Category: Miscellaneous

Various items that do not fit any particular category

Christmas Reindeer Sale

Tucker’s Christmas Reindeer Sale

We know this is early to be thinking about Christmas but the production line must start soon in order to make enough stock. Last year’s sale was a wonderful, community event but it will, like most events this year, have to be a little different. Due to restrictions on numbers at gatherings, this year’s sale will be held in our garden in Vennwood Close over a whole weekend in November ( date to be confirmed nearer the time). Money from each reindeer sold will be donated to the Wenvoe Wildlife Group. You can read about the work that the group do on their Face-book page, named after the group. There will be a raffle, the proceeds of which will also be donated to the WWG and there will also be a table of home-made Christmas crafts, made by Tucker’s Wenvoe Rustics on sale on the day.

If you would like to have a reindeer made for you and you want to let us know before hand or if you want more information please Contact us by email to pukkatucker@gmail.com or ring Glenys on 07922109721.

More information will be made available nearer the time.

 

 

Passing Time In Lock Down

PASSING TIME IN LOCK DOWN

Although we are all trying to return to some form of normal life there are those of us whom still seem to have plenty of time to fill at home with time to read books, watch films, or listen to audio tapes etc.

Over the last six months, with so many free hours, we must have come across some titles, authors etc we may never have thought of watching, reading or listening to. Did your family even discover new games to play?

Why not share your finds with others with a brief description, (no need to leave your name.) Using Netflix, Amazon, Catch Up, Kindle, eBooks, Audible, etc others should be able to locate the recommended items to enjoy themselves.

Audiobooks

Captain Corelli’s Mandolin – This is a book I wouldn’t have attempted to read, but Audiobooks made it much more appealing. as I could listen while doing jobs around the house.

The story is set in Cephalonia at the beginning of World War 2. Dr. Yaniss lives with his daughter in a small village, life goes on as normal. Until one day, Corelli leader of the Italian invasion force is billeted with the Dr and his daughter. Corelli falls in love with his daughter, who is engaged to the resistance leader Mandras. Their love grows and dreams are lost, when the Italians surrender to the Allies.

Elephant Moon is another Audiobook I enjoyed..

Based on a true story set in Burma in the World War II. The story is of a class of orphans trying to escape from Burma before the Japanese invade. Lots of twists and turns in this story, which is is a tale of great courage

The Pants of Perspective. A travel tale. Anna McNuff ran the New Zealand 3000 kilometre Te Araroa trail which stretches from the furthest point south to the northern tip of north island. A witty, colourful and at times painfully raw account.

Films

Waking Ned – Based in a small Irish village two friends discover their friend has died of the shock of finding out he has won the lottery. How do you convince the claims inspector that the village could claim the prize. Enjoyable comedy.

The Green Book – The true story of an Italian- American bouncer who becomes the chauffeur for a world-class black piano player. In 1962 they tour the deep south during the racial charged period. A moving story.

 

 

The Wenvoe Arms Is Open Again

The Wenvoe Arms Is Open Again

The Wenvoe Arms is open again and this beating heart of the village has pints of ale pouring out again after the long lockdown. We are very fortunate in Wenvoe to have a high-quality village pub which is well run by the landlords Digby and Jennie Rees who have been the tenants for the last four years.

Jennie’s father built and ran the successful Cwm Ciddy pub at Rhoose, and she was brought up in the trade and has been involved in it ever since. She and husband Digby put their experience to good use in making the Wenvoe Arms a superb pub that com-bines tradition with modern innovations. The place was completely refurbished a few years ago and is kept spotlessly clean both inside and out. It has recently been given the highest rating, yet again, by the EHO and Food Standards Agency, which gave it a top rating of 5 for the food safety and hygiene in the kitchen and bar areas. They also received top marks for Covid 19 standards of care.

Lockdown provided challenges for us all, but publicans had added problems with the disposal of beer and food that was unable to be used. Jennie points out that with beer you cannot just pour it down the drain, rather you must consult with Welsh Water who tell you how and when to flush it down the drain. Luckily, Digby saw the problem coming and was able to cancel deliveries just before lockdown which meant less was wasted than might have been.

The lack of clients during the last months has given the landlords time to make further improvements to the outside drinking and eating areas. Surprisingly, there are four separate areas outside each with good, well-maintained tables with seating and umbrellas. The roadside raised patio area is specially reserved for Wenvoe residents and there are six tables there. The lower area next to the war memorial again has tables with seating and is very popular with the regulars and smokers. A hidden gem is the beer garden to the rear which is grassed and surrounded by neatly trimmed hedges giving it a restful atmosphere. The trees there ensure there is plenty of shade on a hot summer’s day. While beyond that is a further area with six tables which will in future have covered shelter so people can eat and drink there in inclement weather.

