BARRY
REGENERATIONTHROUGHSENSEOFPLACE
FROMCONSULTATIONTOBIGIDEAANDBRAND
February2017
ReportProducedby
inassociationwith
CONTENTS
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2.1
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Introduction FeedbackfromCommunitySessions
PeopleofBarry,PastandPresent BuildingsandArchitecture LanguageandDialect FoodandDrink
CreativityandTheArts
GreatOutdoors
PersonalResponses–GettingtotheHeartofBarry VisualRepresentationsofBarry
Barry’sPersonality Barry’sAssets ThingsLovedAboutBarry ResultsofStakeholderConversations
ClarifyingtheStory,ProvidingaContemporaryPositionforBarry
TheBigIdea ABrandforBarry
Recommendations,WaysofMovingForwards
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Appendix
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1.0
INTRODUCTION
ThisreportoutlinestheresponsesgleanedfromthreeSenseofPlaceCommunityEngagementworkshopsundertakeninBarryduringJanuary
2017.ThesethreeworkshopsweresetupindifferentpartsofBarryandatdifferingtimesofthedaytoenableasbroadacrosssectionas
possibleofBarry’sresidentsandlocalinterestedpartiestoattend.TheeventwaspromotedtoBarryResidentsviadirectemailtoknown
contactsandcommunityleadersandviasocialmedialinkstargetingresidents.Atotalof39peopleacrossabroadspectrumofinterests,
communitygroups,social,economicandracediversityattendedthethreesessionsandcontributedtheirthoughtsandideasregardingBarry’s
history,people,architectureandbuiltenvironment,languageandfoodculture,artsandculturalassetsandrelationshipwiththegreat
outdoors,aswellasanumberofotherquestionsaimedatdrawingoutideasaroundpersonalconnection,keyassetsandthepersonalityof
Barry.Youngpeoplewereabsentfromtheattendees,andsocontributionfromthissectorofthecommunitywassoughtbyworkingwithan
existingyouthgroupandaskingthemkeyquestions.Theresultsareincludedwithinthisreport.
ThisreportalsoincludestheresultsofinterviewsundertakenbyJohnTillofthinkingplacewith‘stakeholders’,individualswhoaresomeway
investedinBarry’sfutureprosperity.Theseincludedbusinessleaders,seniorfiguresandindividualsholdingdecision-makingpositionswithin
organisationsthatareimportanttoBarry.
Fromtheinformationandinsightsgleanedfromboththecommunitysessionsandthestakeholderinterviews,coupledwithimmersionwork
undertakenbyAngharadWynneandthethinkingplaceteam,thisreportgoesontoclarifyBarry’sstoryandproposeanewsetofconceptsand
ideasthatformthebasisforafreshsetofbrandvaluesforthetown,andwaysofrepresentingthosebrandvaluesvisually.
AlistofattendeesatthecommunitysessionsandintervieweesisincludedintheAppendixtothisreport.
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2.0
2.1
KEY
FeedbackfromCommunitysessions
PEOPLEOFBARRY,PASTANDPRESENT
Mentionedbyallthreegroups.LikelytobesignificanttoBarry’sstory
Mentionedbytwoofthethreegroups.Maybesignificant
Mentionedbyonlyonegroupbutnoteworthyandpotentiallyrelevant
MENTIONED
DavidDavies,Llandinam
StBaruc
SaintsactivityintheareaemanatingfromLlancarfan(Cadoxton–StCadog,MerthyrDyfanetc)
DinosaurfootprintsatBendricks,partofBarry’sPaleolithicstory.
Romans
Visionarieswhodevelopedthedocks
PeoplewhosetupthefirstcemeteryinBarrybecametheBurialBoard.ThisbecamethefirstcouncilforBarry
Barrywasthe‘wildwestfrontiertown’ofWales(c.1885-1890)
ThomasKnight,pirate
VikingactivityonFlatholm
DaiWoodham,tookoverpartoftheolddocksarea.Builtabusinessscrappingoldlocomotives,becameknownlocallyasthe
SteamRailwayGraveyard’.Endedupsaving220steamlocomotives,whichhaveformedthebasisofRailwayHeritage
MuseumcollectionsacrosstheUK.
JohnWesley-preacher
TheNorman,DeBarifamily
SirJohnJackson.HedesignedBarry’sBreakwaterc.1880s.GavehisnametoJackson’sBay
ThomasAWalker–broughtworkersfromtheSevernTunneltoBarrytobuildthetown.
Prof.DaiSmith,Historian
Prof.DeirdreBeddoe–expertonWelshWomen’sHistory&Women’sRights
Group1
Group2
Group3
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MrJohnClaxtonMeggitt–4timesMayorofBarry.OwneroftheMeggittTimberimportingbusiness.Memberofthefirst
TownCouncil.HekeptdetailedscrapbooksaboutBarrythatwerekeptintheLibraryArchivesandhavebeenagreatsource
forlocalhistorians.
StJohnsofFonmon–preindustriallandowners
PopphamFamily–preindustriallandowners
BaronRomillyandtheRomillyFamily.Preindustriallandowners.TheyprovidedthelandforRomillyParkonthreeconditions:
1.ThattheCouncilbuiltaroadaroundit;2.Thattheexistinglargetreesberetained;3.Thatahighqualitygardendesignerbe
engagedtolayoutthepark.OriginallyMrMorson(whowentontoworkonthegardensatnearbyDyffrynEstate)was
engaged,butdisagreementsovermoneyledtothelayingoutoftheparkbeingdonebytheBoroughSurveyor.
LordJenner–involvedinthedevelopmentofBarryDocks
LordWindsor–involvedinthedevelopmentofBarryDocks
LordPlymouth–itwashisestatemanager,JamesForrestwholaidoutBarryIsland
JamesWalker(gavehisnametoWalkertownontheWestEndofBarry),hewasinvolvedwiththedevelopmentoftherailway
GwynThomas,Novelistandshortstorywriter.
DrTreharne–MedicalOfficerofHealthforBarryDocks
GarethJones–Newspaperjournalist,SpywhoexposedStalin’scrimesandmurdervictim.
BernardBaldwin–setuplocalNosGalan
DanEvans–Barry’sDepartmentStoreOwner(storenolongerexists,butwasonceaniconofthetown’sretailoffer)
GwynforEvans–MP
Dockers/TheDockWorkers–acosmopolitanmix,internationalanddiverse
TheCoalWorkers/RailwaymenwhomanagedthetransportationofcoalfromtheValley’spitstoBarryPort
Labourers–IrishNavigatorswhomadeupmuchoftheearlylabourforceasdidworkersfromthewestcountry&Scandinavia
EarlyVisitors–Edwardians.HadbathingmachinedmooredattheIronPier.Thisearlydevelopmentoftourismwasdrivenby
thePlymouthEstatewhowerealsoinvolvedwiththetourismboomatPenarth.
DaytripperscomingfromtheindustrialheartlandsofthecoalvalleysondaytripsduringtheirMiner’sholidays.Theyshaped
thetourist-scapeofBarry.Developmentoftherailwayforvisitorsc.1903,1904(?)increasedvisitors
BarrytoMineheadsteamer(c1960s)andsubsequenthovercraftc1970s.
WomenfromthevalleyswhocametoworkinserviceinBarry
RonnieBoon–rugbyinternational,cricketerandlocalcouncilor.
LeeSelby–currentIBFfeatherweightchampion
DavidDavies–CommonwealthandOlympicSwimmer
BillyButlins–establishedtheButlinsHolidayCamponBarryIsland(1960s)
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TheBrothers,PatandJohnCollinsestablishedBarryIslandFairandwereinvolvedwithituntilfairlyrecentlywhenitwas
takenoverbyHenryDanterashowmanfromtheMidlands.
DorothyRees–firstfemaleMPwasfromBarry
DrMaryLennox–firstHealthOfficerfromBarry
JuliaGillard,PMofAustraliawasborninBarry.
BarryhasaHistoricWomen’sTrail
st
BarryBoyScouts.TheywereverystronginBarry.PreWWI,1 BarrySeaScoutswontheKing’sBanner
AmericanTroops,theywereaccommodatedalongthecoastnearBarry.KingSquarewasthesiteforagatheringofAmerican
Troopsin1918.Ethnicminoritytroopsweresegregated.
50%ofalloverseasaidfortheArmyandNavywentthroughBarryDocksduringWWII
KenRogers,aBarryIslandtrader.Startedoffasasmallstall-holderonBarryIsland,nowownsanumberofbusinessesonthe
front.Hisson,Iannowinvolvedwiththecompany.
SeamenofBarry.TheycongregatedaroundThompsonStreet,wasonceared-lightarea.TheChainLockerwasafamous
Seamen’spub.TheycamefromallacrosstheworldandintegratedintotheBarrycommunity.
MerchantNavywasasignificantemployerduringthewar
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EducationinBarrywasamongthebestinthecountryattheturnofthe20 Century,theeffectofboom-town.Anumberof
grammarschoolsdevelopedhere.MajorEdgarJonesandhisdaughter,MissVaughanJoneswereimportantfigures,both
wereteachersandbecameheadteachers.
Geest–theDutchBananaboatcompanyoperatedinandoutofBarry
TherewasateachertrainingcollegeinBarry,aPEcollegeforwomen.
LouisRossandRhysHowell–creatorsof‘Barrybados.’
Gavin&Stacey
AndrewandLeeSelby–contemporaryboxers
ColinBuffin–CommonwealthGamesgymnast,fromBarry,trainedatYMCA
DrJaneSalisbury,socialscientist
RonnieBoon–rugbyplayer
DerekTapscott-footballer
DerekBrockway–BBCWalesweathermanandpresenter.HewasHeadBoyofBarryComprehensiveSchool.
Witch/WizardofCadoxtonChurch(folkloriccharacter)
ThomasUbank–researchedandwrotethefirstHistoryandGeographyofBarry.HeadmasterofCadoxtonSchool
HenryMarcBrunel,(sonofIsambardKingdomBrunel)engineeredBarryDockswithhispartnerSirJohnWolfeBarry
SomeearlyaviatorsandtheirstoryisassociatedwithBarry
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2.1.1 TELLINGBARRY’SSTORYUSING&PRIORITISINGTHEKNOWLEDGEGLEANED
ItisimportantthatBarrygraspsandexpressesitsproudhistory.Thosewhoattendedtheworkshopshadagoodgraspofthetown’shistory,
buttendedtofocusonBarry’sindustrialhistory.ItwouldbegoodtotellabroaderstoryofthelayersofhistorythathavecreatedBarryfrom
prehistorytothemodernday.Barry’shistoryisfocusedonsocialhistory-thestoryofpeopleinteractingandcreatingaplace.
Interestingly,ithasalongtraditionof‘pilgrimage’inabroadsense.DuringtheearlyMedieval,fourpilgrimagestoStBaruc’sonBarryIsland
wasequivalenttoonetoRome.Later‘pilgrimworkers’journeyedtoBarryfromallfourcornersoftheglobetocapitaliseonworkduringthe
industrialboomyears.Minersandtheirfamiliesondaytripsmadetheir‘holidaypilgrimages’herebysteamtrain,andtothisday,Gavinand
StaceyfansstillcometoBarryonmodernday-trippilgrimagesoncoachtoursthatshowthemsightsfromthepopularTVshow.
