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Glynneath (Welsh: Glyn-nedd "valley of the River Neath"[2]), also spelt Glyn Neath, is a small town, community and electoral ward lying on the River Neath in the county borough of Neath Port Talbot, Wales. It was formerly in the historic county of Glamorgan. Glynneath ward covers only part of the community, with some 840 electors included in the neighbouring ward of Blaengwrach.

Glynneath Welsh: Glyn-nedd
Glynneath Town Hall
Glynneath Location within Neath Port Talbot
Population	4,278 (2011)[1]
OS grid reference	SN885067
Community	Glynneath
Principal area	Neath Port Talbot
Ceremonial county	West Glamorgan
Country	Wales
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	NEATH
Postcode district	SA11
Dialling code	01639
Police	South Wales
Fire	Mid and West Wales
Ambulance	Welsh
UK Parliament	Neath
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament	Neath
List of places UK Wales Neath Port Talbot 51.747°N 3.617°W / 51.747; -3.617

Industrialisation reached Glynneath when coal mining started in 1793, and rapidly expanded when the Neath Canal came to the village in 1775. Many features of the old canal still survive to the present time.[3]

There are waterfalls to the north east at Pontneddfechan near the Brecon Beacons and large parts of the rural area are heavily forested.

Notable buildings

Glynneath is home to the ruins of Aberpergwm House. Once owned by Rhys ap Siancyn, Aberpergwm House became the home of the Williams family, Welsh gentry with a strong tradition of using the Welsh language over English. Their descendants include the last of the Welsh household bards Dafydd Nicolas and folksong collector Maria Jane Williams. The Williams' family motto y ddioddefws y orfu (He who suffers, triumphs) was adopted by Glamorgan County Council. The mansion itself was remodelled in 1876 but is now derelict and little of note remains of the building.

St. Cadoc's Church, in the grounds of Aberpergwm House, was built as a chapel in the 17th century, rebuilt in 1808-1809 for the Aberpergwm Williams family and extended in 1836–41. It is a Grade II* listed building.[4]

Rheola House, a Regency house designed c.1812 by the eminent architect John Nash, is also Grade II* listed.[5]

Sports and leisure

Glynneath used to host one of motor sport's most important challenges, the British round of the World Rally Championship (formerly known as the Lombard RAC rally or Rally GB). Some of the biggest names in motor sport have taken part and have failed to complete the British round.

Glynneath also has an association with downhill mountain biking with the Welsh National Championships being held at Rheola.

Glynneath is home to Glynneath RFC, a rugby union club founded in 1889.

Notable residents

• The Anchoress, musician, was born in the town.
• Max Boyce, comedian and singer, closely linked to Welsh rugby culture.
• Julie Gardner, television producer, responsible for the successful relaunch of Doctor Who.
• Leslie Hardman, British Army chaplain and rabbi, who was among the liberators of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, was born in the town.
• Ruth Madoc, actress, best known for her role as Gladys Pugh in the television sitcom Hi-De-Hi!
• Siwan Morris, actress, who has appeared in the television series Belonging, Caerdydd, and Skins.
• Glyn Prosser; Glynneath RFC, Neath RFC, Wales rugby union & Huddersfield RLFC rugby league footballer.
• January Rees, Wales women's rugby union player, comedian[6][7]
• Emlyn Walters, Bradford Northern and Wales rugby league footballer.

Twin Town

Glynneath is twinned with:

• Pont-Évêque, France, since 1993

The town twinning supports football matches between the two towns, and a visit by Glynneath Male Voice Choir.

External links

• Glynneath information
• www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Glynneath and surrounding area

References

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