Category: Miscellaneous

Various items that do not fit any particular category

The Facebook Alternative

 

To others of my generation who still do not and cannot comprehend why Facebook ever exists, here’s what I’m doing to gain a better understanding. I am trying to make new friends without using Facebook, but while applying the same principles.

Every day I walk down the street and tell passer-bys what I have eaten, how I feel at the moment, and what I have done the night before, what I will do later, and with whom. I give them pictures of my family, my dog and of me gardening, taking things apart in the garage, watering the lawn, standing in front of landmarks, driving around town, having lunch and doing what anybody and everybody else does every day.

I also listen to their conversations, then give them the ‘thumbs up’ and tell them I like them, I also promised to exchange holiday photos. And it seems to be working.

I already have four people following me: two police officers, a private investigator and a psychiatrist!

 

 

Cambrian Park Village

CAMBRIAN PARK

Cambrian Park retirement village is a novel and attractive housing development on the outskirts of Wenvoe just beyond Brooklands Terrace, near CulverHouse Cross. The retirement village was originally a green field site, which in 1952 became a caravan park. The site evolved and people started living there in static caravans but the infrastructure was of poor quality and site became run down.

Cambrian Park was purchased by the current owners Maguire Park Homes in 2007 and managed by Maguire Park Homes. It was then brought up to a high standard with mains water, gas and electricity.

Agnes, the Park Director, is currently project managing the development, which when complete will have 145 new owner-occupied detached homes.

The bungalow-style efficient double-glazing and energy-efficient homes range from £139,000-£175,000.The standard two-bedroom property comes with carpets, curtains, white goods…

Purchasers have a choice of fixtures and fittings or they can have their home built to their own specification.

All residents of Cambrian Park must be over the age of 50 and the estate aims to offer a safe and secure community, which is overseen by a site warden. Although many residents have second homes overseas, most have downsized and see this as their last house move.

The Park is enjoyed by mature people who want a safe home in their retirement, or singles and couples who want the security and peace of mind of belonging to a community of people of similar age, but who do not want to move to managed accommodation. As the Park is for the over 50s children are welcome but only to visit for holidays and weekends…

It is an exceptionally well kept Park and close to bus stops and convenient for shopping at the stores at CulverHouse Cross, with a bridge to Ely shops and services including a GP practice.

In addition to this residential Park, the Maguire family have several in Wales and England with plans for more. Each Park is initially project managed by the adult children of the Maguire family.

Maintenance agents and sole traders and other services providers, while not officially recommended, are nevertheless on an approved list.

It was pleasing that several residents of Cambrian Park attended the ‘Welcome to Wenvoe’ event at the Community Centre, towards the end of last year. A few residents have plots on the Wenvoe allotment site in Twyn-Yr-Odyn.

As mentioned above, further homes are being built, so happily those in Wenvoe will have more residents who may wish to enjoy the many meetings and activities published in Wenvoe What’s On. Residents receive copies of Wenvoe What’s on, with some taking full advantage of Wenvoe’s social associations.

This article was written with the kind assistance of Angus Maguire.

 

 

DEVELOPMENT OF CARDIFF AIRPORT

 

The history of the airport extends back to the1942 when the Air Ministry requisitioned land for training Spitfire pilots. After WW2 the airfield was abandoned. The man who decided Rhoose could be the site of a new airport was David Rees-Williams (later Lord Ogmore). In1945 Rees-Williams became an MP; then when Minister of Aviation he identified a great need for a commercial Airport of international standards in south Wales. He told the House of Lords that a decision had to be taken whether to do nothing at all or whether Pengam Moors, the existing airport for Cardiff, should be improved or, thirdly, whether a new airport should be constructed.

Subsequently the Welsh Civil Aviation Consultative Committee proposed the Royal Air Force airfield at Rhoose. The Government accepted this proposal and the Ministry of Aviation promptly began converting the abandoned airfield into a civilian Airport.

 

Opening of new airport. In October 1952 the new airport was opened. Then civilian flights from the old Cardiff Municipal Airport at Pengam Moors were transferred to Rhoose in April 1954. In 1965 the Ministry of Aviation handed over the airport to Glamorgan County Council and was renamed Glamorgan (Rhoose) Airport. The council started a five-year plan to develop the airport including a new control tower, terminal building and runway extension.

1986 saw a further extension to the runway, attracting more business in the form of new-generation jet aircraft. The runway extension enabled the airport to handle 747 jumbo jets. This was instrumental in attracting the British Airways Maintenance facility to the airport. The airport is not only the main maintenance base for British Airways but also home to a variety of aerospace-oriented firms and colleges, and now is a major contributor to the economic development of the region.

The airport was privatised in1995 due to local authority re-organization. Later in 2013 the Welsh Government bought it for £52 million. There followed an investment of a £6 million route-development programme. In 2015 a major deal was signed with Flybe which saw the opening of a two aircraft base for their airline with a considerable number of new routes. In April 2017, Qatar Airways announced their plans to launch a service from Cardiff airport to Qatar and significant global markets via Qatar’s capital city in May 2018. This development is considered a game changer for the airport’s future.