A new development worth reporting is the building of a pizza shack – yes, the real thing – which has a newly installed wood-burning oven. This is adjacent to the beer garden and will be serving pizzas every evening from 4 – 9 pm. The pizzas are homemade on the premises with a choice of five artisan pizzas available and they will be available to be sold in boxes and eaten anywhere in the pub, outside or in, or else taken away. We hope the pizza shack will have opened by the time that this edition of Wenvoe What’s On hits your doormat.

The Wenvoe Arms has an excellent function room on the first floor which adds greatly to the interior dining and drinking space. The main dining area on the ground floor, which is enhanced in winter with a

log burning stove, seats 60 guests while the function room above can take another 50 or more for a buffet. It is also used as a comfortable meeting and conference room where, for example, Alun Cairns MP addressed the faithful before lockdown.

The food at the Wenvoe Arms receives glowing comments which is not surprising as Jennie and Digby take it very seriously. The food is all cooked from fresh with no “bought-in” meals, unlike many pubs. The menu has had a revamp and lists a wide range of popular pub and gastro type meals. Last orders are as late as 8.50pm which is helpful for those working or visiting later. The wine list is wide-ranging and competitively priced.

The bars are an area of pride for the landlords as there is a great selection of beers and spirits. There are currently five cask, or real ales, available as well as leading brands of lager and cider. Gin drinkers are well looked after too with a selection of premium gins which are served with a choice of mixers. Fever Tree is available among others, and juniper berries can be added as a botanical garnish.

We all need our spirits lifting during this pandemic and what better way to do that than making a visit to your village pub for a drink and meal with friends. They have missed you over the months so you can be sure of a warm welcome by a team who have gone out of their way to keep us all safe and socially distanced.

 

 

Test Your Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

IT HAPPENED IN AUGUST

1. Glamorous American film star who died from an overdose of sleeping pills in August 1962

2. When Winston Churchill said, in August 1940,”Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few”, to whom was he referring?

3. The eruption of which volcano, in 79 AD, destroyed the cities of Stabiae and Herculaneum?

4. In August 1945 the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, what was the name of the plane that dropped it?

5. In August 1896, gold was discovered at Rabbit Creek, a tributary of which Alaskan river?

6. In 1572 thousands of Protestant Huguenots were murdered, by Catholics, in what became to be known as The St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre. In which country did it take place?

7. Born on 27th August 1910 as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, she founded a religious order known as the Missionaries of Charity and spent her life working in India.

8. Born on August 30th 1797, which author wrote the novel Frankenstein?

9. In August of which year were the Olympic Games held in Berlin?

10. In 1960 which city was declared to be the federal capital of Pakistan?

11. Born in August 1803, this man went on to become a gardener and architect and designed the Crystal Palace.

12. What is the name of the author, born in August 1819, whose best known novel is Moby-Dick?

13. The signing of the United States Declaration of Independence took place in August of which year?

 14. Born in 1884, Henri Cornet, at aged 19 is the youngest ever winner of which endurance race?

15. In 1305 the leader of the Scottish resistance against England (made famous in the film ‘Braveheart’) was captured and ultimately executed. What was his name?

16. In 1620, which ship departed from Southampton, England on its first attempt to reach North America.

17. Born in 1862, Joseph Merrick became known as what due to his deformities?

18. Who was the English actor who died in August 2000 famed for his roles in several Ealing comedies including ‘The Lady Killers’ and ‘Kind Hearts and Coronets’?

19.The building of what structure was started in August 1961?

20. Which US state joined the Union in August 1959?

21. How old was Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, on 4th August 2000?

22. What canal opened in August 1914?

23. The first steamship crossed the Atlantic in August 1818. What was its name?

24. August 9th, 1930, is the birthdate of what cartoon character?

25. In August 1893, the world’s first car registration plates were introduced in which country?

 

Click here for the Answers http://wenvoe.org.uk/?p=8094

 

 

Back To The Future

Back To The Future

Well at least for the time being, Covid 19 seems to be in retreat. During lockdown we have enjoyed walks around the village, often discovering paths and trails we never imagined existed. At last we can now visit our local pubs again and venture further afield. It is great to see that things are opening up around the Vale again.

The excellent Visit the Vale website provides detailed information and a range of impressive brochures and mini guides covering ‘what’s occurring.’

From the site you can order a free copy of the Coast Countryside & Culture Guide, which showcases the best places to visit and features some stunning photography of the area. There are also some free and downloadable town guides, including those for Barry Island, Cowbridge, Llantwit Major and Penarth.

