Bargoed is the second largest town in the Rhymney Valley with a population of around 15,000. The town's story is one that is typical of so many settlements in the area, rising and falling with the coal industry that was the reason for its existence.
In 1851 the hamlet of Pont Aberbargoed had a population of 351 people, and just to the west was Charlestown, consisting of a couple of terraced streets. This area, present day Bristol Terrace, Bridge Street and the former Old Mill pub (now known as the Goldmine) is the oldest part of Bargoed still in existence.
The opening of the railway in 1858 stimulated the growth of the colliery and the town boomed. Between 1901 and 1922 Bargoed's population grew from 4,453 to 12,500. The park was established and there were three schools and eleven chapels and churches.
A thriving shopping street sprang up in the town centre, with the Emporium as its centrepiece. This department store was a mini Howells or David Morgans, all manner of goods could be purchased there. Crowning the shop was its splendid clock tower, removed in 1969. Many of my grandparents' generation said that the dismantling of the clock was the beginning of the end for the town!
Bargoed attracted shoppers from all the surrounding areas. The bus station on the town square was a hive of actvity. How different it all is today.
Bargoed colliery was once a world record breaker - a ten hour shift in December 1908 produced 3,562 tons of coal. When the pit closed on 4th June 1977 the town began a long slow downturn which continues today.
Many of the major shops including the Emporium and the Roath Furnishing Company closed. Bargoed still has the usual mixture of high street stores such as Woolworths and Burtons but the glory days are long gone.
The building of the Parc housing estate (known locally as "the Site") swelled the population to around 15,000 but there has been a steady stream of people leaving for the M4 corridor and Cardiff.
Despite these problems, Bargoed still has a sense of community spirit so often lost in larger towns.
It can boast a fine park with beautiful flower beds, a swimming pool, athletics track and, where the colliery once stood, a new country park - Parc Coedre Bargod (pictured left) - with scenic walks.
Ogilve colliery in the nearby village of Deri has been transformed into Parc Cwm Darren, with a lake, cycle paths and a campsite. Bargoed golfcourse is still well used and behind it the rugged moorland of Gelligaer Common has its own stark beauty.
Many of the historic buildings have gone, but some, including the Settlement, Workmen's Institute and Hanbury Road Chapel remain.
Bargoed is at last beginning to look to the future and the town council now organises a Big Weekend each summer with bands,fairground rides and stalls. This has proved well attended and popular. BBC Fame Academy and Eurovision James Fox hails from the town and performed at the first event.
The long promised bypass (first mooted in 1969) seems to be finally on the cards and there are plans to knock down several boarded up shops and develop more open space and maybe new retail opportunities in the town centre.
Maybe, after years of losing out to Blackwood when Caerphilly Coucil propose new development, things are starting to turn around for Bargoed. Here's hoping!
Nick Owen - September 2006
