Category: Community Groups

August 2022 Book Choice

“Don’t Let’s Go To The Dogs Tonight “- An African Childhood by Alexandra Fuller

Alexandra Fuller gives an insight into growing up within a dysfunctional family in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe at the time of the bush wars. She tells us about her experiences – many of which are harrowing. She gives details of an unruly and chaotic life; her mother was an emotionally remote woman, who was eventually diagnosed with manic depression. However, the author tells her story with humour and honesty and her memoirs are fascinating. It does include references to the family’s racism and their attitude to the black community in which they were living.

Most of the group felt that the book was well written and that the author recalled her childhood memories in detail. We talked about the lives of the family and the author’s relationship with other family members. A few of our group had lived as ex-pats in African countries and this led to a full discussion about their experiences while living there. It was generally felt, however, that although Fuller had lived with and

accepted apartheid as a child, she made no reference in the book to it being unacceptable now that she is an adult and living in another country. The book received mixed reviews from the group and these views were reflected by our overall scoring a of 6/10.

 

A Little Life  – by Hanya Yanagihara

OFF THE SHELF

A Little Life  – by Hanya Yanagihara

 

This is a long read that is beautifully written. Set in New York, it follows the lives of Jude and his three male friends after university. Jude is the main character and as the novel progresses the effects of his disability and the horrors of his childhood slowly unfold. He is alone in the world, consequently his friends, especially Willem, are particularly important. It is not a book for the faint-hearted. The extent of emotional and sexual abuse can make it a difficult and upsetting read. Jude is highly successful in his business life and with the loving support of his partner Willem, he is able to tell his story. It is both sad and happy, clearly important to an understanding of the life-time effects of childhood abuse.

Some of us found this a very hard read. Others thought it was upsetting but gripping and quite a page-turner. This is reflected in a score of 7.

Tricia Coulthard

 

Tidenham

 Tidenham

We started at Tidenham Chase car park on A4228; the pedestrian wireworks bridge across the river Wye at Tintern is closed for repair for about 9 months from August 2022. So, the plan was to include the Tidenham tunnel in our walk, a clockwise route taking us south to the tunnel and returning via Offa’s Dyke.

On a cool, bright morning, we entered Poor’s Allotment at the adder gate, a sinuous adder is carved into the wooden gate. The zigzag pattern on an adder’s skin looks like bracken providing camouflage. In the 1800’s it was established as common land on which the people of Tidenham could graze their livestock. More than 200 years of light grazing has preserved the open nature of the reserve, which is an SSSI. It was once the location of a beacon which would carry messages across the River Severn and is now managed by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.

 

Continuing we crossed Parson’s allotment, which was given to the vicar of Tidenham in 1815 as part of the Enclosure Acts to replace tythes previously given to the church. There is a needle like stone – the Queen Victoria Jubilee Stone dated 1897, hidden from view by summer’s growth. We did see patches of heather, yellow gorse, bright red haws, and occasional glimpses of both Severn bridges.

We joined the Gloucestershire Way and reaching Netherhope, could see the entrance to Tidenham tunnel far below us. We continued south along the Gloucestershire way until we came to a road with access to the Wye Valley Greenway, which runs from Tintern to Chepstow – 5 miles in total. The entrance to Tidenham tunnel was 400yds away.

We passed under a bridge, supported by massive iron girders, and entered the tunnel. Low level lighting can be seen stretching far ahead, but it is quite dark. The tunnel curves so that no daylight is visible and eyes strain to see. As people pass only legs are seen, though children were visible. Eyes gradually adjusted and the walls and roof became clearer. The temperature was cool – a good place to visit on a hot summer’s day. The tunnel is 1080m (1188yards) long and walking through it was exciting.

The darkness is in aid of bat conservation; there are very few bats in the tunnel as it is draughty, but attempts have been made to make it more bat friendly – blocking some of the alcoves, bat boxes on the roof and insulation in some of the roof voids, plus the entrance gates are kept ajar. The bat licence means that the tunnel is open during daylight hours from 1st April until 1st October.

Emerging at the other end, we welcomed the warm air, and our eyes could relax. There is a seating area; railway sleepers and other paraphernalia are evident, a crocodile head has been created, and rails have been left in place to protect the rare fingered sedge.

A quarry towered ahead, and we needed to climb past it to Offa’s Dyke. We took a clear path; one long stretch was extremely steep, and we were grabbing tree trunks to help pull ourselves up by our arms to give leg muscles a bit of help. Some sturdy flights of steps have been installed which give respite but even these are steep. We were relieved to reach the top, very glad we hadn’t tried to descend the path and that we had waited to eat lunch until after the climb. We were all ravenous by now and headed off towards the Devil’s Pulpit, keeping our eyes peeled for a suitable place to stop beside the path. A fallen tree was chosen, and lunch thoroughly enjoyed, whatever it was.

After lunch we had views of the river Wye and Tintern Abbey and a tantalising sign offering ice-cream in a different direction. Keeping on we arrived at the Devil’s Pulpit. Folklore says that the devil preached from this natural stone pulpit to tempt the monks of Tintern from their holy path. He was not successful! Turning back towards Tidenham car park we were delighted to find a good outcrop of fly agaric, the red fungi with white spots. A short walk across fields with good views of the Severn bridges and we were back to the start.

