"They must be the most famous boats in Barry": Campaign to light up fishing trawlers in the harbour raises £300
By Ellyn Wright
24th Nov 2020 | Local News
A social media campaign to 'Light up the harbour for Christmas' has raised £300 since it began last Friday.
Joanne Dawe started fundraising to cover the cost of decorating two 16-metre fishing boats moored in Barry Harbour with Christmas lights and decorations.
Crowds gathered this summer when the boats first arrived in the harbour.
"A couple of my brother in law's friends and two other boys flew to Ireland and sailed the boats back to Barry," Joanne told Nub News.
"They cost £3, but the boys paid a tenner because they didn't want to ask for change.
"The morning they came in there were about 50 people watching them and taking photos, which we were gobsmacked at," she said.
Over the summer people came to play in the pools created by using the boats' propellers to create holes for the tide to fill up.
"It was amazing," said Joanne.
"People were coming with their kids and with their dogs to play.
"Older people were coming down too, as Barry is historically a fishing town and it reminded them of their childhood.
"They've had so much attention over the summer, so we thought let's decorate them for Christmas and show they haven't been abandoned," she said.
Since sharing a post on Facebook on Friday, which received over 350 likes, Joanne has raised £300 for decorations. She set a target of £200, not expecting to get close to that figure.
"We're going to get string lights, a Christmas tree in a concrete pot, and have inflatables on the mast," said Joanne.
The decorations will be powered by a generator than can run overnight, but Joanne is also looking to use solar-powered lights to reduce the amount of fuel used.
Joanne, who was brought up on Barry Island, hopes that people can admire the boats from the nearby road and pavement, or adjacent car park.
"It's a very sentimental beach for us, and we enjoyed the boats during lockdown," said Joanne.
"Things will be different this year, and 'it's been rubbish so let's light them up.
"I can't believe how they're the talk of the town. They must be the most famous boats in Barry, but I never would have thought it," she said.
You can find the GoFundMe page here .
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