Category: Information

Library Now Open For Click And Collect

 

WENVOE COMMUNITY LIBRARY IS OPEN FOR CLICK AND COLLECT

We are all keen to re-open the library and can now offer a click and collect system similar to that in use in many other Vale libraries.

The library will initially be open one day a week by appointment on Thursdays 10am till 12noon. For your and our volunteers’ safety, a Perspex screen will be positioned on the front desk which will be placed in the foyer. Volunteers will make use of hand sanitizer and gloves. For the time being we hope you will understand that members of the public may not enter the library building.

Users will be able to order books from home using the Vale catalogue and their library card and pin number and we will phone you to make arrangements for collection. You can find the catalogue by clicking on the ‘libraries’ box on the Vale of Glamorgan webpage (valeofglamorgan.gov.uk) from which you can reserve up to five items. Please note that you must book in advance to collect any items from the library at this time.

Alternatively, you can telephone the library (02920 594176) on Tuesdays between 10am and 12 noon. The library will be closed to the public on that day, but volunteers are on hand to order a book for you and answer any queries.

Items can also be returned to us during Thursday opening hours and to Barry, Cowbridge, Llantwit Major and Penarth libraries during their opening hours. Please note that you are required to book an appointment to return items to Wenvoe.

Remember that we now offer a bigger and better collection of Ebooks and Eaudio books from the catalogue which means you may not even have to leave your home to borrow a book.

 

 

The Wenvoe Arms Is Open Again

The Wenvoe Arms Is Open Again

The Wenvoe Arms is open again and this beating heart of the village has pints of ale pouring out again after the long lockdown. We are very fortunate in Wenvoe to have a high-quality village pub which is well run by the landlords Digby and Jennie Rees who have been the tenants for the last four years.

Jennie’s father built and ran the successful Cwm Ciddy pub at Rhoose, and she was brought up in the trade and has been involved in it ever since. She and husband Digby put their experience to good use in making the Wenvoe Arms a superb pub that com-bines tradition with modern innovations. The place was completely refurbished a few years ago and is kept spotlessly clean both inside and out. It has recently been given the highest rating, yet again, by the EHO and Food Standards Agency, which gave it a top rating of 5 for the food safety and hygiene in the kitchen and bar areas. They also received top marks for Covid 19 standards of care.

Lockdown provided challenges for us all, but publicans had added problems with the disposal of beer and food that was unable to be used. Jennie points out that with beer you cannot just pour it down the drain, rather you must consult with Welsh Water who tell you how and when to flush it down the drain. Luckily, Digby saw the problem coming and was able to cancel deliveries just before lockdown which meant less was wasted than might have been.

The lack of clients during the last months has given the landlords time to make further improvements to the outside drinking and eating areas. Surprisingly, there are four separate areas outside each with good, well-maintained tables with seating and umbrellas. The roadside raised patio area is specially reserved for Wenvoe residents and there are six tables there. The lower area next to the war memorial again has tables with seating and is very popular with the regulars and smokers. A hidden gem is the beer garden to the rear which is grassed and surrounded by neatly trimmed hedges giving it a restful atmosphere. The trees there ensure there is plenty of shade on a hot summer’s day. While beyond that is a further area with six tables which will in future have covered shelter so people can eat and drink there in inclement weather.

A new development worth reporting is the building of a pizza shack – yes, the real thing – which has a newly installed wood-burning oven. This is adjacent to the beer garden and will be serving pizzas every evening from 4 – 9 pm. The pizzas are homemade on the premises with a choice of five artisan pizzas available and they will be available to be sold in boxes and eaten anywhere in the pub, outside or in, or else taken away. We hope the pizza shack will have opened by the time that this edition of Wenvoe What’s On hits your doormat.

The Wenvoe Arms has an excellent function room on the first floor which adds greatly to the interior dining and drinking space. The main dining area on the ground floor, which is enhanced in winter with a

log burning stove, seats 60 guests while the function room above can take another 50 or more for a buffet. It is also used as a comfortable meeting and conference room where, for example, Alun Cairns MP addressed the faithful before lockdown.

