AWESOME! Truly, it was awesome, as our American friends might say! The Wartime Weekend on the Waterfront and at Barry Island station, I mean.

As a participator I might be biased, but from the feedback we were receiving from visitors to the event I do not think I mis-speak.

It was a great privilege to be at the initial ceremony on King Square on the Friday morning when a plaque was dedicated in memory the American servicemen who first arrived in Barry and district 70 years ago; later that afternoon the arrival of the GMC truck convoy in Holton Road – most impressive – and of course the Spitfire, the jeeps and other vehicles and the displays “Over Here” on the Hood Road encampment.

“Over There” – on Barry Island Station – were the War Gamers, the military uniform collectors and sellers, and the Western Front Association ready to help people with inquiries about their relatives. A hoard of display boards filled the station rooms with photos and facts about the war years and particularly the American presence.

Then the re-enactors themselves and their re-enacting as they “arrested” (more than once) a downed Luftwaffe pilot; the steam train and the young “evacuees” from local schools who waved their flags as they went back to the 1940s; not to forget the awesomely superb musical performers, male and female, including “George Formby” who entertained us for hours and the teenage interviewers from St Cyres School who had the privilege of putting questions to those with memories of the old days. All brilliant. Awesome, in fact!

If you came, you saw the sights and they conquered you and you would like to see something similar next year please let the organisers know through the Barry & District News or barryatwar.info/ And thanks for coming to the event – as you did in your thousands!

Glenn Booker Hillside Close Barry