The Ogmore River rises at Craig Ogwr situated at 527m in the Ogmore Valley as the Ogwr Mawr (big Ogmore) and then links up with the Ogwr Fach (small Ogmore) upon reaching Blackmill to form the Afon Ogwr or River Ogmore, which then flows south past Bridgend to Ogmore-by-Sea. Then the river estuary carries the river into the Bristol Channel near Merthyr Mawr sand dunes and it is interesting to note the Rivers Llynfi, Garw and Ewenny are all tributaries of the River Ogmore.
Rachel and Clive were joined by ten walkers for their trip up to the Garw valley which began on a wet morning but with the forecast of better weather later on. Beginning from the community car park in Blackmill they joined part of the Ogmore Valley cycle route which runs with the Ogmore Valley Trail for 13km or 8-miles along the banks of the Ogwr Fawr from Aberkenfig in Bridgend to Nantymoel.
In years gone by a leat ran along the mountainside from a weir in the Afon Ogwr Fawr (big Ogmore River) in Pant-yr-awel to power the mill which was situated east of Blackmill village square. The used water then ran into the Ogwr Fach which joins up with the Ogwr Fawr at Blackmill creating the River Ogmore.
Further on a short stiff climb led to the edge of a magnificent oak forest on Craig Tal-y-fan where the narrow track through tall ferns and gorse was negotiated through to open access land. Following part of the Ogwr Ridgeway Walk the group crossed the road, then the Garw Valley cycle track and fast flowing River Garw (Afon Garw) to a lane beside a stream where they stopped for morning coffee and some lively banter.
Then time to move on across the common where they admired a large group of handsome horses who were grazing and passed a rather unusual site of a school which appeared to have recently burnt down – after all what else do you do in the school holidays?
Some road-walking followed through Bettws before they entered fields where they found footpaths choked with Himalayan Balsam and this rather handsome looking plant which appears to be very pretty is causing havoc to footpaths because it is so invasive and chokes all the natural vegetation.
The group edged towards Llangeinor which lies mid-way up the Garw valley and the village is now protected as part of a conservation area. In fact it once housed a man who became very important.
At Tyn Ton Farm at Llangeinor on 23 February 1723 Richard Price was born. He became a preacher, philosopher and talented mathematician and had very strong views which he aired about civil liberties. He wrote pamphlets about his theories of government which included the fact that every man should have the right to freedom of speech, to be able to worship as he wished and that every man should have the right to think and speak as his conscience dictated.
His pamphlets became well read and very popular and it is said that when the residents of the new colonies in North America read Dr Price’s theories it pushed them to declare independence from Great Britain in order to set up their own country, the United States of America.
These theories were incorporated into the Declaration of Independence which led to the American War of Independence and their brand new constitution was partly based on Dr Price’s ideals and books. In fact Dr Price was invited to the USA to accept a position as a consultant to them, but he declined.
With mist lingering on the surrounding hills and the rain worsening, the leaders offered to shorten the walk, the idea of which seemed to fall upon deaf ears!
Accessing the Garw Valley cycle track which runs along an old disused railway track where amazingly the rails remain in situ, the group enjoyed a huge variety of plant life that was growing between and around the many rocks, but even there the invasive Himalayan Balsam had taken up residence. The track is constructed in a deep ravine that has been blasted through and the group were interested to see that at access points to the cycle track modern art is combined with local history in the form of moulded steel set into beautifully constructed stone walls to represent the route of the old railway. On the steel pieces are etched memories and observations of the local residents which reflect the industrial past of the area.
Coming to the end of a flat stretch of walking meant it was time to think about lunch and as luck would have it, the rain decided to stop as the group found a children’s play area complete with benches and a picnic table which made the perfect stop. Two of the group went back to their childhood and could not resist the strong urge to try out the zip wire before lunch was enjoyed whilst the group hung coats onto the railings in an attempt to dry out a little.
Following a bridle path towards Pant Blaenhirwr the group began the most significant climb of the day up towards Pen y Foel which stands at 356 metres. The mist cleared as the group climbed and the weather conditions improved also affording them clear extensive views of the surrounding countryside and across the Bristol Channel to Exmoor.
Scrambling up Nant Llwyncria the group reached the open moorland and made their way to a dry stone walled track to reach the small hillside hamlet of Cae Abbot which boasts not only a church but also a pub!
Around 1215 the medieval grange of Egliskainwyr was recorded as standing near to where the church is situated although no trace can be found of any building today. At the church the group entered the churchyard where one member pointed out an interesting tomb surmounted by an arched iron cage embedded in the ground and placed there apparently to prevent grave robbers from despoiling the tomb.
After a short walk across farmland and then beside the Ogwr Fawr the group trudged back to Blackmill where they enjoyed a refreshing and well-earned drink before the journey home.
I was born in Blackmill so I was interested to read the blog on this walk as I am familiar with many of the places you visited but didn’t know much about the history of the area. Very interesting!
Great walk!