Category: Letters

(The Editors are not responsible for opinions expressed, although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information. The editors reserve the right to protect the anonymity of anyone who wishes to contribute articles or letters for the magazine provided they are aware of the identity of any such person. )

We would like to say thank you to everyone who complimented us on our outdoor Christmas lights, and might I say there are others who put on a good display also. One of our friends asked Has the airport rung us yet! with a smile on his face. We find it a pleasure to light up the village and make Christmas an enjoyable and magical time for the children and the big children of course. we look forward to next Christmas's display which hopefully something a little bit more added.

   Thank you

                 Bernard and Carol Grange Ave.

I would like to express my thanks to all those kind friends and neighbours who have sent me and my family sympathy cards on the death of my wife, Vera. Many contained heart warming messages, thank you all. Vera will be much missed.

                   Cliff Tipples

Re. Twyn yr Odyn 'playing field'

I have read with interest the recent letters from Mrs Stokes and Mrs Miller. The 'St Lythans Down Inclosure Award', 1861 reads in part as follows,

'And I declare that I have set out and do herby set out, allot and award unto the Churchwardens and Overseers of the poor in the said Parish of Wenvoe all that piece and parcel of land numbered 1 on the Map annexed containing One Acre and two roods to be held by them and their successors in trust as a place for Exercise and Recreation for the Inhabitants of the said Parish and Neighbourhood and I direct that the Fences on the Southwest and Northeast sides of such allotment shall from time to time be repaired and maintained by and at the expense of the Churchwardens and Overseers of the Poor of the said Parish for the time being-' (sic). This land is now known as the 'playing field'.

Can the use of the 'playing field' as a car park by the BBC, which prevented villagers using the 'playing field', be considered 'exercise and recreation'? I suggest not, although I hope that the villagers will benefit from the payment made by the BBC.

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the wedding of Mr and Mrs Stokes. However, I understand that, although relatively new to the village, they generously invited every family in Twyn yr Odyn to join their celebrations and that in true community spirit, villagers helped with the preparations. I suggest that it is strongly arguable that the erection of a marquee on the 'playing field' for a celebration to which all the villagers of Twyn yr odyn were invited, would have been for the 'recreation' of the villagers of Twyn yr odyn and indeed that this is just the sort of precedent that should be set.

In any event, this discussion has highlighted other issues relating to the 'playing field'. Given that the land is for 'exercise and recreation' would it be possible for monies to be allocated for the purchase of playground equipment, goalposts, tables and benches or a wildflower area?

Does anyone have or have access to a legible copy of the 'Tithe Plan of the Parish of Wenvoe'?

Karen Lane-Angell

The Macmillan Coffee Morning, held in The Wenvoe Community Centre raised £335. We would like to thank everyone, all the bakers, tea/coffee makers, book stall, the Community Centre for giving us the hall and to everyone who supported us by coming and giving so generously to this worthy charity

Hazel Crockford

On the 10th October I hosted a social and musical evening at my home for members of the Wenvoe ladies Choir. I wish to thank the ‘ladies’ for the deliciouis refreshments they all brought. Then the highlight of the evening was the lovely music that Dereck played on his harmonica. He is a talented musician. If anyone needs any entertainment for a Christmas function he may be contacted on 029 208 2171.

Pam Fairfax, Clos llanfair

Dear Readers I am hoping to start a book folding class in our Wenvoe library, I know a couple of people have shown interest in having a class. Having spoken to Alex yesterday he has agreed it is a good idea if that is what I would like to do. I am sure some of the library users has seen the couple of books that are on display and I promise it is much easier than it looks. So if anyone is interested could you please ring me on 029 2059 9765 or 07513 703213 or e mail cbjenks10@talktalk.net or see me in the library. I look forward to hearing from you.

Carol Jenkins. Grange Ave.

I was fascinated to read the Wenvoe wildlife group news and the plans to clear the undergrowth covering the old watercress beds. On the same day I read the article, I found myself reading the obituary of Captain Jenner of Wenvoe Castle in the South Wales Daily News (12th May 1883). In a long article the following was written. Captain Jenner,

“had a piece of water in his grounds known as the Goldsland Pools and this was well stocked with water cresses. Numbers of girls and women walked regularly from Cardiff to these pools where they gathered their water cresses for sale in the town. He has often seen them sitting on the bank resting after the fatigue of a six mile walk. He would then take them some bread and cheese and distribute it among them. As they were trespassers the police wanted to stop them, but he would never allow it, and gave strict instructions that they were not to be interfered with”.

