Bargoed
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Bargoed (Welsh: Bargod) is a town in the Rhymney Valley, one of the Welsh Valleys. It lies on the Rhymney River in the county borough of Caerphilly and straddles the border between the traditional counties of Glamorgan and Monmouthshire. The literal English translation of the town's Welsh name, Bargod, is 'border'.
Pronunciation of the town's name varies depending on street. There are many acceptable variations, from the 'official' Welsh Barr-god and English Bar-goid to the informal Baa-Gud and Baa-Go-Ed.
Originally a rural market town, Bargoed grew into a substantial town following the opening of a colliery in 1903. The colliery closed during the 1980s, and its former site is now home to a country park.
'Greater Bargoed', as defined by the local authority Caerphilly County Borough Council, consists of the towns of Bargoed, Aberbargoed and the village of Gilfach. The combined population of these settlements is approximately 13,000.
Bargoed Grammar Technical School existed as the local Grammar School before Heolddu Comprehensive School was formed.
Bargoed is regularly namechecked during televised snooker tournaments as Mark Williams, Embassy World Snooker Champion in 2000 and 2003, practices his sport at the town's Emporium Snooker Hall.