All About The Wenvoe Playgroup

Wenvoe Playgroup started back in 1969 here at the Village Hall in Wenvoe.

In 1974/5 Playgroup moved for a short time to the Cricket Pavilion (no longer standing) whilst the hall was re-built by local residents. The New Village Hall as it stands today was designed and built with Playgroup very much in mind.

Again in 1996 when the roof slid on the Village Hall (due to the lack of bracing to hold the roof trusses) the hall was immediately closed and deemed unsafe. Whilst the Management Committee of the hall were fundraising for coffers and seeking grants to fix the roof, the Playgroup moved to the Church Hall.

Over the years the Village Hall has been known for many celebrations and various classes; however its one main purpose for the last 50 years has been ‘The Home of Playgroup’

We are thrilled that over the years, many residents who care about the community we live in, have come together to support and keep the Playgroup open successfully for a remarkable 50 years, WOW!

Many Parents past and present have contributed to Playgroup’s success with their fundraising efforts and serving on the Management Committee whom we would like to say a HUGE THANK YOU to. However, as Parents come and go over the years, there is a set of Parents who came and stayed behind the scenes. A BIG THANK YOU must go to Lisa and Darren who have been friends of Playgroup for many years, supporting silently in the background. Lisa supporting annual raffles, fayres and fundraising events, and Darren who volunteers to manage our website, putting up with late night emails to change documents at short notice. We (especially me) are grateful to you for all your help throughout the years and we hope that Playgroup will be around for another 50 years (however, I don’t think I will be).

My History:- The Village Hall has been a big part of my life, with 25 years to date spent on The Management Committee of the hall. In 2008 the Playgroup was under threat of closure, and without the rent for the hall, my thought was that we would lose the hall. Fearing losing our Village Hall to become a block of flats or houses, I came to run the Playgroup with a future vision of wrap around care. Although the School was unable to obtain a Nursery (as the Vale said they had no money) as soon as the new housing development was underway, a friend mentioned the S106 payments and I supported the previous Head Teacher of Gwenfo School to request that a Nursery be built. Obviously, Playgroup numbers fell dramatically, back to similar numbers that we had back in 2008. After 5 years of love of, and the generous support from everyone at Playgroup (and friends and residents), we are now thriving once more. My plan took 11 years to come to fruition and I would like to thank all those who believed in me. I have completed everything I set out to do as a Registered Leader and now it’s the feeling of what’s next.

Big thanks to the staff, friends, parents and everyone around me who supported my vision and helped achieve it. I couldn’t have done it without your love and support. When people ask me if I enjoy my job, my answer is always,’ it’s not a job, it’s a way of life.’

From this year 2019, Wenvoe Playgroup is changing its structure and will be known as Wenvoe Playgroup CIO. Again, moving with the times to make the Playgroup stronger and hopefully continue for many years to come.

I am now no longer the Registered Person; I am now proud to be part of a fantastic team to a vision I once had. Onwards and Upwards.

Love and thanks to everyone who has supported me in my venture

Sandra xxxxxxxxxxxx

 

The Playgroup is fully booked for the morning sessions from September this year until July 2020. However, we do have a few afternoon spaces left and pick up for lunch from Gwenfo Nursery School.

I would recommend if you are thinking of joining us from September 2020 to email us and put your Child’s name on the waiting list as we expect to go from strength to strength.

Also, if you wish to add to our waiting list, if someone changes their mind in the coming school year, again email us and we can keep you up-to-date.

At this time, we are looking to support Gwenfo School with Breakfast Club for reception age children. Breakfast club is for children aged 2 years and 4 months to age 4 years and 11 months at this time. However, hopefully from September it will be available for those up to 5 years inclusive. Breakfast club for reception will cost £5 per morning available Monday to Friday 8 am with transition onto Gwenfo Reception for 8:50am. Spaces will be limited.

Contact us on 02920597494 or email wenvoeplaygroup@btinternet.com for further information. Our website is www.wenvoeplaygroup. co.uk. For further information, please read our Statement of Purpose.

