Category: Community Groups

Embracing Locally Driven Initiatives

WENVOE FORUM

Considering Tomorrow Today

Embracing Locally Driven Initiatives

Actions speak louder than words

The world is changing and we must change too. Environmental change is set to make Earth uninhabitable by humans. Globally, democracy is disappearing, big business and economic markets grab power and communities around the world are recognizing the need to take action to preserve our shared future. Wenvoe Forum is committed to exploring and encouraging action here in Wenvoe that can pave the way toward a more resilient tomorrow. By embracing locally driven initiatives, communities (and that means us!) can not only reduce their ecological footprint but also foster social and economic well-being.

Thirty years ago sustainability was all about fish stocks and the Amazon rainforest. Now it goes far beyond environmental conservation – it’s a holistic approach that integrates economic viability, social equity, environmental stewardship and respect and care for each other. At the community level, sustainable practices are essential for:

  • Resource Conservation: Minimizing waste and optimizing the use of local resources.
  • Resilience: Enhancing the ability to withstand and recover from environmental and economic challenges.
  • Quality of Life: Promoting healthy living conditions, economic opportunities, and community well-being.

The journey toward a sustainable future is a shared endeavour, and every community has the power to drive meaningful change. Through education, collaboration, and proactive planning, we can create resilient communities that not only survive but thrive in the face of future challenges, but it requires action. Each community needs to secure renewable energy, food and water security and waste management and needs to take responsibility for its own resource management.

At a basic level, here are just a few easy, everyday actions we can take:

  • Start gardening: Even a small plot can help grow local produce, reduce food miles. Working on a community allotment creates a space for neighbours to connect.
  • Improve waste management practices: Reduce consumption, reuse or repurpose what might have been waste and finally recycle.
  • Organize Local Clean-Ups: Building practices to keep public spaces tidy and build community pride.
  • Adopt saving tips and tell your friends: like switching to LED bulbs, turning off unused appliances, or organizing an energy-saving challenge.
  • Encourage Carpooling or Bike Rides: Fostering a culture of sharing rides or using bikes to reduce carbon emissions and it might lead to reducing consumption by sharing tools and equipment
  • Set Up Rainwater Collection: Collecting rainwater to reduce water waste and lower utility bills.

Simple measures, community projects and small changes can serve as a starting point and lead to big impacts over time. It is not just about environmental preservation – it’s about being a part of a vibrant, interconnected community that values innovation and cooperation now and will impact on the well-being of our children and grandchildren and future generations and is a good place to live now and in the challenging years to come.

At the Tuckers’ Plant Sale.

Wenvoe Forum members continue to look at ideas for the re-use / re-purposing of various resources. To this end, we’re having a ‘donations/fund-raising’ table @ Glenys & Mike Tucker’s forthcoming VE80 plant sale on Saturday May 10th – in support of the Wenvoe Wildlife Group, and other local charities.

If you’d like to donate any surplus sporting goods, equipment (no clothing, thanks), garden tools, gardening equipment or plant pots etc. (in useable condition) that you no longer use, then we would be pleased to receive them. You can drop off any items between 5th and 10th May with Forum member Gareth Stone (gareth.stone1@btinternet.com) or just bring them along on the day.

Don’t forget that all year round a couple of existing Wenvoe Facebook pages support the idea of reusing existing resources – the Wenvoe Recycling & Reuse Group @ https://www.facebook.com/groups/18704 75136410648 and the Wenvoe Buy and Sell pages, @ https://www.facebook.com/groups/30194691648 39088.

Gwenfo.Forum@gmail.com

Wenvoe Hop Growers

We now have 13 members in the group growing hops in Wenvoe that we harvest together and contribute to the Cardiff Community Hop Growers. Last year most of us had a good crop and the resulting brew Taff Temptress, by Pipes Brewery, Pontcanna was first class and much enjoyed.

However, our main aim has always been to brew a Wenvoe ale one day. We need far more hops, and so far more hop growers, if we are to succeed. One of our newest members has an allotment and has lined up an area for planting hops, so who knows that day may not be so very far in the future.

