Category: Letters

letters to the editor

Phil Morant – Wonderful Servant Of Our Community

 

This last month an event occurred which many would have attended in order to pay their respects, but in the present lockdown circumstances, it was denied to them

I refer to the laying to rest of the ashes of Phil Morant. I have known Phil and his family since 1969 when we all came to live in Wenvoe. I knew Phil as a neighbour, a colleague in employment, a colleague on the Community Council and a trusted friend. In all circumstances Phil was kind hearted, generous and outstandingly diplomatic.

In the first 10 years of the Vale of Glamorgan CASH scheme (Community Aid Self Help) little Wenvoe received more money for local capital projects than any other town and Community Council in the Vale of Glamorgan. This was particularly due to the skilful way Phil presented applications and handled the scrutiny of the project.

Following the previous failure to formally record some of the burials in the Community cemetery, it took Phil eight years of detective work to sort everything out. All this he did without anyone being upset, in a most delicate situation.

Last month Parry Edwards justly paid tribute to Phil and now that he has been laid to rest in our lovely cemetery, I feel it is appropriate to give a wider acknowledgement to a wonderful servant of our community. He will always be remembered by so many.

Michael R Harvey

Wenvoe Community Councillor

 

 

Dog Mess In Wenvoe

Dog Mess In Wenvoe

A few months ago we bought a puppy so that we would have to get out and walk more regularly in the village. We bought disposable small bags, so as not to leave our new pets’ mess for other people to have to pick up, step in or look at. They are very cheap and readily available.

I do not know the cost to our Council to have to clean up after a minority of uncaring, selfish pet owners but am sure this money could be better spent elsewhere in our village. Recently I saw a notice in the local park stating that unless owners cleaned up after their dogs, a ban could be put in place stopping dog exercise in this area.

I must admit that I am disgusted by the amount of filth so called ‘animal lovers’ are prepared to leave in parks, on roadsides, paths and verges, It makes me feel ashamed to be associated with people, most of whom must be local and appear not to care about other people and/or their children. On several occasions I have stepped into dog mess myself. It’s disgusting!

I am sure many can complain about times they have had this unpleasant experience. I am not surprised if parents are angry and do not like dogs or their owners, when their children get covered in dog mess. There are numerous bins around the village, where bags can be left if you do not want to carry them home. The bags cost very little. I see most dog owners on walks carrying these and they share the same complaint as me.

So who are these people who don’t care about others, their children and the local environment? To that minority I say, ‘Clean up after your pet, it is wrong to leave filth around our village.’ Don’t you want anywhere left that is green and pleasant to walk your dog?’

Keep Wenvoe Clean; Bag it and Bin it!

(Name and address supplied)

 

 

The Ongoing Felling Of Trees

 

It is with great sadness I witness The Ongoing Felling Of Trees in and around our lovely village. When nature itself wields the axe there is little to do but acknowledge the circle of life and the safe removal of the fallen tree that inevitably follows is also a necessity.

However there does seem to be a big appetite to fell or seriously trim back other trees that are standing tall, strong and magnificent. There seem to be innumerable reasons justifying such activity from disease; danger; leaves blocking drains or trees allowing animals to access rooftops. Factor in so called expert opinion of Arborists and those of us who wonder at trees stand little chance of countering any such claims and the trees’ destiny is down to a simple signature on a form authorising destruction.

Hundreds of years of incredibly slow growth gone in an hour; the home to thousands of insects; animals; birds and even other plants gone in a day. Replacement with 10’ saplings is little compensation for the magnificent 200 year old 150’ tall Ash or the 150 year old Horse Chesnut.

At a time when we’re all being urged to fundamentally change our thinking away from exploiting nature to helping to heal its wounds, this ongoing determination to change the wooded skyline of Wenvoe is so sad, irrespective of what rationale you choose to apply…

 

Martin Thomas

 

 

Marine Colliery Personal Reflections

 

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

In the March edition of the ‘Wenvoe What’s On’, the leading article talked about the crippling explosion at Marine Colliery in Ebbw Vale on 1 March 1927, killing 51 miners. This led one of our readers to reflect on her childhood growing up in the mining community of Cwm, some 3 miles from Ebbw Vale in the years following the Marine Colliery Disaster. She shares this with us here:

‘The Marine Colliery was situated in my home village of Cwm where I was born and lived until the age of 16. In such a small community and in the surrounding area, few families were left untouched by the Marine Colliery Disaster on 1 March 1927. In the valley it was always referred to as ‘The Explosion’ and through family connections with the pit and faithful entries in family Bibles, local children were made fully aware of the events of that dreadful day.

My own father worked at the Marine Colliery when he left school, but he never worked underground. However, my grandmother was left a young widow with two small girls to raise, the elder of whom was my mother. In that single day, Gran lost her husband, her father and brother. Can you imagine surviving such a loss at that time?

