Why Pelenna?

The Pelenna Valley consists of two very distinct communities - the first being Tonmawr and the second Pontrhydyfen.

The two became known as Pelenna in the 1970's after a boundry commission recommended that Baglan Higher Detached(Tonmawr) parish council and Michaelstone Higher (Pontrhydyfen and Efail Fach) parish council amalgamate and form a new parish council.
Locals were given the opportunity to think of a new name that was acceptable to both communities.

At this time both communities were divided by the River Pelenna, which acted as a natural boundry and it was Alderman Gwillym Morgan's recommendation that 'Pelenna' should be the new name.


What is Pelenna?

'Pelenna' is the name of the river which flows for some 7 miles through both Tonmawr and Pontrhydyfen before flowing into the River Afan.

What does Pelenna mean?

The name Pelenna or Plena means 'Abundance', probably because of the abundance of wildlife in its valley at one time.