Thank you (From Barry And District News)

Thank you

ON November 11, after flying from Canada to Heathrow Airport, London I travelled to Cardiff and by local bus transportation completed my final leg of the trip to Romilly School, Barry.

Upon entering the bus all I had in my possession was a small amount of change and a £10 note to which the bus driver would not accept.

Thank goodness that a kind lady, also travelling to Barry, came to my rescue and gave me a £1 coin so that I could complete my journey.

Kindness is alive and well in Barry and my heartfelt thanks go out to this lady. Whoever you are, a big Canadian thank you.

While in Barry I attended a 40th reunion of Porthkerry Road Methodist Youth Group that was extremely well organised by Ann (Gerry) Evans and a few of her close friends.

What an afternoon! Between 40 and 50 past friends getting to see one another after so many years, sharing stories and life experiences of years gone by.

Too bad the newspaper folk were not present to capture the moment.

Barry is thriving.

What with all of the new housing developments throughout the town.

I must admit, most of this is a great improvement and town planners seem to be doing it right, even at the cost of letting the High Street and Holton Road shopping areas realise further, continuous deterioration.

As long as my favourite Porthkerry Park along with the "pebble beaches" are left untouched I will be most happy since it is Barry's greatest asset for its local inhabitants.

Yes, please do something with the Knap swimming pool area and surrounding area as this is just one big eyesore.

Fill it in and build pleasing low level housing in a park-like setting and I am sure the surrounding neighbours will be more than happy.

Again, many thanks to the kind lady who helped me get to Barry.

To my mother (Peggy Heaton of Howard Court) who was instrumental in leading the Porthkerry Youth Group so many years ago and to Ann Evans who took the initiative to plan and make the reunion such an overwhelming success.

Festive greetings to all the St Nicholas Hall Ladies Friday Afternoon Group.

Malcolm Heaton Sarnia Ontario Canada