Bridgend

This article is about the town. For the wider principal area, named after the town, seeBridgend County Borough.For other uses, seeBridgend (disambiguation).

Bridgend(English:/brɪˈdʒɛnd/;Welsh:Pen-y-bont ar Ogwror justPen-y-bont,meaning "the end of the bridge on the Ogmore" )is a town in theBridgend County BoroughofWales,20 miles (32 km) west ofCardiffand 20 miles (32 km) east ofSwansea.The town is named after themedieval bridgeover theRiver Ogmore.TheRiver Ewennyalso flows through the town. The population was 49,597 in 2021.Bridgend is within theCardiff Capital Regionwhich in 2019 had a population of approximately 1.54 million.

Bridgend Welsh:Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr
Left to right, top: Bridgend Townscape Middle:Newcastle CastleandOld Bridge Bottom: St Illtyd's Church and War Memorial
Bridgend Location withinBridgend
Population	51,785 (2021 Census)
OS grid reference	SS905805
Community	Bridgend Brackla Coychurch Lower
Principal area	Bridgend
Preserved county	Mid Glamorgan
Country	Wales
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Suburbs	Districts of the town Bridgend Industrial Estate Broadlands Bryntirion Cefn Glas Coity Coychurch Hencastel Laleston Litchard Newcastle Pen-y-fai Wildmill
Post town	BRIDGEND
Postcode district	CF31
Dialling code	01656
Police	South Wales
Fire	South Wales
Ambulance	Welsh
UK Parliament	Bridgend
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament	Bridgend

St Mary's Nolton Church, Bridgend

Historicallya part ofGlamorgan,Bridgend has greatly expanded in size since the early 1980s – the2001 censusrecorded a population of 39,429 for the town.

History

Prehistoric and Roman

Severalprehistoricburial mounds have been found in the vicinity of Bridgend, suggesting that the area was settled beforeRoman times.TheA48between Bridgend andCowbridgehas a portion, known locally as "Crack Hill", aRoman roadand the 'Golden Mile' where it is believed Roman soldiers were lined up to be paid. TheVale of Glamorganwould have been a natural low-level route west to theRoman fortand harbour atNeath(Nidum) from settlements in the east like Cardiff andCaerleon(Isca).

Norman invasion

Front view of Newcastle Castle Bridgend

In the decades after theNorman conquestofAnglo-SaxonEnglandin 1066, theNormanslooked westwards to create new seats for lords loyal toWilliam the Conqueror.Groups of Norman barons arrived in Wales, and in the south and east created what would later become theWelsh Marches,while the north and west remained largely unconquered.

AtCoity,the local Welsh chieftain Morgan Gam already had a stronghold. Sometime in the 11th century, Norman Lord Payn de Turberville approached Morgan to turn over control ofCoity Castleto Turberville. Morgan Gam agreed, on condition that Turberville either fought Morgan for the land, or took Gam's daughter Sybil's hand in marriage. Turberville married Sybil and became Lord of Coity, and rebuilt the castle.

Newcastle Castle(on Newcastle Hill, overlooking the town centre, 1106) andOgmore Castle(1116) were built byRobert FitzhamonandWilliam de Londres,respectively.About 2 miles (3 km) north-east ofOgmore Castle,Maurice de Londres founded the fortifiedBenedictineEwenny Prioryin 1141.

These three castles provided a "defensive triangle" for the area – a quadrilateral if Ewenny Priory is included.

Early development

Bridgend developed at afordon theRiver Ogmore,which was on the main route between east andwest Wales.Just north of the town is the confluence of three rivers, the Ogmore, theLlynfi,and theGarw.South of Bridgend, the River Ewenny merges with the River Ogmore and flows into theBristol Channel.In the 15th century, a stone bridge was built as a permanent connection between the two sides of the Ogmore (and was later rebuilt). Originally, this bridge had four arches, but in the 18th century, a massive flood washed two of them away. The rest of the bridge still stands and remains a focal point of the town: aesthetic restoration took place in 2006.

Bridgend grew rapidly into an agricultural town. It became an importantmarket town,a status it retained until the late 20th century.

