Roedd cyflwyniad Cynllun Cymunedol y Gwendraeth (2004 -2020) yn nodi:
Mae ceisio adnabod calon Cwm Gwendraeth yn dasg anodd gan ein bod yn un stribyn o bentrefi ôl-ddiwydiannol, ôl-lofaol. Serch hynny, mae curiad calon y gymuned fywiog hon yn un cryf ac yn becso’n fawr am ei dyfodol. Mae cwm Y Gwendraeth Fawr yn gyfuniad unigryw, sy’n cadw nodweddion cloddfeydd glo-caled ei orffenol. Efallai nad oes calon weladwy amlwg, ond mae gennym oll amcan cyffredin i ddatblygu ein cymunedau er gwell.
Er nad yw hon yn gymuned wledig, nid yw yn un drefol chwaith – mae nodweddion yr ardal wedi eu ffurfio gan gymysgedd o bentrefi ffermio a phentrefi glofaol gwasgaredig. Mae wedi dioddef yn sgȋl problemau economaidd a chymdeithasol garw yn dilyn dirywiad cyflym y diwydiant glo. Ymysg y problemau amlwg mae incwm isel, problemau iechyd, pobl ifanc yn allfudo, diffyg sgiliau gwaith allweddol a phoblogaeth sy’n heneiddio.
Pan gynhaliwyd cyfrifiad 1991, roedd poblogaeth ward Gorslas yn 3424. Erbyn 2016, amcangyfrifwyd bod y boblogaeth yn 4359 (ystadegau y Swyddfa Ystadegau Cenedlaethol). Mae hynny’n dangos twf o 27.31%, sydd yn gyfystyr â chynnydd blynyddol o 37 person y flwyddyn dros gyfnod o 25 mlynedd.
Amcangyfrif Cyngor Sir Gaerfyrddin o boblogaeth ward Gorslas fesul carfan oedran yn 2017:
- 0 – 14 mlwydd oed = 703 (15.7%)
- 15 – 44 mlwydd oed = 1442 (32.2%)
- 45 – 74 mlwydd oed = 1862 (41.6%)
- 75+ = 468 (10.5%)
Mae pwysigrwydd diwylliannol crefydd, addysg a chwaraeon yn cael eu hamlygu yn yr arwyddlun a ddefnyddir gan Gyngor Cymuned Gorslas sy’n cynnwys delweddau o Eglwys Sant Lleian, llyfr agored ac ysgrifbin, a phêl rygbi.
The introduction to the Gwendraeth Community Plan (2004-2020) states that:
The heart of Cwm Gwendraeth is difficult to pin point as we are mainly a string of post-industrial, post mining villages. But the heart beat is strong in this vibrant community, who care greatly about its future. The valley of the Gwendraeth Fawr is a unique combination, which still retains the features of its anthracite mining past. There may be no obvious heart but we all have a common goal to develop our communities to be the best.
Although this is not a rural community neither is it urban – the area’s character is generated by a mix of farming and scattered ex-mining villages. It has suffered from severe economic and social problems following the rapid deterioration of the coal industry. These include low income, health problems, outward migration of young people, skills weaknesses and an ageing population.
The combined population of the two valleys is almost 30,000 and the population of Gorslas itself was 3424 at the time of the 1991 census. Carmarthenshire has the largest number of Welsh speakers in Wales with 76.04% of the population in Gorslas being Welsh speaking.
When the 1991 census was held, the population of Gorslas Ward was 3424. By 2016, there was an estimated population of 4359. (ONS statistics). That shows an increase of 27.31%, equating to an annual increase of 37 people over a period of 25 years.
Carmarthenshire County Council’s estimation of the population of Gorslas Ward by age category in 2017 were:
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- 0 – 14 = 703 (15.7%)
- 15 – 44 = 1442 (32.2%)
- 45 – 74 = 1862 (41.6%)
- 75+ = 468 (10.5%)
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The cultural importance of religion, education and sport is demonstrated by the emblem or logo used by Gorslas Community Council which includes images of St Lleian’s Church, an open book with a pen, and a rugby ball.
Y Gymraeg:
Pan grewyd opera sebon Gymraeg y BBC Pobl y Cwm yn 1974, gosodwyd pentref ffuglennol Cwmderi yng nghanol ardal Cwm Gwendraeth gan adlewyrchu beth oedd natur ieithyddol yr ardal ar y pryd gyda 75%+ o’r boblogaeth yn siaradwyr Cymraeg naturiol. Fodd bynnag, mae’n deg awgrymu bod patrymau mewnfudo ac allfudo ynghyd â’r ffactorau economaidd a chymdeithasol a nodwyd uchod wedi cael effaith sylweddol ar sefyllfa’r iaith Gymraeg yn yr ardal ers hynny.
Yn 1991, Sir Gâr oedd â’r nifer mwyaf o siaradwyr Cymraeg yng Nghymru, ond erbyn 2001, roedd y ganran o siaradwyr Cymraeg yn Sir Gâr i lawr i 50.3%, ac yna yng nghyfrifiad 2011 gwelwyd gostyngiad sylweddol pellach i lawr i 43.9%. Am y tro cyntaf erioed felly, roedd canran y siaradwyr Cymraeg yn y sir yn is na 50%. Dyma oedd y gwymp ganranol fwyaf o siaradwyr Cymraeg yng Nghymru. Er y cyfraddau is amcangyfrifir bod oddeuty 64% o’r boblogaeth yn ward Gorslas yn gallu siarad Cymraeg, sydd dros 20% yn uwch na’r ffigwr cyfartalog ar gyfer y sir
The Welsh Language:
When BBC Wales created its Welsh-language soap opera Pobl y Cwm in 1974, the fictional village of Cwmderi was intended to be at the very heart of the Gwendraeth Valley, reflecting the linguistic character of the locality at the time, with in excess of 75% of the population being Welsh-speakers. However, it is reasonable to suggest that inward and outward migration as well as the economic and social factors as outlined above have had a significant effect on the language in the area since then.
In 1991, the county of Carmarthenshire had the highest numbers of Welsh-speakers in Wales, but by 2001, that was down to 50.3%. By the 2011 census, there was a further reduction down to 43.9%. For the first time ever – therefore – the percentage of Welsh-speakers in the county was lower than 50%. This was the biggest percentage drop in Wales. Despite these lower percentages, an estimated 64% of the population in the Gorslas Ward could speak Welsh, which was 20% higher than the average for the county.