Blaengarw

Coordinates: 51°37′27″N 3°35′15″W / 51.624147°N 3.587378°W / 51.624147; -3.587378

Blaengarw is the uppermost village in the river valley (Cwm Garw) of the River Garw, in the county borough of Bridgend, Wales.

In the English language Blaengarw means the rugged 'front' or head of the valley. The population of Blaengarw ward according to the 2001 census was 1,895, reducing to 1,789 at the 2011 census.

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 Welsh poet Daniel James (Gwyrosydd) composed the popular Welsh hymn Calon Lân while working as a coal miner at the Blaengarw pit.

The town was a flashpoint of public disorder during the UK miners' strike (1984–1985).

Blaengarw is home to the largest Time Bank in Europe the Blaengarw Time Centre, hosted by Creation Group.