Industrial era

The discovery ofcoalin theSouth Wales Valleysnorth of Bridgend had a massive impact on the town. The firstcoal miningoperations opened north of Bridgend in the 17th century; the Llynfi Valley was the first to be industrialised. Bridgend itself never had coal deposits and remained a market town for some time, but the valleys of the three rivers grew into an important part of theSouth Wales coalfields.Ironworksand brickworks (notably atTondu) were also established in the same period byJohn Bedford,although the ironworks faltered after his death and ceased operating entirely in 1836.

TheGreat Western Railwayarrived and Bridgend was at the junction between the mainLondontoFishguardline and the branch to the three valleys. Frequent coal trains took coal down the valleys; and when the Vale of Glamorgan railway opened, coal could be sent directly to port atBarryor via other branch lines toPorthcawl.

Severalquarriesopened in and around Bridgend town centre; some remnants of these can still be seen today near Brackla. An engine works was opened in the town and a larger farmers' market also opened in the town centre, where it remained until the 1970s.

In 1801, the population of what is now Bridgend County was around 6000. By the beginning of the 20th century this had risen to 61,000. By this time Bridgend was a bustling market town with prosperous valleys to the north, a thriving community and good links to other towns and cities.

Second World War

In theSecond World War,Bridgend had aprisoner of war(POW) camp atIsland Farmand a largemunitionsfactory (ROF Bridgend– known as the "Admiralty" ) atWaterton,as well as a large underground munitions storage base atBrackla(known as the 8Xs). This was an overspill of theRoyal Arsenal,Woolwich.

At its peak, the arsenal had 40,000 workers, many of them women. Large numbers of them were transported by bus from theRhonddaand the valleys.

The factory complex had three sites in Bridgend, all linked together by a large network of railways. Many reminders of the factory sites remain to this day –Brackla Ordnance SiteArchived18 December 2014 at theWayback Machine.

In March 1945, 87 POWs fromIsland Farmescaped through a tunnel, but all were recaptured.While Bridgend was as important during the war as any other part of Wales, and although it was photographed by theLuftwaffe,it was neverblitzed,although the area immediately around Bridgend did suffer bombing raids. The admiralty ceased full-scale production in December 1945 after five years. Two of the munitions-storage magazines in the Brackla ROF site were converted to a regional government headquarters during theCold Waras part of the UKcontinuity of governmentplans.It is now in the hands of a private company.

After the war

Bridgend remained a solid market town after the war. In 1948, Newbridge Fields (a short distance from the town centre) hosted the 1948National Eisteddfod.

In 1960, the River Ogmore burst its banks and flooded the town centre. Subsequent floods and extreme weather led theWelsh WaterAuthority to develop concrete flood defence walls along the banks of the River Ogmore in the town centre. The town centre has not been flooded since. During this time, Bridgend was chosen to become the headquarters forSouth Wales Police.This action was ideal as geographically, Bridgend stands equidistantly between Swansea to the west and Cardiff to the east.

TheBeeching cutsof the 1960s had the loss of passenger rail links in the Vale of Glamorgan and to the northern valleys. The Vale of Glamorgan link toBarryviaRhoosewas reinstated in June 2005.

In the 1970s, Bridgend began to see the catalyst of arguably its biggest growth period. The "missing section" of theM4 motorwaywas constructed around the town, plans were afoot to change the Waterton Admiralty into an industrial estate, and the water supply was improved including newsewage treatmentworks nearOgmore.Two major multinationalcorporations,theFord Motor CompanyandSony,set up factories in or on the outskirts of the newBridgend Industrial Estate(former Waterton Arsenal).

The development of the Brackla Housing Estate in the 1980s, housing developments at Broadlands to the south-west of the town centre and the continuing expansion of Brackla to the north-east have caused Bridgend's population to swell dramatically. Due to this, traffic congestion and a lack of parking facilities within the town have become important issues in the area. In 1997, a new link road/bypasswas built to link the town centre directly to the M4 motorway, as well as redirect traffic around the town centre.

A newSecuricor-operated prison (HM Parc Prison) was built near Coity in the late 1990s. The prison opened in November 1997.

TheMcArthur Glen Designer Outletopened in 1998.

New millennium

Objective 1investment in regeneration and public realm improvements has led to the pedestrianisation of the town centre and the restoration of some buildings.Some local traders have argued that this has damaged trade due to a lack of access by taxis and the disabled.Car parking provision and pricing have also been a concern to retailers with calls for free or reduced-price parking to increase town centre visits.

