Bridgend Leasing

Did You Know?

he biggest ever recorded escape by German prisoners of war in Britain happened in Bridgend at the Island Farm POW camp in 1945. 86 prisoners escaped through a 70 feet tunnel that had been dug through heavy clay. Cans, tins and knifes were used as digging implements and soil was hauled out of the tunnel in kit bags.

Bridgend was one of the first places to extend an invitation to Colonel Gadaffi when diplomatic relations resumed between Libya and the West.

The Merthyr Mawr sand dunes are about 3 miles away from the centre of Bridgend town, and unbelievably, they were used as a shooting location for some of the scenes in the 1962 classic film, Lawrence of Arabia. Widely acclaimed as one of the greatest and most influential films of all-time, the film starred Peter O’Toole, and detailed the exploits of the British Army Officer T. E. Lawrence, as he helps to organise Arab revolts during the First World World.

This roughly translates in English as ‘The main bridge on the River Ogmore’. As you can tell from its name, bridges and water have played an important part in Bridgend’s history. The town originally developed at a ford on the River Ogmore, which marked the main route between east and west Wales. North of the town, the three rivers Ogmore, Llynfi and Garw also meet.

Actress, writer and MBE Ruth Jones, best known as Stella in the comedy ‘Gavin and Stacey’ was born in Bridgend. Newsreader Huw Edwards, and William Morgan, inventor of the X-ray process, were also born here.

The Davies Building were built on the corner of Caroline Street in 1892 - they were built by confectioner George E Davies. He owned a sweet shop adjoining the side, this was known as Davies' Rock Shop.

Several prehistoric burial mounds have been found in the vicinity of Bridgend, suggesting that the area was settled before Roman times. The A48 between Bridgend and Cowbridge has a portion, known locally as "Crack Hill", a Roman road and the 'Golden Mile' where it is believed Roman soldiers were lined up to be paid.