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Glanamman
Glanamman maps
Historic maps of Glanamman and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Glanamman maps
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Memories of Glanamman
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Capel Bryn Seion, Glanamman
My name is David Jones, and I remember this street well - opposite & to the right (out of pic) was the local dairyman, who used to deliver milk from the back of a dog-cart..
Further behind the Capel was the Workmans & Mechanics Institute (just see the side in pic)
Grandfather's name was 'Evan Nathaniel Jones', an ex miner from Gelliceidrim Drift mine, (to the left of the front of the Capel) as well as an ex farmer in 'Llwyncelyn Farm', Heol Grenig.
Miners coming off shift would squat/sit down in front of the gates, waiting for the James (?)bus to take them to Bettws and Ammanford, smoking and talking.
Peaceful and quiet in those days, as the Forest in the distance was where my G/father would take me shooting for pigeons. He was an avid collector of foxes in his day, and would nail up the fox pelt on his barn door to dry, as there was a shilling paid for every 'Brush' - but some dealers wanted... Read more
Ice Cream Shop
The shop on the left - with the awning down - was known as 'Capanini's' (spelling?) and obviously Italian. They sold the most wonderful ice-ceams, sodas and coffees as well as tea. I remember the daughter there - her name was Bella, and she was a fiery one too, older than me, and by all accounts, typically Italian (as in temper..). Last heard of in Florida somewhere - if info was correct - as family had all died and she was the owner of the shop and the house next door. Opposite, and further up, was the Billiards and Snooker Hall - which in my day had the local barber in there as well - so you could play a game of either, while waiting your turn to have your haircut or shave - or both..
Lots of worries in those days about Polio, and it was suggested that ice cream was a carrier - hence big slump in sales...but I always had several when I was there on... Read more
Penybont Farm, Llwynon,Glanamman
My great grandparents Thomas Thomas and his wife Eleonor Thomas lived in the area. They had about 10 children and I'm hoping that someone from the Thomas family still lives in the area. My grandfather, also called Thomas Thomas married Elizabeth Jane Evans. She was the daughter of the blacksmith James Evans from Pontamman. They worshipped at Bethania Chapel. Iam trying to research my 'roots'.
Does anyone have information?
Diolch yn fawr. Lizzie Potts(nee Thomas)
Glanaman Square
Further to previous postings this photograph is of Glanaman square taken from near the front of Bryn Seion chapel where the pelican crossing is now. The first shop, with awning, is now the chemists - then ran by Hubert Jones. The middle shop is Waterloo House, grocers, then ran by my grandfather Arthur Jenkins. It is now Martin Jones the Butcher. The third shop was Fuller the ironmonger and the next was shop Gwen (then a chippie I believe) but now shop y pentre. I was raised there so there is no doubt. In the distance, to the right of the photo you can see the gable end of the Co-op.
The Square (sgwar)
My brother and I were born in 1931, the only twins in the village at that time (Elwyn and Eifion Goss). Bryn Seion was always in our sight whenever we went to the shops on the square. The first stop was to the Co-op which was situated obout 50 yards to the right of the chapel. In between the chapel and the Co-op was the bank which was housed in the front room of Rock House where the Jones family lived. In the house lived my very best friend Tegwyn Jones. I spent countless happy days at Rock House playing with Tegwyn. Against warnings not to, we played in the bank and often set off the alarms which were activated by push buttons under the counter. We often went to the bakery, to the left of the chapel, where we bought a baker's dozen cakes. As a reward I was given the extra cake.
Sunday was the time after Sunday School when we all met in Carpninis for coffee and... Read more
Capel 'Dadcu'
I recently found a photograph of this chapel among some old family photos and have only today discovered its identity. For many years we were told as children that our grandfather John Davies (also known as Dadcu Ffynnon Lwyd) had been the master craftsman who did the interior wood work of a chapel in the Glanamman/ Brynamman area. The photograph has prompted me to investigate further as to whether this is 'Capel Dadcu'. He lived in Brynmargam Glanamman in 1913 and was a student at the School of Architecture (although I don't know where that was). I have discovered that the chapel was built in 1909 -1910, that the organ pipes were added in 1911, and that the builder was a William Evans from Ammanford;also that it was designed by Henry Herbert of Ammanford. It's a bit of a long shot, but I wonder if there are any records somewhere of other persons who may have worked on the interior - and whether my grandfather may be listed among them.... Read more
Are You Sure?
I believe this photo is not of the square. I think this photo is further up, maybe the old co-op? I have being doing a lot of family research on my ancestors from the area which is why I think that this is not the square. My great grandfather used to own the bakery, and my great great grandfather built the building next door to the bakery that later on was owned by the Carpanini family. There is only 1 first floor window on the Carpanini buliding.
Just an observation, but I think I'm right.
Doctors House And Surgery. (?)
This was where the Doctor moved to (I think) from High Street, Glanamman.
Opposite this house was 'Show Sam', a picture house (cinema these days..). I spent time in there watching films from all over the world - and the newsreels as well...
Further on - is where I would play and try to catch fish, in the river...near to the small marshalling yards, where the coal would be loaded, from several drift mines in the area.
Fascinating place for a small boy...
Posted: April 7th 2008 by David Jones.
