2010 – Issue 3 of 4

BARRY FESTIVAL of TRANSPORT; (by Paul Gilbertson)
The weather for the sixth successive year proved to be tailor made for
this event, copious amounts of sunshine laced with cooling breezes. The
event was staged at two sites namely the former Western Welsh bus
depot in Broad Street and Hood Road which until the late 1960s was a
rail freight depot for Barry and also used for storage of some of the
famed Woodham Bros. condemned locomotives. The two sites were
linked by a free service of historic buses and coaches manned by owners
and volunteers.
From early morning buses, coaches, commercial and military vehicles,
cars and motor cycles descended on Barry, many from far away places
such as Kent, Bristol, Gloucester, Swindon and Plymouth. Two highlights
of the day as far as buses were concerned was the return of ex Cardiff
AEC Swift MBO 512F of which restoration is nearing completion and the
return of VHB 678S, the former National Welsh Bristol open top VRT,
from Scotland having been far since its days of operating in the Barry area
namely North Wales, & Essex. The latter was joined by open toppers
from the Swansea area, namely Bristols WNO 484, SWN 159 and RTH
931S. Combined with our own Guy meant we had five open toppers on
parade. Other significant newcomers this year were a trio of
Routemasters, the ex. Southdown ‘Queen Mary’ PD3 BUF 278C and the
Burnley, Colne & Nelson Tiger Cub PCW 957.
Various historic vehicles were used throughout the day to convey rally
visitors to parts of Barry and the Vale of Glamorgan and it was a first for
many to ride on an open topper.
The Broad Street bus depot was utilised to display static vehicles in
various stages of restoration as well as selling the usual items such as
model buses, bus photographs and books, and refreshments. As always
our Brinkworth room museum was very popular. The CTPG were
pleased to welcome the visit of the Vale Mayor & Mayoress and once
again we had the support of our local Assembly Member, Jane Hutt.
To achieve such a memorable and successful day thanks due to the
organiser our Chairman Mike Taylor and all the other volunteers who
gave freely of their time to make such an event possible and without this,
transport as we remember it would be just a fading and distant memory.
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