Post by Administrator on May 8, 2009 0:37:27 GMT
Barry Sailors’ Rest
In Response to e.mailed info re: Barry Museum.
If links do not work please google etc: Barry Sailors’ Rest
Barry Docks was built as a rival to Cardiff to export coal from the Welsh coalmines. But as the coal industry declined, so did the docks and, as the docks declined, the need for a Rest declined. In the 1950’s, the Sailors’ Rest was still fairly active but the decline had already started.
I and many more knew the building as the former Seaman’s Mission and although the building remained near the top of: Thompson Street until a few years ago, it was better known to us, as The Ex-Serviceman’s Club. Although, even that Old Lady has seen her demise and the building as many others of major Maritime Importance are no more.
Anywhere else would have listed the building and retained at least the façade. But along with the World famous “Chain Locker” renowned throughout the Merchant Globe by almost every Seaman of the day and a few that remain with memories of the times. She remains no more.
Even Alexander Cordell, author of “Rape of the Fair Country” recorded forever the “Chain Locker” in his historic fiction: "Rogues March". Most of Barry’s Maritime past is lost forever and until I chanced upon the web page: Barry Sailors’ Rest, thought this had also been forgot and lost forever.
We offer a link to the full pages and although will seek permission to use the above content, have only used sufficient information to advertise this historic tribute to a building and those that used it and managed it, or just remember etc. If by chance the link does not function, will all interested parties please Google or ISP search Barry Sailors Rest.
It is sad that what would have made a perfect site for a “Barry / Wales Maritime Museum” is along with most that has been pulled down or destroyed and lost forever, a car park now. Barry has not kept one Coal Tip or portside crane and all evidence of the Tiger Bay’ish area of Thompson Street and Dock View Road etc have been surgically removed. A shame really, that a towns history has been virtually wiped out, remembered only by the like of Tom Clemetts in a virtual world.
www.barrywales.co.uk/gallery.asp?find=tomclemett1
Even Cardiff’s Bute Town Community attempt to recall and remember the likes of the old “Tiger Bay” and no one that has heard of Dame Shirley Bassey, who grew up in a working-class dockside district of Cardiff and Tiger Bay itself as the youngest of seven children would expect less, these were great days / times that forged communities if not a country. Barry Remembers ?
www.pwsts.org.uk/Barry1891-1951/index.htm