Damp squib (From Barry And District News)

Damp squib

IT'S 2.45pm on July, 27, 2002. Hundreds of men, women and children wait with excitement and anticipation for what has become the annual flogging of the proverbial dead horse that is Barry carnival.

At 3pm the procession begins and by 3.10pm it's all over. The disappointment of children who have walked some distance (I spoke to one family who had walked from the Colcot with a pushchair and three children under six) could clearly be seen. Although the efforts of those who entered into this farce are appreciated, isn't it time to call it a day?

Isn't it time for the carnival committee (whoever they are) to consult the people of Barry?

Isn't it time for some new ideas? Don't get me wrong, I will always have fond memories of the carnival, sat on the pavement near Romilly Park with an ice cream as 100 floats went by, with a marching band between every other one. Clearly those days are gone. Why?

Who knows, but the death of the carnival is here. It's time to bury it and think of something new for next year. I hope I am not alone in my views. It is time to make some memories for our children before it's too late.

Lee McCabe Barry Road Barry