Bedwas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bedwas | |
Population | 8,512 |
---|---|
OS grid reference | |
Principal area | Caerphilly |
Ceremonial county | Gwent |
Constituent country | Wales |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | CAERPHILLY |
Postcode district | CF83 |
Dial code | 029 |
Police | Gwent |
Fire | South Wales |
Ambulance | Welsh |
UK Parliament | Caerphilly |
European Parliament | Wales |
List of places: UK • Wales • Caerphilly |
Bedwas is a village 2 miles north-east of Caerphilly, south Wales, situated in the Caerphilly borough and traditional county of Monmouthshire. It neighbours Trethomas and Machen, and forms a council ward in conjunction with those communities.
Bedwas owes much of its history to the Welsh coal mining industry. In the late 18th century it was home to four coal pits, and the construction of a large-scale colliery had been completed by 1913. At its peak, the colliery's workers raised 675,000 tons of coal in one year (1939). It was closed, along with others, in the Miners' Strike of 1984-85, and did not reopen. Light industry replaced mining as the main local employer.
Bedwas is home to a rugby union club and comprehensive school.