Remember, remember the fifth of November. Or is that October 29th according to our esteemed Vale Council who gave Guy Fawkes a Halloween vibe this year.
Bizarrely Barry’s big Bonfire Night Out, and I have no clue of the real reason for this, was moved to a week before, leaving Barrians both baffled and bemused.
For us reliable residents, who have traipsed from Romilly Park to The Parade, to The Prom over the years, it was a bit of a shock to the system.
Just like every year, we had our Halloween finery all ironed, had ordered our Sparklers for the fourth, and were looking forward to two top weekends in a row.
Then the Vale Council lobbed the proverbial spanner in the works.
Let’s just keep our fingers crossed that we’re not at the Central Park Christmas Market in the middle of February.
Halloween has always a highlight in Barry, especially back in the day.
There we were, eight years old, swinging around a fully-lit candle shoved into a smelly suede, badly carved by your Dad two minutes before.
And then off we went into the night, a motley crew of kids, banging on random strangers doors asking for our treats.
Then just as the smouldering Suede hit the bin bag we were set for Bonfire Night – the annual traipse to the Fireworks fresh from a day’s Penny for the Guy work outside the old Stephens store.
Hundreds of us all wrapped up cosy and cwtchy, then set off clutching a bunch of Sparklers and a box of Bryant and May.
My only thoughts as we walked in our unofficial procession over the Island Road were of the dazzling display to come.
And the Pineapple Fritter and Chippy Supper on the way home – even managed to blag a can of Top Deck Shandy on times too.
It’s a cliched phrase ‘making memories’ but those really were happy days.
Truth be told though, whatever the date, I’m happy to see the town’s traditional dates creeping back into our community calendar.
In my view, those two years of Coronavirus chaos and long lonely Lockdowns will have massive physical, mental, psychological and social repercussions for years to come.
Community events like these are so important to showing a sense of solidarity and spirit in the town, and getting us back on track,
So, all you organisers, please give yourself a clap and take a bow – yes, even you Vale of Glamorgan Council.
Thank you
Mrs SVJ
(c) mrssvj.co.uk
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, her latest ‘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.