The Seven Wonders Of Nantymoel

Our School History

The Clock

The 7 Wonders of Nantymoel Famous people

Recreation

Landscape

Berwyn Centre

Clock •

The Clock was built in 1955 to commemorate the founding of the Wyndham Health Society.

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“The clock is in the heart of Nantymoel, it is near the boys and girls club, surgery and the school. It is the main attraction in Nantymoel, apart from the view. It was built over 50 years ago.” Louisa Carr, Catrin Thomas and Lauren Davies.

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Nantymoel Primary School •

The school is situated at the northern end of the Ogmore Valley in the village of Nantymoel. The village was once a flourishing mining community but the mines have now closed and there is little trace of them. Nantymoel Primary School was created in September 1990 with the amalgamation of the then separate Junior and Infant Schools. In September 2001 a nursery class was set up in the school when Nantymoel Nursery School closed.

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“Nantymoel Primary is the best school around it has helped me learn to read and write.” Summer Parsons

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Berwyn Centre •

The Berwyn Centre, in the Ogmore Valley, is an Arts and Community Centre converted from a former Miners’ Welfare Hall and Cinema in 1974 and funded by Bridgend County Borough Council. It houses an art gallery, library, and a small three hundred-seat theatre, the venue for many plays and concerts.

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“I like going there to read books & use the computers. I sometimes go to find information for homework and other things like History projects. There is a theatre where the school can do Christmas concerts and a café if you are feeling peckish” Louisa James

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Landscape Nantymoel can be found nestling at the head of the Ogmore Valley and the foot of Mynydd William Meyrick, and Craig Ogwr. The viewing points from Bwlch Y Clawdd (the pass between the mountains) facilitates a vista over the Vale of Glamorgan and across the Severn Estuary to the distant coast of Devon. It was originally a mining village and suffered the usual scars created by industry. The last of the coalmines closed in the 1980s and little evidence remains of the industry that spawned the community. Where were once spoil tips are now lush green hills that are a pleasure for ramblers and casual walkers to enjoy. The colliery sites have been transformed into parks and leisure areas with paths that weave through shrubs and trees instead of industrial waste. BACK

Famous People Nantymoel - the birthplace of notable celebrities and heroes such as actor Windsor Davies, Olympic long jump champion Lyn Davies and Corporal JL Davies, awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry in World War One.

Click on a celebrity to find out more

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History

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Lynn the Leap • • •

Born: 20 MAY 1942 Place of Birth: Nantymoel Famous For: Long jumper who won Olympic gold

One of Wales's most popular sporting personalities, long jumper Davies competed in three Olympics. He surprised himself and his fans to win gold on his Olympic debut aged just 22 at the 1964 Tokyo games. Davies made the best of the wet and windy conditions to beat world record holder and reigning champion Ralph Boston with a leap of 8.07 metres. He won gold at the 1966 Jamaica & 1970 Edinburgh Commonwealth games, as well as European Championship gold in 1966 and silver in 1969. Davies's personal best of 8.23 metres, set in 1968 in Berne, stood as the Welsh record for 34 years. Following his retirement, Davies turned his hand to sports administration, including spells as team manager British athletics team at the Olympics and technical director for the Canadian Track and Field Association. He is currently president of UK Athletics and played a key role in London's successful bid to stage the 2012 Olympics.

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Windsor Davies •

Windsor Davies was born of Welsh parents in Canning Town, where he spent the first ten years of his life. He then returned to Wales with his family and later became a school teacher. It wasn’t until he was 31 that he did a three-week drama course at Richmond College of Further Education, and got his first engagement in the theatre at the Cheltenham Rep. This led him to London and The Keep, The Battle of Agin Court, Under Milk Wood and many other plays. BACK

Corporal JL Davies •

Corporal JL Davies of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers was awarded the Victoria Cross for conspicuous gallantry. He was fatally wounded at Ypres in July 1917 during the First World War.

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Corporal J L Davies single handed attacked a machine gun position and took it, although previous attempts had failed, he then led an attack on a sniper – he died later.

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Recreation •

Where were once spoil tips are now lush green hills that are a pleasure for ramblers and casual walkers to enjoy. The colliery sites have been transformed into parks and leisure areas with paths that weave through shrubs and trees instead of industrial waste. The old railway line is now a tarmac cycle track running from the area known as the Court, along the valley following the no longer polluted river allowing convenient access to Bryngarw Country Park. For the sports enthusiasts there is a large playing field known locally as the Planker, which offers several football fields and cricket pitches. Nantymoel RFC has its own ground adjacent to the primary school, with its clubhouse on the main road as you enter the village. BACK