Archaic (From Barry And District News)

Archaic

THE Memo, The Memorial Hall or The Barry Memorial Hall. It obviously matters to a number of people what the exact title should be. But does it really?

The shortened version of The Barry Memorial Hall, The Memo, originated in the mid 50s to the 60s. It became synonymous with the youth culture of that time in Barry. No offence was ever meant and the reverence of the meaning was always respect.

Don't forget, those of us who were teenagers in the 50s and 60s, had already lost family because of the wars and most had witnessed the blank expressions of dads and uncles who returned.

And, John Crisp, we are more intelligent than you imagine. Of course a memo is short for memorandum but it means far more than a short note to your colleagues. Do not patronise us.

I too have family names imprinted on the walls of our Memo but I had a father who returned, shocked and humiliated by the years of abuse that war brings.

I understand the displeasure of those archaic people who are content to wallow in the niceties of the past, but times change, whether they like it or not.

I'm fairly sure that the great number of our warriors printed on the walls of the hall would have a little giggle to themselves over the stupidity of the argument.

The Memo is the Memo and always will be. The Memorial Hall will forever stand proud to those who died for democracy.

Robert David Atkinson Edward Street Barry