Category: Community Groups

Abercynon to Mountain Ash

Abercynon to Mountain Ash

The aim of this walk was to travel up the Cynon valley from Abercynon to Mountain Ash but keeping about a kilometre to the west of and above the river.

Soon after setting off we came to Abercynon cemetery where there are Commonwealth War Graves. The 29 graves are scattered around the cemetery and marked by narrow upright stones, each with a cross and above that a symbol associated with the regiment of the person buried below.

There were thick clouds overhead but it was a good temperature for walking and we had no rain all day. The route took us northwest past Ynysboeth, Pen-twyn, Perthcelyn and Miskin before descending back to the river at Mountain Ash. Those of us who hadn’t been here before were impressed with the beauty and wildness of the area. We have walked in the Valleys of South Wales many times but this felt more remote than most other places. We were in open moorland with streams accompanying us for most of the walk.

The theme for the day seemed to be ‘Walls’. We saw a long stretch of wall absolutely smothered in moss which glowed green. Not long afterwards we walked along an extensive stone wall which was well made but beginning to show cracks; will anyone have the skill or time to mend it?

For lunch we sat against a wall looking back at where we had walked, while a cow stood the other side of another wall looking at us the whole time we were there. They were sheltering from the wind to which we were exposed as we felt it best not to eat in the company of cows.

Our descent to Mountain Ash was through the woodlands of Craig Abercwm and Fernhill where there were no street names just numbers which were quite large in places, a bit unusual.

We crossed the railway and then the river Cynon to enter Mountain Ash. Here we found a park with an Impressive War Memorial having writing and figures carved into each face. A stone circle is nearby. We followed the footpath alongside the river to the railway station but were hampered by drainage pipes which were still in place following the heavy winter rains.

As the footpath crossed the river Cynon and turned towards the station we encountered a strange wall covered in sculpted heads. An article appeared in Wales Online in April last year about the wall and it was headlined ‘The creepy wall hidden in a Welsh town which hardly anyone knows about’. They also said ‘Once seen never forgotten’ and I agree. I found it fascinating. For the author of the article it looks like something out of Game of Thrones.

It is made up of dozens of stone severed heads, ghoulish grimaces and strange creatures. After looking at it for a while you start to notice that some animals are also included e.g. a rabbit peeks out from a ground level tunnel. It was originally based on Greek mythology and the goddess Hebe and ideas of Welsh folklore and images of miners’ faces underground worked their way into the design.

The ex-landlady of a nearby pub is quoted as saying that ‘they used to joke that the faces were based on some of the regulars as they’d stagger home.’

The artist is Blackpool-born Tim Clapcott, who won a tender in 2007 to transform the area of town now known as Riverside Park. It was part of an EU and Welsh Assembly regeneration project. Tim went to Art College in Cardiff in the 1980s and thinks that that particular bit of land was a former slag heap. It took him about a year from conception to completion of the project. The actual sweat and toil took about 6 weeks with the help of local stone masons and labourers.

The concept went on to win a British Landscape Award. I asked a local about the wall and she said that they represented the miners who had worked in local mines and ‘I don’t know why they put them here. Who is going to see them?’ I found that an interesting idea the miners hidden underground are available for all to see but in a location that most people wouldn’t expect to find them. This piece of public art is definitely worth seeing. Continuing to the railway station we saw mosaics on the ground and then travelled by train back to Abercynon.

Walk 7.6 miles and 1500ft ascent. Map 166.

 

 

Footpath Closures Lifted

Footpath Closures Lifted

The Vale of Glamorgan Council previously closed Public Footpaths at Cosmeston Country Park, Porthkerry Country Park, Dunraven Bay, Ogmore-by-Sea and Atlantic College.

All of these closures, which were introduced as part of coronavirus measures, have now been lifted. No formal closures associated with coronavirus remain in place at this time.

When making use of public paths please exercise responsibly, stay local and follow public health advice.

