A COMMUNITY project focusing on Barry's diverse and multi-cultural history has been awarded funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The project, ‘Barry. A New community’, is being supported by the Vale Centre for Voluntary Services and a new project officer, Jamie Baker, has been appointed.

The project will focus around the Holton Road and Thompson Street area, tracking the significant importance the area had to the cultural development of the town. Vale Councillor Chris Elmore welcomed the announcement of funding and recently met with Jamie to discuss the new project.

“I’m delighted that the Heritage Lottery has agreed to fund the project that is looking back at Barry’s proud history,” he said.

“The project examines the period from 1891 – 1945 focusing on how Barry was transformed from a farming community to the largest coal exporting docks in the world. The project focuses on the people who lived and worked in Barry rather than any particular building."

He added: “Volunteers are needed who are willing to work with Jamie to research family and street history. This is a fantastic opportunity to research your own family tree or discover the history of the street where you live.”

The project will initially focus on the streets around the Holton Road and Thompson Street area, but anyone with an interest in the history of Barry is asked to get in touch. For more details please contact Jamie on 01446 741 706.