Despite the overcast day, the Barry Festival of Transport on Sunday 10th June attracted around 2,500 visitors who saw a vast range of classic cars and preserved buses. Many took advantage of trips of the Barry Tourist Railway and free rides on the bus services, including open top buses on the day.
A key event was the launch of Colin Scott’s new history book on the former Western Welsh bus company, where Roy Noble related some of his own stories whilst traveling by bus in his childhood days. The Bus Depot was open and visitors could see progress on a number of restoration projects being undertaken by the Cardiff Transport Preservation Group.
Mike Taylor, the group’s chairman said that “after last year when rain lashed down and kept many away from coming to Barry, this year we have seen tremendous support and we have seen many more cars and buses than initially expected two weeks ago. We had most of the 150 classic cars come along but others came making it a real occasion. I can’t pick a favourite, there were far too many beautiful cars and those E-type Jaguars – how can you compare them against a 1934 7hp red, baby Austin Ruby. Those that came on Sunday will know what I mean”.
Mike continued: “We also had excellent turnout of visiting heritage buses and coaches from 1950’s Bedford OB’s to Classic London Buses like the Routemaster. We had buses from Gloucester, Birmingham and Bristol and of course many from South Wales, and our friends at the Swansea Bus Museum. I would like to also thank Jane Hutt AM for The Vale of Glamorgan for her support and Lis Burnett from The Vale of Glamorgan Council for coming along and of course Colin Scott for launching his new book at The Bus Depot, Barry on the history of the former Western Welsh bus company. Roy Noble, launched the new book and related some interesting antidotes of his days as a small boy whilst traveling by Western Welsh bus. I also want to thank members of the Barry Sea Cadets who did a sterling job assisting visitors and directing traffic.
For those who could not come to our event, The Bus Depot at Barry will be open to the public on Saturday and Sunday 16th and 17th June, for the BARRY AT WAR two day event. We will be giving free rides from Hood Road on the hour, 11am to 4pm on Saturday and 11am to 3pm on Sunday.