The food at the Wenvoe Arms receives glowing comments which is not surprising as Jennie and Digby take it very seriously. The food is all cooked from fresh with no “bought-in” meals, unlike many pubs. The menu has had a revamp and lists a wide range of popular pub and gastro type meals. Last orders are as late as 8.50pm which is helpful for those working or visiting later. The wine list is wide-ranging and competitively priced.

The bars are an area of pride for the landlords as there is a great selection of beers and spirits. There are currently five cask, or real ales, available as well as leading brands of lager and cider. Gin drinkers are well looked after too with a selection of premium gins which are served with a choice of mixers. Fever Tree is available among others, and juniper berries can be added as a botanical garnish.

We all need our spirits lifting during this pandemic and what better way to do that than making a visit to your village pub for a drink and meal with friends. They have missed you over the months so you can be sure of a warm welcome by a team who have gone out of their way to keep us all safe and socially distanced.

 

 

Treat Our Masks Like Our Undies

COUNCIL URGES US TO TREAT OUR MASKS LIKE OUR UNDIES

A year ago we couldn’t possibly have imagined that while going about our normal business the wearing of masks would be a common sight. Of course we are used to seeing masks in all sorts of contexts and we seem fairly relaxed about being told to wear them.

Masks have a long and often strange history, particularly in popular culture. In Ancient Greece masks worn by actors had brass megaphones to amplify what actors were saying. When an Indonesian Topang dancer dies, his used masks are never moved from where they were at the time of his death. In the 17th century people believed the plague could be carried by poisoned air or miasma. Plague doctors covered themselves head to toe and wore a mask shaped like a bird’s beak. Perfumes and spices held under the masks were said to neutralise the miasma.

It was not until the late 19th century that masks were being worn in operating theatres. This process was accelerated by their use to protect medical workers during the Manchurian plague of 1910–11 and the influenza pandemic of 1918–19. During the latter the safety measures taken were very similar to those today. The United States for example, closed churches, soda fountains, theatres, movie houses, department stores and barber shops. The amount of space allocated to people in public spaces was regulated. There were however fines against coughing, sneezing, spitting, kissing and even talking outdoors. Some Americans went to prison for refusing to wear masks or not paying fines and a health inspector shot a blacksmith for refusing an order to wear one. All this led to masks becoming unpopular and an Anti-Mask League being formed in San Francisco.

Back in the UK, smog in our industrial cities was a further example of something which led to mask wearing for public health reasons, until The Clean Air Act (1956) began to improve matters.

 

This picture of a Manchester bus during the smog was taken at midday!

As late as 1965, the Beatles wore masks to counter the effects of smog on their way to a concert in the city.

 

While wearing face coverings is not ideal, it has not taken long for the demand for fashionable masks to accelerate. Hello magazine recently ran a whole feature on where to buy a stylish or fun version. You can get one of your favourite band or football team. Maybe you want to make a political point.

 

To help get the message across, Sunderland Council has issued the following advice. “Treat your mask like your undies. Dinnit touch or rive at it, especially in public. Dinnit borrow one from ya marra (mate) or lend yours to them. Mack sure it’s canny tight but comfy. Mack sure it’s the reet way round. If it’s stained or hacky, hoy it in the bin. If it’s damp or foisty, change it! Dinnit go commando!”

 

 

Test Your Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

IT HAPPENED IN AUGUST

1. Glamorous American film star who died from an overdose of sleeping pills in August 1962

2. When Winston Churchill said, in August 1940,”Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few”, to whom was he referring?

3. The eruption of which volcano, in 79 AD, destroyed the cities of Stabiae and Herculaneum?

4. In August 1945 the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, what was the name of the plane that dropped it?

5. In August 1896, gold was discovered at Rabbit Creek, a tributary of which Alaskan river?

6. In 1572 thousands of Protestant Huguenots were murdered, by Catholics, in what became to be known as The St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre. In which country did it take place?

7. Born on 27th August 1910 as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, she founded a religious order known as the Missionaries of Charity and spent her life working in India.