The Llantwit Major Guide includes a self-guided walk based on the town’s Blue Plaques, taking in historic buildings such as St Illtud’s Church and the Town Hall. You can end your walk with refreshments at the 16th century Old Swan Inn. During the Civil War period the innkeeper, Edward Maddocks, struck brass tokens, gaining the house a reputation as a mint. Monthly manorial courts were sometimes held there. In the 1930s when it was an inn, celebrities including the famous American owner of St Donats William Randolph Hearst and Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain visited. The Visitor Centre in the Town Hall (check opening times) provides information on places to visit, events and activities. Trains run hourly to and from Llantwit Major to Barry and Cardiff. Platforms at the station are accessible for anyone with mobility challenges.

The Barry Guide highlights a range of activities many of you may not be aware of. There is a self-guided Gavin and Stacey Walking Tour and the 6 mile Barry Town Trail. The latter can be started at any point and walked in sections. It links Barry Island, Barry Waterfront and Barry Town with places of interest highlighted along the trail. Copies of the trail leaflet are available from the tourism department at the Vale of Glamorgan Council in Barry. Tel: (01446) 704867 E-mail: tourism@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

The Cowbridge Guide includes details of the Iolo Morganwg Circular Walk (6.5 miles). This celebrates the famous and colourful 18th century Welsh poet and antiquarian, while taking in the heart of historic Cowbridge, surrounding villages and woodland. An A5 leaflet, with pull out OS Map and walk instructions, is available from the Bear Hotel or Costa Coffee on the High Street.

Warren Mill Farm Park near Pendoylan (open) is included, with its large variety of miniature, rare and unusual farm animals, colourful waterfowl and a new family of wallabies. The farm is situated around a natural 4-acre coarse lake, well stocked with carp, perch, roach and bream. It can be found 1 mile north of the A48 near Bonvilston. (CF71 7UJ).

We can look forward then to enjoying what is left of the Summer and to supporting our local businesses, especially those in the hospitality and leisure sectors.

 

 

Socially Distanced Creative Writing!

SOCIALLY DISTANCED CREATIVE WRITING!

So, you’ve cleared the garage, sorted the attic, planted, mowed and dug the garden and washed the car five hundred times… what next?

Local author, Cathy Farr has had an idea to help get our creativity going again and have some fun into the bargain.

Following the success of previous creative writing workshops over the last few years, Cathy is going to run mini Creative Writing courses from July using Zoom to ensure that social distancing rules are followed.

‘The sessions are ideal for people who are interested in doing some creative writing but don’t really know where to start. As it’s all via Zoom and email, anyone in the UK is welcome to join so this would make a great gift – I’ve even had a booking from Canada!,’ says Cathy, author of six novels for children and adults. ‘I’ll be hosting short interactive sessions on Zoom to talk about writing and answer questions, then I’ll set tasks that people can have a go at and submit for me to give constructive, written feedback. I know some people are put off by sharing their writing with others so this should be ideal as all work and feedback will be private.

‘True, not everyone is planning to write a novel, but creative writing is a great way to escape and do something a bit different – and boy, at the moment, we all need a bit of that!’

Cathy’s main aim in these workshops is to give people the chance to let their own imagination do the work and to have some fun. Comments from previous attendees of Cathy’s workshops include: ‘It was enjoyable, fun and really interesting. Your teaching methods enthused us all I think, they certainly did me.’

There will be four interactive Zoom meetings, lots of opportunity to ask questions and discuss ideas and one-to-one private written feedback on all work submitted. Cathy is also going to publish the best three pieces of writing from the course on her website and social media. The price is £100 and is open to anyone over the age of 18 years. For more information contact Cathy at cathy@bitebooks.co.uk or on 02920 511031.

 

 

St Mary’s Church Appeal

ST MARY’S CHURCH WENVOE APPEAL

Helping to maintain our historic church

About St Mary’s – The earliest mention of a church in Wenvoe was 1064. The present building is 12th century, added to in the 17th century and greatly enhanced in the 19th century. In 1991 the north transept was built.

St Mary’s is a Grade 2* listed building and as such it takes an enormous amount of money just to keep the building in good condition. As with all ancient buildings the church needs a great deal of care and constant attention to meet the exacting standards set by Cadw and the Church in Wales. Costs are high and even small repairs can run to thousands of pounds.

Every generation has diligently cared for St Mary’s. Now it’s our turn. You can donate direct to our Bank account 08-90-03 Account No 50192159 or by cheque to Rev. Jon Ormrod, The Rectory, Port Rd., Wenvoe Cardiff CF56DF

Thank you

 

 

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