Newbridge, Wales

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Newbridge
Statistics
Population:	6,000 (2001 census[1])
Ordnance Survey
OS grid reference:	Maps for ST215975
Administration
Principal area:	Caerphilly
Constituent country:	Wales
Sovereign state:	United Kingdom
Other
Police force:	Gwent Police
Ceremonial county:	Gwent
Historic county:	Monmouthshire
Post office and telephone
Post town:	NEWPORT
Postal district:	NP11
Dialling code:	+44-1495
Politics
UK Parliament:	Islwyn
European Parliament:	Wales

Newbridge is a town in the county borough of Caerphilly, traditional county of Monmouthshire, southern Wales.

In ancient times what is now the separate townships of Abercarn, Cwmcarn and Newbridge were known as Abercarne, a manorial title which goes back to the Norman period. The three townships were also within the boundaries of the ancient parish of Mynyddislwyn and remained therein up until comparatively recent times.

Newbridge, as its name implies, was the name given by the people to land around the "new bridge" built across the Ebbw towards the end of the eighteenth century. At this time Newbridge was a predominantly Welsh agrarian community.

In the valley, the chief farms were Ty-Llydd, where the new vicarage now stands, Tynewydd, where the Newbridge Hotel stands, Ty-hir, the house which stands next to the Beaufort Arms, and the Newbridge Corn mill which stood near the South Celynen Colliery. The road pattern as we know it today was non-existent, all activity and commerce took place along the mountain tracks which led over Mynyddislwyn and Mynydd Maen. Adjacent to the tracks were the more prosperous farms, Hyfod Fach, Glanshon and Cillonydd.

Towards the end of the 18th century, Newbridge was established as a farming community around a new bridge across the River Ebbw. Like many towns in the area, it experienced a population explosion and economic change with the arrival of coal mining in the 19th century, and the Workingmen's Institute ("the 'Stute") and the Memorial Hall ("the 'Memo") became the communal heart of the town. Mining ceased in the mid-1980s, but the Memo remains a working arts centre. A restoration project for the building was the overall Welsh winner in the BBC's recent Restoration TV programme, narrowly missing receiving the £3 million Grand Final prize.

Since the end of mining, new leisure facilities have been constructed in Newbridge, and there are plans for improved rail links with Newport and Cardiff. Residents have also reported the return to the area of birds such as herons, buzzards and kestrels.

Newbridge Rugby Football Club plays in the Welsh First Division East. Newbridge Comprehensive School is located in the town, catering for around 1,000 pupils aged 11 to 16.

Famous people to have grown up in Newbridge include boxer Joe Calzaghe, Steve Strange, frontman of New Romantic band Visage and billionaire and owner of the Celtic Manor Resort Sir Terry Matthews.

The Welsh name for Newbridge is often incorrectly shown on OS Maps as Cefn Bychan. It is in fact Trecelyn, meaning the town of the holly trees.