Thissenseof‘pilgrimage’ismirroredinamoderncontextbythetransportationclusteredaroundBarry.Itissomehowindicativeofthissense
of‘comingtoBarry’,beittherailwayorindeedWalesInternationalAirportonitsboundaryatRhoose.
Barryalsohasstrongstoriesaroundtradethatrelatetoitscoastalpositionandimportanceasanindustrialandwartimeport.Thetown’s
maritimehistoryisdominatedbytrade,bethatduringthemodernerawithintriguingsmugglingandpiracystoriesortheindustrialera
throughtothepresentday.
BarryisrareinBritainintheproximityofitsindustryandtourismhotspots.Therearefewplacesthatcombinecoalandcandyfloss,shipsand
chips,bananasandbumper-carssoseamlessly.Thisformsaninterestingconcepttodevelopintermsofbranddevelopment.
2.1.2 KEYPHASESOFTHETOWN’SDEVELOPMENT&KEYPEOPLEINVOLVEDASCAPTUREDDURINGTHEWORKSHOPS:
TRIASSICPERIOD
ThecoastalsectionatTheBendricksisaSiteofSpecialScientificInterestbecauseofthedinosaurtracksexposedhere.Itisconsideredtobe
oneofthebestsitesinBritainfordinosaurtracksoftheTriassicPeriod.
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220millionyearsago,inthelaterpartoftheTriassicPeriod,thisarealayinthearidbeltnorthoftheequator(currentlyoccupiedbythe
Sahara),andSouthWaleswasahotdesert.TheValeofGlamorganwasanareaofrockylimestonehills.
Althoughannualrainfallwaslow,whenitdidrain,therainfellintorrentscausingflashfloods.Thefloodscreatedrivers,whichcarried
boulders,pebbles,sand,siltandmuddowntolowgroundandtoalargelakeorinlandseawhichlaywheretheSevernEstuaryistoday.The
depositsoftheseflashfloodscanbeseeninthealmostflat-lyingbedsofrockalongtheshorebetweenBendrickRockandSullyIsland.Fine
sand-filledcracksinsomeofthebedsalsosuggestthatthesewereoncewetmudsandsilts,whichdriedoutandcrackedwhenexposedtothe
sun.Althoughthisareawasadesert,itwasnotdevoidoflife.Thatisclearfromthefootprintsofanimalspreservedinthesandstoneand
siltstonesexposedattheBendricks.
PREHISTORYTOROMAN
Barryhasbeenthesiteofhumanhabitationformanycenturies.MesolithicflinttoolshavebeenfoundatFriar’sPointonBarryIsland,and
NeolithicpolishedstoneaxeheadsfoundatnearbyStAndrew’sMajor.Furthermore,urnscontainingcremationashesfoundwithinBronze
AgebarrowsonBarryIslandandColdKnapPointsuggestthattheareacontinuedtobeinhabitedthroughtotheIronAge,whenalarge
defendedenclosureorhillfortwasconstructedatwhatistodayknownastheBulwarksatPorthkerry.
FindssuggestingthatRomansfarmedtheareahavebeenunearthedatthesiteofBarryCastleandBiglis,andbothStNicholasandStBaruc’s
Chapelhavere-usedRomanbricksandtilesaspartoftheirconstruction.
DARKAGES–MEDIEVAL
DuringtheDarkAges,theVikingslaunchedraidsinthearea–possiblyfromFlatHolmandSteepHolmislandsjustoffthecoastintheBristol
Channel.ThenamesoftheseislandsderivefromaScandinavianwordforanislandinanestuary.
FollowingtheNormanConquest,theareawasdividedintomanorswiththeBarryareasplitintotwolargelordships,PenmarkandDinas
Powys.Penmarkwassplitintothesub-manorsofFonmon,WestPenmarkandBarry.DinasPowyswassplitintothesub-manorsofCadoxton
andUchelolau.Thesub-manorofBarrywasgrantedtoOdo,aNormanKnight,whoassistedintheNormanConquestofEnglandduringthe
11thcentury.Asrewardforhismilitaryservices,OdowasgrantedestatesinPembrokeshireandaroundBarry,Wales,includingBarryIsland.
Odo’sgrandson,GeraldofWales,givestheoriginofhisfamily'sname,deBarry,inhisItinerariumCambriae(1191):"NotfarfromCaerdyfisa
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smallislandsituatedneartheshoreoftheSevern,calledBarri,fromSt.Baroc….Fromhenceanoblefamily,ofthemaritimepartsofSouth
Wales,whoownedthisislandandtheadjoiningestates,receivedthenameofdeBarri."
TheyestablishedtheirseatatBarryCastle,locatedonhighgroundoverlookingtheBristolChannel,asiteoccupiedinRomantimesbyanative
homestead.Thecastlewasasmallfortifiedmanorhouse,builttoreplaceanearlierearthwork.Bythelate13thcenturythecastlehadtwo
stonebuildingsontheeastandwestsidesofacourtyard.Earlyinthe14thcenturythecastlewasstrengthenedbytheadditionofalargehall
andgatehouseonitssouthside,theruinsofwhichareallthatsurvivetoday.
MorerecentetymologistsseemtoagreethatBarryactuallyderivesitsnamefromthemiddleWelsh‘barr’meaning‘hill’.
Bythemid14thCentury,Barryhadgrownintoathrivingvillagewithitsownport,churchandwatermill.However,thepopulationwassoonto
betragicallyafflictedbytheBlackDeathandtheconsequencesofOwainGlyndwr’srebellionagainstEnglishruleunderHenryIV,whichswept
acrossWalesintheearly15thCentury.Ittooksome300yearsforBarrytorecoveroncemoretoholdthestatusofavillage.
THEMODERNAGE–BARRYPRE-INDUSTRY
Duringthisperiod,thecoastlineoftheBristolChannelwasahavenforsmugglersandpirates.BarryIslandhasachillinghistory.Itwas,asits
namesuggests,onceatrueisland,andtheprivatedomainofsmugglerThomasKnight.Hebuiltfortificationsaroundtheshoreline,andrana
fleetofheavily-armedsmugglingshipsfromtheisland,importingspiritsandtobaccofromtheChannelIslands,andsoapfromIreland.Knight
probablyarrivedinBarryin1783,ona24gunbrigcalledtheJohnO'Combe.Attheheightofhispowershewasreputedtohaveaforceof6070mendefendingtheislandfromuninvitedinterest.
Knight'sinfluencegrewrapidly,andwithinayearorso,thecustomsauthoritieshaddifficultyinrecruitingmembers,sincethelocal
populationhadmorerespectforBarry'ssmugglingkingthanforthelegitimatecrown.Knight'screwsdidnothesitatetofireonpreventive
vessels,andthecrewsoftherevenuecuttersevidentlywentinfearoftheirlives.
KnightwasimplicatedintheheavyseizureoftobaccoatGoldcliffin1784,andsomeindicationoftheimportanceattachedtohisinfluencein
theareacanbegainedfromthefactthattheseizedgoodsweretakentoCardiffunderarmedguard,atconsiderableexpense.Localpeople
refusedtohelpwiththetransport,becausetheywereterrifiedofhowKnightwouldexacthisrevenge.
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Knight'sreignwasbrief,andin1785aconcertedeffortbytheauthoritiesdislodgedhim—heretreatedtoLundy.Hispositionasking-pinon
BarryIslandwastakenbyanothersmuggler,namedWilliamArthur.Arthurprovedastoughanuttocrackashispredecessor,andthelocal
collectorofcustomsestimatedthatitwouldrequiretheeffortsof60dragoonstooncemoremaketheislandsafe.
THEINDUSTRIALERA
Thepatternoffields,homesandfarmsteadsaroundBarryvillagerecordedin1622wastoremainprettymuchthesameuntiltheindustrial
revolution,whichsawBarrygrowatanexpedientialratetoabsorbthenewworkforcesthatflockedtoworkinheavyindustryflourishingin
thearea.MostofthelanduponwhichBarrytownasweknowittodaywasinthehandsofafewwealthylandowners,includingtheJenner
Family,LordPlymouthandBaronRomilly.
Duringthe1880sBarrywasselectedbyDavidDaviesandotherleadingindustrialiststobedevelopedasacoalportinordertorelievethe
pressureofdemandonTigerBayinCardiff,andexpeditetheexportofcoalfromDaviesandhispartnerinOceanCollieriespitsinthe
Rhondda.AgroupofcollieryownersformedtheBarryRailwayCompanyandchosetoconnecttheSouthWalesValleycoalfieldswithBarry,
developinganindustrialscaleportabletoprocessandexportoverninemilliontonsofblackgoldtotheworldby1903.BarryDockswere
openedin1889byDavidDaviesandJohnCory.TheprincipalengineerwasJohnWolfeBarry,assistedbyThomasForsterBrownandHenry
MarcBrunel,sonofthefamousengineerIsambardKingdomBrunel.
ThedocksoccupytheformersoundbetweenBarryIslandandthemainland.Thecontractorsbuiltdamstoconnecteachendoftheislandto
themainland,drainedorpumpedthewaterfromthesiteandexcavatedit.Theyusedthematerialtolevelthearearoundthedocksandfor
thecoreofbreakwaterstoprotecttheentrance.Theworksincludedabasinwithgatesateachendwhichservedasalockbetweenthesea
entranceandthedocks,thedockwallsandquays,coalloadingequipmentandrailwaystodelivercoalfromtheminestothedocks.Asecond
dockandsecondentrancelockwereaddedin1898.BarryDockOfficeswasbuiltin1897-1900bythearchitectArthurE.Bell.Ofcourse,aport
attracteditsowntradeandship-yards,coldstores,flourmillsandanicefactorygrewuparoundtheportarea.By1913,Barrywasthelargest
coalexportportintheworld.
Aportattractedworkers,andthedemandforhousingforworkersandtheirfamiliesgrew.IrishNavigators,labourersfromtheWestCountry
andScandinaviaflockedtobuildrowuponrowofterracedworkershousesinlocallimestoneandbrick.Thetownflourishedwithfamiliesof
theworkers,andsoondaytrippersandvisitorsflockedintheirthousandstoBarryIslandontherailwaybuilttocarrycoal.
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ATTHEFOREFRONTOFEDUCATION
UndertheleadershipofenlightenededucationalistssuchasMajorEdgarJones,educationinBarryalsothrivedatthistime.Hewasappointed
headmasteroftheCountySchoolinBarryin1889.Atthetimeofhisappointmenttheschoolwasthreeyearsoldandhad157pupils,butthe
numbersgrewsorapidlythatthebuildingshadtobeenlargedduringhisfirsthear.By1913MajorEdgarJoneshadintroducedasystemof
differentiationintheschool.Hedividededucationintheschoolintofourdepartments:academic,technical,commercialandagricultural.
