Pontyberem Area

Pontyberem is a village situated in the Gwendraeth Valley halfway between Carmarthen and Llanelli in Carmarthenshire, West Wales.

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History

The village grew during the late 19th century and early 20th century with the growth of the coal mining industry in the area. There were four principal mines in the Pontyberem Area; Pontyberem colliery which was opened in 1845, Pentremawr (1889-c1974), Glynhebog(1892-1949) and Gwendraeth colliery (Watney pit). It was in the Gwendraeth colliery (Watney pit)in 1852 that a terrible disaster took place : 26 men and boys died when water flooded the mine killing all the miners on the night shift. It is said that it took 18 months to recover the bodies .^[1] Due to the demise of the coal industry in the South Wales Coalfield, there are now no high quality anthracite coal mines operating in the Gwendraeth Valley.

The renowned Pontyberem safety lamps were made by John Jones (1879-1976) who worked as Colliery Chief Mechanic at Pentremawr Colliery.^[2]

The name Pontyberem originates from three separate Welsh language words, pont meaning bridge, aber meaning mouth of a river (into the sea), estuary, confluence of a lesser with a larger river and Beran after Nant Beran the river that flows through Pontyberem .^[3]

‘Although not immediately obvious the element aber once formed part of this place name and referred to the location of the pont (bridge) over the river Gwendraeth Fawr just below its confluence with Nant Beran. It was probably lost through the contraction of aber and the river name Beran. The -a- of aber was then interpreted as the definite article y and Beran was probably influenced by berem, a variant of burum (yeast).’

Local people understand the name Pontyberem to originate from a simple combination of words. The ‘Berem’ refers to the frothy buildup (like yeast) on the surface of the water of the Nant Beran, especially near the bridge (Pont) over the Gwendraeth Fawr.

Welsh Language

The Welsh language is a very important element in the daily life of the people of Pontyberem. In 1991 Pontyberem was recorded as having, with Cwarter Bach, the highest levels of Welsh speakers in Carmarthenshire. ^[4] According to the 2001 Census, 81.28% (1961:91% :1991:80.5%) of the population have one or more skills in Welsh with 60.83% able to speak, read and write it.^[5] In a survey conducted by Mori for Carmarthenshire County Council in 2000 people were asked how well they spoke Welsh. In the Gwendraeth valley 47% said very well, 17% said fairly well , 10% said not very well with 25% saying not at all.^[6] Menter Cwm Gwendraeth, the first community Welsh language initiative is based at Pontyberem. Menter Cwm Gwendraeth started in 1991 following the successful Urdd Gobaith Cymru National Eisteddfod held in the Gwendraeth Valley.

Both primary schools in Pontyberem, Pontyberem Primary School and Bancffosfelen Primary School , are Category A schools where the majority of the curriculum is taught through the medium of Welsh.

Schools

Ysgol Gynradd Pontyberem / Pontyberem Primary School

Ysgol Gynradd Bancffosfelen / Bancffosfelen Primary School

Sport

• Rugby union – Pontyberem Rugby Football Club : 28 Pontyberem Recreational Park, Heol Y Parc, Pontyberem
• Football (soccer) – Bancffosfelen A.F.C. : 28 Pontyberem Recreational Park, Heol Y Parc, Pontyberem
• Cricket – Pontyberem C.C.

Notable people

• Arthur Daniels – Wales and Great Britain rugby league international
• Victor Bach – Widnes rugby league player
• John Jones – Maker of Pontyberem Miner’s Lamp
• Dorothy Squires Singer
• Gwenda Owen Singer
• David Davies (Dai Cantwr) Leader of Glamorgan Rebeccaites
• Lewis Thomas (1877-1955) Pioneer of the art of Cerdd Dant (Singing to harp accompaniment)
• Ieuan Rees World renowned lettering designer and artist
• John Jones (Shoni Sguborfawr), (1811-1858) Demolished the tollgates at Pontyberem during the Rebecca Riots
• Nigel Owens – International rugby union referee