Blaengarw
| Blaengarw | |
| Glamorgan | |
|---|---|
| |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SS902928 |
| Location: | 51°37’27"N, 3°35’15"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 1,789 (201) |
| Post town: | Bridgend |
| Postcode: | CF32 |
| Dialling code: | 01656 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Bridgend |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Ogmore |
Blaengarw is the uppermost village in the valley of the River Garw in Glamorgan. The name literally means "The head of the Garw valley".
History
During the 19th and 20th centuries the village served as a mining town for the coal miners of the Garw Valley section of the South Wales coalfield. Built in 1893, the Blaengarw Workmen's Hall is a testament to this history and is still used today as a community and entertainment centre. The poet Daniel James composed the popular hymn Calon Lân while working as a coal miner at the Blaengarw pit.[1]
The town was a flashpoint of public disorder during the UK miners' strike (1984–1985).
Film
The 2001 comedy Very Annie Mary, starring Rachel Griffiths, Jonathan Pryce and Ioan Gruffudd was filmed in the village.
Notable Residents
- Kenneth "Ken" Davies, rugby union footballer and professional rugby league footballer, playing at club level for Blaengarw RFC, Bridgend RFC & Keighley RLFC
- Daniel James, poet
- Ike Owens, rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1940s, playing club level rugby union for Maesteg RFC, and the Royal Air Force and playing representative level rugby league for Great Britain, and Wales, and at club level for Leeds, Castleford, and Huddersfield
- Jeff Young, rugby player for Blaengarw RFC, the Royal Air Force, London Welsh RFC, Bridgend RFC, Harrogate RFC and Yorkshire
References
- ↑ "Garw". thevalleys.co.uk. http://www.thevalleys.co.uk/explore/explore-the-valleys/garw. Retrieved 13 November 2015.
Outside links
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