Barrywaslatertobecomehometoateachingcollege,TheGlamorganCollegeofEducation,nowpartofTheUniversityofGlamorgan,andno
longerwithacampusinthetown.ThecollegewasattheheartoftherenownedBarrySummerschool,foundedbyLesleyMoorewhobecame
itsVice-PrincipalandWyndhamHeycockitsco-directorbetween1962-1973.Theoriginalsummerschoolespousedpioneeringnew
approachestoartandeducationandattractediconicartistsfromallovertheworldsuchasTomHudson,GeorgeBrecht,RobinPage,John
Epstein,RolandMiller,JazzmusicianLarryAdlerandtoday’sRoyalAcademyArtistTerrySetch,whoeachsharedtheirexperienceandtaughtat
theschool,whichattractedpupilsfromallacrosstheglobetoBarryoverthesummermonths.
BARRYDURINGTHEWARS
WhenWorldWarI(1914–18)began,thegovernmenttookcontrolofalltherailwaysanddocks.Therewasaboominemploymentasthe
dockscontinuedtoexportcoalbutalsoexportedtimberandhay,importedgrainandloadednavalvesselswithequipment,munitionsand
supplies.By1920,theBarryRailwayCompanyhadaworkforceof3169.
DuringWorldWarII(1939–45)BarryDockswereusedtoimportwarmaterials.Aringofbarrageballoonsprotectedthedocks.Onewas
locatedonTheMoleandanotherbesideBarryIslandStation.TheUSArmybuiltalargecampinthespringof1942tohousetroopsthat
servicedthedocks.The517PortBattalion,withabout1,000meninfourcompanies,hadmovedtoHayesLaneCampinBarrybySeptember
1943.ThreecompaniesworkedattheBarrydocks,dischargingcargo,whilethefourthmovedtoCardiff.TheAmericansimportedvast
amountsoffoodthroughtheCardiffandBarryDockstofeedtheirtroops.Thequantityandqualitycausingsomeresentmentfromthelocal
people,whoweremakingdowithwartimerations.Some50%ofwaraidfortheArmyandNavyoverseaswasshippedthroughBarryDocks
duringWorldWarII.
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Inthefirstpartof1944therewasintenseactivityinpreparationfortheNormandylandings.TheBarryDockswereanembarkationpointfor
troopsinthesecondandlaterwavesofthisinvasion.PorthkerryParkwasusedasavehicleparkandordnancestore.15,000longtons
(15,000t)ofequipment,including1,269vehicles,and4,000troopswerecarriedfromtheDockstoNormandy.Over40shipseventuallyleft
BarrytotakepartintheD-Daylandings.TheybuiltanadditionalcampinthepartofthetownknownasHighlight.Itwasmostlyincidentfree,
butfortheuglyspectreofracismthatreareditsheadonanumberofoccasions.ThompsonStreet,theareaofBarrymostlyfrequentedby
Sailorsofthemanydifferentnationalitieswhosailedinandoutoftheport,waseventuallyplaced"outofbounds"toAmericanservicemen
afteranAmericancomplainedthathehadseenablacksoldierbeingservedinoneoftheclubsinthearea.
Aftertheinvasion,coalwascarriedfromBarrytoliberatedportsinFrance.
DECLINEOFINDUSTRY,BANANABOATSANDALOCAMOTIVEGRAVEYARD
CoalexportshadbeenindeclinesinceWorldWarI.TheStrikesandGreatDepressionofthe1930scausedfurtherproblems,andwhilethe
docksprovedusefulduringWorldWarII,theywerenationalisedsoonafterthewarended.
TheGeestcompanyusedthedockstoimportWestIndianbananasfrom1959untilthe1993,andtheboats,andtheirtradearestillfondly
rememberedbymanyinthetown.
From1957,manyobsoleterailwaywagonswerescrappedandcutupattheformerWestPondsitebetweenBarryandBarryIsland.Other
formerGreatWesternsteamlocomotiveswerewithdrawnfromserviceandstoredonsidingsbesideWestPondsidingsarea.Mostendedup
inthehandsofWoodham&Sonsscrapmerchants.ThislocalBarrybusinesshadbeestablishedin1892,initiallybuyingoldrope,dunnage
woodandscrapmetalfromtheships,boatsandmarinebusinesseswhichusedBarryDocks,whichtheythenresoldorscrapped.
Duringthe1960s,rowsofredundantsteamlocomotiveswereapicturesquesightforholidaymakerstravellingtoBarryIsland,andbecamea
centreforpilgrimageforsteamenthusiastsfromtheemergingsteamrailwaypreservationmovement.
Whiletherewasstillasignificantnumberofsteamlocomotivesintheyard,railwaypreservationistsbeganbuyingthebetterexamplesfrom
thelate1960sinordertorestorethemtoworkingorder.ThefirstlocomotivetobethesubjectofarescueappealwasGWRMogulnumber
5322,butthefirsttobeboughtandactuallymovedfromtheyardwasMidlandRailway3835Class4F0-6-0number43924inSeptember1968.
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Theenginewastakenonbythe4FLocomotiveSociety,andtheenginenowresidesattheWorthValleyRailway.
Over200steamlocomotiveswereeventuallyrescuedinthisway,toformthebasisofmostoftheUK’stransportmuseumsandsteamrailway
collectionstoday.
BARRYISLANDASATOURISMDESTINATION
TourismhadbegunduringtheEdwardianerathroughtheencouragementofthePlymouthEstatewhosetupbathinghutsatNell’spoint,but
therealflourishingcamewhenBarryIslandwaslinkedtothemainlandduringthe1880s,asthetownofBarryexpandedandBarryDockwas
developed.Passengersbeganusingtherailway,andtheIslandbecameapopularresortandholidaydestinationforminersandtheirfamilies
acrossSouthWalesandbeyond.
Until1897,therewasnoestablishedfairgroundontheislandapartfromafewcarouselsrunbyBavarianshowmanJacobStudt,asetofswingboatshand-madebySydneyWhiteofCardiffandaplaygroundslidesetuponthemainbeachforeachsummerseason.Withnocompetition
theSwitchbackwasaverypopularandcrowdedattractionwithVictorianholidaymakersanddaytrippersfromtheSouthWalesValleysfor
fifteenyearsuntilamuchlargerFigure8rollercoaster,openedontheedgeofthebeachlevelwiththepresentpleasureparksiteinthespring
of1912.TheSwitchback’stradedeclined,incompetitionwiththemoreexcitingFigure8anditonlyoperatedforanothertwoyears,finally
closingin1914justasWorldWarIinEuropestartedandthenumberofholidayvisitorsdroppedoffdramatically.Amilitaryhospitalwas
establishedontheisland,nearthefairgroundandthousandsofinjuredsoldiersrecuperatedonthebeachesandsand-dunes.
Whenin1923BarryTownCouncilreplacedthepreviousroughtarmacshorelineroadwaywithanewbrickandconcretePromenade,the
fairgroundwasrelocatedfromthebeachontoitscurrentpermanentsiteandenclosedinsideanironrailingfence.TheWhiteBros(sonsof
SydneyWhitewhodiedin1938),whoheldthebeachconcession,bidforandbecamethefirsttenantsofthenewlyformedBarryIsland
PleasurePark.
TheWhitebrothersremainedincontroloftheparkuntilthecloseofthe1929season,whenarivalfairoperatorandshowman,PatCollins
outbidthem.ThefunfaircontinuedintheCollins’familyuntilthe1980’swhenitwasboughtbyKenRogers,themillionaireownerofthe
HypervalueGroup.
BillyButlin'sinspirationforhisholidayempirecamefromalessthanhappyholidaytoBarryIslandinhisyouth,whenhe'dbeenlockedoutof
13
hisB&Balldaybyhislandlady.HefinallydecidedtobuildoneoftheButlinsHolidayCampsatBarryIsland.
Whatwastobecomethelast-builtandsmallestoftheButlinsHolidayCampscametoBarryIslandin1965.BillyButlintookouta99-yearlease
ontheheadlandatNell'sPointin1966.Buildingworkbeganthereinthewinterandthegatesopenedtocamperson18June1966.
BarryIslandholidaycampcontainedallthetriedandtestedButlinsingredients:thefamousButlinsRedcoats,funfair,earlymorningwakeup
withRadioButlin,dininghall,indoorandoutdoorswimmingpools,ballroom;boatinglake,tenniscourts,sportsfield(forthethreeleggedand
eggandspoonracesandthedonkeyderby),tabletennisandsnookertables,amusementarcade,medicalcentre,theatre,arcadesofshops
andthePigandWhistleShowbar.A430metres(1,410ft)Chairliftsystemwasopenedin1967.Therewere800chalets,allverybasic,'no-frills'
anddesignedtomodern1960sstandards,which,ontheoutside,meantwoodenpanelsandflatroofs.
Thecampcontinuedtobeenormouslysuccessfulthroughoutuntilthe1980s,buton29October1986,Butlinsannouncedthatthecamp
wouldhavenoplaceinthecompany'sfutureandthecampwouldcloseafterChristmas.Thecampclosedon31December1986.
GAVIN&STACEYTOBARYBADOS
Inthepastfewyears,BarryandBarryIslandanditsfunfarehavebeenimmortalizedintheBBCTVseries‘GavinandStacey’,andbustours
filledwithfansoftheshowonguided‘GavinandStacey’toursofBarryarearegularsightaboutthetown.
CapitalisingontheincreaseofvisitorstoBarryonthebackof‘GavinandStacey’andtheregenerationofBarryIsland,childhoodfriends,Louis
RossandRhysHowelldevelopedalineofmerchandise,usinganicknameoftenusedbythepeopleofBarryfortheirtown‘Barrybados’.This
merchandisehasprovedverypopularwithexportsworldwide.ThepairhavenowopenedanoutletonBarryIsland,andBarrybadoscontinues
tothrivethroughsocialmediacoverageandatourismandmerchandisefocusedwebsite.
Today,thoughBarryisthelargesttowninWales,itcontinuestobeatownofdistricts:BarryIsland,Buttrills,Cadoxton,Colcot,Coldbrook,
CwmTalwg,Gibbonsdown,Gladstone,Highlight,Holton,MerthyrDyfan,Palmerstown,PencoedtreandRomilly.Someofthesesuchas
CadoxtonandMerthyrDyfanwereearlyMedievalVillages,ecclesiasticalparishesintheirownrightswithhistoriesgoingbacktotheRomans,
butotherareaswerelargelyfarmlandorestatelandbeforetheIndustrialboomthatbuiltBarry,andtheirnamesandstoriesmoregenerally
relatetohowtheyweredevelopedandbywhom.Thesedistrictsstilllargelyhavetheirownpersonality,senseofplaceaswellassocialhistory
andsocio-economicstructuresthatmaintaintheirdistinctcultureandidentity.
14
2.1.3 BARRY’SFOUNDINGMYTHOLOGY
SaintCadogwasbornabout497.HebuiltachurchandmonasteryatnearbyLlancarfan,whichgrewintooneofthemostimportant
monasteriesinWales,wheremanyholymenweretrained.Onemanuscriptrefersto‘TheCollegeofCattwg(Cadog)inLlancarvanwiththree
cells(hallsorsubjecthouses)andathousandsaints(monks),togetherwithtwocellsintheValeofNeat(Neath)’.Llancarfandidnotsurvive
theincursionofNormanpowerintoSouthWales,beingdissolvedabout1086.
