Category: Information

Wenvoe Advent Windows

Wenvoe Advent Windows

To lighten Advent this year we are inviting you to take part in lighting up your windows.

Whilst it is possible that our preparations for Advent and Christmas this year may require a little more thought and planning than normal, a small group of people are hoping to plan Wenvoe Advent Windows that we can all enjoy safely.

The Wenvoe Advent Windows will encourage people who are perhaps going to be inside more than usual this December to wrap up warm and get out to view the windows. There will be a new one to see each night leading up to Christmas Eve when of course there will be 24 all on display. The event allows people to carry on social distancing and following Covid rules, whatever may be in place at the time.

This community fun event will run from the 1st-24th December, with the final window at St. Mary’s Church. We would like you to take part; there is no entry fee, it’s not a competition and adults and children can be involved.

How will it work?

We need a minimum of 24 participants to decorate their windows. Participants will be allocated a date when they will light up their window for the first time and to continue lighting up each day until 24th. Every day from 1st December a new window will be lit up to go and see so that by 24th December there will be 24 windows for residents to view.

The windows can be designed and constructed from any media- lights, mobiles, cut outs etc. They can be as simple or technical as your artistic tendencies take you. They can be internal or external displays as long as they involve decorating your window. All the displays should relate to Advent / Christmas and can be humorous, artistic or topical

The windows will be lit from 5.00pm – 9.00pm each evening.

Each house participating will be asked to

• display a number (corresponding to the date their window is ‘opened’) to differentiate from other residents who will have their own Christmas decorations.

• keep their window a surprise as far as is possible before the designated big reveal evening

 

If you want to participate and

• live in a house that has a window (upstairs or down) that can clearly be seen from the street without people coming onto your property

• are happy to keep the window illuminated each evening after it is ‘opened’ until December 24th

 

We are aware that many people give their time and money to support a host of different charities. If you would like to put a charity box outside your house you would be most welcome. Just make sure you empty the box each evening.

For more information ring:

Sandra and Brian Jones: 02920594248

Glenys and Mike Tucker: 07922 109721

Jude and Nige Billingham: on 02920594708 or 07516 112897

Please let Jude Billingham know by October 16th that you want to decorate your window by supplying your name, address, email address and any preference you have about dates; by email (judebillingham@yahoo.co.uk) by telephone, or text.

Please be aware that in agreeing to participate you are also agreeing to have your address identified on the windows map that will be made available so people can look for your window. No names or email will be shared without your permission.

 

 

Suggestions for Spending £75000

S106 FUND SUGGESTIONS

September 2020

In the September issue of What’s On, we asked for suggestions for making use of about £75,000 of Section 106 funding for a project that would be of significant benefit to the Wenvoe community. This would be capital spending, not for any kind of maintenance or refurbishment.

This is a summary of the excellent suggestions we had, most of which could be carried out within the specified budget. We would now like to ask if there are any more suggestions, or if anyone would like to comment further on the ones below.

  • small donation to school (not capital)
  • adult outdoor fitness equipment (like Dinas Powys)
  • local walks/cycling booklet(s), with benches along the routes
  • all-weather surface for older children, covered seating area
  • similar to above
  • ditto, with basketball hoops and outdoor gym
  • mini-gym for older children
  • information notice boards
  • revamp playground at Parc y Gwenfo
  • more benches at Community orchards
  • multi-use games area

 

As before, write to What’s On, but don’t delay, since the funding is available on a limited time basis. We look forward to hearing from you

 

 

September Puzzle Solution

September Puzzle Solution

1.Ernie,

2.Israeli

3.Parsnip

4.Wicklow

5.Flyleaf

6.Ouzo

7.Beeb

8.Uluru

9.Gothenburg

10.Spartacus

11.Kursk

12.Lambswool

13.Alaska

14.Magnum

15.Yesterday

16.Harlech

17.Xerox

18.Roger

19.Trumpet

20.Vav

21.Cynic

22.Dixieland

23.Nelson

24.Zizz

 

Link Back to Questions

http://wenvoe.org.uk/?p=8274

 

 

History of The Wenvoe Village Hall

A little history

The Village Hall is situated on land owned by the Wenvoe Estate and was offered to the residents of Wenvoe for a peppercorn rent after World War 1. It was offered to the residents (referred to as villagers at the time) to build a village hall, so that they could have a place to meet and hold their dances.

The first lease dates back to 1921, which would mean that next year, the Village Hall celebrates its 100th Birthday/Centenary. I am sure we will be planning to celebrate, so watch out for how you can help at a later date.

The hall has been a main part of our community for nearly 100 years.

The school children would attend the Village Hall for lunch daily, until the new school and its canteen arrived in the Autumn of 1970 (not the whole school as you see it today, just two classrooms, hall and canteen. However, that’s a story for their 50th Birthday celebrations).

