THE launch of a community platform aimed at assisting Barrians to put forward their views on the town, took place this week, Monday, October 20.

The Barry IdeasBank, believed to be the first in the UK’s, provides an independent community platform at where anyone can submit ideas, add to, or vote on other people’s suggestions for making Barry better.

Around 40 people heard six speakers speak for seven minutes, and more, at the Memo Arts Centre.

Each has taken action to either protect their community or make Barry a better place to live and work.

David Cole talked about his association with Barry Town United football club and all the supporters who took on the Welsh Football Association to keep the club alive. Kate Long of the Memo Arts Centre highlighted the efforts to raise funds for and create a new state-of-the-art cinema at the venue. Elwyn Toozer spoke about his drive to ensure the Cardiff Bus 98 service was retained. Stonehouse Mugalaval spoke about aiding an orphanage in his Kenyan homeland. Friends of Barry Beaches spoke about its monthly clean-ups of Barry’s beaches. And Penni Carr spoke about creative ways to make it fun for babies and children to learn Welsh – ending the evening with a Welsh rendition of Queen's We Will Rock You.

The event was organised by Barry Island resident Andy Green, of the Flexible Thinking Forum – a not-for-profit social enterprise.

The Barry IdeasBank is supported by the Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures & Commerce (RSA) the Vale and Barry town councils, community group Pride in Barry, and leading software and crowdsourcing specialist Crowdicity.

For details, visit www.yourideasbank.org.uk