FROM the Archive this week features a photograph of the Golden Stairs, Porthkerry Park, pre-1907.

In March 1909, the Barry Chamber of Trade held their monthly meeting.

They decided to write to the District Council to complain about the deplorable state of the footpath leading to Porthkerry park called the Golden Stairs.

Questions were asked about how the Golden Stairs got its name.

No-one could really answer.

Mr Speke pointed out this was the name it was given on all the picture postcards.

The only other reference to the Golden Stairs around the same time relates to the slang term for the tread-wheel punishment in Cardiff Gaol, when inmates spent hours walking up a never-ending staircase while holding onto an overhead bar.

Considering the steep assent up the Golden Stairs in Porthkerry, I suspect the comparison with the tread-wheel in Cardiff prison maybe how it got its name?

But are there any other theories that could be correct?

The Barry & District News would like to thank Cllr Shirley Hodges for the photograph and information.

If you have an old Barry photograph you would like to see included, with information about what it depicts, email sha@barryanddistrictnews.co.uk