Coastal village became one of our most popular seaside resorts

OVER two centuries the town has survived two world wars and recession, doubling its population for two weeks each year for the Miner's Fortnight.

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It's hosted political conferences, as well as being a seaside and surfing destination with its fairgrounds, caravan parks and ice cream shops.

Porthcawl has transformed since George IV gave Royal Assent for a tramroad to be built from “Duffryn Llynfi, in the Parish of Llangonoyd, to or near a certain Bay called Pwll Cawl, otherwise Porth Cawl in the Parish of Newton Nottage” on June 10, 1825.

Two buildings were built on the dock, one for storing coal and one for administration. One of those buildings, known locally as the Jennings building, still stands today.

By the late 1840s, the iron industry was in recession and John Brogden and Sons Company of Sale, Manchester bought out the debts of Tondu Ironworks and with it a piece of land around Porthcawl harbour called Pickets Lease.

It was this land, developed by James and Mary Brogden which became the town of Porthcawl we know today.

The first vessel to enter the new Porthcawl dock was the steamer SS John Brogden and by 1880, James and Mary Brogden had moved into Seabank House and involved themselves in the town, including overseeing building the sea wall, which was the precursor of the Esplanade which is there today.

It draws visitors from far and wide to its beaches and its annual Elvis Festival - but Porthcawl's history stretches back to 1825, with the town marking its 200th anniversary this year. Here, Abbie Wightwick takes a look back at the popular seaside community in pictures...