Bargoed

Bargoed
Welsh: Bargod
Bargoed

 Bargoed shown within Caerphilly
Population 13,721 
OS grid reference ST145995
Principal area Caerphilly
Ceremonial county Gwent
Country Wales
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town BARGOED
Postcode district CF81
Dialling code 01443
Police Gwent
Fire South Wales
Ambulance Welsh
EU Parliament Wales
UK Parliament Caerphilly
List of places: UK • Wales • Caerphilly

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.

Contents

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 Baa-goid 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.

The council have also agreed to allow proposals for a multi-plex cinema to be developed on the new retail area.

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.

Re-development

Today, the town centre is undergoing a huge refurbishment, although a few shops in the centre of Bargoed are still closed down and boarded up. A comprehensive programme of improvements, focused on the town's bypass road, was begun in 2000.

Transport

The town is served by Bargoed railway station.

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 and Gilfach Fargoed Primary School.

Notable people

See Category:People from Bargoed

External links

References

The following are reference books on Bargoed by local author Paul James.

All three books are published by Old Bakehouse Publications, Abertillery.