Brechfa Forest
The Brechfa Forest is an area of forest in Carmarthenshire, which was once part of the vast Glyn Cothi Forest. It is managed by the Forestry Commission.
Brechfa Forest is the relatively modern name for this part of the ancient Glyn Cothi Forest. From before records began in the 6th century the communities in the 15 villages which encircle Glyn Cothi Forest were managing it to provide employment, building materials, products, and grazing. At various times the forest has been the refuge of Welsh Princes fighting the Norman Invasion, a Royal Hunting Forest, and for two centuries was the 'Texas' of Wales, producing large quantities of oil for lamps and was a major supplier of timber for the trenches and explosives during the First World War.
Modern history
The Forestry Commission was established to increase timber production during World War One taking control of woodland which was no longer productive. Like the New Forest and the Forest of Dean, the Glyn Cothi Forest was still being actively managed by the local community at this point and was a major supplier of timber for the trenches, as well as oil and explosives.
During the depression in the 1930s the government purchased land which had been part of the original Glyn Cothi Forest but had been converted to agriculture. Much of the planting work to create conifer plantations and construction of forest roads was carried out by young unemployed men from a Ministry of Labour work camp. Many came from the distressed coal mining communities, and were recruited for training in one of a number of Instructional Centres created by the Ministry, most of which were on Forestry Commission property; by 1938, the Ministry had 38 Instructional Centres across Britain. The hutted camp in Brechfa was later used to house Basque children who were refugees from the Spanish Civil War.
Management and maintenance of the forest continued to be a major source of employment for local residents until the 1980s when Forestry Commission policies changed to increased mechanisation and subcontracting of work. Carmarthenshire County Council then started regeneration projects to develop Brechfa Forest and the adjoining Llanllwni Mountain as tourist attractions and for recreation.
Land use today
Brechfa Forest provides open access space for walkers, horse riders and cyclists. Tourism is the second largest source of employment in the villages surrounding the forest. It has become one of Wales' prime destinations for mountain bikers, and is home to several trails designed specifically for mountain biking, and a mountain biking centre.
The area is now a pilot area on supporting the development of a strong sustainable local economy through supporting the communities to take the lead in the development of the area.
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Brechfa) |
- Forestry Commission: Brechfa Forest
- Brechfa Village. Provides information and history relating to the South West Wales village of Brechfa and the local area. Information is also given on people for whom Brechfa has been the birthplace of, home to, or a place to stay a while.
- South Western Region of the Cambrian Mountains. Provides information on how the communities encircling Brechfa Forest are being supported by the Welsh Government to develop the local economy linked to developing Brechfa Forest as a tourist attraction.
- Provides information on local holiday accommodation.
- Provides information on man made and natural heritage of the area, waymarking information, and businesses in the 15 villages which surround Brechfa Forest and Llanllwni Mountain to help people plan days out in the forest and mountain
References
Field, J. Learning Through Labour: Training, unemployment and the state, 1890-1939, University of Leeds, 1992, ISBN 0-900960-48-5
- Location map: 51°59’24"N, 4°8’24"W