Category: Community Groups
SPOILING HAIRSTYLES!
“The Stranding” by Kate Sawyer
OFF THE SHELF
“The Stranding”
by Kate Sawyer
This book is about survival. The book flashes back to Ruth’s previous life and her decision to leave a toxic relationship to lead a new life in a whale sanctuary in New Zealand. On her arrival, it unfolds that some kind of seismic catastrophic event has occurred. On a deserted beach, Ruth survives along with an unknown man by climbing into the mouth of a beached whale.
Ruth and the stranger endure an amazing, new life together and through many hardships, fall in love, and produce two daughters. The story demonstrates how one can build a new and fulfilling life, even though everything is lost.
Although beautifully and emotionally written, some members were frustrated by the implausibility of events and had to supress concepts of reality to enjoy the book. The group rated the book as 7.5/10.
Anne Gill
Forest of Dean
Forest of Dean
It was another warm day as we set off to the forest of Dean, parking at the RSPB Nagshead nature reserve car park. Our route was taking us north to the water at the edge of Stonyhill Green, then west towards The Barracks where there is a picnic spot, from there to Parkend and along the Dean Forest Railway before turning North to our start point.
We passed a family of waterfowl at Cannop ponds and were soon amongst grand trees, many of them sweet chestnuts. We crossed a busy road and passed between two large gate posts to a footpath and soon had views of open fields bathed in sunshine from the welcome gloom of the forest.
At lunchtime we approached a large house where the footpath almost disappeared as we skirted the property and came out onto a tarmacadam roadway. We looked for somewhere to settle and eat. One person decided to check where the road led and found a church a short distance away. We all followed him and found a large churchyard where we enjoyed our lunch, there was even an extension to the churchyard on the other side of the road. After eating, most of us explored St Paul’s church, which is unusual as it is octagonal and cruciform.
Continuing, we followed a footpath and came out on a road, several people found themselves unable to pass an ice cream shop without trying the goods! Soon we could see steam and were at the station for the Dean Forest Railway. A train had just arrived and we were lucky to see people board and the train depart in clouds of steam.
After leaving the railway we spotted a sign ‘Ladies Walk Path to Church’. No doubt a shortcut but why ‘ladies’ had their own path was beyond us. We were soon at the most southerly point of the walk and went around the Parkhill Enclosure back to the cars, passing Whitemead park on the way. Good paths throughout the walk.
It was still very warm, so we sought out a local hostelry where we parked up the road to avoid – 1. stray cricket balls from the game on the pitch opposite and 2. blocking the view of the match for customers sat out front.
Walk 8.4m 900ft Map OL14
Mindfulness
My ability to walk has been restricted by sciatica for the last few weeks so I have explored the area around the village, as I did during lockdown. I started around the Redrow estate, to the garden centre and up Burdons Hill, along the side of the golf course, past a House called Fairview and back to the main road via the golf club access road.
Paying attention to the natural world is relaxing and enhances my experience. Just using my senses to notice nature took my attention away from my pain. I was delighted to spot several apple trees in one garden followed by a mock orange with its heady scent. When the flowers were decimated by a heavy fall of rain I was momentarily disappointed but was very happy to be smothered by the heavy scent of Jasmine at the top of Burdons Hill. If you carry on for a while you will find a gate into the Elizabethan Orchard which is looked after by the Wenvoe Wildlife Group (they always need volunteers if you are interested). Retrace your steps and you will notice a gate which gives access to Wenvoe golf course, don’t go through it but keep it to your right as you continue down a track. The rose hedge belonging to the golf course is on your right and depending on the season there will be glorious deep pink roses or large red rose hips.
There are lots of trees on this stretch and you might like to focus on their bark, leaf shape, height or even the scent they emit. When you get to the golf club access road turn left and be aware that there are usually vehicles every few minutes. The roadway is lined with some splendid oaks and lots of other trees, plus an open area of grassland both sides, currently full of thistles. Butterflies are in abundance here in the summer.
Earth footpaths are a pleasure, the ground beneath one’s feet is softer so feet and joints don’t get sore and silence is deeper away from roads. And, for example, after a rain shower the soft pitter patter of raindrops falling from leaves at the top of trees onto lower leaves can be heard.
THURSDAY WALKERS – AUGUST 2023
CANCERSTROLLERS JULY 2023
CARERS WALK JULY 2023
WOMEN’S INSTITUTE AUGUST 2023
WOMEN’S INSTITUTE AUGUST 2023
Wenvoe WI completed their year’s monthly meetings tonight in style, with a cream tea. The Speaker was Mrs Vivian Turan from St Nicholas, an antiques enthusiast. Mrs Turan brought along a dozen antiques of various kinds, from china cups to a mundane picture hook, as well as two boxed Dinkie toys and a Royal Doulton figurine. Our members’ tasks were to asses them, date them and price each article, while Mrs Turan regaled us with tales surrounding each item.
Although tonight’s meeting is the final meeting of the WI year, we have decided to hold two informal meetings through the Summer so members can stay in touch. The first is a members lunch in the Walston Castle on 18th July. The second meeting is an open Coffee morning in the Church Hall at 10 am on 15th August to which any ‘tasters’ / prospective members are welcome.
This year marks the centenary of the Glamorgan Federation of Women’s Institutes, and on 4th July, Wenvoe WI held a Garden Party at the home of a member, Mrs Judy Marsh, as phase one of our commemorating that event. Phase two will comprise members planting 100 daffodil bulbs in the grounds of Wenvoe Church in late September.
Wenvoe WI meets regularly at 7.00pm in the Church Hall on the first Thursday of each month, beginning a new year on 7th September, when we shall be holding ‘Floral Evening’, courtesy of ‘Daisy Chain’ from Sully.
New members and ‘tasters’ are always most welcome.
Jan Young (President)
CARERS STROLL
WOMEN’S INSTITUTE
WOMEN’S INSTITUTE
Wenvoe WI met on June 1st, as usual in the local Church Hall .
Our speaker was Mr Terry Ewington from Coastal Watch. Mr Ewington delivered a lively, informative talk about the role of Nells’ Point Coastal Watch station in Barry, describing in detail the history of the station against the background of the role of Coastal Watch UK. The station at Nell’s Point provides a vital service in maintaining coastal safety, given that the Bristol Channel experiences the second highest tidal rise in the world.
Our next and last formal meeting before the Summer break in August, will be held in the Church hall at 7pm on 6th July, when Mrs Viv Turan , an experienced globetrotter, will entertain and regale us with one of her adventures. On that occasion we shall enjoy a Cream tea together, to round off the year.
We have a busy programme to conclude the Summer : an afternoon tea at the Beech tree on 16th June, a Garden Party to celebrate the centenary of the Glamorgan Federation of WIs on 4th July, as well as a lunch at the Walston Castle and a coffee morning in the Hub (dates to be decided).
New members are always most welcome at our events .
Jan Young ( President)