Twinning (From Barry And District News)

Twinning

REGARDING a Twinning or Friendship Pact for Barry?

Barry Town Council has been "in discussion" with Kinsale, in the Republic of Ireland over a friendship pact for nearly 10 years.

How long does it take Barry Town Council to reach a decision?

Many smaller councils in the Vale have successfully forged links with communities abroad, such as Cowbridge who twinned with Clisson.

A comparable council to Barry such as Llanelli has twinned with five communities around the world including places in Russia, the USA and Spain.

Does Cllr Tooze have no ambition for Barry?

Why does he point the finger of blame at the Vale Council for not supporting a twinning arrangement?

Surely as a long standing member of Barry Town Council he and his labour leadership were in a position over decades of taking the responsibility and drive to forge links with similar towns and communities abroad?

Alas no, Cllr Tooze was busy "in discussion" for 10 years.

Kinsale is a pretty coastal resort with a population of around 2,500.

I am sure it is more than able to forge sustainable links with other similar small communities.

However, Barry is one of the largest towns in Wales with a population of approximately 48,500.

I believe to have a meaningful, cultural, sporting exchange we need a full twinning arrangement with a similar sized community.

Let"s look to the future, I urge Barrians to contact myself via Barry Town Council with some ideas of places they may like to twin with.

Cllr Shirley Hodges

Plaid Cymru the Party of Wales

Romilly Road

Barry