Andy’s Thought Dump

It’s hard to put into words why Barry Island means so much to me - but I’ll try. Because for me, it’s not just a seaside town. It’s memories, people, love, laughter, and heartbreak. It’s a part of my soul. People may wonder why I’m talking about making Barry Island better - especially when I’m from Merthyr Tydfil. And don’t worry, I’ve got plenty to say about my home town too. But I want to start here. I want to write about Barry first. Because this place gave me some of the most treasured moments of my life. It's the backdrop to my earliest memories, the setting of joy and sorrow, and now, the place I get to pass those memories on to my own children. My first memory of Barry Island is etched in my mind like it happened yesterday. I was in the back of our red Datsun Cherry, my dad at the wheel, Madonna’s Holiday playing on the radio. We were heading to Barry Butlins, and as we drove through the gates, the smell of hot dogs hit me like magic. That sweet, salty smell carried the p...

There’s this idea I’ve had for a while now, and it just keeps circling in my head every time I pass the old harbour at Barry Island. Right now, it’s dead space. A patch of unused land tucked between the beach, the bridges, and the car park, forgotten and full of potential. And I can’t help but think: why are we letting that land sit there doing nothing when it could be helping to bring jobs, tourism, and money into the area? Imagine filling it in - literally. Level the land and turn it into a proper holiday park. Static caravans, lodges, maybe even chalets. Not some huge resort that swallows the Island whole, just a well-planned holiday complex that fits naturally into the landscape. Barry already gets its fair share of day-trippers when the sun’s out, but what if we gave them a reason to stay the weekend or the whole week? The location makes so much sense. Right by the sea. Walking distance to the beach, the fairground, the cafés, the railway. It’s all there - we’re just not using ...