Local History Library - Bridgend County Borough

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Local History Library - Bridgend County Borough We hold the local history collection for Bridgend County Borough. This includes a wide variety of books, journals, records and maps.

Our archives also hold microfilm copies of historic newspapers, and we host the index for the General Records Office.

Dare we use the dreaded "C" word yet? 🎄🎁If you're looking for looking for a festive gift for that history lover in your ...
10/10/2026

Dare we use the dreaded "C" word yet? 🎄🎁

If you're looking for looking for a festive gift for that history lover in your life, or perhaps a little treat for yourself, we have a selection of books from some of our amazing Ogwr History Month speakers! There are even some signed copies of 'Regina' by Kate Williams, and 'Medieval Horizons' by Ian Mortimer.

Call in to the Local History Library, or ask our colleagues in Maesteg Town Hall Library for yours.

It's the last Friday of Ogwr History Month, so for our we're sharing some of the historic places from across Ogwr.For ...
25/09/2026

It's the last Friday of Ogwr History Month, so for our we're sharing some of the historic places from across Ogwr.

For generations of families across South Wales, a visit to Coney Beach, Porthcawl was a treasured part of summer. Since opening in 1918, the fair brought the sounds of laughter, the smell of candyfloss, and the thrill of rides to the seafront, becoming a much-loved fixture of Welsh seaside life. It was originally established to entertain returning American troops after the First World War and took its name from New York's famous Coney Island.

Whether it was a first ride on the roller coaster, winning a prize in the arcade, or enjoying a day by the sea with family, Coney Beach holds a special place in many hearts.

Beth yw eich hoff atgof o Goney Beach? / What's your favourite Coney Beach memory?

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/

Here's the line up for this week of Ogwr History Month:📆21 September 11am – 3:30pm : Ogwr Unlocked “Celebrating Childhoo...
21/09/2026

Here's the line up for this week of Ogwr History Month:

📆21 September 11am – 3:30pm : Ogwr Unlocked “Celebrating Childhood” Exhibition at Betws Life Centre Betws Library
📆23 September 1pm : Cinema : Save The Cinema [12] at Y Bocs Oren Maesteg Town Hall
📆24 September 1 - 7pm : Glamorgan Place names (Drop In) with James January-McCann at The ARC in Aberkenfig
📆25 September 11am : So That’s What Writing Was Like 2000 Years Ago! With Richard Cleaves at Pencoed Library
📆26 September : Open Ogwr in various venues across Bridgend County
📆26 September 10am - 5pm : Open Day at Cefn Junction Box with Cefn Gwyrdd at Cefn Cribwr Signal Box
📆26 September 9am - 1pm : Ogmore Cadw Open Day with Ogmore Valley Local History Society in Ogmore Valley Life Centre
📆26 September 11am - 3pm : Elvis Day at Porthcawl Museum
📆26 September 11am - 3pm : St. John’s House Open Day at St. John's House, Bridgend
📆26 September 10am - 4pm : Open Day at Tabernacle, Pontycymer with Garw Valley Heritage Society
📆27 September 11am - 3pm : St. John’s House Open Day at St. John's House, Bridgend

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

Here's the line up for next week of Ogwr History Month:📆21 September 11am – 3:30pm : Ogwr Unlocked “Celebrating Childhoo...
19/09/2026

Here's the line up for next week of Ogwr History Month:

📆21 September 11am – 3:30pm : Ogwr Unlocked “Celebrating Childhood” Exhibition at Betws Life Centre Betws Library
📆23 September 1pm : Cinema : Save The Cinema [12] at Y Bocs Oren Maesteg Town Hall
📆24 September 1 - 7pm : Glamorgan Place names (Drop In) with James January-McCann at The ARC in Aberkenfig
📆25 September 11am : So That’s What Writing Was Like 2000 Years Ago! With Richard Cleaves at Pencoed Library
📆26 September : Open Ogwr in various venues across Bridgend County
📆26 September 10am - 5pm : Open Day at Cefn Junction Box with Cefn Gwyrdd at Cefn Cribwr Signal Box
📆26 September 9am - 1pm : Ogmore Cadw Open Day with Ogmore Valley Local History Society in Ogmore Valley Life Centre
📆26 September 11am - 3pm : Elvis Day at Porthcawl Museum
📆26 September 11am - 3pm : St. John’s House Open Day at St. John's House, Bridgend
📆26 September 10am - 4pm : Open Day at Tabernacle, Pontycymer with Garw Valley Heritage Society
📆27 September 11am - 3pm : St. John’s House Open Day at St. John's House, Bridgend

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

Due to unforeseen circumstances, tomorrows World War II open day at Porthcawl Museum has been cancelled.We apologise for...
18/09/2026

Due to unforeseen circumstances, tomorrows World War II open day at Porthcawl Museum has been cancelled.

We apologise for the inconvenience

We're over halfway through Ogwr History Month, so for our we're sharing some of the historic places from across Ogwr.N...
18/09/2026

We're over halfway through Ogwr History Month, so for our we're sharing some of the historic places from across Ogwr.

