Barry Island memories
Here are memories of Barry Island and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Barry Island or a Barry Island photo.
The Mitchells & Finch Families of Redbrink
Redbrink Crescent, Barry Island was where Emma Ellen Mitchell and her husband James John Mitchell lived, these house were built by James Michell's father, the mariner John Maerdin Mitchell. My dad was born at no 36 in 01 July 1920, while my grandfather Sydney worked the local shipbuilders. Grandma was a Mitchell, Alice Lousia. They moved to Bristol- Bedminster, circa 1925. My G'Grd Dad Mitchell was the light house keeper for 32 years.
German Aircraft
In the early 1940s my father was a coastguard stationed at Barry Island. I was about 5 years old and I vividly remember that one day I was sat on my 3-wheeled bike at the top of the hill and a German aircraft flew over at a very low altitude, I could see the pilot's face clearly. It was followed by two Spitfires which with one burst of gunfire shot it down over the bay. Could anyone out there give me the date that this happened? Derek Cousins
Jumping Off The Platform
I recall as a kid jumping into the water from these platforms, and the call of the beach inspector over the load speaker system 'Attention on the beach and promenade, will the parents of guardians of XXXX please come to the beach inspector's office which is situated in the centre of the promenade'.
Now who would lose their kids today!
Roller Skating at Barry Island.
Some of my best memories of Barry Island are from the week-ends I used to go to the skating rink which was situated above the block of shops on the sea side of the pleasure park overlooking the prom and sea. Three of us waited all week for this wonderful evening. We were, me, Pat Baker (Overstreet) Christine Pearce and Jackie Felix. We all saved hard to buy our own spanking new, white leather roller boots although, impatient to actually wear boots and not simply strap on skates, I bought a second hand pair from a girl called Roberta (Scott - I think) who made a wonderful and graceful dance partner with a very handsome young man, Arnold, I seem to remember. We all attempted (and failed) to emulate them! When we did buy our own boots we whitened them before each visit. What a pleasure it was to go home on the 10 past 9 'bus (because we had to!) with our skates thrown over our shoulders, tired out,... Read more
Barry Island
I was born and bred Barry Island. My mother and father had a fish and chip shop under the Western shelter. I can remember wonderful summer days, playing on the sands and making friends with children from the valleys. They thought my life wonderful! Can anybody remember the Gwalia cafe built on the rocks at Nells Point and the swimming pool below it that filled up at high tide? Oh such happy days! Mary Morgan (nee Lewis)
I Lived at Nells Point
I lived at the Navy station Nells Point around 1943 to 1947. I went to school at Clive road and attended sunday school at st Johns. I remember the army camp,and at the end of the war the squatters moved in the huts.I allso remember the U.S army giving us children lovelypartiesand eating my first donut. the one with the hole in. Pat Perring nee Nurse
Barry Island in The 50s And 60s
I traveled to Barry Island every summer because it was the nearest seaside to Brynmawr where we lived. The excitement of seeing the sea was overwhelming, and every time I would be sick on the old coach taking us there. We would first spend a few hours on the beach, then a walk around the shops, hoping for the biggest stick of rock possible. Then we spent an hour or so at the fair. I don't know how I ever went on the rides, I couldn't now! Then it was back to the coach. I was always OK going home, so it was just the thrill of being at Barry Island, something nice to look forward to. Barry Island has brought pleasure to thousands of people, may it continue to…
Memories
On a bank holiday my mother would take us to Barry on the train. We would spend lots of time in the beach then go on the shows, we'd have a great time. My dream was to go in to Butlins, I'd see the kids playing in the outdoor pool, I wish I could have gone in there. When I got older and had kids of my own I took them there, what a wonderrful time I had, I only wish it was still open, I'd take my grandkids there. My mother also took us up the Nap, there was a lovely swimming pool, I remember the the dolphins in the kiddies pool. I've got great memories of Barry. I still go there every year with my grandkids.
Nell's Point , Barry Island
I was born on 'the Island' and lived there until I was 17 years old. Nell's Point used to be my play ground.I have many fond memories of counting the coaches that used to bring the visitors from far and wide, the coaches would park in the Municiple coach park on Forest Drive above which was a nine hole golf course,the old army barracks and the Coastguard station. I am a member of National Coastwatch Institution (N.C.I.). We operate from the refurbished Coastguard station lower down the Headland and I was wondering if there were any photos of the old Coastguard station that used to be on the top of Nell's Point? I would like to show my new friends in N.C.I. how it used to look.
Memories of South Glamorgan
Jamaica Planter
I have been told some information about the Jamaica Planter which was sunk off the Port of Barry, but cannot remember all the details. Is anyone able to help me? My father-in-law was aboard her on the two occasions she came in to the Port to be repaired. He was discharged from her company before she was holed the third time, thus surviving to marry and father five children, four of whom survive him!
Sincerely,
Caroline Scott.
Zena
I remember these cottages. A girl my own age lived in one of them. Her name was, "Zena."
They were, very sadly, demolished, some years ago.
Cadoxton school is just across the road from where these lovely little cottages were situated.
Golden Stairs
We used to climb the Golden Stairs when I was a s child. They seemed never ending. I bet they won't have changed much!
Lunch Time From Romilly School
Fish & chips from Harveys in Vale Street and a walk to Barry castle with the "girls", long time memories of Romilly Boys School.
Boats on The Lake
As kids we'd sail our toy boats on the feeder to the lake. Simple pleasures, great fun, without computers !
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