50 years ago

Extracts from the Barry & District News of August 20, 1964:

An increase in the number registered as unemployed in Barry was indicated during the count on Tuesday. Unemployment increased by 76 to 335 men, and 110 women are unemployed. This was an increase of 57 men and 19 women over the previous month. The rise in the unemployed register was mainly due to the number of ship-repairers and seamen unemployed on the day of count.

Thieves got away with a safe containing a large sum of money when they broke into the home of a Barry Island trader on Saturday evening, and a few hours later the Pelican Club on the sea front was broken into and a “one-armed bandit” robbed.

The two-year fight which has been waged by the Corporation, the Docks Manager and the townspeople of Barry against the closing of the Docks as recommended by the Rochdale Committee, reached fruition after a long series of set-backs and delays on Monday, when the British Transport Docks Board, finally cleared the Docks from closure.

Barry Island was the Mecca of several thousand visitors on Friday evening when, at dusk, what are claimed to be the most spectacular illuminations ever installed were officially switched on by the Mayor (Ald. C. T. Price).

Many members of the Corporation, together with their wives, were present to witness the ceremony and Coun. Jack Trzise, as chairman of the Seaside and Entertainments Committee, spoke of the co-operation between the Corporation, the Barry Island Traders’ Association and the John Collins Pleasure Park, who were jointly responsible for the illuminations.

On Tuesday week members of the Barry Blind Social Centre, Beryl Road, were entertained by Harold Chilcott. The roars of laughter fully justified the visit.