A day of sunshine, good views, woodland, and beautiful trees – lime, sweet chestnut, hawthorn, apple, monkey puzzle to name a few and all the footpaths were well maintained, a great walk.

Walk 7.8m 1000ft Map OL14

Great Turnout At Cosmeston

LIVING WITH CANCERSTROLLERS

A great turnout for the walk at Cosmeston. The grey skies didn’t dampen the enthusiasm for strolling leisurely around the lakes. And thanks to Sandra who was celebrating her 80th birthday, for the birthday treats. A walk around a lake or two, is a great way to celebrate!!

 

 

Back After the Summer

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Back After the Summer

On September 1st Wenvoe WI met for the first time in this year’s programme.

Our president welcomed everyone back after the Summer and then we had a Fish and Chip supper – courtesy of The Fryer’s Club fish and chip shop in Ely. The food was not only delivered to the Church Hall but was hot and scrumptious. This was followed by 2 quizzes – a general knowledge one and a cryptic clue quiz about retail therapy.

Over twenty members were present, and we extend a warm welcome to anyone who would like to join our WI. We meet on the first Thursday of each month in Wenvoe Church Hall.

Janet Young (President)

 

 

Welcomed 3 New Walkers Today

The Stress Buster Strollers

 

Stress Buster strollers welcomed 3 new walkers today. The group enjoyed a lovely stroll under glorious blue skies alongside a sparkling sea. How did we manage to lose 3 walkers in the Parade gardens? They were too busy talking to notice we had turned back! We did reunite…so no need for a search party!

 

First Anniversary Of The Stroll

The Stress Buster Strollers

Burnet moths, swans, ducklings, a St Bernard puppy, spectacular sunflowers and a stray dog were all features of the Stress Buster strollers amble around the lake gardens and knap promenade. And don’t forget the chatting and Welsh cakes that were shared to celebrate the first anniversary of this walk!!

 

Danger And Uncertainty Or Creative Energy?

Considering tomorrow today

Danger and uncertainty or creative energy?

In a speech in Cape Town in June 1966, Robert F Kennedy said: ‘There is a Chinese curse which says ‘May he live in interesting times.’ Like it or not we live in interesting times. They are times of danger and uncertainty; but they are also more open to the creative energy of men than any other time in history.’

We are again living in interesting times:-

  • The consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine is pushing up the cost of living throughout most of the Globe
  • The supply of energy, particularly to highly industrialised Europe, has been shown to be insecure and there is a real chance that this winter may bring power cuts and restrictions
  • The Covid pandemic has left “Governments” internationally with fewer resources to provide public services or support its most vulnerable population groups, and one suspects that SARS-CoV-2 isn’t done with us yet!
  • In the UK inflation is at its highest level since the 1970s and forecast to rise. Coupled with other factors we face an Economic scenario that has no precedent with no tried and tested roadmap to improvement
  • The “Climate” has thrown up some extreme weather events as if Gaia (Earth Goddess) is reminding us we must act to protect her.

 

Potentially depressing isn’t it? But please read on as we can together, hopefully take steps along the “creative energy” path to a climate friendly and more mutually prosperous future.

In recent decades in Britain natural gas has been at the heart of both energy generation and domestic heating. With growing awareness of the need to develop more renewable energy sources policy interventions appeared, e.g. the purchase of solar panels for provision of household electricity was made viable but as the policies began to achieve their effect, interventions were withdrawn and investment in solar at the domestic level had a much longer term payback. Currently however quite suddenly the sums have changed again and interest in alternative energy is once again picking up.

  • However several elements of the process create barriers to decision making:-
  • Technical detail of equipment is unfamiliar to many
  • Schemes are set up differently so it’s hard to compare
  • Some householders have not been made properly aware of the impact of such installations on resale of the house
  • The market is now growing quickly and there isn’t a big cohort of reputationally reliable providers
  • Some apocryphal horror stories abound and pitfalls can be hard to see.

 

The same could be said for the installation of heat pumps to replace gas central heating

The community could actively help each other with some of these issues particularly through sharing their own experiences. Without getting into the legal minefield of making commercial recommendations or technical specifications those who have already installed alternative energy systems could share stories of what went well and what disappointed them, what they would have done differently, and report on whether they actually got the amount of electricity they were promised etc. The information would be invaluable to those making difficult decisions. Even buddying up with someone else who is also considering an installation to talk things through could be helpful.

The Forum is exploring how it can facilitate this process. If you have experienced the purchase and installation of a solar panel scheme or a heat pump that you are willing to share in conversation or as an anonymised written case study, we would like to hear from you. Please e-mail gwenfo.forum@ gmail.com; your e-mail address will go no further without your permission. You may be able to help someone else get on the road to a more climate friendly future. We look forward to hearing about your experiences good or not so good.

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We will be at the Village Show on 10th September, please do come and see us. There will be a stand with information, competitions, art activities for children and an opportunity to tell us what you think about Wenvoe and its future.

To join our Facebook group, please ‘friend up’ with the Gwen Fo account @ https://www.facebook.com/gwen.fo.1 and then jon the Wenvoe Forum @ https://www.facebook.com/groups/635369267864402

Some further information and updates, blog site https://wenvoeforum.wordpress.com/

Any Wenvoe community member is welcome to join the Forum meetings, via Zoom, which are normally held 19.00 on the second Thursday of each month. E-mail gwenfo.forum@gmail.com if you wish to join.

 

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