Cwmafan
Cwmafan
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 View across the Afan Valley |
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 Cwmafan
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| Cwmafan shown within Neath Port Talbot | |
| Population | 6,538 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | SS774922 |
| Community |
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| Principal area | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | PORT TALBOT |
| Postcode district | SA12 |
| Dialling code | 01639 |
| Police | South Wales |
| Fire | Mid and West Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament | |
| Welsh Assembly | |
Cwmafan (Welsh: Cwmafan), sometimes known as Cwmavon in English, is a large village and community in the Afan valley in Wales, lying within Neath Port Talbot County Borough. It has a population of 5,603, increasing slightly to 5,615 at the 2011 Census. In many ways it is a suburb of the nearby town of Port Talbot which is less than 2 miles (3.2 km) to the south, but it is separated from the town by the local geography. The literal translation of Cwmafan from Welsh to English is 'Valley of Raspberries', Cwm meaning valley and Afan being raspberries and the name of the river that passes through the valley.
The village is surrounded by hills, the biggest being Foel Fynyddau which stands 370 m (1200 ft) high and lies on the northern edge of the village. West of Foel Fynyddau is Mynydd-y-Gaer, the summit of which is where the community boundaries of Cwmavon, Baglan and Briton Ferry all meet. The River Afan runs through the village from North East to South West. The area of Ynysygwas lies to the east of the village, Brynbryddan to the West and Pwllyglaw to the North.
The village has an industrial history with metalworking being particularly significant. There were large copper, iron and tin works as well as many coal mines close by. The metal ores, from as far away as Chile, were off-loaded in Port Talbot or Swansea docks and brought by rail to Cwmafan.
One notable event in the history of the town was in 1985 when the Ynys-y-Gwas bridge suddenly collapsed, cutting off water supply to the residents. A resident of Maesteg, Paul Barry, was fortunate enough to escape unharmed from the incident, despite being on the bridge when it collapsed.
The village is also home to several sporting grounds, the most prominent of these being the Welfare Ground, home to Cwmavon RFC who are currently playing in the Welsh Rugby Union leagues. A second rugby union pitch along with a football pitch, tennis courts and bowling green are located at " Parc Siencyn Powell" (Formerly named Parc-y-Llyn), which is administered by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council.
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Wikipedia