Is it me or has Barry gone even a bit more bonkers lately as we saw residents race to the pumps to fill their tanks to the top fearful of a fuel shortage.
Truth be told, I’ve just about recovered from the absolute carnage that was Asda when it all kicked off – scran systems down, petrol panic buying, shelves being swept of stuff…and ‘click and collect’ nearly three hours behind.
To be honest, it took me about three hours to actually to get to the pick-up point to finally find out about the delays. As soon as I made it to the Memo I saw just how our hapless Waterfront highways were grid-locked with those selfish souls gearing up for the garages.
Brilliant idea to place the pumps right firmly in front of the only entrances to the stores leaving the entrances badly blocked with the chances of picking up a frothy coffee from Costa while you waited absolutely nil.
And it wasn’t just the supermarkets either. Saturday night saw me stuck in a crazy queue of cars on Cardiff Road causing chaos in their desperation to get that last drop of petrol firmly in their fuel tank.
For me, it was the main stream media shooting a scaremongering story across the bows that emboldened some Barrians to go battling for fuel, and scurrying to stock up stuff.
Social media soon came to the Party too, as rumours were rife about petrol shortages, food failures, and even the possibility of cancelling Christmas…again!
Many blamed the build-up of traffic on BREXIT of course.
Well Barry’s TESCO shoppers must have voted remain then then because that store was running like clockwork. The Port Road place hasn’t got any petrol pumps – get it.
Seriously though, although in my view it was the scary supply shortage news stories that started the panic, it all does seem to be slightly going to hell in a handcart.
Empty shelves, rationed fuel, big energy bill rise, and a cost of living leaping up as we still fight our way through the pandemic that is still plodding on.
So shall we just stop the pathetic petrol panic buying, selfish stocking of non-essential supplies and all pull together.
The short-term selfish ‘I’m alright Jack’ mentality that will only consequences for our community – and its wider world.
Come on Barry we are much better than that.
Mrs SVJ
The Voice of Our Community
Sue Vincent-Jones, blogging as Mrs SVJ, is a Barry born journalist, editor, and activist. She writes about Barry – and her life in the wider world, through the eyes of a, quirky and queer, local girl done good.
Written exclusively for the Vale’s newest newspaper, and digital platform, The Glamorgan Star, this week’s ‘Passing Comment’ column, an addition to the infamous Sue’s Views collection, can be found here.
Mrs SVJ, Barry’s Boldest Blogger, can be contacted here.