To counteract the dominance ofTescoin the area,Asdawere granted planning permission for a new superstore near the town centre. The store was opened on 31 March 2008 by the local MP, and players fromBridgend Ravens.Over 1500 customers were thought to have walked through the new doors to take a look around the new store.

In 2004, an award-winning new bus station was constructed and traffic movements around the town centre were altered. Local committees, together with the council, started to use the pedestrianisation of the town centre to its advantage, culminating in several fairs including Continental Markets,CelticFestivals, a smallMardi-Gras,and seasonal markets and events.Bridgend Councilestimated in 2009 that these events have brought 900,000 visitors to the town and generated around £53 million for the local economy.

Riverside walk over the Ogmore 2009

About £2.5 million of European funding was used to create a "riverside café culture" by constructing a walkway along theRiver Ogmore,which was completed in March 2009.

Future developments

Old Cheapside, which is being extensively renovated

Construction on a 1500-home sustainable "village" at Parc Derwen near Coity began in 2011. The scheme was a collaboration between several house-builders and public bodies including theNational Assembly,and was planned with strict guidelines regarding architecture and the environment. Concerns exist from Coity in particular that this development may impact ontheir village's identity.

Studies were carried out by thelocal councilwith a view to improving retail provision in the town centre. Attracting bigger high-street chains to the town, such asMarks & Spencer,Next,andDebenhamsis seen as key to this.

At Elder Yard, a derelictGrade II-listed buildingin the heart of the town centre is due to be converted to a restaurant and provide the impetus for other improvements there, including a public courtyard and extra retail and leisure provision.

Politics

As ofJuly 2024,the local Member of Parliament isChris Elmore(Welsh Labour), theMember of the Seneddfor Bridgend isSarah Murphy(Labour) along with the regional members for theSouth Wales West region:Luke Fletcher(Plaid Cymru),Thomas Giffard(Conservative),Altaf Hussain(Conservative) andSioned Williams(Plaid Cymru).

Local government

Bridgend County Borough Councilis led by the Welsh Labour Party, which has been running a majority administration since theMay 2022 local elections,where the Labour party gained ten seats to finish on 27 out of a possible 51 seats. At those elections Independents won 21 seats, Plaid Cymru 2 and the Conservatives 1. A few weeks after the elections Labour lost the ward of Bridgend Central in a by-election to an independent candidate reducing the Labour group to 26 and increasing the independent group to 22.

After the 2012 election, the council was made up of 39 Labour councillors, 10 Independents, 3 Liberal Democrats, 1 Conservative and 1 Plaid Cymru.The Youth Mayor of Bridgend County Borough as of 2017 is Niamh Gwilym, and the Deputy Youth Mayor is Leigh Williams.

Bridgend was anelectoral wardtoGlamorgan County Councilfrom 1889 to 1974, electing theEarl of Dunravenas its first representative. Since 1995 the town has been covered by three wards to Bridgend County Borough Council,Morfa,OldcastleandNewcastle,which each elect two councillors.

At the Town Council level, Bridgend is represented by nineteen town councillors on Bridgend Town Council, elected from the three town wards ofMorfa,OldcastleandNewcastle.

Demography

According to the 2021 Census, the population of the town and its urban area was 51,785. Of those residents, the demographics of the town were recorded as:

Ethnicity

• 94.9%White
• 2.5%Asian
• 1.7%Mixed
• 0.5%Black
• 0.1%other

Religious

• 54%no religion
• 43.6%Christianity
• 1%Islam
• 0.6%other
• 0.4%Buddhism
• 0.3%Hinduism
• 0.1%Sikhism
• 0.1%Judaism

Economy

Bridgend'stravel to work areahas expanded since 1991 and the 2001-based area now incorporates the western part of theVale of Glamorgan.

Bridgend recovered quickly from the decline of traditional industries, particularly coal-mining due to other alternative forms of employment. Wages are generally higher here than in other parts of theSouth Wales valleys.There are large industrial estates at Bridgend and Waterton (formerly Waterton Admiralty) which host a number of small-scale and multi-national companies, mainly manufacturing.

Ford's engine plant near Waterton used to employ around 2,000 workers and was one of the area's largest employers, working on range of low carbon "EcoBoost" engines. The plant won praise fromPeter Mandelsonin January 2009 who described it as "a top-of-the-class, world-beating engine production plant." Ford invested £315million in the Bridgend plant between 2004 and 2009.The Ford plant closed in September 2020.

