Time flies (From Barry And District News)

Time flies

CAN IT REALLY be 18 years since Barry Citizens' Action Group first hit the headlines?

That was the time when a pressure group was called for in order to oppose plans to commercially develop Barry Town Hall and Central Park.

March 15 marked the anniversary of our first meeting, attended by an assortment of peaceable individuals who felt so strongly about the threatened loss of their town hall and the only 'green lung' in the centre of town, that they were prepared to lie in the path of any bulldozers attempting to enter Central Park.

Some brave female supporters were contemplating following the example of the suffragettes by chaining themselves to the town hall railings to stop the proposed commercial development of the grade II listed building.

In 1985, one press report poured scorn on our efforts, forecasting that by the end of the year, the action group would have given up the fight.

There were many instances when, disheartened by the uncaring attitude of the local authority, we hesitated for one brief second while we considered whether our cause was winnable.

But now, perseverance, commitment and continual campaigning have paid off.

We have been promised an upgraded town hall, library and park in the foreseeable future. Perhaps, after 18 years of campaigning, another year or two doesn't seem so long.

Or should we be saying, 18 years is long enough to wait for work to begin on our shabby town?

Dilys Colbourne Secretary BCAG Crossfield Road Barry