Young People Unearthing their Heritage Project

Ship Wreck on Barry Island

22 March 2021 · Zoe Mouti

S.S. Valsesia, aground off Barry Island in 1926

In 1926 the S.S. Valsesia came to Barry laden down with Italian coal. There was a strike on at the time to stop mine owners reducing pay and increasing shifts from seven to eight hours. Miners were involved, together with other industries such as bus, rail and dock workers. The S.S. Valsesia was not anchored and drifted onto the rocks. The ship broke into two at Friars Point and wasn’t salvaged until 1927.

Timeline

3rd Century - Roman building present at Cold Knap 1097 - Welsh Chronicles name Barry Island as a raiders base 12th Century - The social structure of Barry begins 13th Century - Barry Castle is built and the village of…

Barry Island Beach and Promenade

The Island was purchased in 1856 by Francis Crawshay. He was an Ironmonger from Merthyr. Francis built the Marine Hotel, which was renamed Friars Point House at a later date. He also made arrangements for visitors to be brought to…

Dark Ages to Medieval Barry

Flat Holm and Steep Holm islands in the Bristol Channel have names derived from a Scandinavian word for an island in an estuary, suggesting it’s from here the Vikings launched raids in the area during the Dark ages. Following the…

Councils and Arms

Due to the rapid growth of the docks and Barry, the population grew dramatically. In 1881, there were five hundred people recorded as living in Barry, but by 1911 the census reveals that there were thirty three thousand, seven hundred…

Members photos

Vale People First members LOVE living in Barry and The Vale of Glamorgan. There is so much for us to do right on our doorstep and we love nothing better than meeting up for chips at Barry Island. Some of…

In the News

The Barry Dock Newspaper gives us a fascinating insight into the goings on in the town of Barry and the daily lives of the people who lived here. We have loved reading the newspapers and even got to use a…