IT Consultancy GroupCGIhave an office in Bridgend, andLidlhas also set up its Welsh headquarters and distribution site at Waterton. Zoobiotic, a company specialising inmaggot therapy,has its facility near Bridgend town centre. Also, since 1983, famousdart boardproducerWinmauhas based its global headquarters in Bridgend.

Others includeOrtho-Clinical Diagnostics,Staedtler,engineering consultancySkanska,aeronautic maintenance and project management company TES Aviation and home accessories manufacturer Dekor plc. The Semiconductor Photomask Company,Photronics Inc,has had a manufacturing operation for the last 20 years at the Ewenny Science Park.

However, there have been significant economic blows to Bridgend includingSony's closure of the Bridgend plant and downsizing of the Pencoed plant. The plant is still Sony's biggest in the UK despite this. Other manufacturers to have pulled out of the area includeWrigley CompanyandDairy Farmers of Britainwhich went into receivership in June 2009.

Bridgend has a lack of high-wage service jobs; however the retail sector in particular provides a large proportion of employment in the town and borough. In 2008, there were 13,100 people inBridgend Countyworking in construction and manufacturing, while 42,900 were working in the service sector.

Sub-regionalGVAfor the Bridgend & Neath Port Talbot NUTS3 region stood at £12,402 per capita in 2006 ($23,191 at June 2006 values). This figure represents 65% of theUKGVA per capita, 87% ofWelshGVA per capita (£14,226) and 103% of West Wales & The Valleys GVA per capita (£12,071).

Gross disposable income for Bridgend & Neath Port Talbot in 2006 stood at £3,338 million or £12,379 per head. This was 88% ofUKper head figure (£14,053) and slightly above the Welsh per head figure (£12,366).

In 2008, the average full-time gross weekly earnings in Swansea, Bridgend & Neath Port Talbot was £484.20 (£531.70 for men, £426.10 for women). This was 97% of the Welsh average (£498.10).

In the first half of 2009, unemployment inBridgend County Boroughstood at 8.9%and economic inactivity stood at 21.4%.

The percentage of workless households in December 2008 stood at 20.6% compared to theUKaverage of 16% and theWelshaverage of 18.8%.

Shopping

Adare Street Bridgend 2008

In the town centre the main retail shopping areas are the Rhiw Shopping Centre (containing Bridgend Market), Adare Street, Caroline Street, Derwen Road, Nolton Street, Queen Street, Dunraven Place, Market Street and Cheapside (home of the Brackla Street Centre and Asda store). These are near the bus and railway stations and pay and display car parks.

There are out-of-town shopping areas at Waterton, near theA473,on Cowbridge Road and at The Derwen, Junction 36 of the M4, home to theBridgend Designer Outlet.

Transport

Bridgend's bus station in 2004

Bridgend railway stationhas regular services toCardiff Central,Bristol ParkwayandLondon Paddingtonto the east;Port Talbot Parkway,Neath,Swanseaand theWest Wales Lineto the west; andMaestegto the north. There are also services toManchester Piccadilly.Bridgend is the western terminus of theVale of Glamorgan Linewhich reopened to passenger traffic in 2005.

Wildmill railway station,about 1 mile (2 km) north ofBridgend railway station,serves the estates of Wildmill, Pendre and Litchard and is on theBridgend-Maesteg branch line.A park and ride station at Brackla, about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south-east ofBridgend railway stationis planned and is due to be constructed once capacity improvements have been made to theSouth Wales Main Line.Services to a new railway station inLlanharanbegan in December 2007.

Bridgend bus stationhas services to urban and rural areas in South Wales. Most services are operated byFirst Cymruunder the "Bridgend & County" livery.

An east–west cycle route has been constructed from Brackla through to Broadlands and into Cefn Glas. Bridgend is on theNational Cycle Routeand there are off-road spurs from theCeltic Trailto the town centre and a community routein theOgmore Valley.Glyncorrwgand theAfan Valleyabout 12 miles (19 km) north of Bridgend nearMaestegis famed for itsmountain biketrails, consideredamongst the best in Europe.

For scheduled and chartered air travel, Bridgend is served byCardiff International Airport,to which there are directrailand bus services.

