Ramblers share memories of long-time member from Barry

Penarth and District Ramblers

Glamorgan Star news 04/08/2022

3 minutes read

Ramblers share memories of long-time member from Barry – by JOY STRANGWARD:

Members are very important to Penarth and District Ramblers and hearing of the unexpected passing of Andy Noble who joined them in 2004 came as a shock.

Hailing originally from Edinburgh he moved to Barry in 1965 when he married Peggy whom he met whilst working as an aircraft fitter at St Athan and he was a strong family man who was always very proud of his daughter and granddaughter. His daughter Fiona classed him as an ‘elegant’ man and this was certainly true as he was always immaculately dressed and frequently enjoyed a pint at a hostelry if it was on offer at the end of a walk.

A memorial walk during which people could share their memories of Andy with his daughter Fiona who came along to join in, was swiftly arranged by William which took in the places around the town that Andy loved to walk, sit and contemplate, or have a chat with people.

A group of 24 and four dogs turned out, meeting at Barry Railway Station and from there they made their way to Romilly Park, Cold Knap, the ParadeGardens and causeway to reach Barry Island. From Friar’s Point it was along the busy promenade at Whitmore Bay to Jackson’s Bay, down Clive Road to pass through the regenerated old docklands and along Hood Road to return via Broad Street.

A wonderful local walk during which there was much laughter and storytelling, plus some sweet-sucking in memory of Andy who loved to share sweets with the group after lunch stops and hopefully we did him proud.

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Delightful evening walk for 26 ramblers

An adventure taking in Sully Island was recently enjoyed when a group of 26 walkers plus dogs Ramakin and Bruno joined Joy near Sully Primary School for an evening ramble in overcast weather. Crossing grass that had been bleached by the hot sun and lack of rainfall, they joined part of the Wales Coast Path which led them to Beach Road for the short journey to Swanbridge.

As some walkers had never ventured to the island before they were shown the traffic light system which shows the time when you should return in order to stay safe from the sweeping incoming tide that covers the rocky causeway very rapidly twice a day.

Choosing to cross when the tide was at its lowest ebb, gave them plenty of time and had allowed the rocky causeway with its seawater pools and seaweed to dry out, so it was not too slippery as they made their way towards the western end of the island, whilst enjoying the misty views across Sully Bay to Barry Island and the English coastline.

Making their way to the highest part of the island in the east where an Iron Age fort once stood, Weston-Super-Mare, Flat and Steep Holm were silhouetted in sunshine as they heard that Sully gained its name from Sir Reginald de Sully, one of the twelve knights who accompanied Robert Fitzhamon during the Norman Conquest. Treading in the footsteps of the Romans and Vikings who set foot on the island, along with the 13th century buccaneer and pirate Alfredo de Marisco, who preyed upon ships using the Bristol Channel and apparently flew a hawks skull on his ship’s flag, which is probably why he earned the nickmane ‘The Night Hawk,’ they also learned the island is classed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

As a cool wind began to spring up the group headed west again and made their escape through the tall thick reed beds to re-cross the causeway passing the remnants of sunken ships sticking out from their rocky bedchamber. Whilst four of the group went their separate ways, the remainder followed the coast path back to their start point at Burnham Avenue after what had been a delightful evening.

You can follow the group here or on Facebook.