Record temps bring beach to life (From Barry And District News)

Record temps bring beach to life

IT WAS the hottest weekend on British record and Barry had action to match the temperatures.

From the carnival and beach volleyball to a celebrity football match for Ty Hafan, the two days were packed with spectator activities.

But the warm weather has brought mixed blessings - sweet dreams for some businesses, but nightmares for many others.

Popular Welsh ice-cream maker Mr Creemy is enjoying the boom.

Proprietor, Kevin Jenkins, is struggling to maintain stocks, but snatched a few minutes to talk to the News: "Our sales are up 400 percent.

We're working around the clock with two shifts."

Beer sales also soared. Some estimates claimed three million extra pints of beer would be served because of the heatwave conditions last weekend.

Old College Inn manager Dave Stringer said: "We had to buy 1,000 extra glasses, but our brewery had no trouble supplying us."

The heat was so extreme it affected all types of businesses.

Marge Colbourne works in Ferraris, added: "Temperatures in here reached 110 degrees Fahrenheit on Saturday - we sold out of bread rolls."

Mr Johnson of the butchers on Holton Road added: "We were cleared of barbecue packs." Woolworths also struggled to keep up with demand.

The store's Jonathan Roberts said: "Fans and paddling pools are like gold dust - everyone wants them."

And people were being sensible in the sun. Dee Carpentier from Lloyds Pharmacy said: "We don't sell below factor 15 protection. But it has been very popular."

Not having the expected increase in calls, the Coast-guard praised bathers and reminded parents to watch the children and keep in-flatables securely moored.

The people of Barry were also urged to be vigilant for different reasons.

Barry police warned of opportunist burglaries.