Category: Community Groups
July Events
WOMEN’S INSTITUTE
July Events
On July 2nd we were joined by Neil and Carolyn from the NHS Stay Steady team. They gave us a very interesting and informative talk about the risks of falling, along with many of the possible causes of falls and easy ways to prevent them, in particular simple exercises that can be done at home to improve muscle strength and flexibility.
We don’t have an official meeting in August but have arranged a visit to the BBC Cymru Studios in Cardiff.
In September we are looking forward to our local historian Steve Jones telling us about the History of Wenvoe.
Visitors are always welcome to our meetings. Please ring 07881853032 for further details.
Carol Charlson (President)
“There are Rivers in the Sky ” by Elif Shafak
“There are Rivers in the Sky ” by Elif Shafak
Many of our group were eager to read this book because we had enjoyed the author’s previous novels. We had high expectations and were keen to see how this story would compare ……. and for the majority of us, it did not disappoint.
There are Rivers in the Sky is a beautifully written and thought provoking novel that weaves together multiple timelines and characters with great skill The story follows the lives of three people: Arthur Smith from 1840, Narin, a Yazidi girl in 2014 and Zaleekah, a modern Turkish/English girl who are linked by a single raindrop and by rivers. These two things become a symbol of how water connects people through generations and memories.
The book explores many different themes, and the author raises several important topics: who do ancient artefacts in museums belong to?, problems of damming large rivers and the horrific treatment of the Yazidi people by different dominant groups, amongst other questions.
The whole group enjoyed Elif Shafak’s beautiful and descriptive writing; something she has excelled in with her previous novels. Her characters are memorable and Shafak’s clever writing brings all the stories together; her vivid language is a joy to read. Some descriptions of events can make uncomfortable reading, but the majority of the group felt that these events contributed to the clever intertwining of the characters and their lives. If you don’t enjoy storylines moving between different timelines and characters, this may not be for you.
The majority of our group thought this book was outstanding and said that the story and the characters will stay with them for a long time. When rating the book, most gave it scores between 8 and10 out of 10 and almost all would recommend the novel to others to read.
Pontsticill & Fan y Big
Pontsticill & Fan y Big
Pontsticill
We parked at small carpark near the Pontsticill reservoir on what promised to be quite a warm day. Crossing the reservoir bridge signs warned that it is dangerous to swim here. Groups were gathering to spend their day on the water. Shade from trees made the climb to the Dolygaer Activity Centre comfortable. The centre boasts archery, a zipwire, and bushcraft as well as water activity lessons. It was tempting to stop at the cafe for a morning drink but far too early on our walk to contemplate, so we left the campers to their breakfast.
Having done the bulk of the climbing for the day, it was announced that we were having lunch in an area of hillocks where we could shelter from the strong wind and look at the magnificent views of the Brecon Beacons – and take note of presents left by sheep who obviously favour this area. It was an extremely early lunch, 11.30a.m. might be a Wenvoe walkers’ record! The views were indeed fabulous, including the Pen y Fan range and with the keen wind the speedy passage of cloud shadows across the nearer hills was mesmerising.
Somewhere around here a plane crashed. Because of the terrain, unpredictable weather and historical use as a military training ground it is one of dozens of aircraft crash sites mainly dating from World War II.
Continuing we took a route roughly parallel with the Beacons Way and the views grew in scope from the Black Mountain in the west across the Pen Y Fan range and over to the Black Mountains – Skirrid and Sugarloaf. At one point, Talybont reservoir could be seen clearly.
The walk was across a large moor with large conical dents several feet deep, sink holes we wondered. Not the site of plane crashes as the layout of the land would look different. The only water was a small foetid tarn.
A steep descent lead us down to the valley taking us towards Pontsticill. As we reached the road, we noted that both footpath markers were horizontal on the floor. It was a lot warmer in the valley, and we found a pink flower growing in profusion on a wet slope beside the path, several of us climbed down to take a closer look. It was bog pimpernel.
During the walk we had seen foxglove spires standing tall, a large furry brown caterpillar, and larks galore rising from the grass as we passed and soaring high above. The only stiles on the walk were saved for the very end of the walk. Recrossing the reservoir bridge, there were plenty of canoeists and paddle boarders enjoying the water.
Walk 8 miles 1100ft Map OL12
Fan y Big
We were promised a stiff climb, great views and no stiles! We parked near Torpantau station (Brecon steam railway) and set off along the road. An excellent path to the top of Fan y Big has large stones laid, and they are arranged to enable rain to run off with gullies at regular intervals. To preserve the precious peat bog large rolls of wool wrapped in ropes and pinned in place by wooden stakes are spread across the upper areas of the mountain. A mammoth task but brilliant enterprise keeping those of us that love the mountains to a restricted area whilst looking after Nature.
This was higher than the Pontsticill walk and as well as the Brecon Beacons view, we could see the Gower peninsula, Swansea Bay and flat lands to the north. Amazingly the ground for a long stretch was sandstone pavement, probably evidence of the sea being here in the past!
