Barry

Bakerlite.co.uk

Barry is where it all started.

What?

Well, it was a large part of the equation that made Wales important for its 'Black Gold. Yes, coal by any other name. the best quality 'Steaming Coal' came from near Swansea and powered many a steam powered boat across the Atlantic Ocean for many a year, including war time. Anthracite has a high calorific value and little ash: this much I know from my interest in physics.

For many years the coal from the ubiquitous Welsh Valleys was channelled through the town of Barry. Once three (or was it four) separate villages on this most southerly coast of Wales, it had rapidly grown into a large town where many of its inhabitants were directly or indirectly associated with exporting Wales's assets to the world in the time of of Queen Victoria.

In the latter half of the twentieth century, Barry has had to re-adapt to a rapid decline in the export of coal. Much of the coal utilised in domestic markets comes from Europe (albeit not of the same quality) It is the largest conurbation in the Vale of Glamorgan outside of Cardiff and has a heritage that is now being recognised. There is a scheme to build a Heritage Trail in the town and it was to that end that I was asked to take some photographs to illustrate it.

Hi Mike,

I’m Chairman of Pride In Barry and thought I’d drop you a line to say how great your pictures are of our Town. The building with a tall chimney is a former pumphouse for the Barry Docks. It is in the process of being regenerated as a central part of a new Innovation Quarter, and will house business starter units, skills training centre, workshops, and will also have a Barry College lifelong learning centre attached, and new business advisory services.

There is a real sense of regeneration, rejuvenation, and renaissance happen here at the moment, and I think you have captured that superbly in your excellent photos.

Thank you very much.

Paul Haley

	The offices of the Vale of Glamorgan reside in this splendidly Victorian building on the waterfront of Barry.
Down on the waters edge, about a mile away, the tide is high and England forms the backdrop.		Barry also has some fine parks and open spaces.

	This monument to the four winds is right in the centre of town.		I believe this is Gladstone bridge.
The water front is changing SO quickly. Lots of us Brits like to live near water to enjoy all the different moods that it can present.		This is one of the older buildings in Barry. It used to be the pumphouse for Barry Docks.