Derek Brockway forecasts a bright outlook for the Glamorgan Star
BARRY-BORN weather forecaster Derek Brockway has predicted a ‘bright’ outlook for Glamorgan Star following a book signing in Cowbridge for his latest Weatherman Walking book.
He greeted booklovers and walking fans while also taking time out to take a look at the Vale of Glamorgan’s new free newspaper, launched on Friday 2nd July.
Derek signed copies and has given Glamorgan Star a message of support, while recalling fond memories of Barry, and giving advance notice of what he does best – telling the public what to expect weather-wise.
Derek’s book features 15 walks – one of them being a five-and-a-half mile easy to moderate walk embracing the Vale and taking in Merthyr Mawr, Southerndown, and Ogmore-by-Sea as well as Ogmore Castle, stepping stones, the Pelican Bridge, the beach, an estuary, and a bouncy bridge.
“It’s a nice little walk and takes a couple of hours or so,” he said. “There’s plenty of places to drop off.”
And he predicted that people may well visit the coast with Covid restrictions easing.
He said: “Barry Island is going to be buzzing this weekend. It’s going to be 25-26 celsius in the shade – the best weekend of the summer so far.” He said he had been working as ‘normal’ throughout lockdown.
“I’ve been going into the studio and seeing people – so it’s kept me sane. We managed to film during the lockdown last year. We obviously followed all the Covid rules and we were outdoors a lot of the time. We kept social distancing with everyone I interviewed so we were able to do it.
“A lot of productions couldn’t go ahead because it was difficult, but because we were outdoors it was easier. We’ve just started to film another series now.
“This week we started to film in Porth, Taffs Well, and Pontypridd so I’m going to check out the lido – the Pontypridd Lido. That’ll bring back memories of the Barry one – just happy memories of being a boy going down there with the family.
“I remember the water being so cold and deep. I was quite scared of the deep end. I do remember the dolphin – splashing around there when I was very young and the Knapsack if you wanted to get your Kia Ora orange. Happy memories – it’s a shame it’s not there now really.
“Going forward, will people be able to go abroad as much? Perhaps we’ll need more of these lidos being brought back to life? Wouldn’t it be great? But it would be very expensive though.”
Welcoming the Vale’s local online and printed newspaper, Derek said: “It’s great to have Glamorgan Star, a great name.
The outlook is bright for the Glamorgan Star. “I hope it goes well for Glamorgan Star. It’s nice to have a local newspaper, isn’t it?
“One that’s going to focus on what’s going on in the vicinity and that people can identify with – where they live – and feel part of it.
“I think people really want to know what’s going on in their street or in the next street or on the corner from them and on their doorstep. I think that’s really important. Glamorgan Star can et the stories about what affects local people.
“I wish you all the best of luck. You’ve got a lot of experienced staff there.”
The next series of Weatherman Walking is scheduled to air on BBC One Wales in Spring 2022 and his Weatherman Walking books are available now.