StCadogremainsoneofWales’mostimportantSaints.Heispatronoffaminevictims,deafnessandglandulardisorders.Accordingtochurch
calendars,hisfeastdayiscelebratedonSeptember25th.InadditiontoLlancarfaninthearea,CadogalsogavehisnametoCadoxton(inWelsh,
Tregatwg).ManystoriesaretoldofCadog,andoneoftheseinvolveshowBarryIslandgotitsname.Asalreadymentioned,thestorywas
notedbythechronicler,GiraldusCambrensisinhisItinerariumCambriae(1191).Here'sthestoryinfull.
ItwascustomaryformonkstoretreattoisolatedplacesortoislandsduringLent.FlatholmIslandintheBristolChannelisonesuchplacethat
wasreputedlyusedbythemonksofthisareaincludingCadogandhiscompanions.Oneyear,Cadog,BarucandGwalches,wentthere.During
theirstaywolvesswamfromthemainlandtotheislandandattackedthesheepandlambs.Cadognoticedtwoofthemescapingfromthe
islandandswimmingforthemainland.Thesaintraisedhiseyestotheheavensandprayedforhelp.Atoncethewolveswereturnedtostone
andthat’swheretheyarestill,intheseanotfarfromtheisland.TodaytheyareknownasWolvesRocks.
WhenthethreefriendssailedbackfortheVale’scoast,Cadogrealisedthathe’dleftanimportantbookonFlatholmIslandandheaskedboth
friendstosailbacktheretoretrieveit.BarucandGwalchesdulyturnedbacktoretrievethebook,butonthewaybacktheywerecaughtina
terriblestorm.Theirboatsankandbothfriendsdrowned.Gwalches’bodywaswashedtothebeachonFlatholmIslandandwasburiedthere.
Baruc’sbodywaswashedtotheshoreofanothersmallislandandhewasburiedthereandtheplacewascalledBarucIsland,whichtodayis
knownasBarryIsland.
Althoughsomeoftheremainsoftheboatwerewashedashore,therewasnosignofCadog’simportantbook.AfterawhileLlancarfanmonks
wenttofishontheseaandmanyfishwerecaught.Oneday,whilesomeofthesefishwerebeingpreparedandgutted,Cadog’sbookwas
discoverednotmuchworseforwearafteritssojourninthebellyoftheseafish.
15
AchapelandshrinededicatedtoStBarucwasconstructedwhereStBarucwasburiedontheIsland,andlegendhasitthatafreshwaterspring
bubbledupaboutthesametime.BothbecameplacesofreligioussignificanceduringtheMiddleAges,andatonetime,apilgrimagetoBaruc’s
burialplacewasconsideredveryimportant.Infact,fourvisitstoStBaruc’swereconsideredtheequivalentofonetoRome.Thus,BarryIsland
becameasacredplaceofChristianpilgrimage.Theruinsofachapeldedicatedtothesaintcanstillbeseen.Theancientchapelandpriest’s
housearestillusedforaCelticserviceonthefeastofSt.Barucon27thSeptembereachyear.
16
2.2 BUILDINGS&ARCHITECTURE
MENTIONED
Group1
Group2
Group3
GardenSuburb(WestwardRise)
Railwayworkerscottages
DowCorningFactory
RedBrickVictorianhousese.g.ParkRoad
TerracedStreets
DockOfficeBuilding
TownHall&KingSquare
MemorialHall
DrillHall
TheFireStation(CourtRoad)
CustomHouse
Watchtower
MerthyrDyfanChurch(Gibbonsdown)
BarryCastle
Pre-fabricatedhousesbuiltafterWWIIoffColdbrookRoad
WesternandEasternShelter,BarryIsland
KnapLake(HarpShaped)
PorthkerryViaduct
RomanLodgeatTheKnap
LateVictorianPomp(CornerBuildings,nowlargelydemolished)
Shellylimestone/limestone–commonstoneusedforBarrybuildings
CadoxtonStone
Redbrick
StNicholasChurch
StBaruc’s
ThePumphouse
CadoxtonSchool
Barry’sParks
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
17
MENTIONED
Group1
Group2
Group3
TheGoldenStairs,Porthkerry
Railwaybridgetunnels
Therailwayline
OldVillageRoadcottages
StCurig’sChurch,Porthkerry
BandstandatVictoriaPark
TheSavoy(artdecobuildingnowasnookerhall)Itwasbuiltasadancehall
AllStarGarageinMarketStreet
MerryFriarsontheIsland.Itwasbuiltasadancehallandclub.Nowagym.
AmyEvansHospitalonHoltonRoad(plaquetoherdogontherear)
TheRollingBridgeattheDocks
HoltonRoadHouses(builtc1910)
TheSeaWalls
ViewfromJennerRoad
ReadingRoomsonPorthkerryRoad–nowaprivatehouse
HiggledyPiggledystreetsofBarry,steephills
Nightingalecottage
TheTowers(snakesheadscarvingsonthetower)onHoltonRoad,nowTyHafanBuilding
TheDocks
TheBreakwater
BarryIslandpublicloos–artdeco
BarryisneartothemostsoutherlypointinWales–RhoosePoint.ItisthemostsoutherlytowninWales
Policehousing,CourtRoad,WenvoeTerraceandSalisburyRoad
Thehorse’strough,builtintothewallofBirdcagewalkoppositeBarrystation
LOSTBUILDINGS/STRUCTURESOFNOTE:
BarryMaternityHospital
BarryCinema
DinhamHall–PresbyterianTemperanceHall(c/oMerthyrStreet/BelvedereCrescent.
Butlins
TheKnapLido
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
18
MENTIONED
Group1
Group2
Group3
TheRoyalPub,Cadoxton
CadoxtonHouse
YMCAonTheKnap
OldBarryPoliceStation(wasafirestation)
CoalHoistsattheDocks
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
2.2.1 REFLECTIONSONBUILDINGS&ARCHITECTURALENVIRONMENT
Throughoutthegroups,talkofthenatureofBarry’stownplanning,thehiggledy-piggledyrowsofterracehousing,spreadacrossasteep
amphitheatrelikebasinaddressingtheseawasmentioned.LikewisethedistinctivenessofcertainviewsinBarry.Viewsofrooftops,ofthe
ocean,ofDowCorningfactoryandthesea,thedocksandtheeverpresentdefinitelineandboundaryoftherailwayintersectingBarry,
betweentownandresidentialhousingandtheoldindustrialareaofthedocks.
MostofpresentdayBarrytownandtheresidentialareawasconstructedduringtheindustrialera,withsomepostwarredevelopments.Thus
thereisagreatdealofcommunalityofstyleandbuildingmaterials.Significantbuildingmaterialsincludelocallyquarriedgreylimestone:
ShellyLimestone,localCadoxtonlimestoneandredbrick.
CADWhavenowpublishedathoroughandvaluablecharacterstudyfocusingonthegeographyandbuiltenvironmentofBarryIsland.Itis
beautifullyillustratedwithhistoricandcontemporaryimages.Alinktoitcanbefoundhere.
http://cadw.gov.wales/historicenvironment/regenerationandsustainability/understandingcharacter/barryisland/?lang=en
Allthreegroupsshowedagreatdealofprideinlocalbuildingsandtheirhistory.Abroadrangeofbuildingswerethoughtofasimportant.
Therewerehowever,certainbuildingsthatwerementionedbyallthreegroupsasbeingsignificant,representativeoriconicintermsofBarry’s
builtenvironment.Theyareshownhere:
19
DockOffice
BarryCastle TownHallandKingSquare
MemorialHall
Watchtower PorthkerryViaduct BarryIslandEasternShelter
ThePumphouse
InadditiontothesignificanceisBarry’sstreet-scapeandtopography,thereareafewotherbuildingsandstructuresofnote,thatshouldbe
includedhereastheyareimportanteithertoBarry’sstoryoritscurrentandfuturesenseofplace.Theyare:
StBarucs
IslandArtwork
BeachHuts DowCorningWorks
20
2.3 LANGUAGE&DIALECT
MENTIONED
Sentencesasquestions,risingattheend.PossiblyacommonlanguagetraitwithotherDockareaswherediverselanguages
haveinfluencedthelocaldialectandaccent
MulticulturalhistoryhashadasignificantimpactonBarry’slanguageculture.Urdu,Punjabi,Indian,Portuguese,Spanish,
PolishandChineseMandarinareamongthemainforeignlanguagesspokeninthetown.
WhileWelshlanguageisnotstronginBarry,itdoeshaveanumberofWelshschoolsnowandthereisanincreaseinpeople
speakingthelanguage(particularlyamongyoungpeople)
“Wasup?”
“Igos”and“Idos”
“Alright?”
“Aia!”
BarryaccentissimilartoCardiff’swithbroadvowels,butitisdistinctivefromtheCardiffaccent.Hasaparticularlybroad,flat
‘a’
“Welshbringspeopletogether”
“Don’tgivemethoseeyes.”
“HeyBra!”(Bra=clippedversionof‘Bro’–seemstooccuramongsurfercommunitieslocally
“W’‘appnin?”
‘Peng’=‘fit’originatesfromtheChinesewordforgirl.
“Lysh”–sharedwithmanyvalleyscommunities.
“It’solderthanwhenpeoplearrivedonFlatholm”–thegistofalocalsaying.
“What’soccurrin’?”–GavinandStaceycoinedthisphrase,notactuallyauthenticallyBarry.
CorruptionandAnglicisationofWelshplacenames
“DoyouthinkIcameoveronthelastbananaboat?”
FewTsandhsarepronounced.
“Iseenit”,“Idoneit”
“DowntheIsland”asawayofreferringtogoingtoBarryIsland
“GointoTheBaahs”–goingtothebaths,theLidoatTheKnap
SomeWelshphrasespepperedthroughconversatione.g.“Daiawn”forverygood.
Welsh“ych-a-fi”meaning‘yuck’hasbecome“akki”inBarry.
Group1
Group2
Group3
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
21
2.3.1 REFLECTIONSUPONBARRY’SLANGUAGEANDDIALECTSTORY
Whilemuchinterestinginformationwasgatheredfromthethreegroupsregardinglocallanguageanddialect,therewaslittlecommunalityof
thoughtacrossthethree.Itsuggeststhatthere’slittleleftthatistrulydistinctiveintermsofBarrylanguageanddialect.
WhiletherearenowanumberofWelshschoolsinBarryandthevicinity,Welshisnotacorefeatureofthelanguagecharacteristicsofthe
town.ThishasmuchtodowiththehistoryofmigrationintoBarrybypeoplesfromacrosstheworldanditbeingbuilttosupporttheindustry
surroundinganindustrialport.However,Welshseemstobepepperedthroughthe‘linguafranca’ofBarry,withphraseslikedaiawn(very
good)beingusedandsomeAnglicisationsofWelshphrases,e.g.theWelshexpressionfor‘yuck’,ych-a-fihaslocallybecome‘acki’.
Barryisamulticulturalmeltingpot,andUrdu,Punjabi,Hindi,Portuguese,Spanish,PolishandChineseMandarinarepresentwithinthe
languagecultureofthetownthankstothelongestablishedethnicpopulationswhohavesettledhere.Allgroupsagreedthatracismwasa
rareoccurrenceinthetown,partlyduetothelonghistoryofsettlement,collaborationandfriendship.Inaway,thefirstgenerationofBarry’s
settlersduringtheindustrialboomweremulticultural.Ithasgrownanddevelopedfromthatpointwithmulticulturalism,diversityand
toleranceatitscore.