I remember attending talent competitions, discos, youth club and judo as a child at the village hall and in the 70s our famous Beer Barrel Rolling Race after party with lots of beer and Mike’s brass band. These memories were mostly of the ‘Old Village Hall’. The hall as you see it today, was rebuilt in 1974 (I can hear some of you saying to yourselves ‘The Old Tin Shack’ at this point).

Of course, there are many people still living in the village today, who could share more memories, especially later memories of their Carnivals and themed nights out.

Whilst I have been a Committee Member these past 26 years, we have raised funds to keep the hall open, by holding jumble sales, car boot sales, discos and dances, as did those before me.

Over the past couple of years, the hall is hired out continuously, so the rents mostly cover the basic outgoings with the odd disco or fundraiser now and again.

The hall has also been the home of the Playgroup for the past 50 years, which is continuing to grow and providing much needed income to keep the hall up and running.

As many of you know, the hall closed its doors at the end of March due to Covid-19. Although the Management Committee have continued to keep in touch via zoom and regularly check on the safety and upkeep of the building, we were unable to open without clear guidance from the Welsh Government. At the time of writing this, we are planning to meet on the 18th August to discuss a way forward to open the hall to regular hirers in the Autumn (keeping 2m distance of course).

The Committee have been busy preparing for the hall’s re-opening, with Bernard completing some much-needed maintenance at the hall over the past few months. Thanks Bernard.

New internal doors have been installed over the past month, and we are awaiting the outside of the hall to be painted prior to an Autumn return.

Gail has been very busy, scouring the latest up-dates and applying for grants to help us survive the loss of income due to the hall closure. Thanks Gail.

Regular hirers: If it is your wish to resume your hire and you have not been contacted, please email us at wenvoevillagehall@yahoo.co.uk Carol will be at the end of the email to help. Alternatively, if you are hoping to delay your return, then please let Carol know and she can keep us informed.

We do have to follow Government guidelines and ensure that we can open the hall safely whilst coronavirus remains in circulation. We would like to thank you for your patience in these uncertain times and hope to welcome you back to the hall in the near future.

Please remember, that your group must be able to maintain a safe 2m social distance whilst operating at the hall.

A hand sanitiser is placed just inside the main entrance to use on entry, then you must use the bathroom and the hand soap provided to wash your hands on entry and prior to leaving the hall.

Further details will be issued with the hall risk assessment to operate and adhere to a.s.a.p.

Anyone with the following symptoms should not use or attend the Village Hall

  • A new continuous cough
  • A high temperature
  • Loss of smell or taste

 

Please arrange for a test and self-isolate for 10 days if you have any of the above symptoms. Anyone in your household must also isolate for 14 days.

Do not leave the house to go to the Doctors or Pharmacy. Apply for an antigen test on the website: https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirys-test

 

Thank you on behalf of the Village Hall Management Committee – Sandra

 

 

A Level Grades, No One Cares

PLAY HARD, WORK HARD

Let Down

Walking into school two years ago to retrieve my A Level results was terrifying.

Worrying whether I’d done enough in exams and coursework to gain the results that would get me into my university of choice is unlike anything I’d experienced at that point. My results were the be-all and end-all of my life at that point.

The truth is that A Levels mean nothing once they get you to your next step.

I know that probably isn’t what students want to hear if they’re now getting their results, but honestly? Bar maybe someone asking you out of curiosity in conversation about your A Level grades, no one cares. Truly. It’s incredibly rare that it comes up.

I spent the last two years of my school career putting all of my faith into my results. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t regret it – it got me to my uni of choice and now I’ve achieved far more than I anticipated two years on. But as we have nothing comparable, we’re told that these exams will be something that is linked to us for the rest of our lives.

Again, I’m not saying your A Levels don’t matter and that you shouldn’t put in the effort. For one, most university degrees have essays similar to those you write at A Level; your grades still go on your CV (although from my experience, the A Level results on your CV are only helpful if your subjects are relevant to the job you’re applying for).

I am saying, however, that perhaps we put too much emphasis on A Levels. Of course, we must encourage students to do well, but apart from getting you into university or getting you to your next stage of life, A Levels don’t mean much.

I remember thinking that once I went to uni, it would be as though my A Level grades would be tattooed to my forehead and that everyone would judge my worth based of the grades. I had this recurring dream that lecturers would split you based on your A Levels.

It seems ridiculous – I’m aware. Yet, that was how it was for years. It’s how it continues to be. A Levels are advertised as the be-all and end-all of a teenagers’ life. It isn’t that A Levels aren’t important, but the amount of pressure we put on the results can put enormous amounts of pressure on students.

I can only imagine therefore how students feel this year. With an algorithm created due to an unprecedented global pandemic, thousands have been left disappointed. Students in lower socioeconomic backgrounds have been impacted, and the unfair algorithm has left many without a place at university.

I realise we can’t give each student an A*, yet this algorithm seems flawed. Regardless of this – we’re in a global pandemic, give the kids a break! Although I wasn’t thrilled with my results, I’m certain I would have lost my place at university had I been impacted by this algorithm.

