I ENJOYED reading that the traders on Barry Island experienced their best day this year on the day of the Red Arrows display. (Island shines as retailers report visitor numbers up, September 25 issue.)
The display certainly showed what thinking out of the box and a commitment to the town can achieve, and John Buxton of the Barry Tourist Railway should be commended for arranging the display.
The aerial display showed what Barry Island can be like, reminding many of the resort in its heyday.
One needs only to look at the Shoreham or Dawlish Airshows to see examples of small resorts creating events that attract thousands of visitors, or the motorcycle evenings at Poole Harbour, which attract thousands of visitors to the town each Tuesday evening.
Closer to home, Porthcawl has its ‘Elvis Weekend’, which helps to extend the season regardless of weather.
Since the demise of the Barry Waterfront Festival, Barry needs to look to these towns for inspiration and then make ‘it’ happen.
Ade Pitman
Barry
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