Nant Ffrwdwyllt facts for kids
Nant Ffrwdwyllt (sometimes known as Nant Cwm Farteg) is a stream that flows through the Cwm Dyffryn valley in Neath Port Talbot, Wales. It starts near the village of Bryn and travels through Goytre and the Taibach area of Port Talbot, eventually reaching the sea at Port Talbot Docks.
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What's in a Name? The Wild Brook
The name Nant Ffrwdwyllt comes from the English words "wild brook." This name fits perfectly because the stream can grow very quickly after heavy rain! Imagine a small stream suddenly turning into a rushing river. This happens because the stream is about 9 kilometers (about 5.6 miles) long and flows down steep hills. These hills quickly channel the rain, especially the heavy downpours that come from the Atlantic.
A Stream with a History
Nant Ffrwdwyllt wasn't always flowing where it does today. It used to be a smaller stream that fed into the River Afan. However, in the 1700s, people needed a lot of water for the growing ironworks in what would become Port Talbot. So, they changed the stream's path, or diverted it, to provide water for these important industries. This shows how people have shaped the landscape to meet their needs over time.
Old Mills and Industrial Past
Long ago, a mill stood on the Ffrwdwyllt stream near Goytre. This mill was connected to a large farm called Hafod-y-porth, which belonged to a group of monks from Margam Abbey. These monks were part of a special religious order called the Cistercians.
The valley where the stream flows also has a history of coal mining. You can still see some remains from these old industrial times along the banks of the stream. These are like clues from the past, showing where people used to dig for coal.
Streets Named After the Stream
The stream is so important to the area that several streets have been named after it. One example is Ffrwdwyllt Street in Taibach. The stream runs very close to this street, near places like St Theodore's Church and the Talbot Memorial Park. This shows how the stream is a key part of the local community's identity and history.
