Carmarthenshire Antiquarian Society
Cymdeithas Hynafiaethol Sir Gaerfyrddin
Events in Summer 2006
July: Chairman's Evening, Ammanford
The July meeting was the Chairman's Evening when
Roy Davies led a large group of members and some friends around
the town in which he had been brought up - Ammanford.
On a warm summer evening he used buildings such
as the original Co-op Stores and the White House to describe,
vividly and with the enthusiasm of an academic, the social history
and geography which led to the development of the town. The anthracite
seams at the western edge of the coalfield were the last to be
developed at the end of the 19th century, when the market for
modern domestic heating began to grow.
Poverty in the agricultural hinterland ensured
labour for the many small drift mines, the small holdings on the
hills to the east being populated by Welsh speakers who have passed
the language down to a large proportion of the present inhabitants.
The influence of trade unions was greatly increased as a result
of the 1935 strike at the James Bus Company, one of many started
after WW1. Unease after the strike led to the formation of the
Working Men's Institute, which, together with the magnificent
park, has shaped the town's development as a strongly working
class community with the Co-op Stores as the main retail outlet
owned by its customers.
A visit to the grave of Jim Griffiths, M. P.
for Llanelli, in the Christian Temple cemetery, and to the White
House, the base for much radical thinking in the early 20th century,
led to a discussion on the political importance of the area. This
absorbing evening concluded with a visit to the Mining Heritage
Centre where the displays reinforced the impression that the prosperity
coal had brought was not won without sacrifice.
When space allows, prospective new members are
welcome to attend events. Membership runs from January 1st.
Contact Programme Secretary John Saunders on ronaldaroo@btinternet.com
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