It’s a good time now to plant the hop rhizomes, or it is possible to grow from seed. The hop vines take a while to fully develop; the first year they are busy building a root network. If you have space to train them upwards, they can be very tall but you can also grow them along the fence and there are dwarf varieties like Prima Donna. Even before they produce a harvest they are quite attractive plants.

Sian Jones looks after the hop growers and if you would like to join in, please contact Sian via e-mail : gwenfo.forum@gmail.com

A Repair Café – what’s that?

Forum member Ken Hansen finds out

The idea behind repair café’s is to reduce the number of appliances, tools and such like that get thrown away and replaced because they are not working and the owner did not know how to mend them. The owner brings them to a place where they can be repaired and has a coffee and a cake while they wait.

It sounded like a brilliant idea but then the good folk that run the Llantwit Major café told me about all that happens behind the scenes; the legal position, insurance, health and safety, volunteer managements and so on, my heart sank. But quickly it lifted again as they also told me about Repair Café Wales, an umbrella organisation that supports and guides those interested in establishing and running a café.

RepairCafeWales.org lists the following advantages to collaborating with them:

  • Access to effective start-up, running processes and procedures
  • Support with start-up funding for marketing materials and equipment
  • Help to identify volunteers
  • Support with promotion, social media and printing
  • A presence on our website with a dedicated page for your repair café

and more. It seemed that a lot of help was available.

Then I saw Martin Thomas’s post on the Facebook page, another like minded resident of Wenvoe. I contacted him and now together we will explore the idea of a Wenvoe Repair café further. If you want to join us e-mail Gwenfo.Forum@ gmail.com marked FAO Ken. “Handy” people will be very welcome.

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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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To join our Facebook group, please ‘friend up’ with the GwenFo 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 gwen-fo.forum@gmail.com if you wish to join

Two books Reviewed

OFF THE SHELF

“Holding the Line” by Barbara Kingsolver

In 1983, Barbara Kingsolver, had a job as a scientific writer but she spent her weekends as a freelance journalist covering the Phelps Dodge Miners’ strike in Arizona. This book tells the story of how miners’ wives took up the mantle of their labourer husbands and held an 18-month picket line for a union contract that never materialized. Kingsolver follows this timeline through the eye-witness accounts of the women from Arizona. It’s a verbatim report from many tapes, and the group often felt it was lengthy and repetitive. However, what we did feel was immensely gripping, was the powerful strength of the women who continued to battle for a fair and just cause. The relentless belief, and energy of the Miners Women Auxiliary is a testament to how commitment can outwit and grind down the giants, who tried to break the morale of the strikers through violent and sometime illegal methods. The book shows how strong women changed the patterns of life by making small steps and it was acknowledged that this wasn’t an easy road to take, with often a high price to pay in terms of marriage relationships and family breakups. Although it was hard to keep track of the threads of the research there was no doubt that the endless efforts of these women led to major changes for the rights of women. As individuals began to speak out and ‘hold court’ in a world which was dominated by the male voice, they earnt a respect which travelled internationally creating a world arena for women to continue to speak out against injustices. It is a book which includes many characters and acronyms which can be confusing, but the direct factual approach leaves the reader with the sense of awe that this was an immense period in world history for feminism.

The group gave it as score of 8 out of 10.

Isobel Davies

“Golden Hill” by Francis Spufford

It is 1746 and a handsome young man arrives in New York wanting to cash a bank order for £1,000. The City is very much in its infancy and suspicious of the newcomer; who is he and why is he here. A fast-paced rollicking story with many highs and lows for the protagonist. It is full of twists, turns and wonderful descriptions. Extensive research obviously underpins this novel.

Opinion on this book was divided. Half of the group found it hard to get into because of the archaic language and at the start it seemed disjointed. The rest of us really enthused over the fun, adventures and eventual reveal.

We scored 7/10

Patricia Coulthard

A Sun-Filled Cosmeston

LIVING WITH CANCER STROLLERS

A Sun-Filled Cosmeston

 

 

A sun-filled Cosmeston met the strollers this month. Coots, robins, moorhens and swans were also enjoying the springlike weather. A lovely day for Linda to celebrate her birthday and thanks for the homemade shortbread!