Lunch was at another excellent location, some of us descended a few feet to get out of the wind and sit looking down a valley. Walking towards the summit of Fan y Big we took a vote on whether to visit the busy summit, and we went for it. A challenge was put out ‘who’s going to go on the diving board?’ One person who is known for suffering from vertigo (me) walked straight to it and was soon followed by one other brave soul. The secret is to not look down!
A kite, larks and other small birds which moved so quickly we did not identify them peppered the sky. The return downhill was a lot quicker than the climb. The track through the valley leading to Torpantau Rd was littered with large stones so we kept looking for the smoother areas as by this time we were footsore.
Walk 8 miles 1300ft Map OL12
Both walks started near the Barn tea rooms, where we retired for refreshments. Most people had tea but a couple of us shared scones with jam and cream and one person chose ice-cream – all of it delicious.
Valeways Walks August 2026
Around Friars Point at Barrybados
What Did May Do
June Events
WOMEN’S INSTITUTE
June Events
On June 4th we were pleased to be joined by members of the Wenvoe community and other local WIs at our meeting.
We were entertained by a fast moving, amusing and educational presentation on “Enjoying the Power of Plants” from Roger Crookes in conjunction with Pugh’s Garden Centres who provided seeds and 3 plants from the nursery for our raffle. Following a brief introduction on how he started in gardening Roger illustrated the many benefits plants bring to our lives including food, energy, enjoyment and exercise. He emphasised the importance of plants in combatting climate change and how garden centres were adjusting to the challenges it poses for us as gardeners.
Our next meeting is on July 2nd when we will be joined by members of the Stay Steady team.
Visitors are always welcome to our meetings. Please ring 07881 853032 for further details.
Carol Charlson (President)
Stress? What stress?
Pontrhydyfen & Llwyn-Onn
Pontrhydyfen & Llwyn-Onn
Pontrhydyfen
We parked at Rhyslyn, Afan Forest Park in late spring, and set off on the Richard Burton birthplace trail soon spotting clumps of cowslips.
Crossing the viaduct towards Bethel Chapel we looked down on the river and over to a second viaduct. As we turned the corner of the chapel, we noticed that high up in the stone wall was a gap filled with a different material; bees had obviously made this their home and were busy coming and going.
It was a lovely day, and we walked in dappled sunlight beside trees. This was yet another walk where we were able to see bluebells (one of 6 this year). A long line of at least nine bee hives sat along the edge of a field. Next, a line of caravans and motor homes were awaiting their summer excursions. A donkey and a horse took an interest in us and our equine lovers said hello.
As the day progressed it warmed and lambs could be seen gambolling in the fields. We had an early lunch sat amongst the roots of an old hedge line which also provided shade as the ‘hedge’ had grown to a line of trees. The view was a pastoral idyll of green fields, rolling hills and sheep with just a few houses in the distance.
At one point we could see Port Talbot steel works in the distance, quite odd as there was no smoke and no sign of activity. Since then, one of the main Tata steel cylinders has been demolished.
We were at the highest point of our walk and came across a bench with a heart-shaped dedication to a dog – ‘always by my side, forever in my heart’. It was now hot and the views expansive. The wall of a property totally overgrown with greenery had several pottery animals dotted about – a horse’s head, a pig and some sort of bird.
The return was a pleasant walk along the river and another bench with a dedication ‘Sit with me and watch the world go by’ – this time for a 26-year-old.
Before long we were back in Pontrhydyfen, and wandered over to the Bethel chapel café, where hot and cold food is available. ‘In 1984, hundreds of mourners, including locals, fans and A-list stars gathered here to bid farewell to Richard Burton.’ The place is full of memorabilia as well as some pithy sayings such as ‘skinny people are easier to kidnap, stay safe and eat cake’. So, we did as it was someone’s birthday and we sat outside in the balmy air to enjoy it.
As we walked back to the cars a friendly local chatted to us and pointed out the house where Richard Burton was born, rounding the day off nicely.
Walk 6.8 miles 1000ft Map OS165
Llwyn-Onn
We parked in the Forrest holidays site, west of the reservoir where a wooden sculpture of the BFG stands. This was an excellent route for a hot day with plenty of shade.
Although we were circumnavigating the reservoir, we could not see it for most of the walk. Birdsong accompanied us all day and there were bluebells once again but at the end of their display. The paths were edged by many orchids – early marsh, common spotted and others. An unusual yellow flower turned out to be common cow wheat and buttercups covered fields. White pignuts were plentiful in one area.
We sheltered in the cool shadow of a tree for lunch and were swamped by swarms of midges – some of us suffering for days afterwards with the resultant bites.
The old Taff trail proved very difficult in parts where the trees and shrubs were reaching across the path with a barbed wire fence on the other side. Towards the end of the walk the footpath disappeared so we changed route and walked beside the reservoir, stepping into it where gentle waves lapped the path.
At Garwnant visitor’s centre, information boards cover the geology of the Brecon Beacons and information on an arboretum. It was a beautiful hot sunny day and the walk ‘a bit of an adventure’. When we told a ranger at the visitor centre the problems on the old Taff trail. he said, ‘he wouldn’t go down there these days.’
We enjoyed drinks here and many of us also had ice-cream!
Walk 7 miles 1000ft Map OL12