Caerau, Bridgend

Caerau, surrounded by mountainous terrain and forestry, is one of the border points between Bridgend County Borough and Neath Port Talbot County Borough, bordered to the north by Croeserw and Cymmer, Neath Port Talbot.

Chris Davies (2022– )[3] Caerau was originally a village with very little significance and population up until the late 1800s when the extensive mineral extraction industry gained traction.

This gives the village a characteristic style of architecture with its native Carboniferous limestone masonry in its buildings.

This style can often be seen combined with crenellated door and window surrounds made of locally produced red or blue brick.

The Inspector of Mines list, 1896, shows there were 533 men employed in Caerau "South Pit" producing steam coal.

Caerau Colliery eventually closed permanently in 1979, five years before Margaret Thatcher's announcement of coal pit closures in 1984 which led to the miners' strike of 1984 and 1985.

[citation needed] Due to the predominantly practising Christian population at the turn of the 19th century, there were many churches built.

However, due to the sharp decline in the practising Christians in the village many of these buildings are now derelict or demolished.

Formerly home to a diverse number of shops and establishments, the area is now mainly populated by convenience stores and take-away meal outlets.

There are public allotment facilities near North Street called Caerau Market Garden, which is popular among residents for growing vegetables.

There is also an organisation called Men's Shed, which provides affordable meals and groceries to residents.

This is due to an arson attack on the former premises which was situated on what is now a grassy area between Wesley street and Library Road.

Caerau train station and the associated railway routes were made defunct during the Beeching Report cutback of rail services in the 1960s.

Caerau FC, the local football club, play in the 1st division of the South Wales Amateur League (as of 2008–09).