Newbridge, Caerphilly
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Newbridge | |
| Welsh: Trecelyn | |
| Population | 6,000 (2001 census[1]) |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Principal area | Caerphilly |
| Ceremonial county | Gwent |
| Constituent country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | NEWPORT |
| Postcode district | NP11 |
| Dialling code | 01495 |
| Police | Gwent |
| Fire | South Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| European Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament | Islwyn |
| List of places: UK • Wales • Caerphilly | |
Newbridge (Welsh: Trecelyn) is a town in the county borough of Caerphilly, south Wales, within the historic boundaries of Monmouthshire.
Contents |
[edit] History
In medieval 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 River Ebbw towards the end of the 18th century. At this time Newbridge was a predominantly Welsh agrarian community of rural farms and sheep pasture with a low population count.
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.
[edit] The Coal Mining Boom
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 socio-economic change with the arrival of coal mining in the 19th century, the new mines attracting workers from the West Country of England, Cornwall, the English West Midlands, Scotland, Mid Wales and further afield and the Celynen Collieries Workingmen's Institute ("the 'Stute") and Memorial Hall ("the 'Memo") became the communal heart of the town. The local collieries enjoyed a reputation for highly skilled miners, a productive workforce, non-radical politics and the community became a fine example of a South Wales valleys community with thriving shops and churches / chapels and sports teams.
[edit] Coal Dies
Mining eventually ceased in the mid 1980s, after persevering on through the 1926 United Kingdom general strike, the 1930s Depression and post war nationalisation but was dealt a deadly final blow following the UK miner's strike (1984-1985), but the Memo remains a working arts centre.
Details of the old local pits can be found at this external website:[1]
Since the end of coal 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.
As of March 2008 after delays, a rail link running from Ebbw Vale to Cardiff opened with Newbridge being one of seven stations.
[edit] Sport
Newbridge Rugby union Football Club plays in the Welsh First Division East.
Newbridge boxing club, home of Team Calzaghe, is located in Newbridge.
[edit] Newbridge Leisure Centre
2007
Councillor Leonard Lewis opened Newbridge Leisure Centre's Swimming pool in January 1997 and it has been extremely popular ever since. The Fitness suite was refurbished in 2007 from a one floor suite to a two floor 65 station fitness suite with a top of the range wireless entertainment system. The Leisure Centre has many facilities which makes it one of the most popular centres in the County Borough.
SWIMMING POOL § 25m 6-lane swimming pool § Water Slide § Mushroom Fountain § Pirate Ship with Water Cannons § Bubble Pool § Sauna
2007
FITNESS SUITE § State of the art 65 station suite over 2 floors. § Disabled Access to equipment and floors
SPORTS FACILITIES § Artificial turf pitch § Grass pitch § Netball court § Sports hall § 5 a side football § Badminton § Fitness Classes § 2 Squash Courts § 2 Football Pitches § 2 Rugby Pitches
KIDS ACTIVITIES § Pool Parties § Activate Fitness Suite Scheme § Summer Playscheme § Halfterm Events § Swimming Lessons § Junior Gymnastics
[edit] Education
Newbridge Comprehensive school is located in the town, catering for around 1,000 pupils aged 11 to 16.
Also Tynewdd Primary school in Greenfield caters for 4 to 11 year olds.
[edit] People of note
Famous people to have grown up in Newbridge include World Champion boxer Joe Calzaghe, Steve Strange, frontman of New Romantic band Visage and billionaire and owner of the Celtic Manor Resort Sir Terry Matthews. Famous Rugby player John Dawes is also from Newbridge. Famous X-Factor superstar Leanne Wolves, who won the first X-Factor Series in the band Triple X with Marcella and Skip. Their only known hit to date is'Gimme Some of That!' B-side to 'You Know You've Got it!'. She has just been signed to accompany C'est La Vie la Sest, on their lastest world tour.
[edit] Etymology
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.[citation needed]
