Holding a rein on the old games (From Barry And District News)

Holding a rein on the old games

BARRY children have been listening to their grandparents' tales of the games they used to play when they were children.

And they have decided to incorporate them into their next art project, called'children and the past in Barry'.

The Arts Council of Wales, a National Lottery distributor, awarded almost 5,000 of funding to Barry community arts, who will run the project.

Based in Cadoxton House, the arts and craft group will use the money to produce costumes for a donkey derby to take place on the waterfront in Barry during tall ships week in August.

Many senior citizens have come forward with stories and memories of their childhood in Barry.

It seems that donkey rides on the sands were particularly popular - and this has inspired the group to stage a theatrical re-enactment of an old-fashioned donkey derby.

Performances will take place twice daily to coincide with Barry tall ships week and spectators will be encouraged to wear period dress.

Kim Parker, co-ordinator of Barry community arts, said: "The children will begin to create wonderful donkey costumes in our Thursday evening weekly workshops.

"In August we will intensify the workshops to five a week, culminating in two public performances of a donkey derby in the open-air.

"The Arts Council funding will help us ensure that there is provision for eight to16-year-olds to get professional artists to help with their creative work. Some 40 to 50 young people will be involved in the costume making and the performances.

"Not only will this raise the profile of Cadoxton House, where the club is based, but it will also build community relations."

David Newland, regional director of the South Wales office at The Arts Council of Wales, said: "We are delighted to be able to support this project, which offers new experiences to the children, giving them a unique opportunity of working on a cross-generational project.

"Ensuring that more young people become active participants in the arts in Wales is a cornerstone of the Arts Council of Wales' remit.