Author: Mrs SVJ

Well, we are not even out of the woods of that chaotic Christmas time yet and I’m already looking for bold Barrybados 2020 adventures.

Just spied the latest Nick and Shirley Hodges tasty tour on my trusty facebook feed so that’s a diary date for sure.

I absolutely love what the married duo have done with these free treats – giving us a taste of the time before, and helping the town’s tourism too.

Been on the Barry Dock Victorian outing which as an afternoon of fun and frolics that ended up with a dirty deed and a pint at the Castle Pub.

The dirty deed was a gruesome back in the day murder, the pint was very much here and now and slid down a treat.

I’m also desperate to try out the High Street Trade Quarter Tour too but just could never quite catch up the calendar with the dates designated.

And I also totally support the historic Hodges fight for a much-needed museum in our town to highlight our history and showcase the stories of old.

Now I hear that the couple are looking to take us on a reel around our town’s fountain of stage and screen at the Barry Memorial Hall so will definitely be up for that.

I have mixed feelings about ‘The Memo’ vibe actually – and its nothing to do with Barry Town Council who are based there.

Totally take on board, the their initial bid to become a bit more upmarket and I strongly supported the raising of their game during my B&D Editor days.

What I don’t get is why, all these years later, we still don’t make the most of Barry’s biggest live music, drama and film space.

Stage shows, bands, gigs, ‘am dram’ and other stage staples seem to be working like clockwork but the cinema side, in my view, is sadly lacking.

Yeah, yeah I know that films are shown at the Memo with increasing regularity, National Theatre Live is due to be beamed in, and those eclectic ‘Exhibitions on Screen’ are already advertised.

But every time I’ve popped along to a showing, it’s been almost empty, the chairs have given me a bad back, and its bloody freezing.

The Bar was open which is always a bonus, and we were chucked a blankie to wrap warmly up in, so total thanks for that thought.

For me though, the biggest killer is the complete lack of atmosphere.

I think back to those packed Saturday Theatre Royale film showings of old as we all trooped in to take in the latest big screen blockbusters armed with goodies from the store.

I absolutely loved the vibe, the darkness, the torch-bearing Usherette and even the occasional peanut being lobbed over the balcony – remember that!

No sure why we can’t catch those moments again, sans flinged foodstuffs, at The Memo.

I can so hear you shouting for me to take my rose-tinted Sunnies off – whilst also taking my tongue firmly from my cheek.

But I really do believe there’s some prime potential for a packed Picture House for all ages.

In my view, we could learn a lot from our near neighbour Arts Centre in Canton.

Chapter Arts have a welcoming walk in, a bustling bar, crammed café, gorgeous gallery, top theatre and two cute cinemas – without losing the bread and butter income of the various clubs and groups that meet there.

Call me controversial but I’d even go as far as dumping the Memo main stage for film showings and turning the upstairs rooms into a at least one cosy and cwtchy cinema.

And I’d soon sort out some fabulous, but not too fancy, food in the bar area – not advocating oysters but a burger in a bun would be a start.

No, I’m not just being nostalgic either, I just think that with no cinema left in the town, this is an idea well worth exploring, especially with a captive market waiting in the wings.

Totally get that the Memo is also a prime party venue – I had my own Wedding Evening Party, and Handsome Harry’s Christening there – not on the same day I hasten to add.

But surely, in the words of my work world, there is a ‘workaround’ that could keep the party bookings, carry on with the stage and music stuff, with some rather radical cinema renovations added on top.

For someone who has seen four films, two theatre screenings, a play and enjoyed at least one cheeky tea at Chapter, within a month, it would certainly grab my attention.

So silver screen dream or a real life resolution, you decide.

Well worth a thought though isn’t it?

Speak soon.

SVJ

(c) mrssvj.co.uk

Sue Vincent-Jones, writing as Mrs SVJ, is a Barry born journalist, editor, and communications specialist.

