Memories (From Barry And District News)

Memories

IN the early 1990s my family also used to have our holidays at the Majestic Barry Island Resort. We always enjoyed ourselves so much that we always came back year after year right from the start of the camp opening until its closure.

We were told at that time that there was a problem with the entertainment licence with the council and that as soon as the matter was resolved everyone would soon be having their holidays there again. The camp was also in the process of modernisation with the chalets being upgraded, etc.

The years went by and we never heard anymore. On August 31, 2002, an opportunity arose to visit Barry Island again on a special train tip from Kent to Cardiff. We got to Cardiff around midday and caught the shuttle to Barry Island. As we came out of the station my wife and I saw the new Steam Heritage Centre, which was most impressive, and then we walked up to the camp. At first glance it seemed in situ, with the front intact, and a tourist train sitting forlornly inside waiting to be used. It wasn't until that we walked further along that we saw to our horror that where the chalets used to be, was now a brand new housing estate.

We find it difficult to believe that the council or tourist agency, or whoever was responsible, could be so short sighted as to allow this to happen. With the new Steam Railway and the camp still open, Barry Island could be a top tourist attraction. As it is now, it would be impossible to even talk about reopening the camp and it does seem so sad. To my wife and I, Barry Island has lost something that can never be replaced.

Brian and Denise Jackson Cudworth Road South Willesborough Ashford Kent