Romilly Park was transformed last weekend. The 62nd Barry Scouts and Guides Annual Fete took place in glorious weather, and for the thousands attending it was a fantastic spectacle.
I must pay tribute to the volunteers. An event the size of the Annual Fete takes a huge amount of organisation, but year in and year out it just gets better. I was told that many of the leaders had spent the entire Friday on site organising, and some didn’t arrive home until the early hours. This sort of commitment from volunteers is what makes the scouting movement such a powerful force for good in our communities.
As a former boy scout, I know how much of an impression the scouts and guides experience can have on a youngster growing up. Children learn so much as beavers, cubs, guides and brownies but it is only through the hundreds of hours given up by volunteers that events like the Annual Fete, Scout Camp and the weekly meetings can happen. I cannot emphasise how much I respect any volunteer that gives up his or her time to take on the significant responsibility of working with children from Barry and the wider Vale.
Romilly Park really came to life on Saturday. The parade was fantastic in glorious warm weather and it was a privilege to be present. I enjoyed meeting with the Vale youth mayor Tom Chandler and many of the local groups that I have got to know well.
The 11th Barry Sea Scouts were fundraising on a very busy stand, and leader Bryan Foley told me that the event this year was as good as ever. I have come to know well a number of scout groups locally in Barry and regularly visit the groups throughout the year. At Christmas I help out Barry District Scouts sorting Christmas cards. I was also lucky enough to have been able to join several groups on the Mole at the opening of the new Barry Community Water Activity Centre. It is a super facility and great fun.
In Barry, the choice of activities is increasing rapidly – in the past week we had a beach rugby festival and the Rugby World Cup trophy on display. We have a new water sports on the mole, a new fairground and a beach football event coming up too. We are very fortunate in Barry to have so many choices. If you are thinking about launching another activity helping youngsters, please drop me a line to see how I can best support your plans.