The modest hut on the town’s most famous attraction is HQ for one of the town’s oldest institutions
Like the pier on which they call their home, Penarth Sea Angling Club is a long-standing pillar of the town’s seaside heritage, founded 92 years ago. For almost half of that time, their HQ has been the modest hut found at the end of the Victorian pier.
Now after nearly half a century, the institution has been served a shock eviction notice and the tiny structure faces being handed over for commercial use – a controversial move by the Vale of Glamorgan Council that’s left many in the community angry.
The club, founded in 1933, has used the hut on Penarth Pier as its headquarters for the past 41 years. It serves as a base for organising competitions, handling membership admin, storing essential fishing equipment and even offering advice to curious tourists.
Speaking to WalesOnline, the club’s secretary Robert Galley, offered a glimpse into just a fraction of the hut’s rich history – and his own lifelong connection to it. “I joined the Sea Angling Club when I was ten years old in 1957,” he shared.
“My father was Pier Master and I was actually born in the Pier Master’s Lodge, which was just across the road from the pier.
“He used to take me down to the pier and I’d watch people fishing. One day, someone handed me a rod – and that was it. I joined the club, and I’ve been secretary now for the last 40 years.”
The club’s history is deeply intertwined with Penarth’s own, surviving the Second World War and even the partial destruction of the pier in 1947 when a ship struck it. “We have the original minute book going all the way back to our founding in 1933,” Robert explained.
“On October 20 this year, we’ll be 92 years. Over that time, most people in town have either been members or have known someone who was.”
The club holds weekly competitions, depending on tides and seasons; many of which raise money for charity.
In recent years, members have raised thousands for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) – nearly £5,000 since lockdown alone – with their next fundraising competition scheduled for July 20.
They also boast a proud record in sport, with several members having held Welsh national records, as well as former and current members who are representing Wales internationally – including men, ladies and juniors.
“We’ve always had a diverse membership. There are around 95 of us,” Robert added. “We cover pretty much all of South Wales – we’ve been told that we’re the biggest sea angling club in Wales.”
Beyond fishing, the club has also become a point of contact for visitors. “We’re often asked by tourists about the local islands or how to get to Barry Island. In a way, we’ve become a bit of an information centre,” said Robert.
With this in acknowledgment, it is clear that the hut isn’t just a storage place – it’s the club’s nerve centre. “It houses the desk we use to sign people in for competitions, sign up our new members, take payments and raffle tickets – as well as keep our equipment like drop nets and baskets,” Robert explained.
“It’s also where we get out of the wind – last winter we had eight storms, and having a place to warm up is vital.”
The eviction has been a looming concern for some time. “The council had looked at taking the hut back a year or two ago,” Robert said. “But we showed them our licence from 1984, signed by then-Mayor, Mrs Ruby Parsons. It says that either side must give 28 days’ notice – and now, they’ve done just that.”
The official eviction notice was dated May 19, and would have seen the club out by June 19. However, after discussions with the council, Robert said that they’ve now agreed to continue on a month-by-month basis, at least for the time being. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here
“I don’t know if anyone is actively interested in taking over the space – it just seems like they see an opportunity with it,” he said. “There are already three coffee shops on the pier, one owned by the council – do we really need another one?”
Despite the uncertainty, the club remain hopeful that they can stay, at least through its upcoming RNLI competition. “It would be beneficial to everyone if we could keep the hut, especially for that event,” says Robert.
“We’ve always had a good relationship with the Vale of Glamorgan Council, and even before them with the old Penarth Urban District Council. One of our former mayors, John Flanagan was a club member. We hope to be here to stay.”
Rob Thomas, Vale of Glamorgan Council Chief Executive, said: “The small hut at the seaward end of the pier could potentially be used for commercial purposes, adding to the visitor attraction of the pier.
“Advertising it as an opportunity for a concession will allow us to find out if there is an interest from potential operators.
“We are, alongside this process, in discussion with the Sea Angling Club and colleagues will continue to engage with them about potential alternative provision. It is only right that we review all sites such as this to ensure they are used effectively, especially when there is an opportunity to enhance the visitor experience.”