© 2012 pencoedtowncouncil.com. All rights reserved. Pencoed, being situated immediately off junction 35 of the M4 Motorway has realistically become the 'Gateway to the County Borough of Bridgend'. Pencoed has grown quickly over the past thirty years or so from its origins as a mining village to become the newest fully fledged town in the County Borough of Bridgend. The town is strategically placed for commuters to Cardiff and beyond to the East and similarly to Swansea and beyond to the West.Transport facilities are excellent with Pencoed having its own Rail Station with frequent trains to and from Bridgend, Cardiff and Swansea and other local destinations. The town is equally well serviced with bus links. Plans are afoot to provide a Park and Ride facility close to the town which will, of course, enhance the opportunity for commuters and shoppers to travel by train whilst helping the environment in a positive way. The town is ideally situated for the development of light industry and the recent development of Bocam Park and the Ortho Clinical Diagnostics facility which was officially opened in June 2009 by the Prince of Wales are just two examples of what our location can offer- modern industry and commerce. We can boast three golf courses within close proximity to the town: St. Mary's Golf Club Hotel offers a championship level 18 hole course supported by a twelve hole pay as you play course and another- hole course can be found at Coed-y Mwstwr just a mile or so away.There is also an excellent nine hole public course in the grounds of the Pencoed Agricultural College on the outskirts of the town. We are very fortunate to have several other sporting and recreational facilities which are listed in the guide with many of these located at the town's Leisure Centre and at the Miners' Welfare Hall in the centre of the town. Within the Town boundaries we have Coed lestyn Woods owned and managed by the Town Council which has recently improved the entrance with a beautiful stone wall designed by our-immediate past Mayor, Councillor Doug John, a must see when you visit the town. Literally on our doorstep are many pleasant areas to visit including the common land managed by the Board of Conservators of the Coity Wallia Trust which surrounds much of the Town and within easy travel distance are the beautiful locations of Merthyr Mawr, Ogmore by Sea and the seaside town of Porthcawl. Stunning walks extend for miles along the Heritage Coast. Pencoed Town Council are currently embarking on a joint venture with the County Borough Council to develop a regeneration programme for Pencoed which is expected to be ready for mid 2010 and which will take us through to 2021. As you read through the Guide I am sure that you will find a great deal of useful information to add to the flavour that I have attempted to give you in my brief introduction to our wonderful town — a town of which I am extremely proud. Mayor’s Message Pencoed Town Council