Blackwood

About Blackwood

Located within the historic boundaries of Monmouthshire lies the town of Blackwood. (Welsh: Coed Duon).

Blackwood is mid valley between Risca the southern end of the Sirhowy River where the river merges with the Ebbw River which leads into the Severn Estuary.

There are three local comprehensive schools all with between 800 - 1000 pupils. The Secondary schools are Blackwood Comprehensive School, Pontllanfraith Comprehensive and Oakdale Comprehensive. An increase in demand for Welsh language medium education has led to the establishment of two Welsh Medium Infants and Primary schools. Ysgol Trelyn, which is located in the community of Pengam and the newly opened Ysgol Cwm Derwen is located in the village of Oakdale.

Blackwood has two rugby union and one rugby league sides, all of whom play at Glan-Yr-Afon Park and also has a cricket club called Blackwood Town Cricket Club that plays in the Glamorgan and Monmouthshire League Division One. 

The Bus Station links Blackwood to a lot of surrounding areas and includes a rail-link service to nearby train stations.

There are no heavy or light train links in Blackwood, although Pengam railway station, on the Arriva Trains Wales route from Cardiff Central to Rhymney, is but a few minutes by bus. In addition there is a rail link service from Blackwood bus station to Ystrad Mynach train station which is a short journey away.

Blackwood's cinema, the Maxime, is a five screen cinema and sitting at the heart of the town's event programme and known locally as "The 'stute", is The Miners Institute. The building is currently one of the busiest and most vibrant performing arts venues in South Wales, presenting over 40 shows a season ranging from well-known household names to productions staged by groups based in the local community. 

The landmark Chartist Bridge links the East and West sides of the Sirhowy Valley and a statue to honour the Chartist struggle and their march to Newport has been erected on the East side of the bridge while a name plate is situated on the West. The statue itself is an impressive and imposing figure of a chartist striding forward, pike in hand. It is made up of thousands of brass rings and represents strength in unity.