Following the lockdown landowners have raised concerns about increased use of public rights of way on their property, increased numbers of dogs, and perceived risks of exposure to Covid-19 for residents and farm workers, particularly where family members are either vulnerable and/or self-isolating.

To help address this, the Welsh Government have published guidance: ‘Stay active, stay healthy, stay local’ and increased messaging around responsible recreation.

Landowners do not have the legal right to block or obstruct public rights of way or access land. However, in very limited circumstances where large numbers of people are using such routes or where residents are vulnerable or self-isolating, landowners may consider the following measures:

  • Temporarily displaying polite notices that encourage users to respect local residents and workers by following social distancing guidelines and consider using alternative routes that do not pass through gardens or farmyards*.
  • Offering an alternative route around gardens and farmyards only where it is safe to do so (you must gain permission from relevant landowners and make sure the route is safe for users and livestock) provided that the original right of way is maintained.

 

*This is a polite request only, and there is no power under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW) or the Highways Act 1980 for landowners to close or obstruct a public right of way or use of access land.

Key points to note under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and the Highways Act 1980:

  • Under Section 137 the Highways Act 1980 and section 14 of CROW it is an offence to obstruct the free passage along a public right of way or Access Land.
  • It is an offence under Section 57 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 to display a notice that contains “any false or misleading statement likely to deter the public from using” a right of way.
  • It is also an offence under section 14 of CROW to display a sign which deters the public from exercising their right to use that access land.
  • It is an offence under Section 132 of the Highways Act 1980 to display on the surface of a public right of way or on any tree or structure within the public right of way any unauthorised sign or mark.
  • Land owners may be liable for personal injury under section 2 of the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 and Section 1 of the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1984 if they are reckless or intend to create a risk – for example by offering a dangerous alternative.

 

This means that:

  • If a land owner offers an alternative route, they must ensure that it is safe to use and that the existing right of way or use of access land is maintained so that users with differing abilities have a choice.
  • A notice must not imply that there is any doubt about the use of the existing right of way or use of access land.

 

These temporary measures must be lifted as soon as social distancing measures are relaxed.

 

 

A School Group Up Mount Kenya

A School Group Up Mount Kenya

As a Valeways walk leader, I have had the privilege and pleasure of leading coastal and countryside walks for the past 2 years. As there are no Living with Cancer Strollers or Carers Walk this month, due to the coronavirus, I thought I would share some of my adventures as a walk leader further afield….

As a young teacher in Kenya, I decided to take a school group up Mount Kenya. This is the highest mountain in Kenya and the second highest in Africa, after Kilimanjaro. There are 3 peaks on Mount Kenya and walkers head for the less technical trek to Point Lenana (4985m).

My school party consisted of 25 pupils and 10 teachers. We had guides to take us through the breath-taking scenery: tarns, glaciers, dense forest, a vertical bog and to point out the wildlife: including mongoose, hyrax (evolved from the elephant) and duiker. Fortunately, we didn’t spot the rarely seen giant forest hog or bongo!

There are various routes up the mountain and the climb takes 3 days. After acclimatising at Naro Moru, we spent the first night on the mountain at the met station. All was well. The next day we set off through forest and high-altitude equatorial vegetation to reach Mackinders Camp with the dramatic peaks of Batian and Nelion looking down on us. Tents were set up for us and the head of the school cooked a high energy pasta dish, which very few people ate. Altitude sickness had struck…not something that my walkers around Cosmeston or Barry Island have ever experienced!

Headaches and sickness took over a large number of the party so only a few emerged from their tents at 2am to head to the summit. Heading off at 2am meant the scree and the glacier at the peak were frozen and more easily walked on. After a long trek we reached the top and watched the sunrise.

On the descent, one pupil, slipped on the ice and started to head towards the tarn….luckily a guide stopped him. Not a sight that is easily forgotten. On reaching Mackinders Camp, where we had left a large group of sick individuals, we were greeted by happier and healthier pupils and teachers; the British army had arrived for a training session and had provided lots of hot tea and biscuits.