The Marine Colliery is long gone, and a monument has been raised in memory of the miners. The valley has largely been restored to its former beauty, but as with other disasters, scars will always remain.’

Marilyn Case.

 

 

Early-Marriages Are Detrimental

 

Since I was little, I imagined what my future wedding would be like. The dress, the layout, the partner; all children daydream about the day they will marry their soulmate. I always wondered what they would look like, their personality, how we would meet, how old I would be and how long it would take for us to get engaged. But I realise now, my imagination of what the future would hold for me was because I get to make a choice. Unfortunately, choice isn’t granted to every girl in the world.

I’m eighteen, and currently, I don’t see myself marrying for probably another ten years. I haven’t met the person – I haven’t even come close. But 12 million girls all over the world are married before they reach eighteen. Before their life begins. 23 girls every minute; almost 1 every 2 seconds. A choice they can’t make themselves; a choice they aren’t allowed to make themselves.

Being Welsh, I know gender pay inequality is still an issue that women in the UK face, but in the big scheme of things, it’s hardly the women of the world’s biggest concern. Of course, the gender pay gap ought to close and I truly hope it does; I aim to be a part of that conversation. But the truth of the matter is, gender inequality reaches so far beyond pay in many of the countries around the world and extends to the genuine belief that women are so inferior to men on a much larger scale. In numerous countries, being born a girl immediately creates a burden on a family; to ease economic hardship, and ‘burden’ another family in place of theirs, families marry off their young daughters. Patriarchal values aid in child marriage, as there is a desire by the patriarchal society in these countries to control a women, by the way they dress, how she should behave and most importantly, who she should marry.

Child marriage seems to us like some barbaric burden placed on young girls. So many countries practice child marriage simply as it is something that has happened for generations, but it doesn’t justify the practice. In Southern Ethiopia for example, harmful practices are often linked, with child marriage leading to female genital mutilation; practices may be tradition, but they can be harmful to those involved. Many young girls who are married are expected to have children, but many get pregnant when their bodies have only just started puberty. They die because their bodies are not equipped to carrying a baby, and certainly not built for giving birth to them.

GirlsNotBrides is a global partnership of over 1000 civil society organisations which are dedicated to ending child marriage. Their theory of change involves ideas such as empowering girls and giving them opportunities to build skills and knowledge; by encouraging them to become agents of change themselves, we can  continue the chain of empowering young girls. With the Safe Space Programmes, we can successfully build girls’ self-confidence, for married girls who do not receive an education, they offer self-sufficiency and having a safe place to meet with other girls who have shared the same experiences, the feeling of isolation and vulnerability can begin to be removed. The work the global partnership does with men and boys who become husbands, or who are brothers and fathers shows the value of encouraging young girls and aiding to fulfil their potential.

Child marriage, according to ‘GirlsNotBrides’ website ‘violates girls’ rights to health, education and opportunity. It exposes girls to violence throughout their lives and traps them in a cycle of poverty’. More than 650 million women, and over 150 million men have suffered child marriage, and without faster progress the global number of women married as children will reach 1.2 billion by 2050. If we help to support GirlsNotBrides, we can help end the devastating consequences of child marriage. Progress is being made, with the African Union and the South Asia Initiative to End Violence Against Children having launched initiatives to help end child marriages and support young married girls; more and more countries are developing national action plans to end child marriage, in partnership with the UN.

A campaign conducted by the Network of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Women Organizations of Kosovo (a project under the EU-UN jurisdiction ‘Implementing Norms, Changing Minds’) have allowed for communities in Kosovo to understand the detrimental restrictions early-marriage forces upon young girls’ prospect of a safe life. A young man named Qerim completed his training on the prevention of early-marriage and has begun his door-to-door programme of beginning conversations in his neighbourhood and is encouraging them to consider the effects early-marriage has on the young women within their own community. By opening the conversation to communities where child marriage is often a tradition, we can help prevent the practice.

You may not think this is a problem we should deal with, as it is not a problem on Britain’s doorstep. But it doesn’t mean we can’t help in the matter. Supporting the UN and global partnerships like GirlsNotBrides, FreedomUnited, Amnesty International, Plan International and so many more can make even the slightest difference. By continuing the conversation and understanding how early-marriages are detrimental, you are a part of change.

Child marriage needs to stop and progress isn’t happening fast enough. Support these global partnerships and become a part of change.

By Tirion Davies

 

 

Fly Tipping

I am the owner of the field alongside the footpath between the Vennwood Close tunnel and the playing field. I am working to tidy the field up but we are having trouble with fly tipping. It is very difficult for me to clear myself and costs a lot to have it removed. This time it is building rubble which has been thrown over the fence. This is a danger to animals, so we can not use the field at the moment. It is hence getting over grown and untidy. This is not abandoned land but private property.