Likemanyaccentsdevelopedaroundindustrialports,influencedbysomanydiverselanguagesounds,Barry’saccenthasbroadvowels(similar
toCardiffandalsoplacessuchasLiverpool).Barry’saccenthasaparticularlyflat‘a’sound.
Therearesomelinguisticfeaturesofnote,thathavesomecommunalitywithphrasesandpatternsfoundacrosstheindustrialvalleysofsouth
eastWales.Amongthemorelocalisedisapatternofsaying:
“Igoes”and“Idos”,i.e.adding‘s’totheendofvowels,and“Iseenit”and“Idoneit”.
Therearesomelocalsayingsthatrelatetothesocialhistoryoftheregionandareworthnoting.Onerespondentspokeaboutaphrase
somethinglike“it’solderthanwhenpeoplefirstwalkedonFlatholm,”asawayofrelatingsomething’sgreatage(thephraseisprobablynot
exactlycorrect).AndalsoasayingrelatingtothehistoryoftheGeestBananaBoats:“DoyouthinkIcameoveronthelastbananaboat?”In
othercontexts,thismightbeconsideredinappropriateduetoitsracialundertones,butinBarry’seasymulticulturalenvironment,itseemsto
beacceptedaspartofthevernacular.
22
2.4 FOOD&DRINK
MENTIONED
Barryismostlyassociatedwithseasidefare:icecream,chips,candy-flossetc
Pasties
Brain’sBeer
Curriesandinternationalcuisineoutletsarenumeroushere.Itreflectsmulticulturalsettlementandnatureofthecommunity,
butnotparticularlydistinctiveinthisdayandage.
“Halfandhalf”(halfrice,halfchips)believedtohaveoriginatedhere
GwynThomascalledBarryIsland“thekingdomofthechip.”
Producers/localProduce:
HotDiggidyDogSauceismadeinBarry
ValeofGlamorganBreweryoperatesfromthetown
PepperPasties,madebyTheJollyBaker(OldBakeryrunbyGreekFamily)
VicHopkinsButchers,HighStreet
Significant/distinctiveorculturallyresonanteateries:
TheGallery,BroadStreet
CasaPaco,BroadStreet–themenuhasn’tchangedsincethedayitopened
Booty’scafe,WesternShelter
Irene’sSupperBar,ParkCrescent
MarcosofBarryIslandandPorthkerryParkcafes
HangFire,Pumphouse
Helen’sCaféonBarryIsland
BospherousKebabShop
StreetsonBroadStreet
TheAthenaonBroadStreet(endofaneveningoutfoodstop)
TheBridgeCafé,ColdKnap
GoldenStar,Chinese,MainStreet
YangtzeChopSueyHouse,BarryRoadinCadoxtonthoughttobeoldestChineseinWales(?)
CadoxtonMulticulturalVoluntaryCommunitycafé,MainStreet
Group1
Group2
Group3
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
23
2.4.1 REFLECTIONSUPONBARRY’SFOODANDDRINKSTORY
Aswithlanguage,therewaslittlethatreallytypifiedBarryintermsoffoodanddrinkculture.Ithasnodistinctivecuisineofitsown,butrather
associateswiththebeachandfairgroundfareoffishandchips,ice-cream,doughnutsandcandy-floss.
Aswithlanguage,Barry’smulticulturalhistoryisreflectedintheavailablecuisine,withethniceateriesfromChinesetoIndian,Kebabsto
WelshCakesallapartofthefoodenvironment.ThereisanunsubstantiatedclaimthattheYangtzeChopSueyHouseinCadoxtonmaybethe
oldestinBritain.
Barryseemstohaveonlytwocurrentfoodproducersofnote:
Thecompanywhomake‘HotDiggidyDogSauce’achilisauce.Seewww.doggidy.com
ValeofGlamorganBrewerywhomakehandcraftedales.TheywereawardedtheChampionBeerofWalesin2015fortheirbrew,DarkMatter.
Seewww.vogbrewery.co.uk
MuchofBarry’scuisineofferisinformalcaféfarewithamulticulturaltwist.ItalianandGreekfamilyrunestablishmentshavebeenthe
mainstayofthetown’sfoodofferforgenerations.However,therecentopeningofHangFireattheregeneratedPumpHousebuilding,is
forgingawayaheadandmakingclearandconfidentstatementsaboutBarry’sfuturetrajectory,withawaitinglistforatableofuptothree
monthsatthetimeofwriting.
24
2.5 CREATIVITY&THEARTS
MENTIONED
GraceWilliams,Composer
MargaretLindseyWilliams,Portraitpaintertotherichandfamous
RobertThomas,sculptor
CeriThomas,painter
GwynThomas,authorandshortstorywriter
JohnArthenEvans,rantheWelshSocietyinBarry,behindbringingtheEisteddfodtothetown.Partofthevisualartsscenein
Barryandalocalteacher
Anumberoflocalamateurdancegroupsoperateinthetown–schoolsdanceeventannuallyatMEMO
Anumberofamateurdramaticgroupsoperateinthetown
‘Barrybados’
Festivals:CadstockandGlastonbarry
LeslieMoore,SeniorArtAdvisorWales,artist.IraMoore(hiswife–alsoanartist?)
SallyMoore,contemporarypainter,wasbroughtupinBarry(daughterofLeslieMoore)
AlanSalisbury,WalesPortraitPrize
Barryhasafewchoirs,BarryMV,BarryLadiesandBarryYouthChoiramongthem
RogerLivsey
BarrySummerSchool:Artistsfromallovertheworldaswellaspeoplewishingtolearnfromthem.1960-1979.Priortothisit
wasGlamorganSummerSchool.LeslieMoore(Artist)wastheVicePrincipal,WyndhamHaycock(Artist)wasthePrincipal.For
afewyearsitincludedaJazzsummerschool.TerrySeton,EarnestEboliandTomHudsonwereotherartistswhotutoredon
thecourses.
DavidDavies’granddaughterswerefamouscollectorsofimpressionistpaintings,collectionhousedinNationalMuseumand
Gallery.
EvanCharlton,artist
FelicityCharlton,artist
NationalEisteddfodhasbeenheldinthetowntwice,in1920and1968.
MEMO–MemorialHall.There’sacenotaphandahallofmemoriesthere.
LotsofpubbandsinBarry
Barryhasanumberofopenmiceventseachweek.
ProfTonyCurtis
Group1
Group2
Group3
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
25
MikeYoung,thecreatorofSupertedlivedherewhilehewascreatingthecartooncharacter.
Y
MENTIONED
Group1
Group2
Group3
BobHope,hismotherlivedinBarry(GreenwoodStreet)
MariePres,painter(daughterofPres’Fishmongers)
CanonHillArtStudios–artistworkshopspace
ArtsCentralGallery
Art4You
Prof.JohnMorganLloyd,ProfessorofMusicinCardiff.TaughtGraceWilliams
Barryis“ahotbedofcreativity.”
BroRadio,basedatBarryYMCA
JazzFestival
RobertTear,Tenor
EventsonBarryIsland
EileenAllan,dramatistandartist
ValeofGlamorganArtists
RomillySchoolChoir(RomillyOldBoys)historicchoirhadsomesuccess,nolongeractive
JMEdwards,Poetwhowonthe1938NationalEisteddfodChairworkedinBarry
JosephineSnowdon,NationalEisteddfodArtGoldMedalist
MuralprojectbehindCentralPark
VictoriaParkhasaspace–RoominthePark–eventspace
SurplusFest–undergroundmusicfestivalinSeptember
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
2.5.1 REFLECTIONSUPONBARRY’SARTSANDCULTURALSTORY
OneparticipantsummedupthesenseeachgrouphadprovidedofBarry’sartscredentialsandsenseofcurrentcreativebuzz:“Barryisa
hotbedofcreativity.”
TheindustrialboomlaidaplatformfortheemergenceofsignificanteducationalforceinBarryfromtheturnofthe20thCentury,andthe
developmentoftourismattractedartiststothetownaswell.Artsandcultureflourished,andBarryproducedorprovidedavibranthomefora
numberofnotableartistssuchasEvanandFelicityCharlton,AlanSalisbury,LeslieandIraMooreandMargaretLindseyWilliams;musicians
26
suchasProf.JohnMorganLloydandGraceWilliams,andwriterssuchasGwynThomas.Theirlegacycontinuestothecurrentdaywithvisual
artistssuchasJosephineSnowdon,winneroftheNationalEisteddfodGoldMedalforArt,MariePresandSallyMoorehailingfromthetownas
wellasMikeYoung,theanimatorwhocreated‘Superted’.
Aspreviouslymentioned,asignificantartsfocusedsummerschoolwasheldinBarryduringthe1960sand70s.ItwasfoundedbyartistLesley
Moore,whobecameitsVice-PrincipalandWyndhamHeycockitsco-directorbetween1962-1973.Theoriginalsummerschoolespoused
pioneeringnewapproachestoartandeducationandattractediconicartistsfromallovertheworldsuchasTomHudson,GeorgeBrecht,
RobinPage,JohnEpstein,RolandMiller,JazzmusicianLarryAdlerandtoday’sRoyalAcademyArtistTerrySetch,whoeachsharedtheir
experienceandtaughtattheschool,whichattractedpupilsfromallacrosstheglobetoBarryoverthesummermonths.
BarryhasalsobeenthecrucibleforgreatpoliticalmindssuchasGwynforEvans,thefirstPlaidCymruMP,DorothyReesoneofthefirstfemale
LabourMPs,JuliaGillard27thPrimeMinisterofAustraliaandacademicsincludingtherenownedhistorianProfessorDaiSmith,Professor
DeirdreBeddoe,anexpertonwomen’shistoryandrights.
Today,thetownremainsa‘hotbedofcreativity’withaveryactiveamateurdramatics,danceandopenmicsceneaswellasthrivingartist
studiosatCanonHill.Inrecentyears,lowerhousepricesinBarry-comparedtotherestoftheValeofGlamorganandCardiff-hasseenmany
artistsmovetothetown.Engagingthiscreativetalentandharnessingtheirenergytowardstheregenerationofthetownwillbeimportantin
thecomingyearsforBarrytoreallythrive.
27
2.6 GREATOUTDOORS
MENTIONED
PorthkerryPark,NatureReserve
Barry’sParks
MostofBarry’sParksboastGreenFlags
Promontoriesareimportantoutdoorspacesforthetown:Friar’sPoint,KnapPoint,Nell’sPoint
Beachesareimportantoutdoorspacesforthetown:Knap,Watchtower,ColdKnap,Bull’sNose,Jackson’sBay,TheIsland,Old
Harbour,Whitmore(ontheIsland).MostareBlueFlag
KingSquareandCentralPark
BarryCemetery
NaturereservebyDowCorning(WetlandCentre)includingafishinglake,onlyforpermitholders
LakedownatTheKnap(shapedlikeaharp)SeawaterPool
Lido–notthereanymore
JennerPark–oneoftheoldeststadiumsinWales.40milelapraceheldhereonthetrackeachyear.
