Bargoed
Bargoed
| |
|---|---|
 | |
| Population | 13,721 |
| OS grid reference | ST145995 |
| Principal area | |
| Preserved county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BARGOED |
| Postcode district | CF81 |
| Dialling code | 01443 |
| Police | Gwent |
| Fire | South Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| UK Parliament | |
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.
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 Bar-go-ee-d 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.
Odeon Cinema have signed the deal to open in the new retail area. This cinema would be the only one in the Caerphilly County Borough.
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.
Redevelopment
Bargoed Town Centre is undergoing a huge refurbishment, although a few shops in the centre of Bargoed are still closed down and boarded up. A new by-pass (A469) has recently been built, connecting Bargoed to Aberbargoed, Pengam and Gilfach. A new supermarket Morrisons is underway with completion November 2013. The supermarket is to be the most modern form in The UK. Also a new multiplex cinema Odeon is planned to be built with completion date approximately Summer 2014.
Transport
The town is served by Bargoed railway station and Bargoed Bus Interchange at the northern end of the town.
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, Gilfach Fargoed Primary School and a Welsh school Ysgol Gymraeg Gilfach Fargoed.
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, former professional footballer and manager, was born in Gilfach-Bargoed on July 5, 1916.
- Alun Hoddinott, a composer of classical music, one of the first Welsh composers to receive international recognition.
- David Probert, British flat racing Champion Apprentice jockey 2008, attended Ysgol Gymraeg Gilfach Fargoed also attended Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni, which was located in Bargoed and Aberbargoed until 2002, where a new building was constructed at Fleur de Lys.
- John Davies, air force mechanic, united church minister and NDP of Canada candidate
- Justin Edwards (musician) - jazz musician and composer - went to Heolddu Comprehensive School.
- Dafydd Williams - Space Shuttle astronaut - SOME people display a flag at the back of a bus or on a hotel balcony to show their national pride when they’re away from home. But a Canadian astronaut with Rhymney Valley roots went above and beyond that custom – by displaying the Welsh flag in space! Dafydd Williams, whose late father Bill was born in Bargoed but moved to Canada when he was 30.
- Nathan Cleverly - Boxer - Grew up in Bargoed and went to Heolddu Comprehensive School.
- Only Boys Aloud - Welsh Group - Some boys attended Heolddu Comprehensive School.
External links
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.
