Barry Town Council celebrates 50 years!

Barry Town Council celebrates 50 years.

On April 1st 2024, Barry Town Council will celebrate 50 years of formation, under The Local Government Act 1972 which reformed Barry Municipal Borough Council into Barry Town Council.

Barry Urban District Council was formed in 1894, later becoming a municipal borough that comprised Barry, Cadoxton-juxta-Barry, Merthyr Dyfan and parts of Penmark, Porthkerry and Sully. The Barry Urban District Council was located in the purpose-built town hall and library, located on King Square, a previous Quarry site which became Barry Municipal Borough Council in 1939. That year, the Coat of Arms was awarded to Barry Municipal Borough Council.

The Coat of Arms were created to honour the town, the history and families who were important to the development of the town of Barry. The shield embodies the ancient Arms of the de Barri family, the fleurs-de-lys are taken from the Arms of the Right Honourable Lord Davies of Llandinam. At the base is the Red Dragon, the emblem of Wales. The Crest consists of a ship riding on several wavy bars of azure and silver representing the sea, with a pattern of black diamonds on the sail, alluding to Barry’s coal exports. The Supporters of the shield are the two silver unicorns of the Earl of Plymouth, the last chairman of the Barry Railway Company. The right unicorn has the shield of the ancient Arms of the de Barri family, hanging from its neck, who were granted the lordship of Barry soon after the Norman Conquest; the left unicorn bears the arms of the town of Barry. The base on which the Supporters stand is half sand and half wavy bars of azure and silver symbolising the seashore on which Barry stands.

The motto at the bottom is Welsh; Cadernid, Cyfiawnder, Cynnydd translating to Stability, Justice, Progress.

Barry Town Council offices are inside the Town Hall on King Square, the same location as the former Barry Urban District Council. Barry Town Council is at the grassroots level of local government in Wales. It is the largest Town Council in Wales, made of up 22 elected members, served by 28 staff providing Cemetery services, two community centres, green spaces, engagement and events within the town. The Council elects a Town Mayor annually. The first Mayor of Barry was Councillor Frederick Cook (1974) and the current Mayor is Councillor Ian Johnson.

In 2024, the 50 year celebration will consist of a number of events, stories, grants, successes and explorations of what the future may hold for Barry Town Council. Some of the events that will be a part of the 50 year celebrations will be D-Day 80 in June, Family Fun Day in August, Halloween in October, Christmas Festival, Mayor’s Christmas Market, Mayor’s Carol Service and many more…

To find out more about the 50 year celebrations, follow Barry Town Council on social media or visit the website.