Source: ezinearticles.com
Bridgend - Bridgend is located in South Wales on the River Ogmore and north of the River Ewenny. It is a very ancient city by modern standards and is thought to have been settled before the Romans came.
Some time after the conquest of England by the Normans, the Normans began to look to the west to find seats for William's lords. The Coity Castle had already been built at this time. By 1106 Newcastle Castle and Ogmore Castle were built. The three castles helped to establish a triangle that was defendable for the area.
The city developed before a bridge was ever built. There was a ford across River Ogmore and here is where the city developed. The stone bridge was built during the 1400s. The bridge was originally built with four arches, but a large flood wiped two of them out in the 1700s. The remainder of the bridge still stands today.
When coal was discovered in South Wales north of Bridgend, many industries came to the town. When the railroad arrived, Bridgend became a shipping point for the coal. Quarries opened around the city and it became a strong market town to provide supplies to the miners.
During World War II, Bridgend became the home of a POW camp for German Prisoners. During 1945 there were 67 POWs who escaped by way of a tunnel, go today, . All were recaptured. After the war, Bridgend went back to being a market town.
Today, the city has grown quite large. It is served by the railroad as well as bus service. Bicycling is encouraged in the city and is safe on most roads. In the city, you will find shopping, nightlife, music and sports.
Although Bridgend is a city with prehistoric roots, today you will find it to be a modern city.
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