 



 

Badminton Players Wanted

 

BADMINTON PLAYERS WANTED

We are a small group who play badminton (after a fashion) on Tuesday evenings, from 8:00 to 9:30 pm, in the Village Hall. We play for fun, but it’s quite energetic, and is certainly good exercise. If anyone would like to join us, or just try out the game, you would be most welcome.

Please contact Pia (029 2059 5216) or Dickon (029 2067 9108) if you would like to know any more

 



 

VILLAGE HALL GRAND DRAW

 

VILLAGE HALL GRAND DRAW

Our Grand Christmas Draw is one of our most successful events and as a result it will be taking place once again this year at 7pm on Tuesday 11 December 2018 at the Hall.

Last year we gave out 45 prizes, ranging from £200, numerous cash prizes and vouchers for local stores, bottles of spirits and wine, boxes of chocolates and biscuits etc. Can we increase this number again this year? Tickets available from numerous outlets around the village.

 

HAVE YOU BOUGHT YOUR TICKETS YET?

 



 

The Annette Bracey School of Dancing

 

The Annette Bracey School of Dancing has had a busy year, so we thought it would be nice for you all to know what's been going on.

We are very proud to announce that you can now see our school professionally on Mr Tumble's DVD, from the TV Programme 'Something Special' on the episode 'Loud and Quiet'. It was filmed a little while ago now at our own Village Hall but still a joy to watch!

From the young, to the more mature student, whether it be Freestyle, Ballet, Street or Exercise, we try to cover it all. Our classes are run throughout the year at the Wenvoe Village Hall on a Saturday from 11:30am to 3:00pm (starting term on the 8th of September 2018) encouraging the younger through to all age groups. We are NATD qualified teachers teaching for enjoyment and through to qualifications in which we pride ourselves. We thrive on keeping up-to date with music trends and the challenge that provides.

It was so nice to see how well all the girls did in their exam session this year with distinctions in Ballet, Freestyle and Street. We concluded our term with a lovely Summer Concert, and it was so wonderful to see our ex-students at the concert well on their way to their careers in Performing Arts.

We have two school shows a year and also perform periodically in the West End of London.

If anyone would like to start, either from scratch or take up dance again, don't be shy! Give us a call and we would love to kick-start that experience and hear from you! Your initial trial class will be free as a taster session!

If you feel that age has pipped you at the post, why not try something else?

Annette is a qualified Zumba Instructor part of the ZIN network and has a Monday evening class starting in our Church Hall on the 10th September from 6:15-7:00pm which is a new Zumba Cardio class combining Freestyle, Toning and Sentão (incorporating chair-work). The music is fab and great for shifting those unwanted calories (consumed in the summer via those cheeky ice-creams!) helping you get ready for a little black

number over Christmas!

If you feel like something completely different again, why not try Annette's Balletcanetics class? This is very popular in numerous Cardiff Health Clubs and popularity is spreading! So, why not be part of the buzz and give it a go?!

We have two classes a week in the village, one on Monday evenings from the 10th September in the Church Hall from 7:00-7:45pm and one on a Wednesday evening in the Village Hall starting on the 12th September from 6:15pm-7:00pm.

Balletcanetics is really different from anything else, as it is done from a standing position, or a chair if required, to ensure you get the best out of your bodies without getting down onto the floor. It really does strengthen your core and give you a sense of wellbeing. Using the breathing essences of Yoga and Pilates and slow, controlled movements incorporating strengthening exercises from Ballet, it is a beautiful combination. Although it is slow and controlled, you do work, believe me! The ambience of the class is truly amazing; people find it invigorating and empowering where no one is too old to try.

If you would like a free trial class, just cut out this article from the Wenvoe What's On and bring it along to class with you to give it a go!*

*One free class entitlement per person.

For more information on any classes, upcoming events or to book any demonstrations, please call Annette on 07739535726, email us on annette.bracey@hotmail.co.uk or visit our websitewww.annettebraceyschoolofdancing.co.uk

 



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