think it's just the country side that makes it peacefull and exciting, come and visit it's great!!!!!!!!!!!
Peter Clough County Durham
I worked at NMC based at the old Dunlop Semtex site in Brynmawr. I found that the people of this area were very approacable and friendly and a credit to Wales.
Dan
I've lived in brynmawr nearly all my life and I'm currently moving to Preston Lancs, My grandmother has owned the cafe on the square for somwhere in the region of 27 years, and mel mentioned deakins fair which is still to this day owned by my family.
MIKE EVANS -PLYMOUTH
I miss the picturesque solitude of the Hafod and always have a yearning in my heart for my birthplace BRYNMAWR!!!
Mat Rees - wherever the marines want me
No matter how many places I've seen, I always enjoy returning home to Brynawr. Out in Norway at the moment and its horrid out here. I've been around and seen some places in the uk and nowhere comes close to the tranquility and mix of excitment Brynmawr has to offer. Being an adventure man myself it has every aspect of a healthy motivated lifestyle, from hill walking climbing , caving (Brynmawr has a great caving club )- anything u can put your imagination to for the outdoors. Brynmawr also offers a great social life close to the locals with good pubs and if you ever need a clubbers envirnoment, Cardiff and Newport are within commuting distance. I'm moving away now for a good while, but I'm definitely moving back to my home when I'm done with the world.
ian harding, swansea
moved to swansea 3 years ago and no offence to brynmawr i wouldnt want to come back in a million years, sorry mawr
Jack Holland from Brynmawr
i live in brynmawr cooooooooool
Jane Beacham (nee Williams) in South Africa
I left Brynmawr 21 years ago, and since opening the web site I have taken a trip down memory lane, and the first person I saw was Susan Randell (her maiden name) and I had to say that I have has lots of good memories of home and all my family still live in Brynmawr.
mel morgan from Preston, Lancs
I remember Brynmawr of 50-60yrs ago - Whitson school walks, Deakins fair by the Buffs,1947 snow, 5 o' clock paper train where I picked up my Echos as a paper boy, summer evening walks down the valley dram road, Saturday market shopping with mam to help carry bags home, and the endless days of playing over Ben Wards fields, playing rugby for your school team, afternoon matinee films when everybody came out as Roy Rogers. Yes I remember Brynmawr then, what wonderful memories. and let us hope Brynmawr local shopkeepers will still prosper in spite of stiff competition. God Bless you Brynmawr and all the folks. Melxxx EX pat.
egg box
why do teenagers gather on the square and generally make nuisances of themselves?
Naomi Bridgeman
I am 12 years old and i have heard of someone who has exactly the same name as me. I would like to know more about.......well...............me!!!!!!!...................I guess!
I would be very interested to know if there was someone called Naomi Ruth Bridgeman. That would be soooo cool!!!!!!!
I would like to know a.How old is she
b. does she have any pets c. is there any way I can contact her. Happy halloween and xmas and any other celebrations coming soon to a cinema near u.
Lots a luv
Nim xxxxxxxxxxxx
P.S My friend (Ebony Evans) typed this for me and she is a bit of a nutter
p.p.s. please can you display this so all my friends and family can read it and be proud of me and my mate
Cheers
Penman33
At the present time I believe that Brynmawr has a wonderful community spirit. To go shopping is an experience not to missed where one has the opportunity to meet and converse with friends.
My concern is that with the advent of superstores will we perhaps lose this pleasurable experience with the inevitable closure of customer friendly shops.
Katie (14)
Brynmawr is the best place to live in the world - miss it so much coz I now live in Scotland.
Naomi Bridgeman from Gainsborough, Lincs
Hi Sue - I'm your ex-patient from the opticians. I am Clive Bridgeman's granddaughter. I would like to find out some more on my family.
thomas age 7
its a great place to live i would not want to live anywhere else
clare brynmawr
life in brynmawr has improved but i feel this is mainly directed towards the older generations. what about the younger children and teenagers? if you want to get the kids off the street at night, give them something to do, something they can take pride in and be proud of. the snooker institute is great for young boys but that is not for everyone and certainly not for the young ladies. maybe its time that Brynmawr thought about the youngsters for a change.
Andrew
The centre still needs alot of funding to improve the town, also needs a good clean up as there is loads of rubbish everywhere.
Cymro
The rubbish needs clearing up. I vistited in February and it was disgusting.
Meg from Colchester
I am 12 and I love Wales I was born and raised there but had to move from Gilwern then I moved back to Brynmawr and I love the life there.
SCORPIO
Brynmawr will continue to grow as a town until the day when we will be the biggest town in South Wales.
Yours ever
Colin Bridgeman, Hampshire
Home is where the heart is and that's Brynmawr and Blaina. I now live in Hampshire and have done so for some 27 yrs. I left the valleys in 1966, joined the army and you might say saw the world, well some of it anyway. But I always enjoy coming home to Wales and taking a walk around Brynmawr. I am really looking forward to the 4th Dec when BBC Radio Wales will be in the area and doing a special on Look Up Your Genes. I have traced my family line back from Blaina to around 1690 in Thatcham, Berkshire, which believe it or not is now only five miles from where I now live. From Thatcham the Bridgeman family spread their wings and went to Frome in Somerset and then on to Australia and then onto Pontypool and Blaina. So next week I will be travelling through Thatcham to Brynmawr in a matter of 2 hours, unlike my ancestors who took years to find their way to the valleys. Anyone interested in the Bridgeman family name can contact me on colinbridgeman@aol.com
Lena Halliday (Thomas) - Australia
I was home this year - the spirit is still the same as when I left it as a 17 year old. I MISS YOU BRYNMAWR XXXXX
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