50 years ago

Extracts from the Barry & District News of April 16, 1964:

• Three Labour candidates are likely to be returned unopposed when nominations for the May elections to the Barry Corporation close on Tuesday. Labour have candidates for all seven seats, but the News and Herald understands that only three Independent nominations and one Conservative, will go forward. Labour will be defending four seats and Independents three.

• Conflicting statements about the future of the Barry Graving Dock were made during the past week. Directors of C H Bailey Ltd the South Wales dry dock and ship repairing firm, who claim to have gained control of Mountstuart Dry Docks, made a statement they would now reopen Barry Graving Dock which was closed by Mountstuart two years ago. But on Tuesday Len Dovey, managing director of Windway Marine Services, which has been using the dock for small craft told the News and Herald that this was impossible.

• The long-awaited clash between two teams which has dominated Barry and District League football this season, Colcot Stars and Cadoxton Albion, who met in the final of the Barry Cup at Jenner Park on Tuesday evening, resulted in a goalless draw after extra time had been played. The game which attracted a gate of some 300, was one of the most exciting to have been seen on the ground this season.

• On Thursday evening visitors to the sands at Barry Island viewed with suspicion the mysterious activities of soldiers on the beach. Working in pairs, armed with shovels and compasses, the teams moved about the beach. Occasionally, a team would stop take further compass bearings, change direction then continue this intriguing beach ballet. The local young men of “A” Company 6th Battalion The Welsh Regiment TA were in fact searching for a brick.

• The recent cocktail party organised by the Barry Committee of the Welsh National Cheshire Homes realised just over £120 and this has made it possible for the committee to forward the sum of £200 as their latest contribution towards the upkeep of the DanyBryn Cheshire Home at Radyr.