The Farmers Arms

Picture displayed with permission of Mrs D. Murphy-Williams (owner), on 30/4/2006.

The Old Farmers was built in 1823 and was the first Public House in the locality. The first philanthropic society in the locality, which became known simply as "Yr Hen Glwb" (The Old Club), was formed here on the 5th of May, 1824. In either 1836 or 1837, on the 25th of August, the Ivorites Society was established here. This society later moved to the New Farmers. The Old Farmers, was rebuilt in 1894 and was renamed the "Brynamman Hotel". The sign with the new name was put up on the 12th September 1895.

Picture displayed with permission of Clive Llewellyn, Steward, on 25/3/2006.

In 1840, the New Farmers was built only a few hundred yards from the Old Farmers. It was only the third building in the area with a slate roof. Baptist meetings were held in the club room of the new Farmers Arms, the minister being Mr Edwards; the Baptist minister from Pontardawe. The Baptisms were carried out in the river near the bridge. A Baptist chapel was built in 1870.

The New Farmers is now known as Brynamman Rugby Club.

An 1883 map of Brynamman, shows "The Farmers" public house at the location of the "New Farmers". There is no mention on the map of the "Old Farmers" or any public house at that location. This suggests that the inquest into the death of David Roberts and Edward Morgan took place at what is now the Brynamman Rugby Club.

A local tourism leaflet tells us that Margaret Rees; a landlady of the Raven Inn, at Garnant, was born at The Farmers Arms and met the author, George Borrow. He wrote a travelogue titled "Wild Wales" and his stay at the Farmers is recorded in the chapter titled "Inn at Gwter Vawr".

Much of the above information was taken from "Hanes Brynamman", by Enoch Rees.