Newton, Porthcawl Explained

Country:Wales
Welsh Name:Drenewydd yn Notais
Constituency Welsh Assembly:Bridgend (National Assembly for Wales constituency)
Coordinates:51.484°N -3.679°W
Official Name:Newton
Unitary Wales:Bridgend
Lieutenancy Wales:Bridgend
Constituency Westminster:Bridgend
Post Town:PORTHCAWL
Postcode District:CF36 5
Postcode Area:CF
Dial Code:01656
Os Grid Reference:SS834774
Population:3,608
Population Ref:(ward 2011)[1]
Static Image:St. Johns Newton.jpg
Static Image Width:200px
Static Image Caption:St John the Baptist Church

Newton (Welsh: Drenewydd yn Notais) is a village located near the seaside resort town of Porthcawl, in Bridgend County Borough, Wales.

History and amenities

Newton village dates from the 12th century and St John the Baptist Church was founded by the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem 800 years ago and originally built as a fortress, still overlooks the village green.

The Jolly Sailor pub, the oldest in Porthcawl, and the Ancient Briton pub also overlook the green. 130 metres to the south of the church lies St. John's water well, the water from which is reputed to have healing properties.

Newton Beach is a long sandy beach, approximately 3 miles long, stretching from Newton Point in the west to the mouth of the River Ogmore in the east.

The Newton Burrows and Merthyr Mawr sand dunes back Newton beach, and are a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest.[2] The present warren is what is left of what was once the largest sand dune system in Europe, stretching along the coast to Mumbles. The dunes form an important habitat for wildlife and plants, and also claim fame to the second highest sand dune in Europe, locally known as the ‘big dipper’. Some of the filming of Lawrence of Arabia took place on the dunes.

The sand dunes were featured in the BBC series Coast and Weatherman Walking.[3]

Newton is home to one independent school: St Clare's

Governance

Newton is a ward to Porthcawl Town Council and Bridgend County Borough Council. It is represented by four town councillors on Porthcawl Town Council.[4]

Since the 1999 county elections Newton has been a county ward, electing one county councillor to Bridgend County Borough Council.[5]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bridgend ward population 2011 . 11 April 2015.
  2. http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southeast/sites/walks/pages/newton.shtml Newton Circular Walk
  3. http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southeast/sites/walks/pages/southerndown.shtml Weatherman Walking: Merthyr Mawr to Southerndown
  4. Web site: Councillors . Porthcawl Town Council . 1 April 2019 .
  5. Web site: The County Borough of Bridgend (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1998 . legislation.gov.uk . . 23 November 1998 . 1 April 2019 .