Local History Library - Bridgend County Borough

02/09/2026

Don't miss out on tomorrows Ogwr History Month event!

A Brief History of Music takes in 600 years of musical history in 90 minutes! From the Middle Ages to the 20th century, this fun show features a whistle-stop tour of Western musical history, including long forgotten songs, instruments and tunes. A great evening of music, history and humour, all performed live by Sophie and Chris.
This show is part of the Ogwr History Month, with thanks to funding from Welsh Government.
Age Guidance: 5+
Tickets: £5

‘A Brief History Of Music‘ takes in 600 years of musical history in 90 minutes! Beginning in the Middle Ages and ending up in the 20th century (and

01/09/2026

This week we're sharing our Journal collection.

Did you know we have a large collection of journals and periodicals? While not all photographed here, these are a few of our favourites from the late 1800s - early 1900s.

Featured below:
South Wales Institute of Engineers Transactions
The Red Dragon
Y Drysorfa
Y Cymmrodor

If you would like to share your photos, view any of our books and resources, or to volunteer for any of our projects, please feel free to reach out to us by email or phone, and check our website for opening hours.

📧 [email protected]
📞 01656 733269, option 4
🖥 https://awenboxoffice.com/libraries/local-history-library/

01/09/2026

Don't miss out on tomorrows Ogwr History Month event!

Historian, broadcaster and best-selling author, Dr Janina Ramirez, joins us in Maesteg Town Hall for this fascinating history talk. She shares the real stories behind historical women such as Joan of Arc and Lady Godiva, and examines how medieval women’s lives were exploited and mythologised.
Tickets £5
This talk is part of the Ogwr History Month, with thanks to funding from Welsh Government.
Book sales and book signings will be available at the end of the event.

Historian, broadcaster and best-selling author, Dr Janina Ramirez, joins us in Maesteg Town Hall for this fascinating history talk. She shares the real

31/08/2026

Ogwr History Month starts tomorrow!

Here's the line up for this week:
📆1 September 11am-4pm : Ogwr Unlocked 'Celebrating Childhood' Exhibition Pencoed Library
📆2 September 1pm : Cinema : Napoleon [15] Y Bocs Oren Maesteg Town Hall
📆2 September 7:30pm : Legenda: The Women behind the myths that shaped Europe with Dr Janina Remirez Maesteg Town Hall
📆3 September 7:30pm : A Brief History of Music with Green Matthews Maesteg Town Hall
📆4 September 11am : Music in Art with Sophie Matthews Pyle Library
📆5 September 10 - 11:30 : Childrens History Workshop : Victorians Maesteg Town Hall Library
📆5 September 1 - 2:30pm : Childrens History Workshop : Victorians Aberkenfig Library
📆5 September 2pm : Iron Dream: A guided walk around Cefn Ironworks Cefn Gwyrdd
📆5 September 2:30pm : Medieval Horizons - Why the Middle Ages Matter with Ian Mortimer Y Bocs Oren Maesteg Town Hall

Ogwr History Month and the Ogwr Unlocked Project has been made possible with funding from Welsh Government

To book any of our History Month events:
💻 https://awenboxoffice.com/
🖱️Local History Library - Bridgend County Borough events

31/08/2026

Kicking off Ogwr History Month, this week our Ogwr Unlocked "Celebrating Childhood" Exhibition schedule is:

1 September 11 - 4 Pencoed Library

Discover and celebrate local childhood stories, and share some of your own memories too! The ‘Celebrating Childhood’ exhibition has been especially curated by the Awen Heritage team to share historic images as well as variety of toys.

This is a fun and interactive local history exhibition, accessible for all and all ages.

This free exhibition is part of the Ogwr History Month, with thanks to funding from Welsh Government.

29/08/2026

Discover OGWR History Month events this September

Are you fascinated by extraordinary women, medieval history, Welsh heroines or the story of music? There is something for every history lover during Ogwr History Month this September.

The programme includes:
📖 Legenda with Dr Janina Ramirez
🎵 A Brief History of Music with GreenMatthews
🏰 Medieval Horizons with Ian Mortimer
👑 Queens of the Past and Welsh Heroines with Professor Kate Williams

Come along to discover new perspectives, hear remarkable stories and explore how the past continues to shape the world around us.

🎟️ Book your place today: https://awenboxoffice.com/
Ogwr History Month is funded by Welsh Government as part of Awen's Ogwr Unlocked project.

28/08/2026

Ogwr History Month starts next week, so for our we're sharing some of the historic sites from across Ogwr.

First up is Coity Castle. Founded in the late 11th century by Sir Payn de Turberville, one of the celebrated Twelve Knights of Glamorgan, Coity Castle began as a Norman ringwork fortification established during Robert FitzHamon's conquest of South Wales. The castle features a circular inner ward with a strong stone keep, surrounded by an outer bailey that contributed to its defensive strength and strategic importance.

The Ogwr Unlocked project and Ogwr History Months is made possible thanks to funding from Welsh Government.

You can read about Ogwr History Month and download a programme here:
https://awenboxoffice.com/ogwr-history-month-returns-this-september-with-talks-walks-exhibitions-and-open-days-across-bridgend-county-borough/

If you would like to share your photos, view any of our books and resources, or to volunteer for any of our projects, please feel free to reach out to us by email or phone, and check our website for opening hours.

📧 [email protected]
📞 01656 733269, option 4
🖥 https://awenboxoffice.com/libraries/local-history-library/

27/08/2026

Looking for something to do on Bank Holiday Monday? Well our friends at the Garw Valley Railway are hosting an open day!

Entry is free, but there are some activities that will have an additional charge.

Please contact the Garw Valley Railway for more information
💻https://www.garwvalleyrailway.co.uk/
📧[email protected]

26/08/2026

Calling all young time travellers!

We've updated our post as all our children events are on Saturdays. Apologies for the mix up!

As part of Ogwr History Month, children aged 5 to 10 can step back in time with fun, interactive workshops delivered by World War Wales Workshop.

Discover what life was like for Victorian children or explore the fascinating toys that children played with through the ages:

📅 Saturday 5 September
🏭 The Victorians
📍 Maesteg Town Hall Library, 10am to 11.30am
📍 Aberkenfig Library, 1pm to 2.30pm

📅 Saturday 12 September
🧸 Toys Through Time
📍 Pencoed Library, 10.30am to 12pm
📍 Bridgend Library, 2.30pm to 4pm

📅 Saturday 19 September
🏭 The Victorians
📍 Porthcawl Library, 10am to 11.30am
📍 Pyle Library, 1pm to 2.30pm

Expect dressing up, fascinating objects and plenty of hands-on learning!
🎟️ Book here: www.awenboxoffice.com
Funded by Welsh Government