Bedwas, Trethomas and Machenis acommunityand anelectoral wardin the county borough ofCaerphilly,constituting the villages ofMachen,Trethomas,Bedwas,and Upper and LowerGraig-y-Rhacca.It lies in the Caerphilly Basin in the shadow ofMynydd y GrugandMynydd Machen.All villages in the area grew as a result of the coal mining industry, which carries its legacy on today.
Bedwas, Trethomas & Machen | |
|---|---|
 Location withinCaerphilly | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Constituent country | Wales |
| Region | South Wales |
| Ceremonial county | Gwent |
| Principal are | Caerphilly |
| Government | |
| • Type | Community Council |
| •Councillors | List |
| Area | |
• Total | 7.08 sq mi (18.33 km2) |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 10,758 |
| • Density | 1,519/sq mi (586/km2) |
| Website | http:// btmcommunitycouncil |
History
edit| Bedwas and Machen | |
|---|---|
| Area | |
| • 1912 | 6,520 acres (26.4 km2) |
| • 1961 | 6,179 acres (25.01 km2) |
| Population | |
| • 1911 | 4,936 |
| • 1971 | 12,540 |
| History | |
| • Created | 1912 |
| • Abolished | 1974 |
| • Succeeded by | Rhymney Valley |
| Status | Urban district |
| •HQ | Bedwas |
Bedwas and Machen Urban District was formed on 1 October 1912 from theparishesofBedwasandMachen Upper,previously part ofSt Mellons Rural District.[1]In 1935 the boundaries were altered when it exchanged areas with the neighbouringMynyddislwyn Urban District.The urban district was abolished by theLocal Government Act 1972,becoming part of Rhymney Valley District in Mid Glamorgan.
On the abolition of the urban district, a community with identical boundaries was formed, and a community council established.[2]On 16 March 1989 the community was renamed Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen.[3]On 1 April 1996 the Rhymney Valley District was itself abolished, and the community has been part of thecounty boroughofCaerphillysince that date. At the 2001 census Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen had a population of 10,428
The urban district council began operating a bus service in 1922. The UDC was one of the smallest municipal bus undertakings in theUnited Kingdom,with an average fleet size of seven vehicles.[4]The bus livery was powder blue and cream. The fleet was merged with those of Caerphilly and Gelligaer UDCs in 1974, when Rhymney Valley District Council was formed.
Present-day
editToday the area is quite densely populated, with the exception of the mountain area. There are some transport links, with a bus service from Newport to Bargoed running through the community, and two other services running from Graig-Y-Rhacca to Caerphilly town centre. A school serves the villages, as well asBTM Brass Band.
External links
editReferences
edit- ^County Census Report, Monmouthshire 1921
- ^Local Government in England and Wales: A guide to the New System,HMSO, London 1974
- ^Changes to Community and Ward Boundaries from the Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales websiteArchived2006-10-13 at theWayback Machine
- ^A. M. Witton,Buses of South Wales,Manchester, 1982