Founded in 1913 originally under the name The Amman Valley Chronicle, this newspaper was established by Gwilym Vaughan, a local printer in Ammanford. The idea for the paper came about during a massive boom in the local coal mining industry; Vaughan realized the rapidly growing communities of miners and their families needed a dedicated source of information about local happenings and industrial news. The paper eventually changed its name to the South Wales Guardian to reflect a broader reach. Today, the publication is owned and operated by Newsquest, which is one of the largest regional media companies in the United Kingdom. Today, the South Wales Guardian is run by Newsquest’s editorial team and focuses on hyper-local news for the region. They cover a wide range of topics including local council politics, crime, and community entertainment, but they are particularly well-known for their extensive coverage of local sports, especially rugby and football. They are based in Ammanford, Wales, and serve the communities within the Amman, Gwendraeth, and Towy valleys. One interesting fact: A unique fact about the South Wales Guardian is its deep connection to the "Black Gold" era. When it was founded, the town of Ammanford was known globally for its high-quality anthracite coal, and for decades, the newspaper functioned as the primary communication lifeline for the mining villages, documenting the rise and eventual fall of the coal industry in the region.