Russell Morgan drives a tractor along Barry Island beach each and every day to ensure it is clean and tidy for the day’s visitors
03:31, 25 Jul 2026Updated 07:28, 25 Jul 2026
Russell Morgan drives a tractor along Barry Island beach every day(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)
While most people in Barry love a trip to the seaside for one lifelong resident life really is a beach.
That’s because Russell Morgan can be seen on Barry Island beach each and every day while the rest of us are still asleep.
But Russell isn’t there for relaxation or leisure. He has a very important job to do which ensures the beach is in good condition for the rest of us to enjoy.
The 53-year-old has worked for Vale of Glamorgan Council for the last 26 years and performs the role of HGV driver. Stay in the know by making sure you’re receiving our daily newsletter.
It sees him out every morning during the summer – from the end of March to the end of September – on a tractor clearing rubbish off the sand ready for everyone to use the beach and enjoy.
The job takes around two hours to complete(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)
Russell said: “When I first joined the council as a general labourer I volunteered to learn how to drive the tractor on the beach. I was trained up and it went from there – I have done it ever since.
“The main job that the tractor does is when it goes over the sand the rubbish goes underneath and the belt carries the rubbish up into the back of the hopper.
“The main job is to clear all the rubbish off the sand but when it is being dragged along it also levels the sand out so that any holes are filled in and the finished effect looks quite nice.
“It takes on average two hours to complete and I try and get over there for 5am and I’m generally done by 7am. I used to start a bit later but ever since Covid people are starting to get over there a bit earlier so I get down there earlier too, otherwise I’m just going to be going around them.
“You always find a bit of mess there. To be fair you’ve also got the island crew which are there helping to keep the place tidy as well. When there’s a perfect storm with great weather and school holidays when kids are off, that can be when it is the worst and you find the most mess.
“Hopefully people will start learning and taking their rubbish home with them, but, unfortunately, if 20% of people don’t listen to it, it still makes the beach look a mess.”
Russell has been performing the role for 26 years(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)
Russell, who was born and bred in Barry, said it was rewarding to see the difference to the beach once the job was complete.
He said: “Any sort of job with a labouring aspect where it is a mess at first – it is nice to see it at the end when it is all nicely finished.
“To be fair to the public I do get quite a lot of comments from it, which is nice to hear. I’m only there doing a job and I’m getting paid to do it, it’s not like I’m doing it off my own back, but it is a rewarding job.
“Some people say it would be nice if I didn’t have to be there, but, unfortunately, we don’t live in a world like that.”
Russell is there at 5am every day in the summer(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)
He described the beach as “the mantelpiece of Barry” and said it was important that it was kept to a good standard.
“It is what people come to Barry to go to,” he said.
“Doing this job you get to see the sunrises and the finished product and I’ll never get bored of that side of it. Hopefully I’ll keep on doing it until I retire.”
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