REMEMBERING MR WENVOE
Ian Moody, who sadly passed away at the end of July, will be greatly missed by family, friends and our wider community. Ian committed his life to bringing the community together, working for the village and its residents in a wide variety of roles. Modest and unassuming, Ian was committed to making Wenvoe a better place for all of us. He willingly gave his knowledge, expertise and above all a huge amount of time volunteering for the benefit of the village, including a major contribution to this magazine.
Ian was born and educated in Bristol where he shone both academically (he was invited to join MENSA) and in outdoor pursuits. On leaving school he became an Apprentice Electrical Engineer at Portishead power station. Not only did he win Apprentice of the Year (chosen prize: an Outward-Bound adventure on Dartmoor) but also met his future wife, Carole there. Following marriage in 1965, Ian’s career progression took him to power stations in Sutton Coldfield (where their daughter Kim was born), Poole and finally to Aberthaw, hence Wenvoe, in 1972.
Organised chaos Over the decades that followed, Ian became passionately involved in the life of our village and this increased after he took early retirement in his mid-fifties. His contribution to the village was so great it is difficult to cover it all here. It is perhaps appropriate to begin with Ian’s support for young people in Wenvoe. He was a major figure in the Scouts, being Scout Leader or ‘Skip’ for 25 years and then a Group Scout Leader for many years. Ian’s work helped to shape many a young life and to inspire some to become future Youth and Scout leaders themselves. He also worked tirelessly in helping to organise the much-loved Christmas Scout Post. Anyone who turned up at the “post office” in the community centre to help with sorting, will remember the apparent chaos, which under Ian’s watchful gaze, was in fact completely under control.
Environmental warrior Ian’s love of the countryside, nature and wildlife was an important part of his life. Ian was a key member of the village’s Environmental and Wildlife groups. He helped the team win many prestigious Green Flag awards for work on a number of projects such as the Orchid Field. These successfully created habitats for wildlife and enhanced opportunities for fauna and flora to flourish. Ian was also part of the team that supported Wenvoe winning several awards in the Glamorgan Best Kept Village Competition. It was no surprise that he was a passionate member of Valeways, helping to clear and maintain footpaths throughout the Vale.
Two left boots as a leading member of the Wenvoe Walking Group, Ian planned many of the walks which still take place every Saturday. He even compiled and published a detailed annual record of these walks. Ian was hugely respected for his encyclopaedic knowledge of South Wales and especially public rights of way. His walking pals were grateful on so many occasions for his ability to find a better path whenever one was required. The group fondly remember one Saturday Walk, when Ian arrived with two left boots! Most people would have already thrown away the one that was completely worn out, but Ian had kept it, “just in case”. His trainers were very wet at the end of the day. His love of walking took him further afield, including the Offa’s Dyke Path which he reported to be “challenging” in places. Ian completed many a walk abroad, notably on trips with Bruce McDonald trekking around Spain, France, Italy and even Morocco.
Community champion Ian was a leading member of the Community Council and was elected Chairman on several occasions. He was involved from the outset in the Wenvoe History Group, Gwenfô Gynt. Ian made a major contribution to its research and publication of several books about the village. He instigated the production of the Parish Map and the Toposcope at Twyn-Yr-Odyn to celebrate Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. He was also a great supporter of St Mary’s Church, including as a sidesman and clock winder. He contributed to the coffers via his sometimes challenging but always fun village quizzes.
Creative grandad Ian was a proud family man, none more so than when in 1997 he became a grandfather with the arrival of Menna, followed just over a year later by Elin. He adored his new role – out came the patterns for the wooden doll’s house and rocking horse originally made for his daughter Kim. He spent hours playing with the girls in the garden on toys he had made – one of the favourites being a go-cart made from an old disability scooter found in a local skip. Today’s mantra of reduce, repair and recycle was not a new concept for Ian.
Mr Wenvoe ‘Mr Wenvoe’ is a truly apt way to describe Ian Moody. It is fitting that we pay tribute to Ian this month. He was the leading light in this What’s On magazine for many years, giving up so much time to the editing and organising of the publication every month. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him but has left us a wonderful legacy with his lasting contribution to village life and of course above all loving memories so treasured by his family.
Gabriel’s Moon by William Boyd was met with mixed reception by the group being thoroughly enjoyed by some but others felt that it was a disappointing read and wouldn’t recommend it.
