Nostalgic memories of Barry's local history
Share your own memories of Barry and read what others have said
For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.
Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.
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Displaying Memories 11 - 20 of 20 in total
Romilly Park not only housed the annual Barry Show, but often the circus, when real animals were allowed! Great to see the parade coming down Holton Road making its way to Romilly Park as "the circus comes to town" The Barry Show was altogether different, vegetables, flowers & horses. The best bit was the goodies we were given at the end of the show after doing St John Ambulance first aid duties there. Fond ...see more
As kids we'd sail our toy boats on the feeder to the lake. Simple pleasures, great fun, without computers !
Fish & chips from Harveys in Vale Street and a walk to Barry castle with the "girls", long time memories of Romilly Boys School.
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!
My mother worked in Lloyds in Holton Road. They had two shops, one which she usually worked in selling Lino, beds and furniture, and china etc. The other shop was the largest of the two and my mother used to shop there a lot. Entering this building on the right hand side was the men clothes, on the left hand side was a beautiful staircase built with lovely mahogany wood. Beside these stairs on the left, ladies ...see more
On the 24th May 1900, which was observed as a general holiday in honour of Queen Victoria's birthday and as a celebration of the relief of Mafeking, Cissie as a young child, was taken down to Barry Island, accompanied by her stepfather Joseph. She would have been amongst the 10,000 crowd who witnessed a grand display of fireworks on Barry Island where an ox was roasted, cut up and distributed to the town's poor.
Cissie's memories: I came to Barry in 1900. Holton Road was muddy and planks of wood were put down to enter the shops. We had a shop in 26 Holton Road, and later at the bottom of the block on spare ground Johnson's opened a portable theatre. They played drama and had a pantomine in which I took part as a chorus girl. On the other side of the road was a family called Langley. they lived in a caravan and had swings ...see more
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.
I remember going to school, 1st. St. Barucs, then Romilly school, and then high street. We my sister and had a little group of friends, Diane Williams, Gillian Dennis, Janet Dunkley we did lots of things together. On Sundays we used to go to All Saints Church as a family. My father george John, Marjorie and Granny, grandpa used to read the lessons and my father was a sides-man.
Does anybody remember my Great-grandfather on my Father's sdie of the family, Police Inspector William Hole? He had a few children, one being my grandfather Walter Trevor Hole, another being Police Sergeant Harry Hole. I know William Hole was in the Tonypandy Riots as a Policeman and Harry Hole was a Policeman in Tonypandy sometime after 1935, as my father remembers him. I would be greatful for any memories people are prepared to share with me. Sincerely, Caroline Scott.