Brynmawr

Brynmawr (pronounced /brɪnˈmaʊər/ brin-mowr, Welsh: [brɨnˈmaur], sometimes hyphenated to Bryn-mawr, from Welsh: Brynmawr meaning "big hill") is a market town in Blaenau Gwent, south Wales. The town, sometimes cited as the highest town in Wales, is situated at 1,250 to 1,500 feet above sea level and nestled at the head of the South Wales Valleys. It grew during the arrival of the coal mining and iron industries in the early 19th century. It was originally a small village settlement called Gwaen Helygen, and lay in the former county of Brecknockshire. With the expansion of the Nantyglo (meaning stream of coal) Ironworks housing was required for the workers and Brynmawr turned into a prosperous town. Although coal mining has declined, a...