I would be very grateful if anybody could help with information about where it is coming from. Please contact me on 07598533554

Amanda Paddoc

 

 

February Letters

 

A big heartfelt "Thank You", to all the Saturday Walking Buddies, whose thoughtfulness and innovative way of announcing to the Vale and surrounding areas, the occasion of my last big birthday, despite me being on the other side of the world. Very touched, you know who you are! Salt of the earth and blessed to know you all.

Glen Stevens

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I would like to thank the Community Council for taking the time to hold the meeting in February with regard to the future of the Church Hall. I feel it is now clear that the Church ARE selling the Church Hall and that the Church are offering the community the chance to purchase the hall to ensure that it has a future within our community.

Below is a contact which may help. I have also written to the Community Council.

Glamorgan Voluntary Services (GVS), BARRY, Heritage Lottery Funding 1-2-1 advice. Thursday 15th March 2018 Phone Andy Harris 20234155 or email andrew.harris@hlf.org.uk

Buildings do not have to be historic according to their advert. They help save community buildings.

Sandra Morgan

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The family of the late Michael D’ Arcy thank all our friends and neighbours who gave us wonderful support, beautiful flowers, gifts and cards. It was also a great comfort to us to know that so many were able to attend the Requiem Mass for Michael.

Thanks and peace to all,

Peggy, Helen, Elizabeth, Christopher and John.

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Mervyn and Family would like to thank everyone for their support and sympathy wishes during this difficult time.

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June Letters to the Editor

 

As regular dancers at Wenvoe Village Hall we (and the other dancers) were delighted to see how great the new floor is. Congratulations to the Village Hall Committee for doing such a good job. It looks fabulous and is a pleasure to dance on – well done!

Judy and Bruce McDonald

 

I must extend my grateful thanks to the ladies of Wenvoe WI. You came together to give our guests a most enjoyable afternoon on June 16. Due to ill health, I was sorry I was unable to join you. The wonderful “ Wenvoe willingness” that I spoke about at our recent annual meeting was certainly put into practice by you all and I am very proud of the members of my Institute. As always, thanks to everyone.

Madeleine Rees, President Wenvoe WI

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As I write, I am just about to post 3 boxes of donated pre-loved childrens shoes to the charity Sal's Shoes. Sal's is based in England and collects shoes to distribute to children around the world who have none. The statistics on their website indicates that there are 300 million barefoot children worldwide. 58 million children worldwide are not in school and 29 million of these are because they do not have the means. In many countries you cannot go to school without a pair of shoes. Following the recent collection among the community in Wenvoe, parents from Gwenfo school and friends in the area, I am delighted to say I have collected 135 pairs of suitable pre-loved, kids shoes, boots and slippers for Sal's Shoes. Thank you so much to all who donated. Since I started the collection, I am delighted to add that there is a new Cardiff collection point for any shoes in the future: Get Roller Skating, has nominated Sal's as its Charity of the Year. If you would like to donate shoes in future, visit the Sal's Shoes website on www.salsshoes.com or contact Get Roller Skating on 07391 703435, e-mail hello@ getrollerskating.co.uk or visit www.getrollerskating. co.uk who can receive your donation locally. Thanks again for an amazing community response to the collection.

Rachel Marshall, St Andrews Road

 

 

 

 

May Letters to the Editor

 

I would like to say a big thank you to the ladies of Wenvoe WI for their donations and the hard work they put in at our recent table top sale. We appreciate all the help from so many people, from those who hired tables to the kind gentlemen who moved the tables and chairs about on the morning. Due to the success of the morning we are able to make a generous donation to this year’s charity, the Cardiff and Vale branch of the National Autistic Society

Madeleine Rees, President WI

 

 

 

Once again, I wish to use the What’s On to pay our thanks to a lot of wonderful supporters, to many to name.

My granddaughter Rhian, aged 8 years old, had an open day on behalf of the breast cancer unit which is treating her Mum since last May 2016. Over the year, she has made bookmarks and bracelets to raise money for cancer on her open day. Recently she presented a cheque for £1413.00 to the doctor and staff at Llandough Breast Cancer unit thanks to everyone who supported her open day.

All, her dad, grew a beard and had a lot of support from his works, friends and neighbours. He raised £1,000, with Rhian’s four hundred and thirteen pounds to total the £1413 which was much appreciated by the unit.

Also, a special thank you to Dr David Bosley who gave a cheque for £200 in memory of his mother, our neighbour and good friend, Mrs Joan Bosley and it will be going towards raising funds now for Velindre Hospital which Joan would appreciate as she always supported Rhian’s fund raising days. We feel privileged to have had everyone’s support.

Thank you everybody, and not forgetting Rhian’s hard work for a good cause, well done Rhian.

Marilyn and Terry Ankin

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