 

Very Wet, Windy…But Exhilarating

Exhilarating Stroll Around Barry Island

 

A very wet, windy…but exhilarating stroll around Barry Island prior to Storm Eowyn (or maybe it was during…) for an amazingly intrepid, well soaked, happy group of walkers…that’s my version of the walk anyway!!

If you would like to join us, we meet the last Thursday of the month at 10.30am, Barry Island Station.

 

And Later

Rough Seas And Grey Skies!

A Gavin & Stacey train, a Shelduck and a helicopter
were some of the sights at Barry Island on the Carers
stroll….distractions from the rough seas and grey
skies!

 

 

March Thursday Walks

 

THURSDAY WALKERS

Next Walk

On Thursday 20th March, a circular walk from the Knap in Barry, following the old parish route as far as Porthkerry Country Park. About 5 miles.
Meet 1.00pm at Wenvoe Village Hall. Transport can be shared. Many thanks, Bert. 07828665264
All are welcome participate at your own risk.

 

 

March Meeting of Wenvoe W.I.

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

March Meeting of Wenvoe W.I.

 

Wenvoe WI met on Thursday 6th March at 7pm in the Church Hall. On this occasion the Speaker was Joyce Hoy, a resident of the village and a member of our WI.

Joyce had recently returned from Alaska and regaled us with details of her precarious journey, as well as sharing some beautiful slides of the wildlife she saw – most of which were quite different from the birds and animals resident in our shores and countryside. Also during her trip she experienced close up encounters with moose, wolves and bears.

Our meeting concluded with the usual business and a cuppa. Our next meeting will be on 3rd April at 7pm in the Church hall, when Mrs Brenda Webster will demonstrate and explain the intricacies of playing the piano accordion. Any visitors and potential new members are assured of a good welcome.

On Thursday 1st May Wenvoe WI intend to hold an open coffee morning. Entry will be £3, to include a cuppa and a slice of cake. A proportion of the proceeds will be donated to our Charity for this coming year – Ty Hafan.

Jan Young ( President)

January Meeting of Wenvoe W.I.

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

January Meeting of Wenvoe W.I.

Wenvoe WI met on Thursday 2nd January – their first meeting of 2025. The meeting was well attended with just a few absentees, considering the adverse weather and the season of flu and colds.

This meeting was what has become our traditional annual ‘Bring and Buy’. Items for sale consisted of household gadgets, Books, calendars, toiletries and ornaments, as well as other unwanted gifts and unworn new clothes. Business was brisk, and we donated a substantial amount of the proceeds to Ty Hafan – our Charity for this year. This was followed by a quiz.

Our next meeting will be held on Thursday 6th Feb at 7pm in the Church Hall. On that occasion Mr Stephen Jones, a local historian will speak about the history and growth of Wenvoe village.

Our membership has increased considerably over the last year, and any potential new members and ‘tasters’ are always assured of a warm welcome.

The members wish all readers a very happy and successful New Year.

 

Jan Young (President)

Cwm Gynfig and St Athan

Cwm Gynfig near Margam Park

January produced some icy weather, causing anxiety about the forecast of snow flurries or freezing rain after 4pm. We parked on a road south of the route to avoid driving on icy/narrow country lanes. Although cold (layers were the order of the day) it was a beautiful sunny day, and we were soon striding out. Until we met streams of water running across the road, hiding black ice in places, when shorter tentative steps were taken.

We laughed at a sign on a gate ‘No Trespassing If you weren’t invited you aren’t welcome’. A field of goats were hidden by a hedge, but they ran around as we passed.

As we approached a farm, a woman came towards us asking ‘Where are you going?’. ‘How friendly’ I thought. But she changed her whole demeanour, became very angry and told us in no uncertain terms that there was no footpath through her land and if we went across the fields, we would find sheep, cows and bulls. Several people had maps in their hand and tried to explain quietly ‘look the footpath is on the map’. She would not listen to reason and berating us told us to go back down the hill and take another track; of course, the track was not a footpath. Our skilled navigators soon had us back on route and the rest of the walk passed without incident.