8. Born on August 30th 1797, which author wrote the novel Frankenstein?

9. In August of which year were the Olympic Games held in Berlin?

10. In 1960 which city was declared to be the federal capital of Pakistan?

11. Born in August 1803, this man went on to become a gardener and architect and designed the Crystal Palace.

12. What is the name of the author, born in August 1819, whose best known novel is Moby-Dick?

13. The signing of the United States Declaration of Independence took place in August of which year?

 14. Born in 1884, Henri Cornet, at aged 19 is the youngest ever winner of which endurance race?

15. In 1305 the leader of the Scottish resistance against England (made famous in the film ‘Braveheart’) was captured and ultimately executed. What was his name?

16. In 1620, which ship departed from Southampton, England on its first attempt to reach North America.

17. Born in 1862, Joseph Merrick became known as what due to his deformities?

18. Who was the English actor who died in August 2000 famed for his roles in several Ealing comedies including ‘The Lady Killers’ and ‘Kind Hearts and Coronets’?

19.The building of what structure was started in August 1961?

20. Which US state joined the Union in August 1959?

21. How old was Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, on 4th August 2000?

22. What canal opened in August 1914?

23. The first steamship crossed the Atlantic in August 1818. What was its name?

24. August 9th, 1930, is the birthdate of what cartoon character?

25. In August 1893, the world’s first car registration plates were introduced in which country?

 

Click here for the Answers http://wenvoe.org.uk/?p=8094

 

 

Back To The Future

Back To The Future

Well at least for the time being, Covid 19 seems to be in retreat. During lockdown we have enjoyed walks around the village, often discovering paths and trails we never imagined existed. At last we can now visit our local pubs again and venture further afield. It is great to see that things are opening up around the Vale again.

The excellent Visit the Vale website provides detailed information and a range of impressive brochures and mini guides covering ‘what’s occurring.’

From the site you can order a free copy of the Coast Countryside & Culture Guide, which showcases the best places to visit and features some stunning photography of the area. There are also some free and downloadable town guides, including those for Barry Island, Cowbridge, Llantwit Major and Penarth.

The Llantwit Major Guide includes a self-guided walk based on the town’s Blue Plaques, taking in historic buildings such as St Illtud’s Church and the Town Hall. You can end your walk with refreshments at the 16th century Old Swan Inn. During the Civil War period the innkeeper, Edward Maddocks, struck brass tokens, gaining the house a reputation as a mint. Monthly manorial courts were sometimes held there. In the 1930s when it was an inn, celebrities including the famous American owner of St Donats William Randolph Hearst and Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain visited. The Visitor Centre in the Town Hall (check opening times) provides information on places to visit, events and activities. Trains run hourly to and from Llantwit Major to Barry and Cardiff. Platforms at the station are accessible for anyone with mobility challenges.

The Barry Guide highlights a range of activities many of you may not be aware of. There is a self-guided Gavin and Stacey Walking Tour and the 6 mile Barry Town Trail. The latter can be started at any point and walked in sections. It links Barry Island, Barry Waterfront and Barry Town with places of interest highlighted along the trail. Copies of the trail leaflet are available from the tourism department at the Vale of Glamorgan Council in Barry. Tel: (01446) 704867 E-mail: tourism@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

The Cowbridge Guide includes details of the Iolo Morganwg Circular Walk (6.5 miles). This celebrates the famous and colourful 18th century Welsh poet and antiquarian, while taking in the heart of historic Cowbridge, surrounding villages and woodland. An A5 leaflet, with pull out OS Map and walk instructions, is available from the Bear Hotel or Costa Coffee on the High Street.

Warren Mill Farm Park near Pendoylan (open) is included, with its large variety of miniature, rare and unusual farm animals, colourful waterfowl and a new family of wallabies. The farm is situated around a natural 4-acre coarse lake, well stocked with carp, perch, roach and bream. It can be found 1 mile north of the A48 near Bonvilston. (CF71 7UJ).

We can look forward then to enjoying what is left of the Summer and to supporting our local businesses, especially those in the hospitality and leisure sectors.

 

 

1 … 19 20 21 22 23 … 59