Nestled at the head of the beautiful Garw Valley, Blaengarw grew rapidly during the 19th century as a coal mining community within the South Wales Coalfield. The village became home to generations of miners and their families, shaping the strong community spirit that remains today.

The historic Blaengarw Workmen's Hall, built in 1893, still stands as a reminder of the village's rich industrial heritage. Blaengarw is also linked to Welsh culture through Daniel James (Gwyrosydd), who wrote the beloved hymn Calon Lân while working as a miner in the village.

Today, Blaengarw is known not only for its history but also for its stunning valley scenery and resilient community spirit.

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/

Here's the line up for this week of Ogwr History Month:📆14 September 7:30pm : Iolo Morganwg a Gwerin Morganwg | Iolo Mor...
13/09/2026

Here's the line up for this week of Ogwr History Month:

📆14 September 7:30pm : Iolo Morganwg a Gwerin Morganwg | Iolo Morganwg and Glamorgan Folk (Welsh language talk) with Allan James at Three Horse Shoe Community Pub – Cefn Cribwr Cefn Gwyrdd
📆15 September 2pm : Hut 9 | The Great Welsh Escape with Chris Durnall and Tim Rhys at Y Bocs Oren Maesteg Town Hall
📆15 September 7pm : Special Operations Executive WW2 with Rob Taylor at YMCA Porthcawl
📆16 September 7pm : Iolo… Music, Cefn and Cymru | Cerddoriaeth, Cefn a Chymru with Clwb Alawon, Bethan Nia and Y Cefn Gwyrdd at Three Horse Shoe Community Pub – Cefn Cribwr Cefn Gwyrdd
📆17 September 11am – 4pm : Ogwr Unlocked “Celebrating Childhood” Exhibition at Pyle Library
📆17 September 5:30pm : Norwgians In Wales with Dr Thomas Husøy at Porthcawl Library
📆17 - 19 September 11am - 4pm : Bridgend Blue Plaques Exhibition with Bridgend and District Local History Society at Carnegie House, Bridgend
📆19 September 10 - 11:30am : Children’s History Workshop ‘Victorians’ Porthcawl Library
📆19 September 1 - 2:30pm : Children's History Workshop 'Victorians' Pyle Library
📆19 September 11am - 3pm : Archers at St. John’s House Open Day at St. John’s House, Bridgend (please note the change in date from printed programme)
📆19 September 10am : History Walk : Kenfig and Sker with Graham Loveluck-Edwards
📆19 September : Open Bridgend at Various Bridgend and surrounding area venues, see event listing for further details.

Please note the World War II Open day at Porthcawl Museum has been cancelled

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

Here's the line up for next week of Ogwr History Month:📆14 September 7:30pm : Iolo Morganwg a Gwerin Morganwg | Iolo Mor...
12/09/2026

Here's the line up for next week of Ogwr History Month:

📆14 September 7:30pm : Iolo Morganwg a Gwerin Morganwg | Iolo Morganwg and Glamorgan Folk (Welsh language talk) with Allan James at Three Horse Shoe Community Pub – Cefn Cribwr Cefn Gwyrdd
📆15 September 2pm : Hut 9 | The Great Welsh Escape with Chris Durnall and Tim Rhys at Y Bocs Oren Maesteg Town Hall
📆15 September 7pm : Special Operations Executive WW2 with Rob Taylor at YMCA Porthcawl
📆16 September 7pm : Iolo… Music, Cefn and Cymru | Cerddoriaeth, Cefn a Chymru with Clwb Alawon, Bethan Nia and Y Cefn Gwyrdd at Three Horse Shoe Community Pub – Cefn Cribwr Cefn Gwyrdd
📆17 September 11am – 4pm : Ogwr Unlocked “Celebrating Childhood” Exhibition at Pyle Library
📆17 September 5:30pm : Norwgians In Wales with Dr Thomas Husøy at Porthcawl Library
📆17 - 19 September 11am - 4pm : Bridgend Blue Plaques Exhibition with Bridgend and District Local History Society at Carnegie House, Bridgend
📆19 September 10 - 11:30am : Children’s History Workshop ‘Victorians’ Porthcawl Library
📆19 September 1 - 2:30pm : Children's History Workshop 'Victorians' Pyle Library
📆19 September 11am - 3pm : Archers at St. John’s House Open Day at St. John’s House, Bridgend (please note the change in date from printed programme)
📆19 September 10am : History Walk : Kenfig and Sker with Graham Loveluck-Edwards
📆19 September 11am - 3pm : World War II Open day at Porthcawl Museum
📆19 September : Open Bridgend at Various Bridgend and surrounding area venues, see event listing for further details.

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

Ogwr History Month is in full swing, so for our we're sharing some of the historic sites from across Ogwr.Merthyr Mawr...
11/09/2026

Ogwr History Month is in full swing, so for our we're sharing some of the historic sites from across Ogwr.

Merthyr Mawr is among the finest historic villages in South Wales, celebrated for its wealth of listed buildings and enduring estate heritage. At the centre of the village stands St Teilo's Church, surrounded by a collection of traditional cottages, barns and estate buildings that tell the story of centuries of rural life.
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/

Address

Maesteg Town Hall
Maesteg
CF349DA

Telephone

01656754859

Website

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