Bargoed
Coordinates: 51°41′N 3°14′W / 51.69°N 3.24°W
| Bargoed | |
| Welsh: Bargod | |
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 Bargoed
Bargoed shown within Caerphilly |
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| Population | 13,721 |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | ST145995 |
| Principal area | Caerphilly |
| Ceremonial county | Gwent |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BARGOED |
| Postcode district | CF81 |
| Dialling code | 01443 |
| Police | Gwent |
| Fire | South Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament | Caerphilly |
| List of places: UK • Wales • Caerphilly | |
Bargoed (Welsh: Bargod) is a town in the Rhymney Valley, Wales, one of the South Wales Valleys. It lies on the Rhymney River in the county borough of Caerphilly and straddles ancient boundary of Glamorgan and Monmouthshire. 'Greater Bargoed', as defined by the local authority Caerphilly County Borough Council, consists of the towns of Bargoed, Aberbargoed and the village of Gilfach. The combined population of these settlements is approximately 13,000.
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[edit] Toponomy
The English meaning of the town's Welsh language name, Bargod, is border. Pronunciation of the town's name varies depending on street. There are many variations, from the standard Welsh Barr-god and English Baa-goid to the informal Baa-Gud and Baa-Go-Ed.
The town is currently undergoing redevelopment, with a bypass recently constructed, running through the valley, with links to Bargoed town centre, Aberbargoed and Gilfach. Also, Morrisons the supermarket chain have signed a deal to open a supermarket in the town bringing 300 jobs to the town.
The council have also agreed to allow proposals for a multi-plex cinema to be developed on the new retail area.
[edit] History
Originally a market town, Bargoed grew into a substantial town following the opening of a colliery in 1903. The colliery, which was the subject of a painting by L. S. Lowry, closed during the 1980s, and its former site is now a country park.
[edit] Re-development
Today, the town centre is undergoing a huge refurbishment, although a few shops in the centre of Bargoed are still closed down and boarded up. A comprehensive programme of improvements, focused on the town's bypass road, started in 2000.
[edit] Transport
The town is served by Bargoed railway station.
[edit] Education
Bargoed Grammar Technical School existed as the local grammar school before Heolddu Comprehensive School was formed. Some of the grammar school's buildings in Park Crescent were used during from the 1980s until 2002 for the valley's first Welsh language comprehensive school, Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni, which has now moved to a new purpose-built site in Fleur-de-Lys. Primary Schools include St Gwladys Bargoed School, Park Primary School, Aberbargoed Primary School and Gilfach Fargoed Primary School.
[edit] Notable people
- Actress Doris Hare (1905–2000) was born in Bargoed
- Bargoed is regularly namechecked during televised snooker tournaments as Mark Williams, Embassy World Snooker Champion in 2000 and 2003, practises his sport at the town's Emporium Snooker Hall.
- Welsh singer-songwriter and British Eurovision contestant James Fox grew up in Gilfach.
- Ivor Powell, the world's oldest and still active football coach, was born in Gilfach-Bargoed on July 5, 1916.
- David Probert, Champion apprentice jockey
[edit] External links
[edit] References
The following are reference books on Bargoed by local author Paul James.
- Volume 1: The History of Bargoed and Gilfach in Photographs. ISBN 1-874538-31-X
- Volume 2: The History of Bargoed and Gilfach in Photographs. ISBN 1-874538-07-7
- Volume 3: The History of Bargoed, Gilfach and Aberbargoed in Photographs. ISBN 1-874538-64-6
All three books are published by Old Bakehouse Publications, Abertillery.
