Brynmawr
| Brynmawr | |
|---|---|
 Brynmawr
|
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| Brynmawr shown within Blaenau Gwent | |
| Population | 5,530 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | SO185115 |
| Principal area | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | EBBW VALE |
| Postcode district | NP23 |
| Dialling code | 01495 |
| Police | Gwent |
| Fire | South Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament | |
Brynmawr (pronounced /brɪnˈmaʊər/ brin-MOWR, Welsh: [brɨnˈmaur], sometimes hyphenated to Bryn-mawr, from Welsh Brynmawr, meaning 'big hill') is a market town and electoral ward in Blaenau Gwent, South Wales. The town, sometimes cited as the highest town in Wales, is situated at 1,250 to 1,500 feet (380 to 460 m) above sea level at the head of the South Wales Valleys. It grew with the development of the coal mining and iron industries in the early 19th century. Until the reorganisation of local authorities in 1974, Brynmawr sat within the county of Brecknockshire.
Prior to the Industrial Revolution Brynmawr was a small village settlement called Gwaun Helygen (Cors Helygen in Modern Welsh, meaning "marsh of the willow" in English), and lay in the former county of Brecknockshire. With the expansion of the Nantyglo Ironworks housing was required for the workers and Brynmawr turned into a prosperous town. Although coal mining has virtually ceased, a large mining museum has been established at Big Pit in nearby Blaenavon.
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