Barry Island Beach And Fair In Old Postcards – Part 3

It’s been almost a year since my last Barry Island postcards post, and all that time I’ve been picking up new cards for the collection with a mind to sharing with you here. This should be it, as to be honest after a lot of searching, new postcards that I haven’t seen before from my favourite periods are becoming harder to find. You never know though, if I find enough new ones in the future I will share them here once more.

If you’ve missed previous installments, then part one is here, part two is here and our Butlins focused postcards post is here. Well worth a look if you like that old card vibe and views of heightened views of Barry Island and the fun fair from years long gone.

We’ll start at the old Barry Island Butlins, with a few cards which I will also add to the Butlins Postcards page as well, as it’s their natural home after debuting here. There are still a few nice Barry Butlins Hinde cards from the same era that I’m yet to get my hands on. They come up at auction occasionally, but usually go for a bit more than I care to pay for them (£10+ for a postcard?! No Thanks!) – they include a view of the reception hall, the kids fair and the main arcade which you can see smaller versions of on the multiview postcards on the Butlins themed page.

The cards we have here feature just such a one of those multiview postcards, which features some previously seen views from around these parts. There’s also a view of the Ballroom with a dance in full swing. I have to say I don’t recall having visited the ballroom at any point, but there are several places in the other cards that I recall vividly, but not in that highly stylised Hinde colour palatte! The last of the Butlins cards feature the old cable car ride that used to be a major landmark on the Island, from us looking up at the beach at least.

Next are some views of the shelters, beach and promenade, from different eras and angles, ranging from what I think would have been the 1950s through to the late 1970s / early 1980s. It’s interesting to see the differences in the way people dress, the decor and advertising around the resort and glimpses into the time when the beach would be so full, it was standing room only. These postcards are arranged in a rough chronological order, with the oldest first.

These next four postcards were sent to me by June Ritchie, after she found them in her late father’s belongings. They are from a much earlier period than I knew, but I have included them here for those who do recall those pre 1970s days. There’s a couple of views of Cold Knap, a mixed view postcard of Barry Island, and one of Barry Dock. I’ve included the picture of the docks because it provides a good insight in how built up things were around Barry Island. Those of us with long memories will recall driving past the lines of rusting trains before hitting fun bits, it was always a little jewel surround by roughness. Date wise, I think these four postcards are all circa 1950s.

And finally, not quite Barry Island, but here’s a couple more views of the pool at Cold Knap. We didn’t go to Cold Knap often, in fact I have only one memory of visiting there with the parents of my friend from across the street, but I’ve been there a number of times in recent years and will visit again. It’s changed a lot in that time!