🗺️Ogwr, Glamorgan, Wales.

The Borough of Ogwr was one of six districts of Mid Glamorgan in Wales, which existed from 1974 to 1996.

It took its name from the River Ogmore (Welsh: Afon Ogwr), which flows through the area, and had its administrative centre in Bridgend.

Etymology.

The name Ogwr derives from the Welsh original Ogmwr, meaning “swift force or surge.” Through internal lenition in Welsh, Ogmwr evolved into Ogfwr, which then became Ogwr, while the anglicised form of Ogmwr is Ogmore.

Formation and Boundaries.

Ogwr was created under the Local Government Act 1972 and came into being on 1 April 1974. It combined the urban districts of Bridgend, Maesteg, Ogmore, Garw, and Porthcawl, along with the Penybont Rural District, from the former administrative county of Glamorgan. Its name reflected the principal river coursing through these territories.

Governance and Political Control.

Ogwr Borough Council served as the district’s local authority, with its first election held in 1973. It initially operated as a shadow council before assuming full powers in April 1974. Political control shifted over the borough’s lifespan: Labour held control from 1974 to 1976 and again from 1987 until abolition, with no overall control between 1976 and 1987.

Premises and Administration.

Upon its formation, the council’s offices were housed in the Municipal Buildings on Queen Street, Bridgend, part of the Rhiw shopping centre. In 1986, the council relocated to new purpose-built Civic Offices on Angel Street, Bridgend, overlooking the river that lent the borough its name. After Ogwr’s abolition, these offices became the headquarters of Bridgend County Borough Council.

Abolition and Legacy.

The Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 abolished Ogwr on 31 March 1996. Most of its area became part of the new Bridgend County Borough, while the Vale of Glamorgan absorbed the communities of Wick, St Brides Major, and Ewenny. The borough’s boundaries and civic structures live on through these successor authorities.

Quick Facts.

• Status: Borough of Mid Glamorgan (1974–1996).
• Administrative County: Mid Glamorgan.
• Headquarters: Bridgend.
• Created: 1 April 1974.
• Abolished: 31 March 1996.
• Successor: Bridgend County Borough; parts to the Vale of Glamorgan.
• Name Origin: River Ogmore (Afon Ogwr) – “swift force or surge”.