BD

 

 

 

PROBUS (2) CLUB, BARRY

NEW TO WENVOE

PROBUS (2) CLUB, BARRY

We have recently moved our venue to Wenvoe Golf Club for our fortnightly meetings. The Club is for former professionals and businessmen to associate in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

Normally at our meetings, we have a speaker followed by lunch.

During the summer months we vary our social programme by including our partners and friends at a dinner and our lunches. We also arrange skittle matches and a coach trip.

If you are interested in joining us, please contact our President, John Evans, on 02920 513976.

 

 

Mad World – Gun Control

Mad World

I have witnessed many horrible events happen in my lifetime, and as an aware young person living in today’s society, being kept from the horrors of the world is impossible. I follow the news. I am on most social media platforms. I have watched as tragedies occur, and seen them happen time and time again.

Recently, there was yet another mass shooting in America. And yet, the gun control laws held in the US has not wavered. American gun control laws have caused the death of millions upon millions of people in the US – perhaps a quarter of these statistics have been relevant to my lifetime. Think of that. In almost eighteen years, the news headlines have continuously had to revaluate situations as ‘The worst mass shooting in modern American history’. As the number of shootings increase, the many who have died grow with it.

Gun controls need to be tighter – I cannot stress this enough. By owning a gun, you have the potential to take a life. If you have a gun you need to stop simply saying ‘they wouldn’t give a gun to someone dangerous’ because everyone who owns a gun in America has the potential to be dangerous. You just don’t act on the potential. But someone does. Someone always does.

My point is that nothing changes. Americans still have guns. People’s reactions don’t change. A woman whose family member had been murdered in the Las Vegas shooting had said she did not want to change gun laws. How? How could you witness first hand a mass shooting and have a family member die and still see no problem with the war on gun control? More and more people buy guns in America every day. You can buy guns in supermarkets there.

Yes, I understand that these might be America’s problems, but you can’t deny that universal tragedies cause pain and suffering to more and more people every single day. Everyone is a part of that. Universally, we are more and more connected with America through our media and our global alliance. Brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, cousins, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, grandparents and even sons and daughters are lost because someone decides they have the right to take a life. Telling us to not think too much about it is the same as telling us we’re heartless if we follow your instructions. Because these people could be us. Although they are across the Atlantic, they should still be important to Britain.

Why must children – the future of our world – die and yet nothing changes. The Sandy Hook shooting happened and dozens of children were killed. But even that didn’t stop the Americans from continuing to sell guns. If anything, the number of people with guns increased. It’s remarkable to me how a ‘travel ban’ on 6 Muslim-majority nations can pass through the US Congress but even after so many have died at the hands of Americans, the Congress cannot remove the laws that are in place in regards to guns.

This isn’t Britain’s battle to face. But equally, it feels like some Americans don’t see it as their own battle. But it is. Because if there isn’t a change soon, there won’t be any Americans left to fight gun law. There won’t be any Americans left. It should be a Universal problem because maybe someone from Britain can describe to an American just how dangerous and ignorant they are if they do not fight gun control.

We shouldn’t be afraid to live our lives – American or British. Speaking as a British citizen, if you are American and you don’t understand why there needs to be tighter gun controls, or even none, please educate yourselves on the stories of those who have died at the hands of guns. Read about those involved in the Pulse Orlando shootings, or the Virginia Tech shootings, or the Binghamton shootings or both of the Fort Hood shootings or even the Texas and Columbine shootings. Look at their photos and read their stories. Read about Claire Wilson James, or Noah Pozner or Isaiah Shoels or Stanley Almodovar III and Lisa Romero-Muiz.

Then try and tell me why civilians ought to have guns.

By Tirion Davies

 

 

Conkers vs Spiders

 

I must admit that since I was a child, I’ve not been able to tolerate spiders, so I dread the reported invasion of giant spiders in the house this autumn . There are many gadgets and products on the market to remove spiders from the home and according to old wives tales, there are also natural methods Leaving conkers on window ledges is said to stop spiders entering the house, but scientists haven’t proved whether the saponin compound found in conkers is effective. Some swear by peppermint oil which has a high concentration of pulegone and methone which are natural pesticides. Drop 15-20 drops of the pure oil into water and add to a spray. Similarly eucalyptus oil or white wine vinegar mixed with water and then sprayed around the home are said to be good repellents. So I am going to have a go with the conker method- no problem with collecting conkers in this village is there?

 

 

Autumn Tasks

 

On a lovely autumn morning we did some work on the village green, shortening back the roses and trimming along the shrub border. Before the end of October the boxes and tubs will have been cleared of the remnants of summer bedding, ready to plant the bulbs. One meeting is planned for November, on the 13th at the usual time, 9.30am..

 

 

Dyffryn House

 

Dyffryn House is the Victorian mansion house within the Edwardian listed gardens in St Nicholas. It is currently managed by the National Trust on a 50 year lease. The House Steward and research teams are always looking for information on the history of the site. The original collection owned by the Cory family was sold at auction in 1937. If any local people are aware of any pieces that were sold locally we would love to hear from you.

We would also be very interested to talk to anyone who has memories of working at the site from the 1980’s and before- with the option to carry out an oral history.

Please contact Christina at Christina.Hanley@ nationaltrust.org.uk or 07483926208.

 

 

 

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