I READ with interest last week that the ground floor of the former Barry Island Tourist Information Centre is to be leased to community organisations.

This is a far better idea than simply opening another cafe or amusement arcade on the Island, and the Vale Council should be credited for this foresight.

This is indeed timely news, following my recent request on behalf of Barry at War Group to utilise the rooms in which to create a Glamorgan Great War Centenary Centre.

I have expressed an interest in the facility, in which I propose to run the Glamorgan Great War Centenary Centre as a social enterprise, which is a charitable organisation run as a company. The close proximity to the tourism team will certainly be a benefit towards further promoting Barry and the Vale as a heritage tourism destination.

Should my bid be successful, creation of this in the time frame to ensure we are open for the centenary of the outbreak of the Great War, in August will be a challenge, but greater challenges have been overcome so far in the quest to preserve and promote the heritage of Barry & the Vale.

Ade Pitman

Barry At War

Barry