I feel we are so fortunate to have such an active wildlife group in the parish and I for one appreciate all the work they undertake.

Nige

Congratulations to Hazel Crockford and her team of helpers who hosted a McMillan coffee morning at the Community Centre recently. We were treated to a wonderful selection of assorted cakes and we were really spoilt for choice. Well done everyone for your hard work and effort.

From the residents of Wenvoe who went along to support.

Letters to the Editor

Village Show

Congratulations and thanks to all involved in the Village Show – another very successful day where villagers could mingle and admire each other's skills.

Anne Bennett

Church Hall Sale.

I was surprised to read in What's On that St Mary's is planning to sell the Church Hall and build an alternative facility within the church.

The Church is in the centre of the village and any changes to the facade facing the street would almost certainly spoil an essential part of the conservation area.

The hall is a village amenity as well as a church hall, it is hired by several groups regularly and of course it can be used after funerals and the like. Will the proposals also fulfil this need of the community?

I can appreciate that a room within the church may be easier to administer but is it really going to make that much difference?

I have heard a number of people disagreeing with the plan so thought I should write to What's On.

Name and address supplied

Thank you for publishing my letter in last months “Whats On" magazine when I accused the Council of “Double Standards”. I have received a response and as promised I write to update you of their reply

I QUOTE – “No Analogy could reasonably be drawn between the two applications.

The BBC had already decided on their filming when

they approached the Council for assistance.

Had the Council refused to assist then this could have been viewed by residents as a failure by the Council to act to help alleviate possibly foreseeable problems arising for the residents."

From this reply can we therefore infer from this that any decision the BBC make with regard to filming has to be accommodated by Local Councils?

Originally the Council refused my application to place my Wedding Marquee in the field on grounds that it would “Set precedent and possibly damage the field”. Surely on that Sunday the BBC and others driving their vehicles in and out of the field were more likely to cause damage than my marquee?

At No point did I request to park cars in the field, which could have damaged the ground. I supplied the Council with contingencies for parking, rubbish disposal, H&S, Public Liability Bond etc etc…….

I remain disappointed and in my view “whats good for one is good for another” even if they are the prestigious BBC !

Therefore, I conclude that my original accusation of “Double Standards by the Council” remains unchanged.

Diane Stokes, Twyn-yr-Odyn

The Community Council was quite right to refuse permission for a marquee for a wedding party in the Twyn yr Odyn playing fields. THIS WOULD HAVE SET A PRECEDENT.

I understand the BBC asked to use the field for the morning whilst filming and of course the public was not denied access. You cannot compare this with a wedding party, guests cars and of course the noise.

Ann Miller, Goldsland Walk

I was returning to my car which I had parked in a side street in the Cathays area of Cardiff‘. It was one of a few streets where there were no restrictions on parking. So I was surprised to see a Parking Enforcement Officer stride up to the car in front of mine and issue a ticket. Then the PEO crossed the road and issued a ticket to another car.

I was intrigued as there were no obvious reasons why these two cars should be ticketed when all the other cars in the street had not been punished. So I asked politely what was so wrong that both cars had a ticket.

He pointed to the ground and uttered two words – 'Dropped kerb'. Then he walked off.

I passed my driving test nearly 40 years ago, so I must admit I had forgotten that rule.

With help of google, I found several articles which indicate this is a recent change.

The Traffic Management Act 2004 (section86) was introduced to protect dropped kerbs from parked cars. It also covers places where the carriageway has been raised to meet the level of the footway for the same purpose. (The pavement at dropped kerbs and raised carriageways are usually distinguished by different coloured paving slabs and usually with a textured surface for the assistance of partially sighted or blind persons.)

Furthermore, during 2008, the Department for Transport deemed it unnecessary for the use of road markings or road sins to illustrate a prohibition for parking across a dropped kerb. (It is for this reason that yellow lines, it there any, stop and start either side of a dropped kerb.)

This offence applies to all motorists, including

Blue Badge holders

Motorcyclists

Permit holders

So, next time you park, look at the kerb.

R.Clark Heol Collen