Valewayswalkinggroup
BarryasgatewaytothenaturalassetsoftheVale
FlatholmandSteepholm
AllotmentsbehindWaitroseandalongthecliffabovethedocks
DyffrynGardensandDyffrynHouseonourdoorstep
WILDLIFE:
Seagulls
Urbanfoxes
Swansontheboatinglake
TheDocksarecurrentlyahavenforwildlifeinthemiddleofthetown.
ACTIVITY:
Watersportson‘TheMole’
SplashPark
Skateboardpark
Group1
Group2
Group3
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
28
MENTIONED
Group1
Group2
Group3
LotsofSurfLife-SavingclubstrainonBarrybeaches:Jackson’sBay,RhonddaLifesaverstrainatTheKnap
BarryTownFootballClub(nowBarryTownUnited)WinnersoftheWelshCup1970s-early2000s
BarryAthleticsClub,createdontheEarlofPlymouth’sEstate.ItincludesaCricketClubandTennisCourts.
BarryRugbyClub–producedafewWelshInternationals
HorseandFlowerShowusedtoberuneveryyear.(Nolongerhappening.)
BarryCarnival(nolongerhappening)
Oceanwatersports
NationalOceanicResearchCentre
HawkingCentre
BarryParkRun–operatedbythe‘SeriouslyMadRunners’
NewYear’sDaySwimandBoxingDayonBarryIslandbeach
Sealonglinefishing.Over14differentspeciesoffisharecaughtofftheBarrycoast
SeaFishingChampionshipsholdalegbetweentheKnapandRhoosePoint.
VictoriaParkDogShow
ValeofGlamorganShow
PawsintheVale–dogresourcesfortheValearea
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
2.6.1 REFLECTIONSUPONTHESTORYOFBARRY’SGREATOUTDOORS
Withoutquestion,Barry’sbeachesandpromontoriesarethelocals’favorite‘greatoutdoorspaces’,withtheverywellkeptparksacrossthe
townprovidingvaluedurbangreenspaces,andPorthkerryparkofferingwilderhabitatstoexplore.
Thereseemstobenothingsignificantintermsoflocalwildlife,butengagementwiththeoutdoorsthroughorganisedsportsandwater-based
activitiesappearstobeanimportantpartofBarryculture,beitsurfing,rugby,football,athleticsorseaangling,assuchithasbeenacradlefor
muchsportingtalent.
Ingeneraltermsthecommunityseemstofocusitsattentiontowardsthecoastandinwardstothetown’sgreen-spaces,butoneortwo
respondentsbroughtuptherelationshipbetweenBarryandthebroaderandmorediversenaturalassetsoftheValeofGlamorgan.Taking
bothitslocalurbanresources,itscoastallandscapeanditsproximitytotheVale’srichnaturalresources,Barryisextremelywellserved,
29
thoughmorecouldbedonetodevelopsomeofitsoutdoorandwatersportsactivitytoappealtovisitorsandperhapsencouragelongerstayin
thearea.
Barrysitsasanurbangatewaytothisvaluablenatureandheritagerichareaandanexplorationofhowtocapitaliseuponthatrelationshipwill
bevaluableaspartofBarry’sfuturedirection.
30
2.7
PERSONALRESPONSES–GETTINGTOTHEHEARTOFBARRY
QUESTIONS
IfBarrycouldtellonly
oneofitsstories,
whichstorywouldit
be?
GROUPRESPONSES
HistoryoftheDocks/Dockers
Funatthefair
Itsrelationshipwiththesea
BarryDocksregenerationintoawater
activitiescentreforall
Docks
BarrySummerSchool
Communities
Storyofbeaches
Docks
BarryDocks
GROUPRESPONSES
Itsimmensehistorytoits
massivecoalexportupto1913
asa‘worldbeater’
Traintotheislandfordaytrips
fromthevalleys–the
playgroundofthevalleys
StoryofBarryDockscoaltrade
Howitbegan
Coalexporter
Builtfortransport
Industrialport,docksandlabour
Victorianlife/past
Howitbecamelargestcoal
exporterintheworld
It’sconnectiontothesea,
particularlytheMerchantNavy
Beaches
Thedocksandthesea,its
worldwidemaritimehistoryin
peaceandwar
GROUPRESPONSES
Aboutthebeachinthesummer,
withthefairgroundridesand
hotdogsandcandy-floss.
Barryboomtown,thestoryofa
townonthefrontierofBritish
coaltrade
TheriseoftheDocksandstory
ofWelshcoal
TheongoingstoryoftheDocks–
stillgoingandwithafuture
‘Punchaboveourweight’–
worldchampionboxers,other
sportsmen,Olympians
Itslegacytotherailwayheritage
andpreservationmovement
Coalandempire
Coal–biggestexporterofcoalin
1913
Maritimehistory
Coalandempire.
BuildingoftheDocks
YOUTHGROUPRESPONSES
Itwasamajorcoalport
Thewarstories
ThestoryofBarryDocksand
howtheygrewandplayeda
partinthecoalminingand
thewar
LeeSelby–borninBarry,
wenttoColcotprimaryand
BarryComp,he’sthebest
boxerinhisweightinthe
world.
LeeSelby,DavidDavies
(foundedBarrydocks)and
GraceWilliams(composer)
Barryatwar
GavinandStacey
2.7.1 REFLECTIONSONSTORYPRIORITIESFORBARRY
ThereisagooddegreeofhomogenyaroundthekeystoriesofBarrythatrespondentsfeltwerecentraltowhoandwhatthetownisabout.Of
coursethesearestoriesfromthetown’shistory,andnotnecessarilyreflectiveofBarry’sfuture,buttheyarekeyaspectsofBarry’sstory.The
keystoriesidentifiedcanbeidentifiedas:
• StoryofthecreationandcontributionoftheDocksandDockworkers
31
•
•
•
Storyofthebeaches
StoryoftourismconnectedtoBarryIslandandthefunfairandseasideculture
Storyofcoalexportandtrade
TheserepresentthetwinpillarsofBarry’soffer:coalandcandyfloss,Docksanddaytrips.
2.8 VISUALREPRESENTATIONOFBARRY
QUESTIONS
Ifalienslandedand
youcouldshowthem
justonephotoof
Barrytorepresentthe
town,whatphoto
wouldthatbe?
GROUPRESPONSES
BarryIslandfunfare
Beachhuts
TheviewoftheDockOfficewithDocksin
thebackgroundandDavidDaviesstatue
WaterfrontDocks
PorthkerryParkwithViaduct
TopofBarryTown–thesea
BarrytownfromHoltonRoad
BarryIsland
TownHall
GROUPRESPONSES
ViewlookingeastfromMarine
Drive
AcrosstheDockstothesteep
streets
BarryIsland–anaerialviewof
beaches
Viewoftheterracedhousesneat
rows
Oneoftheoldrailwaytravel
posters
FromIslandtodocksand
crescent
DockOffices
BarryDockOffices
ViewofDocksandIslandfrom
TrinityHill
SeaViewofBarryIsland
HoltonRoadinaround1910
GROUPRESPONSES
Thebeaches
AerialshotoftheDocks
Theaerialviewofthewholeof
Barry
Fairground
TheDocksfromtheair
Viewfrom½waydownTrinity
Street
Aerialview(colour)ofBarry
ThePumpHouse
Aseagulleatingchips
BarryIslandandbeach
YOUTHGROUPRESPONSES
BarryIsland
BarryIsland
TheviaductinPorthkerry
BarryIsland(cleanbeach,
sunshiningandclean
promenade
Abird’seyeview
Themepark
Abusydayattheisland
Beachhuts
32
2.8.1 REFLECTIONSUPONVISUALREPRESENTATIONPRIORITIES&CHOICES
Againcertain‘icons’arisetimeandtimeagainacrossgroups.Interestinglythe‘views’offeredfromvariouspointsofBarryseemreally
important.Thishasbeenarecurringthemewithingroupdiscussionsandrelatestothetopographyofthetown,theamphitheatrelikebasin
thataffordsviewsoverrooftops,townscapeandindustrial-scapetowardsthesea.
2.9 BARRY’SPERSONALITY
QUESTIONS
IfBarrywasaperson,
choose3wordsto
describethatperson’s
personality:
GROUPRESPONSES
Chatty,kind,friendly
Charismatic,unique,friendly
Individualistic,straightforward,diverse
Lackingcreativity,proud
Cheeky,insular,optimistic
Beautiful,potential,requiringfacelift
Broad,creative,resilient
Friendly,brash
GROUPRESPONSES
Earthy,bouncy,proud
Real,warm,downtoearth
Outgoing,humorous,modest
Funny,sharp,hardworking
Fun,tough,friendly
Authentic,humorous,hard
working
Cheap,cheerful,beautiful,
Bright,outgoing
Open,honest,chatty
Veryfriendlyperson
Forwardlooking,unprejudiced,
caring
GROUPRESPONSES
Friendly,honest,welcoming
Loud,rude,stubborn
Challenged,colourful,tired
Loud,wide-boy,proud
Blunt,abrasive,outgoing
Brash,diamondintherough,
cheery
Blunt,opinionated,enterprising
Funloving,enterprising,
colourful
Brash,stubborn,proud
YOUTHGROUPRESPONSES
Crazy,funandjudgemental
Improving,interestingand
chavy
Caring,resourcefuland
seasoned
Awesome,bold,community
spirit,brave,colourful
Exciting,scaryanddirty
Welcoming,excitingand
interesting
Friendly,welcomingand
interesting
Home,communityand
friendly
2.9.1 SUMMARYOFKEYPERSONALITYTRAITSFORBARRY:
Key-words/sentimentsthatarisetimeandtimeagaininclude:
• Friendly,welcoming
• Proud,stubborn
33
• Authentic,downtoearth,honest
• Loud,outgoing,brash
• Resilient
• Interesting,exciting
2.9.2
BARRY’SPERSONALITYWORDART
34
2.10 BARRY’SASSETS
QUESTIONS
WhatisBarry’s
greatestasset?
GROUPRESPONSES
Memories,resilience,seaside
Thepeople
Beaches
Beaches
ArtCentralGallery&Artsdevelopment
service
Beaches
Beaches
BarryDockWaters,clearandsafe
Beaches
GROUPRESPONSES
Itspeople
Townscape
Itspeople
Thepeople
It’speople
Itsinnovativepeople
Coastandseashore
ProximitytoPorthkerrypark
fromwatersideandtown
Easytoaccessfromvalleysand
city
Itisunpretentiousanddownto
earth
Waterfrontandsea
GROUPRESPONSES
Barrycoastline
Thebeaches
MemorialHall
Itspeople
Coastline
Thebeachesandparks
Atpresentitsbeaches
ProximitytoCardiffandM4
Itsabilitytojustgetonwithit
(adaptability)
Beachesandcoastalwalks
YOUTHGROUPRESPONSES
BarryIslandandBarryIsland
pleasurepark
Theisland
BarryIslandfortourism
BarryIsland,Barryschools-
YsgolGymraegBro
Morgannwg
Theisland
Thebeaches
Thenewbeachhuts
Theisland
2.10.1 SYNOPSISOFKEYASSETS
ThegroupswerequiteclearaboutwhatBarry’scurrentassetsare:
• Thepeople
• Beaches/coastline
• BarryIsland
35
2.11
THINGSLOVEDABOUTBARRY
QUESTIONS
Whatdoyoulove
mostaboutBarry?
