Volume Six - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - Select Aspects - Growth and development at Cogan . .

left - The OS map of Cogan at the turn of the twentieth century plus a General View of Cogan. Referring to the map, an area of marsh and a pond may be noted where the meanderings once were. The area under the name “Cogan” is a brick-pond which became known as locally to the girls as the “Duck Pond” and was situated next to their junior school. The entire area is now significantly developed with housing for the workers at the docks and for railways of the TVR and Barry Railway Company.

There was a great deal of rivalry between the TVR and the Barry Company as this report from the Cardiff Evening Express [135] of 26th January 1894 demonstrates:- "One night this week Mr. .John Smith, manager of the Penarth Brickworks, and his wife, having lost the Taff train at Cardiff to Penarth Dock, went to the Barry Station to get to Cogan by the Barry train.

The guard who was examining tickets refused to allow Mr. and Mrs. Smith to proceed to Cogan unless they took tickets to Dinas Powis. This they refused to do, and tendered the of fare to Cogan (6d).[2.5 pence] The guard refused to take it, and also to allow them to proceed without tickets. They proceeded to the ticket office for tickets, finally for Dinas Powis, and although the office was open the clerk refused to give them tickets, telling them to pay at their destination. They told the guard this, but he would not allow them to proceed without a ticket, and, consequently, they were left behind, and were obliged to proceed home by cab.

Mr. Smith has sent a claim for £5 for inconvenience and 4s. 6d. [22.5p] for a cab to the general manager of the Barry Railway Company, and has determined if his claim be not entertained, to take legal action against the company. Many complaints are made daily because of the inconvenience caused by the existing arrangement between the Taff and Barry Companies, and this test action will be watched with much interest."

I was unable to find any follow up to this story. Did Mr. Smith get his £5 - 4s. - 6d. (£5.22½p) compensation?