So …… at Cosmeston and over at Barry Island, if you join us when the social distancing finishes, you can feel confident that you are in safe hands….as long as there are no frozen tarms to fall into or great heights to be scaled….

Lynne Frugniet

 

 

Footsteps – Margam Park

Margam Park

Margam Park – We are going back to February for this month’s walk, just a week after storm Dennis. The weather forecast was 40-45mph winds with rain later. This was enough for some of us to think that maybe we should be cancelling but we decided to give it a go. We were lucky – it was dry all day and windy but wind speed was only about 20-25mph.

When we arrived at Margam Park there were two other groups in the small car park near the lake – one was Cardiff Ramblers which included people from Culverhouse X. The car park was very full as a result with us taking the last two places which involved some manoeuvring to reverse down the narrow track and squeeze into small spaces. An impatient driver who was probably upset that he didn’t get a space roared down the track going off-road to pass other vehicles coming in the opposite direction and spraying mud everywhere as well as thumping the bottom of his car quite violently on a large rock which produced a cracking sound!

 

The Margam deer herd roams through approximately 500 acres of parkland. It dates from Norman times, the herd, originally exclusively fallow, is of excellent genetic quality to rival any herd in the British Isles.

The water in the lake was quite high with lots of birds swimming around including at least two swans. Mute swans, coots, moorhens, Canada geese, mallard, tufted duck and pochard inhabit the lakes. Whilst the patient observer may see kingfishers beside the streams, skylarks, stonechats and wheatears can be seen over the grasslands with buzzards, kestrels and the occasional red kite in the skies. As it was February and quite cold we saw little in the way of birds whilst walking. We heard one when climbing but we actually saw just a couple of crows when eating lunch.

Margam Park owes its location to the monastery, which was privatised following the dissolution of the monasteries in 1537. We climbed to a ruin, which still has all four walls standing (at least in part). This was an outlying monastery building, Capel Mair ar y Bryn, (the chapel of St Mary on the hill). It is thought that its purpose was to allow members of the monastic community to fulfil their devotional duties, when engaged in keeping flocks, without returning to the main church. From here we could look down on Margam Castle. The house was built in 1830-40 at a cost of £50,000 using sandstone from Pyle quarry and as a mansion of exceptional quality it is Listed Grade I. The Castle has some spectacular features such as the vast stair hall and octagonal tower.

We followed the edge of a wood to pick up the Wales Coast path taking us towards Brombil. On the escarpment above the motorway is one of a network of early warning radar stations that were built along the coast from 1941 to detect German bombers and shipping during World War II. The Margam station is a scheduled ancient monument. Three flat-topped buildings stand high on the escarpment overlooking Port Talbot and Swansea Bay. They would have housed generators and control equipment, with large antennae on the roof.

Now we turned northwest into Cwm Brombil and crossed a small but fast running stream. The name of the valley and the atmosphere of the place made some of us think of Bilbo Baggins from Tolkein’s ‘Lord of the Rings’.

Climbing quite a steep track we looked down onto the ‘Blue Pool’ so called because the water is bright blue especially in sunshine. There were a group of wild swimmers enjoying themselves and inviting us to join them. They were obviously having a great time but as they left the water their skin looked bright red and raw with the cold. Brrr…

Although swathes of trees had been felled we soon entered the cover provided by woodland and stopped for lunch, half of us perching on tree stumps and the rest on grassy tussocks. It was cold here at the top of our walk and we could see our breath in the air. We spotted tadpoles in a puddle beside the path.

Towards the end of the walk we took a slight diversion to a wider path as we were concerned that trees or branches may block our planned route. The descent through woodland with gnarled and fallen trees was easier and coming into the open we could see our path etched in the hillside above us. It had been firm underfoot throughout the walk which was a bonus after the winter’s rain.

