The Emmaus South Wales Library of Things is a new low-cost borrowing initiative which aims to help people borrow useful items they may only need for a few jobs or short amount of time. Instead of buying a new item that ends up never being used again, members can pay a small fee to borrow it, use it and return it when they’re done with it!

The scheme, which is based at our Bridgend shop on Caroline Street, allows for low-cost borrowing which helps our members from all walks of life, allows people to use stuff that they don’t have space to store around their home, and promotes the idea of an environmentally-friendly circular economy where the same items get used multiple times instead of just once. The Grand Pavilion is taking part in Awen’s Warm Welcome Programme, please see below the activities taking place each week as part of this programme. This spike in new faces hasn't been missed by other residents either. Maxine Lewis was born and grew up in Blaengarw. "Growing up here was brilliant, it was lovely," she explained. Speaking from within the William Trigg community centre, she described how living in a place so high in the valley, everyone knew everyone. Despite deciding to move to England in her adulthood, Maxine returned to the valley eight years ago. "I wanted my son to grow up and have the same sort of upbringing as I had." Driving up the Garw Valley is similar to most other valleys in south Wales. The characteristic rows of terraced houses line the road, streets spurt off up the side of mountains, and it's all located in a bowl of green fields and trees. However as the journey approaches Blaengarw, the hills become evermore imposing, until it feels like you're surrounded.Despite the loss of jobs when the pits closed, Blaengarw is not as deprived as many other areas of the old coalfield. And it ranks highly for community safety and access to services in studies like the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation. Seventy-five kids screaming on a Friday, imagine the noise. You had a big smile on your face because you knew seventy-five kids were safe, they were warm, and they were entertained. We had to close because of Covid, and I'd see some of the kids in the street and they'd be like 'Miss, Miss, when can we start again?'"

Feelgood Friday Wellbeing Support & Activities, Free Haircuts (Pop Up Shop, Unit 22 Rhiw Shopping Centre) 10am - 12pm All our items are priced at a recommended borrowing amount which we believe to be fair and accessible to most households. If you are feeling the squeeze on your living costs, do not hesitate to come in and we can sort out an adjusted price for you. We will work with you to make sure the price is as fair as possible.

Cornelly 

Foodbank, 10am - 12pm, tea and coffee available. Citizens Advice and Employability advisers available if required. Featuring a dedicated event space, the building will bring together companies working across the oil and gas, offshore energy, defence and subsea cable sectors in the region, and further afield, to enable collaboration and facilitate the exchange of ideas and technology across the sectors.

Dementia Hwb Open 7 days a week from 10am - Fun free activities supporting those living with dementia and peer support for carers. Join us for an afternoon of free live music led by some of the best musicians in the UK, with free tea and coffee on tap and of course the best view in town. Garw Pit was owned by the Blaengarw Ocean Coal Company, a subsiduary of the Ocean Coal Company. Sinking of the pit began in 1883 and reached full production by 1886. The new premises mark the next phase in the organisation’s plans to support the future growth of this diverse, world-leading industry and the wider blue economy. With funding assistance from UK and Scottish governments, the base will serve as a hub for GUH’s members across the north of England.One of the only downsides in the village is the unreliable public transport (Image: WalesOnline/ Gayle Marsh) The opening event saw industry and regional leaders come together to find out more about GUH and how it will benefit the region. There was a technology demonstration from SMD featuring its latest development, SMD Horizon, which enables remote controlling of autonomous vehicles from any device with an internet connection. A friendly get-together for local crafters with free hot drinks and biscuits! Bring along your own crafts to knit and natter, create and chatter for a relaxing morning of creativity whilst enjoying our beautiful sea views.

The community centre is also successfully reaching out to the older members of the community, thanks to the hard work of Rod and Mandy Shaw, who now run several activities from the centre daily as well as a community cafe. Rod, chatting happily in his West-county accent, stands out among the crowd, but couldn't be more integrated into the community if he tried. Rod Shaw has woked hard to reintorduce activities for the elderly in the valley (Image: WalesOnline/ Gayle Marsh)

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After the nationalisation of the coal industry in 1947, Garw Colliery was placed in the National Coal Board's South Western Division, Area No. 2. In 1975, the colliery was merged with Ffaldau Colliery.