Education

Bridgend town has threecomprehensive schools:Archbishop McGrath Catholic Comprehensive,Brynteg Comprehensive SchoolandBryntirion Comprehensive School.Brynteg generally serves the area east of the River Ogmore, while Bryntirion serves the areas west of the river. Brynteg is renowned for its rugby alumni, includingJ.P.R. Williams,Rob Howley,Gavin Henson,Mike HallandDafydd James;many talented athletes at other local schools join Brynteg to play for the school in the Welsh School Rugby Union leagues. The school has produced several Welsh rugby union internationals, and prominent athletes in other sports have also attended, including top female cyclistNicole Cooke.Bryntirion has also produced its fair share of sporting talent, notablyGareth Llewellynand triathleteMarc Jenkins.Archbishop McGrath School covers the whole of the county, and moved to a new campus atBracklain 2011.

At least nine primary,junior schools,andinfant schoolsare in the town, though several of the junior and infant schools have merged to form singleprimary schoolsin recent years.

Also, two special-educational needs schools are there: Heronsbridge School which is linked with Brynteg Comprehensive School and at the back of Bridgend College. It is for students of primary and secondary school ages with severe learning disabilities. Another school, Ysgol Bryn Castell, offers education for Key Stage 1–4 students with moderate to severe learning disabilities; it is linked with Bryntirion Comprehensive School and has opened up a satellite unit at Cynffig Comprehensive School, a few miles west of Bridgend.

Bridgend Collegeis the town'sfurther educationandhigher educationprovider; it primarily offers vocational courses andGCSEs.It attracts school-leavers from as far as Swansea and Cardiff. It offers a range of higher-education courses such asPostgraduate Certificate in Education,Higher National Certificate,andHigher National Diplomain various subjects and master's programmes at its Queens Road campus on Bridgend Industrial Estate. These are mainly franchised from theUniversity of South Wales.The Pencoed Campus has a focus on sport, animal care, and horticulture, and Maesteg Campus offers more community-based programmes.

Bridgend College has its own residence for students aged 16+ with learning difficulties and physical disabilities who come to the college from all over Wales.

Health

Since the closure and redevelopment of Bridgend General Hospital in the 1990s, acute-care and accident and emergency services have been provided by thePrincess of Wales Hospital.GP's surgeries are scattered throughout the town, as are dentists. There is also a largepsychiatric hospital,Glanrhyd Hospital,nearPen-y-fai.

Culture

Nightlife

Several pubs, restaurants and a nightclub are located within the town centre.

In December 2008,Bridgend Councilintroduced its first alcohol-free zone, restricting the consumption of alcohol to pubs, clubs, and other licensed premises in the town centre to help address alcohol-related issues.CCTVis in operation throughout the town centre, and usuallypolicehave a presence of some form. Since July 2007, the streets of Bridgend are also patrolled on Friday and Saturday evenings byStreet Pastors,an inter-denominational church response to urban problems, engaging with people on the streets.

Music

Funeral for a FriendandJayce Lewishave both received mainstream and commercial recognition,while rock/metal actBullet for My Valentinecontributed to the meteoric uprising in the mid-2000smetal musicindustry. Along withThose Damn Crows,they have all received national and international chart success.Several smaller venues in and around the town centre, including The New Angel Inn, The Railway Inn, Barracudas and Sapphires, host a number of open-mic nights.Bryan Adamsplayed to a 15,000 crowd atBrewery Fieldstadium in the town in 2006. The Recreation Centre has hosted acts such asFall Out BoyandBring Me the Horizon.

Eisteddfodau

Bridgend hosted theNational Eisteddfodin 1948. Bridgend County hosted the Urdd Gobaith Cymru National Eisteddfod in 2017.

Media

Television signals are received from theWenvoeTV transmitter and the local relay transmitter situated inLlangeinor. Bridgend is served by severalIndependent Local Radiostations:Bridge FM,Heart South Wales,Nation Radio WalesandCeltica radio.The main localnewspaperisThe Glamorgan Gazette,although a free newspaper,The Recorder,has increased its circulation in recent times.Around Townmagazine is the free local lifestyle magazine for Bridgend.

Twinning

Bridgend hastwinningarrangements with:

• Langenau,Germany
• Villenave-d'Ornon,France

Talks held to twin Bridgend with the city ofTripoliinLibyabetween 2004 and 2009 sparked debate.