As we approached the lake again we spotted a ruin beside the path – a very posh boathouse? We retired to Pyle garden centre for welcome refreshment.

Walk 8 miles and 1700ft climb. Maps 165 & 166.

 

 

Page Turners Was Cancelled!

Page turners was cancelled!

Due to the coronavirus the April meeting of the Page turners was cancelled. As there was no discussion possible of the latest book, no review is available. However, it was decided that the Page turners would reflect on the 90+ books that have been read by members over the last few years, and each member would choose the best book from the selection we have all read. This list may act as a prompt for people in Wenvoe in lockdown to pick up a book …and compare what you think to our reviews.

Here is the list but in no particular order….happy reading!

May chose ‘Tombland’ by C J Sansom. A detailed historical murder mystery.

Sylvia and Sandra both selected ‘The Poisonwood Bible’ by Barbara Kingsolver. This is the story of a missionary’s life in remote Congolese village and is an incredibly detailed portrait of his family and Congolese society.

Tess suggested ‘Anna Karenina’ by Tolstoy. She believes it is the best love story of all time and even when he unbuttoned her long gloves it was very sensual.

Lynne nominated ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The novel tells the story of the Biafran war through the perspectives of different characters. Very vivid storytelling.

Babs and Helen opted for ‘The Invention of Wings’ by Sue Monk Kidd. Babs thought it was a powerful and revealing historical novel based on the life of abolitionist Sarah Grimke and her slave Handful. Helen believes the lessons of history have not been learned and modern day slavery is still rife in some parts of the world.

Jenny really liked ‘All the Light we Cannot See’ by Anthony Doerr. This is an intricate fable of morality and science set against the backdrop of WW2. Jenny loved the myriad cast of characters and thought it was an exciting and moving novel.

This is a diverse selection of favourite reads, reflecting the lively discussions that frequently take place each month after the Page turners have read the chosen novels. We hope the list may inspire you to curl up with a book, or even one of these books selected by the Pageturners, during this period of lockdown. You’re never alone when you have a book to read

 

 

Wenvoe Village Show

WENVOE VILLAGE SHOW

Saturday 5th September 2020 at 12 noon – Wenvoe Community Centre

Show officially opens to view the entries and taste the produce

Use your lockdown time to grow, craft and produce your entries for our next Village Show.Unlimited entries this year. Previously entered items are acceptable if they formerly failed to win a prize. You will find further details in the Library. Look out for posters and further details in the Library

Schedule

Fruit & Vegetable – best examples of: Craft
Apples – 3 cookers
Apples – 3 eaters
Tomatoes (cherry) – 3 same type
Tomatoes (standard size)- 3 same type
Beetroot – three
Root Vegetables – best three
Onions – three
Soft fruit all variety – best three
Beans any variety – best three
Any other vegetable – One (unless smaller than a medium sized onion then 3 items should be submitted for judging)		 Handwriting (adult) 50 words from a novel
Fabric/needlecraft
Wool. e.g. Knitting, crochet, felted etc.
Painting/Drawing any medium
Papercraft
Any other craft item.
Vegetables – whoppers Photography –
Runner bean – longest
Marrow/Squashes – biggest
Onion – largest
Misshapen vegetable – funniest shape- a caption must also be provided

Unmounted and no larger than 7” x 5”. Do not write on reverse side please.