As the morning progressed ice on the paths melted but the frost remained with surrounding fields and tree stumps often retaining a sparkling white veneer. We had excellent paths throughout and walked a variety of areas – woodland, open spaces, and farmland. We spotted some fungi, foxglove seed heads, a buzzard and a heron.

As we gained height, we observed the devastation caused by recent storms. Trees tumbling over one another like matchsticks. Emerging from the forest it was very cold, and we walked faster.

 

An area where stones littered the ground, and heather grew proved excellent for lunch. Then we returned through the valley surrounded by rusty-brown, bracken covered hillsides – so much better to look at than walk through.

We enjoyed warming tea at Pyle Garden centre.

Walk 8m 1000ft. Map OS151/166

St Athan

Parking in Aberthaw we discovered that one of us (who will remain nameless but has experienced many years walking the footpaths of South Wales), realised he had brought two left footed boots and would have to walk in the shoes he was wearing!

It was a grey day with glimmers of sunshine. We started by walking back up the road to the coastal road, we stepped out quite smartly, hesitating only to look over the parapet at the structures within Aberthaw

We walked north across land associated with a castle and investigated the remains of a dovecote. Several trees had large black bracket fungus on their trunks. As we approached St Athan a large caravan/chalet park could be seen in the sunshine.

Turning south we could see the airport; several planes were parked up. Then our most experienced walker said, ‘I’ve never walked this path.’ It was a very short section, but the walk planner was very pleased to find something new!

On reaching the coast we scrambled over the stones and through the 2nd world war sea defences to gaze out to sea while we ate our lunch. The tide was out but five surfers entertained us by riding the slightest of waves.

This part of the coastal path was wet underfoot until we reached the firmer path in Aberthaw. A structure out at sea is the sea water intake used for cooling in the power station .There is a tunnel connecting the caisson to the land so personnel could walk out to it if required.

As a coal fired power station Aberthaw could supply enough power for 1.5 million households. It is now silent and there was evidence of buildings and contents being dismantled. When it was active, coal trains would come in and out of the site on a continuous railroad without stopping; the carriages released their load from the bottom onto a conveyor belt which carried the coal to a store. There is now a hill of coal ash at the edge of the site where several species have set up home.

Reaching the end of the high wall around the power station, we walked through the nature reserve back to the cars. Drinks in the Blue Anchor rounded the day off nicely. Walk 7.8m 280ft. Map OS151

Traditional ‘Lucky Dip’ At Christmas

‘Lucky Dips’ At Christmas

It has become somewhat of a tradition for a ‘lucky dip’ at Christmas for the Page Turners group. Everybody wraps a book and it is pot luck what you pull out of the hat. At our January meeting, members share their surprise gift.

This year was no exception with some members delighted with their find and others less so as gifts ranged from known and loved authors to short stories (as ever varied), to one person who was lucky enough to receive 2 books and one of them even had 2 books within 1!!!

A brief synopsis:

  • Maggie O’Farrell’s, “This Must Be The Place” was agreed to be read by the group for a future meeting as all had previously thoroughly enjoyed her writing.
  • “The Essex Serpent” by Sarah Perrin had been read by the group many years ago and was enjoyed by a new member.
  • “Cold Comfort Farm”, short stories by Stella Gibbons, whilst easy reading was recommended as a group read.
  • “The Sky Beneath Us” by Fiona Valpy, again described as a simple read but not recommended for the group.
  • “Ghost” by Robert Harris, whilst described as excellent by the reader, was felt not to be up to his usual very high standard of research and analysis.
  • “Burmese Days” by George Orwell didn’t go down a storm as the characters were described as unlikeable and uninteresting, the setting equally so.
  • “The War of Don Emmanuel’s Nether Parts” by Louis de Berniere was confusing initially and at times hilarious to read.
  • “The Woman on the Ledge” by Ruth Manseni, a thriller, was a great page turner;
  • “Mrs Harris Goes to Paris” AND “Mrs Harris Goes to New York” was great and the New York book built on her Paris adventures.
  • “Mystery Guest” by Nita Prose was described as written by an amateur Agatha Christie and not recommended for book club.

Once again we were fortunate enough to sample Babs’s Christmas cake which was up to her usual very high standards!!

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