Sport

Rear view of the Brewery Field's west stadium displaying theBridgend Ravensinsignia in 2006

Rugby union

Bridgend Ravens Bridgend Ravens(formally Bridgend RFC) are a semi-professional rugby union which formed in 1878 and play in theWelsh Premier Division.They play their home matches at theBrewery Field,which has been their home on and off since 1920. The club have been Welsh champions five times and have won the WRU Challenge Cup on two occasions, whilst also winning theWRU Division One Westleague in 2011 and numerous sevens competitions over the course of their existence. They have also played against international teams, New Zealand won on their visit in 1978, but Bridgend have beaten Italy, Western Samoa and Australia. The club has also hosted international matches at women and age grade.

Bridgend Athletic Bridgend Athletic RFCwas reformed in 1972, after the Bridgend Youth team members in that year wanted to form a senior team so they didn't have to go their separate ways into senior rugby, hence the formation of the club which had previously existed up to 1939. The club become full members of the Welsh Rugby Union in 1983. The club were promoted from Division 5 Central in 2001, were WRU Division Four East Champions in 2002, were then promoted from Division 3 to WRU Division Two West in 2003 through the league organisation and were promoted to Division 1 in 2004. They have suffered relegation from that league once, but bounced back in 2009, winning WRU Division Two West. They play inWRU Division One West.

Bridgend Sports Bridgend Sports Rugby Football Clubis a Welsh rugby union team based in Bridgend. Formed in 1938 by Victor Blick, the team survived the cessation of club rugby in Wales between 1939 and 1945, during the Second World War. There have been in existence at least two other clubs in Bridgend throughout the club's history providing local competition. The club is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union and play in theWRU Division Four South East.They won theGlamorgan County Silver Ball Trophyon three successive years between 1979 and 1981, and were champions ofWRU Division Five South Centralin 2010.

Celtic Warriors

TheCeltic Warriors,formed in 2003, are a defunct regional rugby union team that was mainly based at the Brewery Field in Bridgend. When regional rugby was enforced by theWelsh Rugby Union,Bridgend RFC and Pontypridd RFC, who were both professional clubs at the time, merged to create the Celtic Warriors as one of the five new regional rugby teams in Wales. However, they were dissolved after one season due to financial problems that had plagued the club. Pontypridd RFC had sold their share of the region early on due to their own financial difficulties, with the remaining share which had been owned by Bridgend RFC, being sold off to the Welsh Rugby Union at the end of the season. This led to the winding up of the Celtic Warriors region by the WRU, as there was not enough money to keep the region afloat.There were high points for the region: 10,000 turned up to watch them face European champions-in-waitingLondon Waspsand even beat the Wasps 9–14atAdam's Parka week earlier. The team finished 4th out of 12 in theCeltic Leaguein their only season of existence.

Ospreys Rugby

TheOspreyswere formed in 2003 after the merger of Neath RFC and Swansea RFC, which took place after the Welsh Rugby Union forced through regional rugby as the top level of Welsh rugby. Bridgend became part of this region following the demise of the Celtic Warriors. Although the Ospreys play their home matches at theLiberty Stadiumin Swansea, since 2010 they have played their home Anglo-Welsh Cup home games at the Brewery Field, which is normally two games a season.

Football

Bridgend had twofootballteams,Bridgend Town A.F.C.,and a Bridgend suburb sideBryntirion Athletic F.C.that played in theWelsh Football League First Division.Bridgend Town AFC from 2009 played at The Brewery Field (The Football Club purchased The Brewery Field in 2009) as the club sold its ground at Coychurch Road ground due to works in conjunction with the new Asda store. In 2013, the two clubs joined to formPen-y-Bont F.C.who, following promotion in 2019, play in theCymru Premier,the top level of Welsh football. They are currently managed byRhys Griffiths.Schools football in Bridgend is governed by theBridgend Schools FA.

Bridgend's geographical position meansSouth Wales rivalsCardiff CityandSwansea Citypick up support from the town.

Rugby league

Bridgend was home toSuper Leaguerugby league team theCrusaders,who were based at theBrewery Field,home ofrugby unionclub,Bridgend RFC.This side was considered by a few to be a replacement for theCeltic Warriorsrugby union side after their controversial disbanding in 2004 but also built up a loyal following in their own right.The Crusaders' application for a Super Leaguelicencewas granted by theRugby Football Leagueon 22 July 2008. The decision elevated the club fromNational League Oneto compete inSuper League XIVfrom 2009.