Sunrise/sunset
Reflections
Local wildlife
The colour black and white
Culinary Fun
4 Scones
6 Welsh cakes
Any Cake (own recipe)
Savoury bake
Bread (Artisan)
Bread (Machine made)
Preserves
Sweet preserve
Savoury preserve
Beverages
Homemade drink any kind		 Limerick – Anything based on the topic of social distancing
Preserves Children’s Section
Sweet preserve
Savoury preserve		 All items MUST be produced by the child. Age categories are under 7 and 8-13

Home baked – favourite cake.
Drawing or painting – Holidays
Handwriting – an extract from my favourite storybook (about 25 words).
Collage – mixed media
Photographs – “My best picture taken in the last year”. (The child must have taken the picture.)
Beverages Dog Show
Homemade drink any kind. Gorgeous Oldie – over 10 years
Best Rescue dog
Owner who looks like their dog
Best junior handler -under 12 – demonstration of 4 tricks
Judges’ Favourite

Entry for the Wenvoe Village Show is limited to residents of the Wenvoe Community (Wenvoe, Twyn-y-Odyn, St Lythans, Dyffryn) and children who attend the village school. Anyone who has regular connections with a village organisation but resides outside the community boundary and would like to submit an entry should contact the organisers.
If you have any thoughts, ideas and suggestions about this year’s event or would like to help out organising the Show, please contact us at the library.

 

 

“Birdcage Walk” by Helen Dunmore

Birdcage Walk by Helen Dunmore

 

Not to be beaten by the lockdown we held our meeting via Zoom. This month’s book Birdcage Walk by Helen Dunmore was set in Bristol during the time of the French Revolution. Lizzie Fawkes was brought up by her idealistic widowed mother with whom she is very close. Her mother has remarried but is in poor health. Lizzie is recently married to widower John Diner Tredevant whose first wife is understood to have died in Paris. Diner is an entrepreneur who has overstretched himself in building a grand crescent in Clifton. In different times he would have sold the grand houses, but the war has made potential buyers reluctant to invest. After his workmen walk out, he has to abandon his venture. Diner is a complex character, demanding and emotionally needy. The novel becomes very

dark following the death of Lizzie’s mother in childbirth. Diner’s financial problems begin to affect his personality and Lizzie has suspicions regarding the death of his first wife. This was a novel about mortality, and it was Helen Dunmore’s last novel, written during her terminal illness in 2017 when she died aged 64. We thought the relationship between mother and daughter was wonderfully described and the love between them was palpable. Her description of the walks on Clifton downs made us feel that we were walking beside her on her journeys. Overall, we gave the book a score of 7/10

 

 

Meetings And Events Are Cancelled

Meetings And Events Are Cancelled

As expected all WI meetings and events are cancelled for several months as we all struggle to get through these anxious and challenging times in the current situation.

When we are given the go-ahead to resume meetings every member will be notified in good time and we look forward to catching up with everyone once again.

Madeleine and the Committee sincerely hope that all members and their families stay safe and well.

Please remember that if any member needs to chat we are just a phone call away.

 

 

‘What’s On’ Wants Your Contributions

We Want Your Contributions

Thank you to everyone who has supplied material to help us fill the pages of this month’s magazine. With no group activities or events to report we thought we might struggle for material. (We had a few items we did not have room for, they will appear later)

Why don’t you write something for a future What’s On edition. How are you filling your time, are you having chats and ideas from friends and relations etc. Have you found new tings to do? Why tell us?

Have you something you would like to share with readers in the June edition? Please send your contributions to one of the editors (e-mail addresses are on page 2) not later than the 18th May. You can remain anonymous if you wish.

The Editors

 

 

 

A Stroll Around Barry Island.

A Stroll Around Barry Island.

February’s Carers walk welcomed 2 new carers (photo-shy!) to the regular stroll around Barry Island. The two new members of the group welcomed the opportunity to take a break from their caring activities and gave them a chance to take some personal time, exercise and chat. Alan, a regular walker said he never realised how important it was to have a little time out from caring, and thoroughly enjoys his monthly strolls. If you are a carer and would like some time out to regenerate, then meet us at Barry Island train station on the last Thursday of every month at 10.30am. We are a friendly group!

The Valeways Walking Organisation has cancelled their walking programme for March and April, due to the coronavirus. Hopefully the Living with Cancer Strollers and the Carers walks will resume soon.

 

 

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