Photographic exhibition of Barry's past (From Barry And District News)

Photographic exhibition of Barry's past

12:20pm Monday 3rd September 2012 in News

LOCAL historian Tom Clemett's third 2012 exhibition of historic photographs of Barry is on at Victoria Park. Tom has delved into his treasure trove of pictures to bring a new slant to his photographical history of the town.

There are 50 aerial photographs, some dating back to 1930 when John Cobham's Flying Circus gave trips over the town in an Avro 504 bi-plane for 10 shillings a flight, and a photograph from World War II taken from a German reconnaissance plane.

Tom also has a collection of shots commissioned by H Tempest Co and Terence Soames Photography, both of whom specialised in aerial photography in the 1950s.

The second part of this exhibition shows how many of the local place and street names came in to being.

There are picture of famous people and dignitaries who are forgotten now, but who live on in our everyday lives without us even knowing it. Montgomery Road was indeed named after General Bernard 'Monty' Montgomery!

Park Manager Jon Greatrex said: "Tom has done it again with this exhibition! He has a huge selection of photographs to draw on, and always finds something new and unusual.

"Tom's photographs are extremely interesting, and this collection of aerial shots includes one which could be described as a 'holiday snap by the Luftwaffe'.

"The pictures of the people who named our town are particularly of note. It's often surprising who or what influenced the name of the streets," he added.

"And if you are lucky, as Tom lives locally, he is often in the park and pleased to answer questions about the town and its history."

The exhibition, at The Room in The Park, runs until Monday, September 17. Opening times are 10am to 4pm daily seven days a week (closed for lunch 1pm-2pm weekends - and some very occasional times when there may be a meeting in progress).

For further details of events in Victoria Park contact Jon Greatrex on 07809 551465 or email jgreatrex@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk