Category: Miscellaneous

Various items that do not fit any particular category

Top Of The Christmas Pops!

IT’S NUMBER ONE – IT’S TOP OF THE CHRISTMAS POPS!

By the time What’s On readers read this article Christmas music will have been everywhere for months. Many people will already be fed up with hearing Merry Xmas Everybody by Slade, Lonely this Christmas by Mud, Wonderful Christmas Time by Paul McCartney and Queen’s Thank God its Christmas plus numerous others being continuously piped out of shop speakers. Some of you may love them in which case it’s probably not worth you reading further!! But go on….you may discover a few new faves for your Christmas playlist. I am going to share with readers some less well-known Christmas songs that you may want to explore as an antidote to the tried, possibly tired and tested Christmas ditties. But first a quick summary.

The Christmas chart number one has always been and continues to be a big event. In the 69 years the charts have been compiled you may be surprised to know that the word Christmas has only been in the title of the number one song 8 times. (9 if you include the word Xmas) The first time it was Dickie Valentine with his Christmas Alphabet in 1955 then Mud and Shakin Stevens. Five of the eight number ones were Band Aid (three times) and Wham the last two years with Last Christmas. It had taken Wham 39 years to get this song to Number one.

The first download number one was Killing in the Name by Rage Against the Machine after a fan led campaign to revive a 1992 single. Ladbaby hold the record for the most Christmas number ones five times from 2018 to 2022 although one, Sausage Rolls for Everyone, featured Ed Sheeran and Elton John. Whether you loved, hated or never heard their hits the good news is they donated all the profits to the Trussell Trust who oversee foodbanks throughout the country.

Has there been any Welsh involvement in Christmas Number ones I hear you ask? Well yes there has! There was Tom Jones in 1966 with The Green Green Grass of Home, Dave Edmunds with I Hear You Knocking in 1970 and 1985 when Shaky hit the top spot. That’s it as far as individual artists are concerned but Spencer Davis as part of the Spencer Davis group achieved the top spot with Keep on Runnin’ in 1965 followed in 1983 by Only You sung by the Flying Pickets whose lead singer Brian Hibbard was from Ebbw Vale. Of course, if you want to include John Peel’s festive 50 voted on by his listeners, Melys hit number one with Chinese Whispers in 2001.

Since our daughters were born over 40 years ago, the most played record has been an LP called Christmas Songs & Carols for Little Children by the Sunbury Junior Singers of the Salvation Army conducted by Joy Webb. Joy Webb was, and I am going off at a tangent here, a founding member of the Joy Strings who in the 1960’s had two minor hits in the charts with It’s an Open Secret and A Starry Night. All their performances had them dressed in Sally Army gear. The aforementioned LP has been played in our house each Christmas, admittedly sometimes only once!

So here are a few album ideas for an alternative Christmas sound track. I am forgetting Now’s The Christmas Album which has all the popular hits. The main contender has to be A Christmas Gift for You produced by Phil Spector. Amazing tracks by the Ronettes, The Crystals, Darlene Love and the wonderfully titled Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans. They rattle through some standards with that famous Wall of Sound. Bob B sings The Bells of St Mary. Quite appropriate for us here in Wenvoe don’t you think! The album was overlooked, as on the eve of its release President Kennedy was assassinated.

One of my favourite LPs is the Waterson’s Sound, Sound Your Instruments of Joy which includes Martin Carthy who this year at the age of 84 was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize. The album cover states the record reminds “us of what we’ve lost since the flood of Victorian hymnals notably Hymns Ancient and Modern (1861) pushed out so many notable traditional melodies.” I appreciate unaccompanied singing is not everyone’s taste but give it a try!

I am going to pass over Elvis’ many attempts at Christmas songs LPs which are not to my taste. One album that is not in Jude’s fave list, although she is a big Bob Dylan fan, is his Christmas in the Heart album. She had the CD in her stocking one year and having played the first two tracks shouted out “that can go in the bin.” Santa was so upset! Sssh it’s still on our shelves!

Space is short, so here are a few other individual song suggestions – Steve Earle’s Christmas in Washington sung by Joan Baez, The Leisure Society’s The Last of the Melting Snow, Donovan’s Little Tin Soldier (what’s Christmas without a tin soldier and a ballerina falling in love!) and St Etienne’s I was born on Christmas Day.

My favourite Christmas song is Bing Crosby’s White Ch……. Only joking! My fave is a controversial choice and could result in my ostracisation (if that’s a word) from the village. IT IS, deep breath, the B side of John Lennon’s Happy Xmas (War is Over) which is Yoko Ono’s Listen the Snow is Falling. Give it a listen! Happy Christmas pop pickers!!

Nigel Billingham

 

Advent 2025

ADVENT 2025

Following last year’s success, our Advent appeal will help others both locally and further afield through Christian Aid and the Vale Foodbank.

Christian Aid’s appeal for Christmas 2025 is for those living in crisis situations where they need emergency help urgently where they live or where they are fleeing from violence. Chance, a mother in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, gave birth to her child as bombs were dropping in her village. She survived, but lost her home and all her possessions. In crisis she gained support from Christian Aid for shelter, clothing and food. In this way Chance and her child regained their lives and hope for the future.

A collection box will be available in the Church each Sunday in Advent for donations to the appeal. Envelopes are available for gift aid donations. Sealed envelopes with donations can also be given via the locked mailbox in the Church porch.

The Vale Foodbank supports local families in crisis and campaigns for change. Currently they are calling for an end to GP fees for letters that disabled people need to access appropriate housing. The campaign was sparked by a local man who had to live in his car for over a year. He was unable to work and to apply for suitable housing he needed a letter from his GP confirming his medical condition. However, the surgery demanded £40 for the letter – money he simply didn’t have.

During the Christmas period the Foodbank will continue to provide emergency food and Christmas parcels to help to bring festive cheer to people. Suggestions include tinned ham and salmon, Pringles, mince pies, sponge puddings, selection boxes and treats, fizzy pop, crisps and custard.

Jude Billingham

 

07516 112897 (for any enquiries)

Tucker’s Final Victorian Reindeer Sale

TUCKER’S FINAL VICTORIAN REINDEER SALE

Mike and I would like to thank everyone who attended yesterday’s sale and made it such a success. Every reindeer was sold by lunchtime and orders placed for Mike to make in the next couple of weeks. Every scrap of cake sold, and the stall holders did a roaring trade. There was such a lovely atmosphere, and it was fabulous to see so many in Victorian costume – with a particular mention for Ebenezer Scrooge!

Our volunteers worked tirelessly, and we could never hold these events without them. We are extremely grateful to you all. Thanks also to Michelle and Julie for adding some lovely additions to the cake stall.

 

We had over 100 prizes in the raffle, thanks to the generosity of our ever-supportive community. We are always blown away by the way our supporters answer the call at our events like this.

The total raised so far for Wenvoe Wildlife Group stands at £1,406 and we could not have done it without each and every one of you. Thank you all so much.

Now mark the date for next year’s event which is still in the planning stage. On Sunday the 15th of November 2026 we will be keeping the Victorian theme and holding an Old Time Christmas Fair in the Community Centre. We will have games for children and adults alike with tombola and bran tubs too. There will be some craft stalls, the usual refreshments and you can have your fortune told if you dare!

Wenvoe Art and Well-Being Group

WENVOE ART AND WELL-BEING GROUP

Due to the success and interest in our Wenvoe Art and Well-Being Group we will be holding another class on Friday mornings from 10.00am – Noon. The lovely warm village atmosphere in Wenvoe helps students relax and rejuvenate as soon as they enter the well cared for old community centre.

The current group held on a Wednesday afternoon between 2.00pm – 4.00pm is full of kind and considerate students that give the class a lovely atmosphere. Some students travel from Cardiff, Barry and even Porthcawl for the experience. The group offers art tuition for all levels, from those with experience to those just starting out. Being creative is a wonderful way of letting go of any negative thoughts or problems one may be holding on to and filling your mind with the space we need to overcome them. Sharing time with others in this process offers the additional benefits of improving health and well-being. The process is so therapeutic and who knows you may even create an artwork that brings joy and uplift to someone for years to come!

If you are interested in joining a class or for further information please email glyn@glynpooley.com or ring Glyn on 07596759574. Our group is also on Facebook with examples of student artwork. All are welcome.

Local based, celebrated artist Glyn Pooley has taught many people to reveal their creativity through painting for over 30 years. More about Glyn can be found at his website www.glynpooley.com

 

Classes held Wednesday 2pm-4pm, and Friday 10am-Noon, at Wenvoe Old Community Centre.

 

 

The “Wenvoe What’s On” Website Treasure Trove

THE “WENVOE WHAT’S ON” WEBSITE TREASURE TROVE

My name is Alan Williams. I am one of the ‘Backroom’ boys responsible for producing the Wenvoe What’s On. My task is to translate or digitize the paper version of the magazine for the online Wenvoe website. I’ve been doing this for ten years. For several years I also designed the colour covers for the Christmas edition, but I don’t do that anymore. They are very time consuming, and I am running out of that valuable commodity.

