HISTORY came to Barry on the Bank Holiday weekend, making stops at Sully, Penarth and Rhoose.

On Sunday, May 4 the Cardiff Transport Preservation Group held its second “Running Day”, giving free heritage bus rides from its 1930s heritage vehicle centre in Barry.

The day's theme was "Recognising the 40th anniversary of the end of the urban district council structure in Wales".

Mike Taylor, chairman of the heritage bus group said: “We saw several hundred people on the day and many of the buses were full leaving the depot, with only 30 minutes between departures, queues were forming quickly for the next trip.

"Free bus rides to Penarth and Rhoose were run along with a Barry Island and town tour.

"It was good to see new members joining us so we are expanding our influence.

"Our volunteers, who restored many of the buses, were very pleased to see local residents and some youngsters too taking advantage of the free buses.

"Our next event, on June 8 is the Festival of Transport on Barry Island and is likely to be busy - with lots more visiting buses due and well over 200 classic cars coming."

On the Running Day several old fashioned looking half-cab buses were running. Two blue and cream double deckers from the 1960’s represented the former Pontypridd, Bedwas and Machen urban district councils and a green and cream single decker from the 1950’s represented Caerphilly urban district council.

“Our urban district council buses are of course the oldest ones that were giving rides," said Mike. "But after 1974 of course the district councils took over and we had several buses from Islwyn Borough Transport and Rhymney Valley district council too.

"We also had a privately owned visiting Aberdare Red and White bus all the way from Essex and we ran our 50-year-old Cardiff open top bus as the sun came out too.”