For the 2010 Super League season, Crusaders initially announced they would play atNewport'sRodney Paradeground for two seasons. However, in the run up to the new season the Celtic Crusaders franchise was sold by owner Leighton Samuel toWrexham Football Clubparent company, Wrexham Village Ltd and the side moved toWrexham,playing home fixtures atThe Racecourse Ground.

Bridgend's second rugby league side is theBridgend Blue Bulls,one of the UK's most successful amateur clubs having won two UK national amateur titles in four years and Welsh Champions five years in succession. The Bulls played at Coychurch Road but following the announcement about the setting up of the Celtic Crusaders they were invited to play at the Brewery Field by the owner Leighton Samuel. One year on they were refused permission to continue playing at the Brewery Field in the middle of the season. They were then aided by Porthcawl RFC and staged the remaining 2006 home games at the Porthcawl ground. Subsequently, Porthcawl RFC have become their regular home and have even staged an amateur rugby league international there during 2008 (Wales v Ireland).

Other sports

Bridgend has localcricketclubs including Bridgend Town CC and Great Western CC, a men's and women'shockeyclub,golfcourses, andtennisandbowlsfacilities at the local club, the Bridgend Lawn Tennis and Bowls Association.

Notable people

SeeCategory:People from BridgendandCategory:People from Bridgend County Borough

• Aneurin Barnard(actor)
• Gerald Battrick(tennis player)
• Jonathan Brown(footballer)
• Downtown Julie Brown(actress)
• Steve Brace(Olympic marathon runner)
• Paul Burston(author and journalist)
• Lee Byrne(rugby union player)
• Nicole Cooke(cyclist)
• Peter Cottrell(historian and writer)
• Mika Chunuonsee(footballer)
• Danie Cox/CentricakaGobby Holder(singer)
• Matt Crowell(footballer)
• Aled Davies(Paralympian)
• Deddie Davies(actor)
• Rhys Davies(European Tour golfer)
• Rhys Day(footballer)
• Ryan Day(snooker player)
• Leondre Devries(rapper)
• Mark Donovan(actor)
• Huw Edwards(journalist and newsreader)
• Rhian Edwards(poet)
• David Emanuel(fashion designer)
• Scott Gibbs(rugby union player)
• Ray Giles(rugby union player)
• Mike Hall(rugby union player)
• Gavin Henson(rugby union player)
• Robert Howley(rugby union player)
• Jonathan Humphreys(rugby union player)
• Dafydd James(rugby union player)
• Marc Jenkins(Olympic triathlete)
• Alex Jones(cricketer)
• Carwyn Jones(politician,First Minister of Wales)
• Ruth Jones(actress)
• Amanda Levete(architect)
• Jayce Lewis(musician/producer)
• Gareth Llewellyn(rugby union player)
• Sean McCarthy(footballer)
• Howard Marks(drug smuggler and author)
• William Morgan(physician, physicist and statistician)
• SirMorien Morgan(aeronautical engineer)
• Josh Navidi(rugby union player)
• Mary De la Beche Nicholl(alpinist, entomologist, traveller)
• Alan Phillips(rugby union player)
• Leeroy Reed(musician)
• Billy Rees(footballer)
• Nathan Stephens(Paralympian)
• Steve Strange(singer)
• Owen Teale(actor)
• Gareth Thomas(rugby union and league player)
• Helen Tucker(2008 World Triathlon champion)
• Matthew Tuck(Singer)
• Bradley Wadlan(cricketer)
• Rhys Webb(rugby union player)
• David Williams(crime writer)
• J. J. Williams(rugby union player)
• J. P. R. Williams(rugby union player)

Bands associated with Bridgend

• Bullet for My Valentine
• Jayce Lewis
• Hondo Maclean
• Funeral for a Friend
• The Featherz
• The Partisans
• Those Damn Crows

See also

• Bridgend suicide incidents
• Bridgend (UK Parliament constituency)Bridgend County

External links

• Bridgendtravel guide from Wikivoyage
• Visit Bridgend
• Bridgend County Borough Council
• Bridgend College
• Bridgend RFC
• Bridgend Town Cricket Club
• Bridgend Royal Ordnance Factory
• BBC – Bridgend Life
• Brackla and Bridgend Ordnance FactoriesArchived18 December 2014 at theWayback Machine