The purpose of this little article is to promote the virtues of the web version of the magazine. Why? Although this is not as a result of an in-depth survey, in my experience, hardly anyone visits the website.

I want to encourage more people to explore the possibilities of the website. The magazine is a very interesting read and is full of useful and interesting articles, not to mention the ads for local services. Now there is nothing in the current month’s web page that is not in the paper magazine. However, the website magazine is available to everyone with an interest in Wenvoe at the click of a mouse, and that brings me to my point.

The advantages of accessing the website of the What’s On magazine means that every single article that has ever been written for the What’s On in the last ten years is also available at the click of a mouse.

Here is some of the content that is worth exploring:

If you are looking for a recipe, MR GREEDY’S KITCHEN has around two hundred mouthwatering recipes available, and HILARY’S CULINARY CORNER has added around twenty or more this past year. Gardeners will find valuable tips for any season from the vast knowledge base provided by THE VILLAGE GARDENER. Looking for a good read? THE WENVOE PAGE TURNERS and the OFF THE SHELF group have reviewed and rated hundreds of books. I suggest that their opinions are probably more relevant to local readers than professional reviews. THE HISTORY GROUP has given us lots of very interesting stories with a Wenvoe connection like “Wenvoe’s Part in The Battle of Trafalgar.” Who would have thought! And plenty more like that. THE WENVOE FORUM is well worth a browse for its discussions of a wide range of topical subjects. Fascinating facts and information on the natural world, especially those with a local flavour, for instance “Trees in Danger”, have been discussed by NATURE NOTES. THE WILDLIFE GROUP do a fantastic job of managing the various orchards around Wenvoe and their activities and extensive information on wildlife and orchards are well worth a browse.

So, this is my earnest message; please explore the treasure that is the “Wenvoe What’s On” website. Click on wenvoe.org.uk and make my long candlelit hours into the night worthwhile.

Tucker’s Reindeer Sale And Cafe

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

 

TUCKER’S VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS REINDEER SALE AND CAFE
Saturday 15th November 10.00am – 4.00pm

 

Four weeks today will be what will, very sadly, have to be the last Tucker’s Reindeer Sale so let’s go out with a bang!

This year we are using a Victorian theme so join us and dress in Victorian costume if you would like (you don’t have to). We will play music of the era and have decorations with Victorian themes.

There will be other crafters joining us as usual – Trevor will be there with his beautiful Christmas houses and other decorations, Jemma (The Flower Bunker Wenvoe) will be with us selling her gorgeous flowers and Christmas wreaths and other decorations, Cath will be with us again selling her brother’s lovely turned wood items, there will be Jaci of Jaci Clark Ceramics selling her fab hand made ceramic items, Annette selling hand made cards, Justine (winner of this year knitting section in the Wenvoe village show) will be selling her beautiful, handmade blankets and we will be selling Christmas figures and small tree decorations.

We will have the usual cakes and drinks on sale with somewhere to sit and chat and a high quality raffle with proceeds going to the Wenvoe Wildlife Group which is our charity of choice and who will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

The man in red will be available to speak to your little ones which offers a free photo opportunity. There will also be another famous character roaming about the hall but we’re not telling who it is! You can sample some traditional Victorian Fayre too so why wouldn’t you want to come along and join in the fun? Mark the date on your calendar and we’ll see you there!!

Although this will have to be the last Tucker’s Reindeer Sale it won’t be the last Tucker’s Christmas event. More details will be available next year. You can’t keep a good man down!

Dates For Your Diary

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

 

TUCKER’S VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS REINDEER SALE AND CAFE
Saturday 15th November 10.00am – 4.00pm

The 7th annual Tucker’s Christmas Reindeer sale and cafe will take place on Saturday 15 November from 10am to 4pm at Wenvoe Church Hall. This year we have a Victorian theme, and we would love to see people in Victorian costume. There will be some traditional Victorian food for you to buy on the day. There will be tables inside the church hall for you to sit and enjoy a tea or coffee and maybe a homemade slice of Glen’s usual cakes or brownies.

As well as the antlered stars of the show there will be some lovely things to buy and a festive atmosphere to get you in the Christmas mood with the church hall decorated in Victorian style. We will be joined by our good friend and talented crafter Trevor with his lovely Christmas houses and decorations. There will be other local crafters joining us too and we will give more information about this in the next issue of Wenvoe What’s On so watch this space.