She blogs about all things Barry – and her life in the wider world, through the eyes of a, queer and quirky, local girl done good.

Click here to see more of her news, views, campaigns, community causes, social action stories, blogs and bright ideas, from our town and around.

And please feel free to join the conversation – everyone is welcome to get involved.

Well, what do you reckon to all this fancy talk of us having our very own little Marina then – how posh is that!

Admittedly I’m waiting with bated breath to see if this is just nautical nonsense that will never get afloat.

Or if it’s a sea worthy solution to do up our Docks and take our Town’s tourism to another level.

The Vale Council, who can’t even run a Contact Centre never mind an ambitious idea, are keen though.

Hand in hand with Associated British Ports (ABP) they have forked out the funds for a feasibility study.

And are already talking of the cliched ‘challenges and opportunities’ the potential wet Waterfront wonder would bring.

Never thought I’d see the day when I’d spy a yuppie’s yacht floating past as I pootled to Morrisons with my trusty More card.

But stranger things do happen at sea so I have thrown a life belt on my sinking feeling.

To be honest, I will also grudgingly admit that it does make sound sense to always suss out some more surefire success – especially in an area that has seen a rapid renaissance recently.

Hangfire, the hugely popular hog roasty type happening, was the first to slip onto the scene, closely followed by the aspirational Academy.

Add an Asda, a purple Premier Inn and a massive million pound Good Shed foodie and work place project.

And the once barren land is unrecognisable from not just my childhood but my kids too.

The once desolate Dockland has also been beautifully boosted by the hordes of aspiring young professionals settling in our seaside town.

Discouraged by Diff’s pricey property market, the socially mobile Millennials have cannily moved into the site’s happy little homes.

Many of which have been built quicker than the wait for a booking at the aforementioned Hangfire.

Finally, if we throw in the lovely Island link then the much maligned Barry of old is a distant memory – only revisited on Nick and Shirley’s valiant Victorian Barry Dock Tours.

What a reputational rise in seeing our town become a magnificent magnet for regeneration and rejuvenation.

Barry, once the largest coal exporting port in Britain, before a slow decline and a fast downward dip in the car crime ridden 80’s, is back with a bang.

But, and here’s the real rub for me…only in certain areas.

In my view, our much loved birthplace is in definite danger of becoming a town of two halves.

The wonderful Waterfront side with its shiny new homes, trendy foodie feasts, potential upmarket marina.

All lovingly linked up to the Gavin and Stacey boosted Barry Island, complete with Danter’s daring plans and the toilet block building bonus.

And the stark East End side with its half-hearted Holton Road shopping centre, the controversial incinerator-hosting Cadoxton.

With the poorly perceived Gibbonsdown – still recognised as one of the most deprived areas in the country.

Of course, there’s many, myself included, who love a bit of mix and match and get to wherever the party’s at.

But even that sometimes feels like living in a parallel universe as the divide starts to widen.

Let’s be absolutely crystal clear here too that I’m not making any judgement on any of our resplendent residents – old or new.

The size of your heart and the strength of your character sets your vibe for me, not what home you lay your proverbial hat in.

I just sense a possible town split, the like of which we see so starkly up the road with the widely different Cardiff Bay and Butetown.

One is tarted up to the nines but has no soul or warmth, the other is a vibrant community full of life and laughter.

I would so hate that to happen here.

In my view, what we need is community cohesion driven by tourism solutions and property plans that benefit the whole of beautiful Barry.

Fingers crossed for a miracle Marina then!

Speak soon

SVJ

(c) mrssvj.co.uk

Sue Vincent-Jones, writing as Mrs SVJ, is a Barry born journalist, editor, and communications specialist.

She blogs about all things Barry – and her life in the wider world, through the eyes of a, queer and quirky, local girl done good.

Click here to see more of her news, views, campaigns, community causes, social action stories, blogs and bright ideas, from our town and around.

And please feel free to join the conversation – everyone is welcome to get involved.