So that’s it then, Barry Summer Season, is almost over – with a splash rather than a smash, as the schizophrenic Welsh weather ripped up the rule book.
GlastonBARRY swung in the sunshine then rocked in the rain. Rain stopped play at Cadstock, our free, fully-inclusive, family Music Festival, for a while.
And Barry Pride battled the elements to march proudly as it made its third appearance in our district’s Diary.
Respect to the tireless teams, valiant volunteers, and others involved, who pulled off these three Town treats.
Give yourselves a clap, take a bow.
As one of the town’s most infamous community cohesion supporters, Barry Pride is close to my heart…or at least used to be.
But as a former Ambassador, who was actively involved in the first ever exciting and extraordinarily successful event, I’m disappointed that we don’t do better.
Mind you, I haven’t a Scooby what (self-appointed?) soul or souls front Barry Pride anymore.
So I’ll say fair enough if time, teething troubles, and terrible weather, played a part in this year’s much quieter queer event.
But I’m my view, the organisers, should take some tips from the brilliant Barry Pride 2018, and listen to the frank feedback I’ve heard – from the wider community not just our LGBTQ Crew.
Why aren’t we marching from King Square, over Hood Road Bridge, through the Waterfront up the resplendent Rainbow Tunnel and into High Street.
Surely this would get more area of our terrific town involved, pull in more traders, and boost, let’s be honest, a pretty poor attendance.
High Street should be the focal point rather than Barry Island, especially stuck in a shelter way over on the side – what kind of message does that send.
A small straw pool of traders have confirmed they would welcome it back with open arms – and more than a dash of unicorn glitter.
We should also target staff networks, organisations, other LGBT groups – in Barry and beyond, so there is a bigger March and many more stalls.
I’d have some Fringe events in the week leading up to the Procession too. Barry’s debut Pride saw Academy Espresso Bars host a Panel Event, and The Small Space show a Rachel Dax film – Time And Again.
To pull these queer celebrations off with aplomb, I’d ensure a cross party, diverse and inclusive, Committee, made up of the Barry Community.
Regular online meetings, with plenty of notice, to discuss ideas and make collective decisions.
Each Committee member could have a clear role and responsibility reporting back at regular intervals.
Let’s be clear, I’m not knocking anyone who has a go at making our community’s calendar more exciting.
I’d just hate to see that typical and tired Barry disconnect, between what the community want, and what a select few think we want, happen here.
And I’m just thinking how we can make it bigger, better, and, oh the irony, more inclusive.
So come on all you LGBT leads, Labour lot, and locals, let’s work together to make Barry Pride 2024, on its new date of June 15th, an event to be truly proud of.
Sound like a plan?
What do you think.
Speak soon.
Mrs SVJ
Have Your Say: Give the Barry Pride Team some fabulous, frank, or both feedback through their Facebook page here.
Get Involved: Start speaking some serious truth to power please by completing the Vale Council’s ‘Let’s Talk About Life In The Vale’ Survey. Perhaps you might mention Barry Pride?
(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, an abridged version as part of the ‘ Passing Comment’ series can be found here.
Click here for the full infamous Sue’s Views collection.
Find out more about the world of Mrs SVJ, the Voice of our Community here.
Mrs SVJ, Barry’s Boldest Blogger, can be contacted here.