I’m feeling the festive spirit this week as I dust down my racy red Barrybados jumper all ready for the start of the yuletide social scene.
Mind you, I’m also trying to ignore the weather warnings, and the possibility that cosy Christmas in front of my recently purchased posh fire might cost me about a grand…but that’s another story.
Just had my first full-on bit of a Do running around the gorgeous Goodsheds munching funky food, quaffing Craft Ale, and finishing with a cheeky cocktail, or three.
Who would have thought as I sat slurping a strawberry milkshake and eating egg and chips in the totally old school Terry’s cafe circa 1980, that Barry would one day boast the first ever sustainable high street in the UK.
In those days, we were just about clinging to a High Street, never mind an urban one. And Holton Road was dominated by Dan Evans which was hardly the cutting edge of couture was it – even with Wallis.
But just look at our trendy little town now with Barry’s biggest and boldest building giving us somewhere to work, eat, live and play – all in one solid space.
Truth be told, I absolutely love the concept, and I’m pleased as punch it’s so proved so popular.
I also like that its been branded, not very catchily though I’ll admit, as ‘continuation of our High Street’, which is just a whisker way thanks to the infamous espresso bar across the road, and that twinkly Tunnel of Love leading up to Broad Street.
Must say I did smile though when I saw that our urban utopia was ‘situated in the centre of Barry.’ Since when then as I always thought that was ‘down town’ – possibly at King Square with Central Park perched to the right.
For me, Holton Road, will always be the heart of our town. Yes, it may be a bit battered and bruised but there’s plenty of traders open for business.
And we still spend our pennies there so it’s always sweet to see the Shop Local ethos shine. It’s so community spirited, especially in these coronavirus recovery and cost of living times, to keep our local businesses ticking over.
I even think Holton Road may be on the up with plenty of plans being plotted, and that lovely, little light show at Central Park just the start of things to come.
So please support our town’ traders this Season, and have fabulous festive fun quaffing their spoils.
Happy Christmas All.
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.