GROUPRESPONSES
It’smyhome
PorthkerryPark
Diversity
Thepeople
Itsvariety
DockOffice
Livinghere
Opportunities
GROUPRESPONSES
Itsauthenticity
Thepeople
Theproximityofcoastandits
superbviews
Theviews
Ontheup
Itspeople
Outdoorspaces–coast,parks
andsurroundingcountryside
Itspeople
It’swhereIbelong
Myhistoryishere
GROUPRESPONSES
Barry’sbeachesandheadlands
History
BarryIsland
Itsdiversity
Coastlineandcountry
Thebeachesandtheopen
spaces
Itsdiverseandmaverick
character
Thepeople
Beachesinwinterwithmydog
Memoriesoffriendsandfamily
YOUTHGROUPRESPONSES
Ilovethefacttherearelots
ofparksandplacestohang
around
Thebeachinthesummer
Thesportsfacilities
Thecommunity,sports
facilities,Porthkerry,Barry
castle
BarrypromotestheWelsh
language
Thepeople
Ilovetheamountofparks
throughoutthetown
ThesupportfortheWelsh
language
2.11.1 SYNOPSISOFLOVEDASPECTSOFBARRY
Thisverypersonalquestionhasageneratedagreaterdiversityofresponse,buttherearesomeclearthemeshere:
• Senseofhomeandbelonging
• Thepeopleandcommunity
• Beachesandcoastline
• Maverick,diversityrichculture
• Outdoorspacesandactivities
36
3.0
RESULTSOFSTAKEHOLDERCONVERSATIONS
StakeholderconversationsareafundamentalbuildingblockincreatingaPlacenarrative.Inintensivediscussionsofaround45minuteskey
peoplewithintheplaceorwhohaveaninterestinitareaskedtogivetheirviewsaboutwhatitdoeswell,itspotential,barriersto
improvement,itsassets,itsimageandwhatitshouldfocuson.
Theseunattributedconversationsprovideawealthofinformationandarepartoftheprocessofre-connectingstakeholderswiththeirplace
andthemconsideringitinwaytheywon'thavepreviously.Thediscussionsalsoallowustoprobecertainissuesinawaythatotherelements
ofengagementdon'tallow.Forexamplelackofleadershipissometimescitedandthatisoftenviewedasapublicsectororpoliticalcomment
whenactuallyitusuallymeansthatleadershipisn'tasstrongasitcouldbefromanysector.
Wewillonlymakeuseofinformationifitisemphasisedandrepeatedbyvariousstakeholdersthusgivingitarobustnessthatisimportantif
usingitasevidence.Thereisnodoubtthatstakeholdersfindtheprocesscatharticandempoweringandthatitusuallyresultsinthem
becomingmoreinterestedin,andoftenanambassadorfortheirplace.
Barrystakeholderviews
3.1
BARRYNOW
• Onanupwardspiral
• Waterfrontcouldbemorevisionary
• Hasbeenlackofambitionneedtobebrave
• Islandandtown–needtobeone
• Getoverindustrialheritage
• Potential
• Naturalassetsgreat&Cardiffrelationship–commutertown
• Greatlocation
37
3.2
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Neglected,rough,tough,beatenup,faded
Twoworlds–eithersideoftherailwayline
Needsmomentumtomakechangesustainable
Punchingbelowweight
Innovativepeopleintown
Tryingveryhard
ToobiggivennexttoCardiff
Seasonal
Islandbitofagem
Nothadfundingorinvestmentofothersimilarlychallengedtown
BARRY’SASSETS
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Beach
Sand
Cardiff
Countryside
Airport
EnterpriseZone
Park
Waterfront
Socialcapital
Value,affordable,peopledon’texpectbigmoney
Welcoming
Motorwayaccess
38
3.3
3.4
•
•
•
•
•
Qualityoflife
Greattransportlinks
Pride
Localplaceforlocalpeople
Meetsbasicneeds
BARRY’SCHALLENGES
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Image,perception
Crime,violence,drugs,fighting
Retail,shops
Changeresistant
Noidentity
Poorvisitorexperience
Splittowncentreandisland
Fragility,lackofconfidence
Towncentrenotusedorrelevant
Seasonal
Cardiffpresencepreventinginvestment
Notgotanythingtoassociatewith
Notadestination
EXTERNALPERCEPTIONSOFBARRY
•
GavinandStacey
39
3.5
•
•
•
•
•
•
Funfair
Beach
Holiday
Butlins
Cardiff
Notmuch!
BUSINESSSITUATIONINBARRY
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Minimal
SomesmallSME’s
Nobusinesstobedonethere
Portrelated
Lackofspace
Fundingachallenge
HardtogetinvestmentagainstCardiffbackdrop
IndependentssuchasPumphouserestaurant–strength,different;weakness,notknown
Nobusinesspark
OpportunitywithEZ,AstonMartinandairportgrowth
Untappedentrepreneurialspirit
Startupspotential
Citydealopportunity
Competitionintense
Cardiff&Valecollegeifinvestedintown
Moreactiveprivatesectorinvestment
40
3.6
3.7
VIEWONBARRY’SVISITORECONOMY
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Lotsdon’tcomeduetoperception
Congestion
Lackofaccommodation
Regionaldayvisiteconomy
Litter,derelictionputpeopleoff
What’stheopportunity?–trieddogwalking&active
SomestillcomeincoachesfromMidlands
Dayoutok–icecream,beach,cheapfishnchips,poortrafficmanagement
Lotofbrownsignsstimulatinginterest
Warmer–(i.e.climatechangemeanstheclimateiswarming)
WaterfrontopportunityaroundPumphouse
Noattempttogetbeyondlocal
AirportpeopleonlyaskforaccommodationinBarrywhenCardiffisfull
Naturalstufftherealready
Active&outdoor–walking,running,dogwalking,mountainbiking,kayaking–allyearopportunitywithminimalinvestment
BARRY’SFUTURE
•
•
•
•
•
Don’tneedtotrytoohardasgotnaturalbeauty
Towncentrechallengesameaseverywhere
‘Glastonbarry’‘Barrybados’aregreat
Internationalclassoutdoordestination
Cardiff’sbeach,capitalcity’sbeach
41
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Airport,AstonMartin,EZ,StAthan–transformationalopportunityforbusiness
Needtotryandgetovernightmarket
Twoway–CardiffpeoplecomingtorelaxinBarryaswellascommutertown
Liveandbeachmainpillars
Beachresort
Allyear,allweatherbeachandactivity
Healthypopulationlinkedtoactivity
Activitylinkingtonewdemographic
Live,workandplay
CombinedofferwithCardiff
Distinctdestinationoffer
Hostforevents
3.8
PROPOSITIONS
ThoseinterviewedwereaskedwhethertheyagreedordisagreedwithanumberofpropositionsaboutBarryoutlinedbelow.The%relatesto
thenumberofpeopleinterviewedwhoeitheragreedordisagreed.
Yes %
No
%
Ambitious
550
Familyfriendly 880
Dynamic 330
Confident 110
Contemporary 110
Aspirational 110
Businessfocused 110
Forwardlooking 660
550
220
770
990
990
990
990
440
42
Attractive 770 330
Complacent 110 990
3.9
EXCEPTIONREPORTING
Overandabovethepointshighlightedintheresponsesabove,thefollowingelementsareworthyofnote.Theyarekeyquestionsraisedor
statementsmadeduringtheinterviews:
• Dothelocalauthorityhavesufficientambition?
• RecognitionthatCouncilistrying,beingmorecommercial,supportivebutneedstobemorevocaltoo
• Thereisnoaspirationaldocumentorvisionfortheplacebutlocalauthorityarebraveinaskingtownwhatitwantstobe
• Townnotbenefittingfrombeach/waterfront–signage,underpasses,gatewaysapriority–connectivityandinfrastructuremustbe
priority
• CardiffnextdoorisachallengeasBarryisovershadowed-focusgoesthere
• FEstaticbutupwardspiralmediumtolongterm
• Educationispoorandlotstryingtoeducatekidsoutsidetown
• Notagreatvisitorexperience–needtofocusonsmallthingse.g.litter,graffiti,dogmess,signage
• Barryisthreeverydistinctplaces–island,waterfrontandtown
• Don’tforgetthegreen,TheVale
• AstonMartin&airportbigopportunities
• AgreatvaluecommuterpartofCardiff
• Businessratesincentiveneededfortowncentre
• Usethenaturalresourcestogrowtheplaceasthey’regreate.g.watersports,walking,cycling,activities
• QuicklyneedmorePumphouses
43
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Needsstrongleadership.
NeedstobeadestinationforCardiffandtheregion,dayout,hotelsreallyneededforweekends,placetoplayanddoactivitiesyear
round
Toomanycompetingviewsandagendas–needsharedviewandsharedresponsibility–leadership!
Lotofpeopledon’trealiseithaschangedeveninregion–imageholdingitback
EnterpriseZonecanbeagamechangerlinkedtoairportgrowth&AstonMartin
Gettingthewaterfrontrightisvital–notgoodtodate–needsaspirationalmasterplan–quality,design,vision,greatpublicrealm
Needsastrongidentity–can’tjustbepartofTheVale
Placeis‘changeresistant’lookingbacktogoodolddaysthatweren’tthatgreat
Can’tdoeverything–focusonislandandwaterfront
Maketrainexperiencebetterandfocusononestation
Navigationanightmare
CommutingtoCardiffprettygoodespeciallybytrain–stillbigopportunitytoimprovethedemographic
Needsasenseofplaceandanidentity
Townisn’tgoingtobeaboutretailapartfrombasics–aneedtoreinvent
44
4.0
CLARIFYINGTHESTORY,PROVIDINGACONTEMPORARYPOSITIONFORBARRY
Fromtheinformationandinsightsgatheredfromtheconsultationactivity,AngharadWynneandthethinkingplaceteamhaverefinedBarry’s
storyandidentifiedacontemporarypositionforthetown’ssenseofplace.ThethemesaredrawnfromthestoryofBarryandformtwokey
pillarsidentifiedduringtheconsultationprocess.The‘story’willbehonedoverthecomingmonthstoforma‘storybook’forBarrywhichwill
encapsulateitshistory,presentanditsfuturetrajectoryorvisioninapublicdocument.
4.1
THEMES&PILLARS
Thehistoricthemesofthestorywillformthecoresubjectsforfutureinterpretativeworkandinformvariousactivitiesfrominformation
provisiontoproductsandactivitiestointerpretationandpublicrealmdesign.Thecontemporarypositioning,informsanewvisionforBarry,
becomescoretoitsbrandvaluesandthestrategicactivityfromtownplanningtocommunityandresourcemanagementtotourismand
developmentofinvestmentopportunities.
