The history of the Ogmore Valley will soon be told along a new interactive heritage trail
Starting at Bryngarw Country Park, and winding up the valley along the cycling and walking route to Nantymoel, the trail will be dotted with interpretive information panels documenting the area’s past and highlighting places of interest and additional walking and cycling routes.
A new smartphone app will be linked to the trail to help bring the valley’s history into the present, and the trail will climax with a new art feature on the site of the former Berwyn Centre.
The soon to be renovated Memorial Hall in Nantymoel will become a Heritage Hub for the valley – showcasing memorabilia and heritage information and it will have a digital heritage display in the community café.
A total of £62,112 funding towards the project has been provided by Bridgend County Borough Council’s Reach Rural Development team via the Thriving Rural Communities Fund and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Wales via the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Councillor Charles Smith, the council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Education, said: “This exciting trail will provide a lasting legacy of the Ogmore Valley’s history. As it is being created along the cycle path, the project will potentially see new bike hire facilities available at Bryngarw Country Park, while a self-service bike maintenance station will be included along the route. Work will start in the next few weeks and the project will take around 18 months to complete.
“The local community will be heavily involved in this project, from designing the art feature to cataloguing local history and accessing a range of relevant training. The Reach team has worked closely with the community volunteers, providing support that has culminated in successful applications for grant funding.”
If you would like to find out more or are keen to get involved in the project please contact the reach team by emailing reach@bridgend.gov.uk
The project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.
There are 21 rural wards in Bridgend County Borough that are eligible for rural development funding. If you have ideas for your rural community that you would like to develop, please visit www.bridgendreach.org.uk or email reach@bridgend.gov.uk for further information.