The Glamorgan Star is one year old – and what a year it has been.
We launched with some fear and trepidation, because the huge changes in life that came about with Covid were still with us. Another lock down triggered by a rogue variant was not out of the question but thankfully, life has moved back to ‘normal’ over the last 12 months.
Vale residents will recall that The Glamorgan GEM suspended publication in March 2020 because of Covid, and then confirmed six months later that it would close. As many of the Star staff had worked on the Glamorgan GEM, we felt that there was still a demand for a local newspaper in the area – and we were delighted to find that this was true.
We were amazed by the warm welcome we received from around the Vale and beyond, and have spent the last 12 months working to build up the network of local contacts that make any local newspaper come alive.
We are incredibly grateful to our columnists, who give us their own take on life in the area, and to the photographers who send us such brilliant images and we would also like to say a massive thank you to all our wonderful advertisers.
There is still plenty to do but we are proud to say that we think the Glamorgan Star – still a free newspaper – is a great read and worth every penny that you haven’t had to pay.
By a huge coincidence – our first front page and our anniversary page are covering the same story. A year ago there was encouraging talk of a £20 million bid to bring a marina – and other features – to Barry Waterfront to continue the regeneration of the Docks area.
This week, it has been announced that the details of that bid have been finalised and it will now go to the UK Government for a final determination.
Big stories can move slowly. In our July 30 edition last year, we reported that the proposed business park at Model Farm, Rhoose, had been given the go ahead in the face of fierce local opposition by a Vale Council planning meeting, in a knife-edge 9 to 8 vote. Time passes slowly in the world of planning and that planning approval has since been quashed after a judicial review.
The story will continue…
In contrast, we did cover stories that worked out well. A great example was in our August 10 edition, when we reported that the writers’ circle in Llantwit Major were taking tentative steps to start a literary festival. That first one went so well – despite mask wearing at events – that the organisers were encouraged to spread their wings – and you can see the result on this week’s page 10.
Congratulations to the These 3 Streams Festival – as it is now called.
It is tempting to look back at the last 12 months and see the spectre of Covid gradually receding.
However, it wasn’t finished and in late October, we were all shocked at the sudden death of reporter Sharon Harris – who had thrown herself into reporting on local people in the area. Although she lived in Cardiff, Barry was her patch. She had covered it for years and she loved her job.
At the Glamorgan Star, we will always remember the number of people from Barry who made the journey to her family funeral in Newport to pay their respects.
Since then, we often look at a story and think that Sharon would have loved to have worked on it. Bringing local news to the community was her bread and butter – and so it is for the Glamorgan Star.
We look forward to celebrating more anniversaries with our readers.
Congratulations have been kindly received from some of our many advertisers, who help keep your Glamorgan Star free for all to read. We thank them all:
Former Barry office building transformed into vital new homes
Prolific thief banned from entering shops in Barry
I’m proud that all parties agreed on children in care plan
WHEN you elected me in May, I said I had come to listen and to…
Royal Welsh highlights the role of the rural economy
Parent may have to lose job for school run
Double victory for Pencoed cricketers
