Cefn Cribwr

Cefn Cribwr
File:Cefn Cribwr (West) - geograph.org.uk - 172118.jpg
Cefn Cribwr  Cefn Cribwr shown within Bridgend
Population	1,481
Principal area	Bridgend
Ceremonial county	Mid Glamorgan
Country	Wales
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Bridgend
Postcode district	CF32 0
Dialling code	01656
Police	South Wales
Fire	South Wales
Ambulance	Welsh
EU Parliament	Wales
UK Parliament	Ogmore
Welsh Assembly	Ogmore
List of places UK Wales Bridgend

Cefn Cribwr is a village and community in Bridgend County Borough in south Wales. The village is located about 5 miles (8 km) from the centre of Bridgend town. Cefn Cribwr, as a community, recorded a population of 1,546 in the 2001 Census, reducing to 1,481 at the 2011 Census.

The community centre (opened 1924), locally known as the 'Green Hall' was originally conceived as a Miners' Welfare Hall and was supported by colliery owners and colliers. Many political meetings were held there. Labour politician and former Prime Minister Ramsay Macdonald spoke there in the closing weeks of the General Strike of 1926. The Wesley Dramatic Society entertained, as did the members of Siloam Chapel who performed many dramas and concerts. The community centre today, is mainly used as the venue for the meetings of Cefn Cribwr Labour Party.

Bedford Park, found in Cefn Cribwr is now an area of 40 acres (160,000 m²) of ancient woodland and meadows, glades and open spaces. It was once an area of intense industrial activity following the building of a blast furnace here in 1780 by the Birmingham Industrialist John Bedford. He also sank pits to mine the raw materials of ironstone and coal as well as founding a forge and brickworks. The ironworks were never as successful as Bedford had hoped and began to decline after his death in 1791. Coal mining and brick making, however, continued throughout the 19th Century and industrial activity at Bedford Park ceased after World War I.

Cefn Cribwr Ironworks in Bedford Park is now protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and is one of the most complete of its kind in Britain. Many parts of the ironworks and related buildings can still be seen.

The community has several public footpaths and cycling routes which pass through the park following the line of the old Dyffryn, Llynfi and Porthcawl Railway which linked the ironworks to the coast.

Places of worship in Cefn Cribwr

Bethlehem Church Life Centre The first Bethlehem church was built in 1930, it was enlarged in 1952 by building around the existing old church; once the roof was finished, the first church was knocked down inside the newer second structure. The new Bethlehem church life centre was built in 2005 - it can hold a congregation of around 300 people.

Calvary English Baptist Church Built in 1907, Calvary is situated on Cefn Road on the opposite side to Cefn school. The building can hold a congregation of about 110. Calvary Baptist Chapel has a sister church in Aberkenfig.

St. Colemans Church Originally built in 1924, and supported by the vicar of Pen-Y-Fai, Rev. H.R. Protheroe and his parishioners. The church was used for meetings and entertainment. In 2007 weddings were allowed to take place there. In September 2005, together with St. Theodore's church in Kenfig Hill - St. Colemans shared a new beginning with the appointment of a new Parish Priest, but was closed in November 2012.

Siloam Chapel Built in 1827, this was the first chapel to be built in Cefn Cribbwr. It is the oldest of the six places of worship in the village. It is located at the top of Bedford Road and is set back off the road. The present day chapel is not the original as the structure was rebuilt in 1855. It is a large structure with a cemetery to the front and rear. The original congregation were Welsh speakers, many of whom were local miners.

Nebo Church The second chapel to be built in Cefn Cribbwr it was completed in 1849. It was rebuilt in 1868 as a much larger structure. Both Nebo and Siloam are the only two places of worship in Cefn Cribbwr with cemeteries. The church can be difficult to find, as its entrance is small and the church is tucked away off the main road. There is a baptistry at the front of the church.

Wesleyan Chapel Built in 1886, it took just thirteen weeks to build. It is believed to have been built by volunteer workers and its chosen site was midway between Cefn Cribwr and Kenfig Hill alongside the main road overlooking the common. The building is able to accommodate a congregation of between 120 and 150.