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From later press reports, it seems that there was by no means unanimity in the selection of the new name. Several public meetings followed and eventually it was decided to refer the choice of a new name to a group of prominent local dignitaries.
On 20 November, the nominated committee met at the Ivorites Hall (on Hall Street, which took its name from this building). After a long discussion it was proposed by Mr. A. A. Morris of Wernolau, and seconded by Mr. W. Jones of the Cross Inn Hotel, that from this time forth, the village should be known as Ammanford. The proposal was accepted unanimously, there being no other name before the meeting. After the vote was taken, the chairman of the meeting, Watkin Hezekiah Williams (Watcyn Wyn), a local schoolmaster, could not resist announcing that 'Cross Inn' had finally been 'crossed out'.
[edit] Tragic events
A high profile killing took place in Ammanford on 12 August 1991. 15-year-old Simon McBride drowned his sister Rebecca (aged six) in a local pond, where she was found the next day. He was found guilty of her manslaughter at Swansea Crown Court on 24 March 1992 and sentenced to be detained for life. [1] In January 1997, McBride, who was by now 20 years old and still in custody, caused outrage by urging members of the public to send him information about the Aberfan disaster of 1966, which he was researching. His father, however, urged members of the public not to feed his son's "obsession" with killing. [2]
[edit] Twentieth Century
Ammanford was an important location as the 1904-1905 Welsh Revival unfolded.
The Ammanford Anthracite Strike was a riot at Ammanford in 1925 during a strike by anthracite miners who took control of the town by force and violence for 10 days. 200 Glamorgan police were ambushed by strikers at Pontamman Bridge during the so-called 'Battle of Ammanford'.[1]
There have also been other high profile killings in Ammanford in the last year - 2 in the community of Pantyffynnon
Ammanford hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1922 and 1970.
[edit] Recent developments
On July 4, 2002, Ammanford was granted Fairtrade Town status. This status was renewed by the Fairtrade Foundation on December 27, 2003.
The Old Lloyds Bank situated on the main square in Ammanford has been converted into an Education Centre that the Amman Valley Enterprise now own.
[edit] Famous people from Ammanford
[edit] Famous bands from Ammanford
A motorcycle speedway long track meeting, one of the few held in the UK, was staged at Ammanford.
[edit] References
- , Ammanford Anthracite Strike 1925 Mal Davies
[edit] External links
[edit] References
(Source: Wikipedia) |