We will be holding a raffle with some excellent prizes including luxury food hampers, a home baked and decorated Christmas cake, some interesting bottles and some items that would make ideal gifts for adults and children. Once again, profits from this will be donated to our charity of choice, the Wenvoe Wildlife Group. The man in red will be appearing with his sleigh which will offer an excellent, free photograph opportunity. The reindeer will be sold outside where there will be gazebos decorated in Victorian Christmas style and Victorian festive music will provide the backing track to the whole event. Why not join us and pick up a reindeer and some Christmas spirit! These have become collectors’ items so start making a list of people who deserve one as a gift. Bring a friend and have a festive catch up. We look forward to seeing you there.

Remembering Mr Wenvoe

REMEMBERING MR WENVOE

Ian Moody, who sadly passed away at the end of July, will be greatly missed by family, friends and our wider community. Ian committed his life to bringing the community together, working for the village and its residents in a wide variety of roles. Modest and unassuming, Ian was committed to making Wenvoe a better place for all of us. He willingly gave his knowledge, expertise and above all a huge amount of time volunteering for the benefit of the village, including a major contribution to this magazine.

Ian was born and educated in Bristol where he shone both academically (he was invited to join MENSA) and in outdoor pursuits. On leaving school he became an Apprentice Electrical Engineer at Portishead power station. Not only did he win Apprentice of the Year (chosen prize: an Outward-Bound adventure on Dartmoor) but also met his future wife, Carole there. Following marriage in 1965, Ian’s career progression took him to power stations in Sutton Coldfield (where their daughter Kim was born), Poole and finally to Aberthaw, hence Wenvoe, in 1972.

Organised chaos Over the decades that followed, Ian became passionately involved in the life of our village and this increased after he took early retirement in his mid-fifties. His contribution to the village was so great it is difficult to cover it all here. It is perhaps appropriate to begin with Ian’s support for young people in Wenvoe. He was a major figure in the Scouts, being Scout Leader or ‘Skip’ for 25 years and then a Group Scout Leader for many years. Ian’s work helped to shape many a young life and to inspire some to become future Youth and Scout leaders themselves. He also worked tirelessly in helping to organise the much-loved Christmas Scout Post. Anyone who turned up at the “post office” in the community centre to help with sorting, will remember the apparent chaos, which under Ian’s watchful gaze, was in fact completely under control.

Environmental warrior Ian’s love of the countryside, nature and wildlife was an important part of his life. Ian was a key member of the village’s Environmental and Wildlife groups. He helped the team win many prestigious Green Flag awards for work on a number of projects such as the Orchid Field. These successfully created habitats for wildlife and enhanced opportunities for fauna and flora to flourish. Ian was also part of the team that supported Wenvoe winning several awards in the Glamorgan Best Kept Village Competition. It was no surprise that he was a passionate member of Valeways, helping to clear and maintain footpaths throughout the Vale.

Two left boots as a leading member of the Wenvoe Walking Group, Ian planned many of the walks which still take place every Saturday. He even compiled and published a detailed annual record of these walks. Ian was hugely respected for his encyclopaedic knowledge of South Wales and especially public rights of way. His walking pals were grateful on so many occasions for his ability to find a better path whenever one was required. The group fondly remember one Saturday Walk, when Ian arrived with two left boots! Most people would have already thrown away the one that was completely worn out, but Ian had kept it, “just in case”. His trainers were very wet at the end of the day. His love of walking took him further afield, including the Offa’s Dyke Path which he reported to be “challenging” in places. Ian completed many a walk abroad, notably on trips with Bruce McDonald trekking around Spain, France, Italy and even Morocco.

Community champion Ian was a leading member of the Community Council and was elected Chairman on several occasions. He was involved from the outset in the Wenvoe History Group, Gwenfô Gynt. Ian made a major contribution to its research and publication of several books about the village. He instigated the production of the Parish Map and the Toposcope at Twyn-Yr-Odyn to celebrate Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. He was also a great supporter of St Mary’s Church, including as a sidesman and clock winder. He contributed to the coffers via his sometimes challenging but always fun village quizzes.

Creative grandad Ian was a proud family man, none more so than when in 1997 he became a grandfather with the arrival of Menna, followed just over a year later by Elin. He adored his new role – out came the patterns for the wooden doll’s house and rocking horse originally made for his daughter Kim. He spent hours playing with the girls in the garden on toys he had made – one of the favourites being a go-cart made from an old disability scooter found in a local skip. Today’s mantra of reduce, repair and recycle was not a new concept for Ian.

Mr Wenvoe ‘Mr Wenvoe’ is a truly apt way to describe Ian Moody. It is fitting that we pay tribute to Ian this month. He was the leading light in this What’s On magazine for many years, giving up so much time to the editing and organising of the publication every month. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him but has left us a wonderful legacy with his lasting contribution to village life and of course above all loving memories so treasured by his family.

 

 

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