45
4.2
4.2.1
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
4.2.2
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
HOWTHENEWPROPOSITIONCANBEEXPRESSED:
QUAYSIDEANDSEASIDE
Aspirational,activeleisurelandscape
ReinventandreinvigorateBarry’soffertocreateacontemporaryquay,coastandcountrysidedestination
Developwatersportsprovision,identifytoprateprofessionalwatersportsoutfitwithwhomenthusiasticcommunityvolunteerscan
work
Provideofferthatstimulatesincreasedvisitorspend
Supportcaféculture
Developmoresophisticatedfoodanddrinksoffer
Connectassets(assetpackaging)
Capitaliseonregionalassets–countryside,heritageandcreativity
PositionBarryasadestinationandresortbasefortheVale–businessandleisurevisitors
ManifestthecreativespiritofBarry,anditsstoryinthepublicrealm,provideplatformsandspacesforartists
EngagewholecommunityintheexperienceBarryoffers
SPIRITOFINNOVATION
Nurtureandsupportenterpriseanddaring
Developstrategyandstrategicallydevelop
Encourageenterprise–beachhuts
Rejuvenateoldbuildingstocreatehubsforincubatingcreativityacrossartsandbusinessstartups
Harnessandconnect‘independents’andSMEtalent
PromoteactivitythatexpressesBarry’s‘Maverick’nature,e.g.Barrybadosbrand
MakeproximitytoCardiffanasset–connect
46
•
•
•
•
PromotethenewEnterpriseZone,celebrateAstonMartin’sarrivalloudlyandproudly
MarketBarryasaplacetostayforbigCardiffevents,andattractandhostmorebusinesseventstothetown
Developconfidence
Continuetooffergoodvalue
47
5.0
THEBIGIDEA
Whatwecall‘thebigidea’isanapproach,aposition,aphilosophyoraguidingspiritthatwillhelptopositivelychangebehaviourand
influencedecisionmaking,approach,developmentactivityandhowaplacecommunicates.Likethekeythemesandstory,itinfluenceshowa
placeacts,presentsitselfandeventually,howitisperceived.
48
5.1
BARRY’S‘BIGIDEA
Barryneedstobegintodriveforwarditsagenda,itsvisionratherthanbeingimpactedonbyvariablesoffundingregimes,politicalsphereetc.
Historically,ithashadagreatimpactupontheworld,itwasbornfrominnovationandtheneedtomakesomethinghappen.It’stimeforitto
regainthatsenseofdriveandaction.ThebigideadevelopedforBarrydrawsuponthesethreadsaswellasitstopography,coastaltourism,
watersportspotentialandtheentrepreneurialelementemergingwithinthebusinesscommunity.The‘bigidea’isdescribedsimplyasBarry–
MakingWaves.Thisisanapproach,acorepositioning,notamarketingstrapline.
BARRY–MAKINGWAVES
49
Changingwaysofthinking,behaviorandpositioningisoneofthecoreaimsofourbigideaforBarry.Belowoutlineswaysinwhichapplying
‘Barry–MakingWaves’asacorepropositionand‘philosophy’couldinfluenceBarry’sbehavioraswellasitsenvironment,communications
andproducts/outputsinthecoreareasofBusiness,LeisureandTourismandDevelopment.
5.1.1 BEHAVIOUR
• Actconfidently–PlaceBoardcansupportanddefenddecisionsmadeforthetown
• Beclearandstrategicaboutfuturedirectionanddevelopment
• CreateagreaterimpactastheVale’stown,asthelargesttownnexttoCardiff,nexttoairport,thecity’sseasideetc–connect,harness
assetsandbebold
• ManagedevelopmentstofitBarry’spurposeandfuture
• Bemoreambitiousonbehalfofthetown
• Celebrateleadership
• Nurtureandincubatecreative,entrepreneurialmavericks.
• Engagewholecommunity,enablethemtoexperienceallofBarry
• ReinventandreinvigorateBarry’ssenseofselfwithinnovationatthecoreofthinking
• Beclearaboutfuturedirection
• CelebrateBarry‘swagger’
5.1.2 BUSINESS
• Harnessthecreative,quirky,entrepreneurial,mavericknatureofthepeopleofBarry,supportdevelopmentofSMEs
• Demonstrateleadershipandcelebratebusinessleaders
• Encouragelinksbetweenentrepreneursandartists
• Useemptybuildingstosupportstartups
• Createpop-upshopsinemptytowncentreunits
• Connect‘Independents’
50
•
•
•
•
•
•
SupportandinvestinBusinessfacilities–EnterpriseZoneandinthetown
Attractsmallbusinessevents–growovertime
Investinbusinessconferencingandmeetingfacilities
Developleisureanddiningoffertosupportbusinessandleisuretravel
ConnectwiththeAirportandwithCardiff
Capitaliseonassets–greatplacetolive,greattransportlinks,halfanhourawayfromthecapitalcity,affordablebusinesspremises,
supportedbusinessenvironment,creativeatmosphere
5.1.3 LEISURE&TOURISM
• DevelopBarryasavisitordestination,harnessingruralandheritageassetsoftheValeandCapitalCityproximity,greattransportlinks,
airportetc.
• Encourageanddevelopfacilitiestohostvisitorsovernight
• Stimulateandsupportmoresophisticateddining,activityandleisureofferthatgeneratesadditionalspendperhead
• Celebrateandpromotecurrentassetsmorewidely
• ImproveinterpretationofBarry’sstoryacrossthetown
• Packageassetsacrossthetownandregionandsignpostmoreclearlyandcreatively.
• Talkitup–celebrate,beproud,shoutloud–allyearround
5.1.4 DEVELOPMENT
• Developastrong,ambitiousmasterplan&placedocument
• WorkrigorouslywithdeveloperstomanageanddeliverBarry’splacestrategy/vision
• Moreconfidentleadershipoftheprocessofplacemaking–PlaceBoard
• Bemoreambitious
• Worktoconnecttheassetsacrossthecity–signage&interpretationandtransport/peoplemovementstrategy
51
•
•
•
6.0
Understandthevalueofkeydevelopments,ensuretheyareprofessionallyledandmanaged,supportedbyenthusiasticcommunity
members
Transformtheunsightly–shorttermandlongtermsolutions
Beinnovativeaboutemptyspaces
ABrandforBarry
Thestory,personality,pillars,themes,visionandbigideacometogethertoinformanewbrandforBarry.Thebrandwheelbelow
demonstrateshowallourlearningfromtheprocessesandinquiriestogetherformacrediblesetofbrandvalues,brandpersonalityandcore
forBarryasitmovesforwards.
TheBrandharnessesBarry’sassets,existingandfuturedevelopments,geographicalposition,history,senseofplace,storythemesand
personalitytobuildabrandforthetown.
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6.1BRANDWHEEL
53
7.0
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
RECOMMENDATIONS,WAYSOFMOVINGFORWARD
Agreewayforward,feedbacktocommunityandstakeholders,engagetheminthefuture
Buildaplaceboardtosupportdecision-makingandconfidencebuilding.WorktodevelopexistingAdvisoryGroupbyharnessingthe
additionaltalent,passion,experienceandinfluenceofsomecommunitymembersandstakeholdersidentifiedduringthisprocess.It
willprovideindependence,avoicefortheplace’leadership,energy,risktakinganddynamism.
Developandagreetheplacestrategyandbranding
DevelopaplacebooktocommunicateBarry’sstory,andbrandvalues
Usethatworktodevelopamasterplantoinformfuturedevelopmentwork,fundingbidsandattractinvestment
Developasignage,signposting,movementplanandinterpretationstrategy
TellBarry’skeystorieswithinthepublicrealm:publicart,placemaking,signposting,streetfurniture,interpretation.Keythemes:Place
ofPilgrimage(ancienttomoderntimes),maritimehistory–piratestoglobaltrade,coalandcandyfloss–theindustrialboomof
industryandtourism,Barrynow,Barry’sfuture.
Investincolourandstoryacrosstownscapeandassets
Transformtheunsightly,fillthelongtermempty
Prioritisedevelopmentinvestmentandmanagetheprocess
Alignstrategiesacrossplanning,tourism,artsandculture,leisure,communitydevelopmentetc.
Encourageandsupportinitiativestoengagethecommunityintheirplace,enablethemtoaccessandenjoyassets–Barryaplaceto
live,workandplay
Developmoreinitiativesandactivitiestoengagethebusinesscommunity
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APPENDIX
1.0 LISTOFATTENDEESFORSENSEOFPLACECOMMUNITYENGAGEMENTWORKSHOPS
1.0.1 Workshop1:
YMCABarry,CourtRoad,Barry,CF634EE,Monday9thJanuary2017,10am-1pm
GillMunro,GibbonsdownChildren’sCentre
EmilyForbes,BarryTownCouncil
MelanieWeeks,VoGC(LibraryandInformationService)
GillDavies,Vale50+Forum
PhilipWalters,BarryCommunityWaterActivityCentre
AntheaClements,YMCABarry
RachelHoneyJones,NewyddHA
SimonFenoulhet,Artist(WesternShelterproject)
MarkEllis,VoGC(CommunitiesFirst)
BeverleyLennon,BarryResident
TraceyHarding,VoGC(ArtsDevelopment)
1.0.2 Workshop2:
TheStationBuildings(BarryTouristRailway),StationApproach,BarryIsland,CF625TH,Tuesday10thJanuary2017,6-9pm
CllrLisBurnett(VoGC)
JohnBuxton,CambrianTransport(BarryTouristRailway)
JohnGreatrex,VoGC/FriendsofVictoriaPark
CllrStefanWiliam,VoGC
MikeHeffernan,ChairofBarryIslandHistoricalGroup
55
AllanBosley,SecretaryoftheBarryIslandHistoricalGroup
CllrNicHodges,VoGC
AndyGriffiths,BarryResident
PhilKinsey-Griffiths,BarryResident
GarethKiddie,GKA
CllrJulieAviet,VoGC
ProfessorTonyCurtis,BarryResident
1.0.3 Workshop3:
CastlelandCommunityCentre,BelvedereCrescent,BarryCF634JZ,Friday13thJanuary2017,1-4pm
AnnePhillips,PublicHealthWales
KeithWilliams,BarryCommunityWaterActivityCentre
SueNorthover,BarryResident
HelenPayne,BarryResident
PeterPhillips,CastlelandCommunityCentre
SueBowyer,BarryResident
GeraintEvans,CorporationChairofCardiffandValeCollege
DrMatthewGriffiths,CivicTrustCymru(RetiredDirector)
StephenNewman,BarryResident
CllrJohnDrysdale,VoGC
DorothyConnell,BarryResident
BrianMills,CambrianTransport(BarryTouristRailway)
FayBlakeley,HomemadeWales
HywelGeorge,GriotCreative
ColinDavies,VoGC(CommunitiesFirst)
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2.0 LISTOFSTAKEHOLDERSINTERVIEWEDBYJOHNTILLOFthinkingplace.
NAME
POSITION
ORGANISATION
RobThomas
ManagingDirector
ValeofGlamorganCouncil
DebraBarber
ManagingDirector
CardiffAirport
EmilEvans
Viceprincipal
CardiffandValeCollege
NewyddHousing
PaulRoberts
ChiefExecutive
Association
ProfessorHeather
StevensCBE
Chair
TheWaterlooFoundation
JeremySymons
Director
Cooke&Arkwright
SimonBaston
Director
DSProperties
RossMackintosh
Director
MackEvents
PortManager,SouthWales
CallumCouper
Ports
ABP
MeurigWatts*
HeadofRegeneration(South) WelshGovernment
NickWilliams*
BenefitsAdvisor
WelshGovernment
EmmaJenkins*
RegenerationProjectManager WelshGovernment
*WelshGovernmentendedupbeingonecombinedinterview
57