Local History Library - Bridgend County Borough

26/06/2026

For we're sharing some of the recent scans for our project.

A community childrens Christmas party in Pencoed, circa 1950s.

With thanks to Ralph Williams who shared this photo at our Pencoed Library session.

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

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/

24/06/2026

Save the date for the return of Ogwr History Month in September!

We have a packed programme of talks, walks, exhibitions and open days for you to enjoy.

Highlights include an evening with cultural historian, broadcaster and bestselling author Dr Janina Ramirez and talks by historian, author and broadcaster Professor Kate Williams, and historian and historical novelist, Ian Mortimer, best known for his bestselling Time Traveller’s Guide series.

Read more here: https://ow.ly/pWLR50ZgbNh

Download a copy of the programme here: https://ow.ly/SFAH50ZgbNi

Thanks to Welsh Government Priorities for Culture funding, most activities are free to attend, although many events require advance booking.

23/06/2026

We're sharing more today. Last week we told you how we scan and store our physical photographs.

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/

19/06/2026

For we're sharing some of the recent scans for our project.

Photograph of a gentleman gardening, wearing waistcoat and shirt. Identified as Mr Meachin. House is in East Avenue, Kenfig Hill, circa 1920s

With thanks to Paul Warren who shared this photo at our Aberkenfig Library session.

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

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/

16/06/2026

Have you ever wondered what happens when we digitise items in our collection?
Our volunteers have scanned the contents of this Archive box, in a high resolution TIFF format. For each photograph, we complete our digitisation form with as much information as possible. We use Archive grade boxes and acid free mylar pockets to help preserve the photographs.
Next we input the data from the forms onto our Digital Asset Register ready for individual cataloguing at a later date. Our archive boxes are then catalogued as a collection on completion.


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/

12/06/2026

For we're sharing some of the recent scans for our project.

Class photograph of Tondu Girls School. Photo shows Glenys and Olwen Morgan. Headmistress was Miss Hughes. Other teachers at the school include Miss E B Davies, and Miss Nan Evans, 1930

With thanks to Jean Loosemore who donated this photo at our Aberkenfig Library session.

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

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/

06/06/2026

We would like to thank our volunteers on with a little goodie bag.

Our digitisation volunteers have helping digitise our growing collection of photographs, documents, and ephemera. We have had so many donations in the last few months, that your help has been above and beyond.

We also can't forget to say Thank You to our volunteers who help with our events, such as last Saturdays extremely busy Heritage Day at Maesteg Town Hall! Wow what a busy day that was!

Last but in no means least, a big Diolch to our volunteers of the Glamorgan Indexing Project, who are indexing all BMDs in the Glamorgan Gazette for our Family Historians. We couldn't do it without you all!

If you would like to volunteer at the Local History Library, contact us:
📧 [email protected]
📞 01656 733269, option 4

04/06/2026

We want to say a huge Diolch! and Thank You! to everyone who attended any of our photograph call outs. We've had so many donations to scan recently, that we've not had a chance to type them all up. If you are still waiting for your donations, we are still working our way through them all. 🖼📸

Today's task for the Digitisation Team is to go through the digitisation forms and add to our Digital Asset Register ready for cataloguing later. It's also an opportunity to remind ourselves of the amazing photos our communities have shared with us.

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

29/05/2026

Join us tomorrow, Saturday 30th May, for a free day of Local History in Maesteg Town Hall.
Hear more about our local history project from the heritage team, and we love to hear your stories and see your photos and programmes too.

There will also be some historic jigsaws, fun for young and old, and it's a great chance to see the Hall and the Christopher Williams paintings. The cafe will be open for some tasty refreshments too!

TOMORROW: Ogwr Unlocked Heritage Open Day

We’re celebrating Bridgend County Borough’s local history with an open day at Maesteg Town Hall!
A chance to meet our heritage team who will be sharing more about the Ogwr Unlocked project and the historic local photos they have been digitising.

We would love to see any historic photos or programmes you may have, and hear your stories or questions regarding local place names, especially the unofficial colloquial names for streets, building, areas or landmarks.

You'll also have the chance to learn more about Bridgend County Borough’s local history, including the history of Maesteg Town Hall and our magnificent Christopher Williams paintings.

📆 Saturday 30th May, 10:30 am - 3:30pm

This project is funded by Welsh Government

20/05/2026

Did you know that the 1926 Census of Ireland is now available for family historians? You can either search via the National Archives of Ireland, Ancestry, and even Find My Past. All are accessible at the Local History Library!

If you would like to 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/