The Official Wenvoe Homepage
Articles of general interest on no particular subject
Parking Email Scam
Dyfed Powys Police are warning residents not to respond to a parking email scam targeting their residents. If you receive such an email do not click on the ‘pay here’ box or telephone the number. H M Courts and Tribunal Service are not sending out penalty charge notices. Delete the email and tell your friends and family. The more people that know this is a scam, the less victims there will be.
ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
While we are all hoping to avoid a local lockdown, self-isolation or quarantine, in true British fashion we seem to be making the best of things. We are already getting used to life with coronavirus and of course most of the current restrictions are nothing new
Although in the past it may have been a self-imposed or voluntary separation from society, in more recent times quarantine has come to represent a compulsory action enforced by health authorities. The Welsh Government of course is not the first to wrestle with this problem. During the 14th century, in an effort to protect coastal cities from plague epidemics, ships arriving in Venice from infected ports were required to sit at anchor for 40 days before landing. This practice, called quarantine, was derived from the Italian words quaranta giorni which mean 40 days.
Ancient civilizations relied on isolating the sick, well before the actual microbial causes of disease were known. In times when treatments for illnesses were rare and public health measures few, physicians and lay leaders, beginning as early as the ancient Greeks, turned to quarantine to contain a scourge. The practice is even recorded in the Old Testament where several verses mention isolation for those with leprosy. Closer to home the Quarantine Act was passed in England in 1710, which stipulated a sentence of death for persons not respecting the compulsory 40-day quarantine for humans and goods arriving here suspected or known to have been in contact with the plague.
Perhaps the best known individual example of quarantine, pitting an individual’s civil liberties against public protection, is the story of Mary Mallon, aka “Typhoid Mary”. An asymptomatic carrier of typhoid fever in the early 20th century, she never felt sick but nevertheless spread the disease to families for whom she worked as a cook. Officials quarantined Mary on North Brother Island in New York City. Released after three years, she promised never to cook for anyone again. Breaking her promise and continuing to spread the disease, she was returned to North Brother Island, where she remained for the remainder of her life in isolation.
So, beyond the usual online fitness sessions, reading those books we have never got around to, or holding a Zoom quiz, what can do to keep ourselves entertained if we suddenly have to self-isolate? While staying indoors, we can at least turn to the internet.
How about a virtual tour of bucket-list attractions like Machu Picchu and the Taj Mahal? You could take a virtual field trip of the Kennedy Space Centre or maybe follow a livestream of an Australian koala. If music is your thing how about tuning in to the live concerts performed at the Royal Albert Hall, which as a planned programme online. If you prefer rock, Metallica have a similar programme and if you are feeling a little more laid back try Neil Young or Nora Jones. You can keep up to date with what’s happening via websites like billboard.com.
You could even join in the latest way to socialise with friends over video chat, by holding your own Quarantini Happy Hour. Simply stated, a quarantini is a cocktail (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) made from whatever ingredients you have on hand at home. The easiest way is to make variants of classic cocktails based on one-ingredient substitutions. One expert cited a Negroni, with equal proportions of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. When gin was swapped out for whiskey, the Boulevardier was invented. Jane Danger, the national mixologist for Pernod Ricard suggests starting by selecting your spirit of choice and base your “sweet” and “sour” upon it. “Ransack your cupboard. Dried herbs and spices make great salts and sugars which you can grind together and use to rim the glass.” So with lots of suggestions online, why not have a go?
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
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
PUZZLE
For each definition find a word which starts and finishes with the same letter. Each letter of the alphabet is used except for J and Q. (Couldn’t find a word to fit)
The solution can be found here – http://wenvoe.org.uk/?p=8305
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
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.
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.
They Think It’s All Over
They think that it’s all over, this virus put to bed
“Don’t listen to the science, it’s party hard instead!
We’re young and fit and in our prime
The old and frail have had their time.
So we’ll all flock to the beaches, Go drinking in the park,
We’ll litter lots of beauty spots and party after dark”.
I pray that it’s all over and Corona’s put to bed,
But fear has not ended, simply waiting to rear its head,
With Winter fast approaching, dark days and nights descend,
This vaccine can’t come soon enough, to bring Covid an end.
Please learn the lockdown lessons, our heroes’ selfless acts,
Just take the time to ponder and listen to the facts.
Stop the sacrifice of many, being squandered by the few,
So that, they’re lucky, the young can grow old too!
Beverly Mackintosh
