I.

Introduction

Bridgend (Welsh, Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr), unitary authority and county borough, South Wales, bounded on the east and north by the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taff, on the south by the county borough of the Vale of Glamorgan and the Bristol Channel, and on the west and north by the county borough of Neath Port Talbot. The county borough came into existence as a unitary authority on April 1, 1996, under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1994, which changed the structure of local administration in Wales from a two-tier system of county and district councils to a single-tier system of unitary authorities. It comprises all of the district of Ogwr in the south-west of the former county of Mid Glamorgan, apart from some 20 sq km (7• sq mi) in the south-east of the district which were transferred to the Vale of Glamorgan. Before 1974, when Mid Glamorgan was created under the local government reorganization implemented in that year, the territory covered by the county borough was part of the county of Glamorganshire. Bridgend borough has an area of 264 sq km (102 sq mi).

II.

Land and Resources

The coastal area of the borough, around Bridgend and Porthcawl, is low lying; in the north the land rises to fairly high hills, with deeply incised valleys running from north to south. Flowing through the borough are the rivers Llynfi, Garw, and Ogmore, which meet at Bridgend before continuing to the Bristol Channel. There is a Site of Special Scientific Interest at Merthyr Mawr Warren, one of Europe’s largest sand dune areas and a wildlife habitat. The dunes are part of a 23-km (14-mi) stretch of coastline of Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan that has been designated as the Glamorgan Heritage Coast by the Countryside Council for Wales.

The climate is moderate, with temperatures averaging 5° C (41° F) in January and 17° C (63° F) in August. Annual rainfall in the coastal area is quite low, averaging 750 to 1,000 mm (30 to 40 in); in the uplands of the interior it rises to 1,000 to 1,520 mm (40 to 60 in). The uplands are also colder and less sunny than the coastal stretch.

III.

Population and Administration

The population of the borough is 128,650 (2001). Approximately 20 per cent of the population are Welsh–speakers according to the 2001 census. The main towns are Bridgend (population, 1991, 35,841), which is the administrative centre of the unitary authority, Maesteg (1991, 20,576), and Porthcawl (1991, 15,922).

The police authority is the South Wales Constabulary, which has its headquarters in Bridgend.

IV.

Places of Interest

The Glamorgan Nature Centre, headquarters of the Glamorgan Wildfowl Trust, is a short distance north of Bridgend. A number of ruined Norman castles can be seen in the district. Coity Castle was built in the 12th century and, despite subsequent alterations, has retained distinctive features of a Norman ringwork fortification, such as the battlements and the wall-walk. Largely rebuilt in the 14th and 15th centuries, following a siege by the Welsh nationalist leader Owain Glyn Dŵr (Owen Glendower) in 1404-1405, the castle was abandoned in the 16th century and fell into disrepair. Other historic buildings in the area include Kenfig Castle and town, built by Robert, Earl of Gloucester, in the 12th century and now mostly submerged by sand dunes. To the south of Bridgend, Ewenny Priory was founded in 1141 as a Benedictine abbey. Much of the original structure still remains and the site is considered to be one of the finest fortified buildings in the United Kingdom. Bryngarw Country Park covers an area of 46 hectares (113 acres) and the landscape includes areas of woodland, grassland, water features, and formal gardens.

V.

Economy

The traditional mainstays of the borough's economy, coal mining and the metal manufacturing industry, have largely disappeared although a few mines still operate. Nowadays, employment within the county borough is dominated by the service sector, covering distribution, hotel and catering, transport and communications, financial services, and education and health. There is also a little agriculture and some light manufacturing and engineering. The medieval and mining heritage of the region is being marketed for tourism. Porthcawl, sheltered from northerly and easterly winds, is a popular holiday resort.

VI.

History

After the invasion of England in 1066, the Norman conquerors penetrated into Wales and built several strongholds in the Bridgend area—including castles at Newcastle, Coity, and Ogmore. The Norman church at Llangeinor was built on a religious site dating from the 6th century. During the 19th century, with the development of mining in South Wales for coal and ores, the Garw and Llynfy valleys became Bridgend’s industrial hub. Bridgend town itself became an important centre for distribution and light manufacturing. It is named after an old bridge crossing the River Ogmore, on which it is situated.