Bandstand: Barry Island

There are two bandstands still standing in the south Wales coastal town of Barry. This blog post covers the bandstand on Barry Island; a further blog will cover the bandstand in Victoria Park, Cadoxton.

The bandstand on Barry Island is an elegant structure, though, as it does not appear on the schedule of British listed buildings, I doubt very much that this is the same one mentioned in the Evening Express, of 5 June 1896, where it was reported that 'Lord Windsor has kindly acceded to an application by the Barry Chamber of Trade and Improvement Association for the erection of a bandstand on Barry Island for the entertainment of the public'. 

Despite Lord Windsor's approval, it was some years before improvements got under way. In an article entitled 'Beautifying Barry', the Evening Express, of 4 September 1907, reported that a joint meeting of the public works and licensing committees of the Barry District Council had been held

to consider the report of Mr. W. T. Douglas, M.Inst.C.E., upon the proposed improvement of Whitmore Bay, Barry Island, Pebble Beach, and Porthkerry Park.
Mr. W. J. Williams pointed out that the scheme was estimated to cost over £98,000, exclusive of the purchase of Porthkerry Park and land at the island. He was in favour of leaving the island severely alone, except as to the erection of a shelter and bandstand at a cost of £ 3,000.
Mr. J. A. Manaton disagreed, contending that the large influx of visitors to Barry Island warranted substantial improvements at Whitmore Bay.
The committee recommended that the following works be carried out:-
Sea wall and promenade 1,900ft. long at Barry Island £11,900
Seating accommodation £300
Seven shelters £2,310
Concrete stairs £130
Tar paving and railings for Friar's Point Gardens £2,900
Bandstand and drinking fountain £850
Six shelters and open seating in the East Gardens £530
The proposal to erect a shelter to accommodate 6,000 people at a cost of £16,800 was rejected, and a sub-committee appointed to further consider the portion of the report relating to the Pebble Beach and Porthkerry Park and Bay.

Though I doubt the current Barry Island bandstand is the same one mentioned in these old newspaper reports, I was very pleased to learn that this bandstand is still very much in use, at least during the summer. So, if you're in the local area, you can attend one, or more, of the brass band concerts scheduled for the coming months: the Love the Vale website has the details. Enjoy!