Yet, I had a part to play in my own success. I had exams and essays to base my grades off. For students this year, they’ve put their faith into a system which seems to have failed them. If you’re basing your entire future on your A Level results, having the outcome be entirely out of your hands must be incredibly difficult.

You can’t give all students A*s. You shouldn’t be able to penalise students based on factors they can’t change. It’s a global pandemic where the governments across the UK have stopped students from sitting exams. If the grades are uncommon this year, so be it. This year itself has been uncommon.

Equally, you can’t downgrade students from a lower socioeconomic background if you’re not downgrading students from Eton and Harrow. It’s hardly fair to claim the algorithm is the fairest way of calculating results if you’re penalising students from being from poorer areas.

Although the Welsh Government attempted to remedy the situation before results day by exam board WJEC suggesting that students would not receive grades lower than that they received at AS, there’s no doubt the damage has been done.

Governments across the United Kingdom have since changed their decisions and have decided that A Level students will now have their grades based on teacher predictions.

But what does that mean for students who lost out on their place at university the first time around?

I’m glad they’ve changed their minds, but it’s partially a matter of too little too late. It all feels a bit chaotic. What happens to universities trying to accommodate the students who’ve had their grades changed?

It seems unfair for all involved. Although the algorithm was well-intentioned, it’s left a wave of confusion in its wake, which will undoubtedly have a profound effect on many.

In a year filled with inconsistencies and flash decisions, it’s no wonder many would be left disappointed by the government’s decision.

 

By Tirion Davies

Christmas Reindeer Sale

Tucker’s Christmas Reindeer Sale

We know this is early to be thinking about Christmas but the production line must start soon in order to make enough stock. Last year’s sale was a wonderful, community event but it will, like most events this year, have to be a little different. Due to restrictions on numbers at gatherings, this year’s sale will be held in our garden in Vennwood Close over a whole weekend in November ( date to be confirmed nearer the time). Money from each reindeer sold will be donated to the Wenvoe Wildlife Group. You can read about the work that the group do on their Face-book page, named after the group. There will be a raffle, the proceeds of which will also be donated to the WWG and there will also be a table of home-made Christmas crafts, made by Tucker’s Wenvoe Rustics on sale on the day.

If you would like to have a reindeer made for you and you want to let us know before hand or if you want more information please Contact us by email to pukkatucker@gmail.com or ring Glenys on 07922109721.

More information will be made available nearer the time.

 

 

Orchard Field Work Group

ENVIRONMENT GROUP

Orchard Field Work Group

The group will meet on Monday 14th September by the gate to the Orchid Field at 9.30am with the aim to clear some of the rapidly growing brambles around the field. Please bring suitable tools and gloves. (Sharp garden shears are very good for cut-ting back).

The meeting is open to all who wish to attend. There is plenty of space to ‘social distance’ while working.

 

 

Passing Time In Lock Down

PASSING TIME IN LOCK DOWN

Although we are all trying to return to some form of normal life there are those of us whom still seem to have plenty of time to fill at home with time to read books, watch films, or listen to audio tapes etc.

Over the last six months, with so many free hours, we must have come across some titles, authors etc we may never have thought of watching, reading or listening to. Did your family even discover new games to play?

Why not share your finds with others with a brief description, (no need to leave your name.) Using Netflix, Amazon, Catch Up, Kindle, eBooks, Audible, etc others should be able to locate the recommended items to enjoy themselves.

Audiobooks

Captain Corelli’s Mandolin – This is a book I wouldn’t have attempted to read, but Audiobooks made it much more appealing. as I could listen while doing jobs around the house.

The story is set in Cephalonia at the beginning of World War 2. Dr. Yaniss lives with his daughter in a small village, life goes on as normal. Until one day, Corelli leader of the Italian invasion force is billeted with the Dr and his daughter. Corelli falls in love with his daughter, who is engaged to the resistance leader Mandras. Their love grows and dreams are lost, when the Italians surrender to the Allies.

Elephant Moon is another Audiobook I enjoyed..

Based on a true story set in Burma in the World War II. The story is of a class of orphans trying to escape from Burma before the Japanese invade. Lots of twists and turns in this story, which is is a tale of great courage

The Pants of Perspective. A travel tale. Anna McNuff ran the New Zealand 3000 kilometre Te Araroa trail which stretches from the furthest point south to the northern tip of north island. A witty, colourful and at times painfully raw account.

Films

Waking Ned – Based in a small Irish village two friends discover their friend has died of the shock of finding out he has won the lottery. How do you convince the claims inspector that the village could claim the prize. Enjoyable comedy.

The Green Book – The true story of an Italian- American bouncer who becomes the chauffeur for a world-class black piano player. In 1962 they tour the deep south during the racial charged period. A moving story.

 

 

1 … 18 19 20 21 22 … 59