Category: General Interest Articles

Articles of general interest on no particular subject

Nothing Is Certain But Death And Taxes

Nothing Is Certain But Death And Taxes

How many times have you heard this quote?

Unfortunately, it is true; and whilst we all have too much time on our hands, perhaps it is something that should be considered.

I can’t say I know that much about taxes, other than I pay them. But death………….

Given time to reflect on these strange times we find ourselves in, and the thousands of people who have met their death at the hands of Covid 19, death certainly raises some questions, and I mean at a practical level rather than a spiritual one.

We are all aware that at some point in our lives we will lose a loved one, or even our own life. But are we prepared? Have you decided upon your wishes, or discussed the wishes of loved ones? What about people living alone with no family to rely on? It is a difficult conversation to have, but saves a lot of heartache and worry in the long term.

Here’s some questions to consider:

Do you or your loved ones know who to contact in the event of a death?

Have you/they made a will and where is it kept?

Is a funeral plan in place, who with and where is the paperwork?

Are you aware of the type of funeral preferred (burial, cremation, religious, green etc)

Where were you/they born?

What was your/their occupation?

Marital status?

Spouse’s occupation?

Maiden name?

I appreciate that this all seems a little callous and unfeeling, but these are the questions you or your loved ones will be faced with at a very difficult time, from either your GP, paramedics, police, coroner’s office or registrars.

Other useful information would be:

GP name and address

Medical conditions

Medication

Solicitor name and address

You’ll be surprised where these conversations go.

I’ve learnt of people who want their ashes scattered at Knap Point, so family can get chips and visit them; also a relative that wants throwing off Swanage Pier, preferably when she’s passed away, special songs and hymns to be played at services and menu requests for the wake to name but a few.

But what to do and how?

One suggestion could be to consider the points above and prepare a document with all the information required and seal it in an envelope, and make your family and friends aware of its existence and location for when required.

 

Alternatively, if you have a Green Cross Container, place details of your next of kin within that, so if medical assistance is sought, the emergency services will know who to contact. You could also indicate where other documentation may be found.

I hope I haven’t distressed or depressed anyone too much, just given you something to ponder.

Blame it on Covid 19 and too much time to think about ‘what if’.

In the meantime, BE SAFE.

 

 

Vale For Africa Eyecare Trip 2018

VALE FOR AFRICA EYECARE TRIP 2018

It was through my work that I first heard of local charity Vale for Africa and of their annual trip to Uganda. Vale for Africa works with a local African charity/NGO called ACET, to improve healthcare and education in the Tororo district of eastern Uganda.

They say it is good to push ourselves out of our comfort zone, and so it was that I signed up to be part of the 2018 team. The trip takes place at the end of August. By February our team members had all been confirmed and 6 months of planning began. Our team consisted of 5 working optometrists, alongside local retired optometrist Ted Arbuthnot and his wife, retired GP Dr Hilary Bugler. A week before the trip we gathered at Ted and Hilary’s home to distribute the kit/equipment, paperwork, and gifts/t-shirts to distribute in Tororo. I did return home that day with a full suitcase and wondered where I was putting my ‘personal’ gear – packing lightly is not one of my strengths!

We gathered at Cardiff airport on Friday 24th August, brimming with excitement and also a few nerves. The journey went smoothly; two flights and a few films later, we touched down in Entebbe airport. It would not be possible to reach Tororo that same day and so we spent one night in Uganda’s capital, Kampala. An early start the next morning allowed us to break our journey at Jinja ‘the source of the Nile’, to take in some amazing African wildlife. By late afternoon on Sunday 26th August we reached Tororo town and had our first glimpse of the distinctive Tororo Rock.

Our accommodation for the week was at the Benedictine Nunnery Although basic, it was comfortable and a welcome peaceful haven at the end of each day. An impressive thunderstorm and the resulting power cut on that first night did make me wonder what the next few days would bring!

The work started in earnest the next morning. The project relies on working with a team of local volunteers who are invaluable; some carrying out some ‘pre-screening’ checking of vision and some helping us with translation and giving patient instructions. These volunteers are known as the Visual Acuity Testers (VATs).

Most have been involved with the project for several years. They now know well what needs to be done to help the clinics run smoothly. The first morning was run as a refresher training session for the VATs, before our first clinics in the afternoon.

In our clinics we had anyone and everyone from babes in arms to a lady whose age on her paperwork simply read ‘80+’. The vast majority of these patients would never have seen a doctor, dentist or optometrist before in their lives.

It is difficult to explain just how different the clinics are from those at home, where we are all very lucky to have the latest technology to help us in our work.

At home I might see an average of 10-12 patients a day; we averaged 40 a day in Tororo.

Each morning the team of VATs had often been there an hour or two ahead of us, setting up what they could in advance – each day my buddy Joseph would already have hung some makeshift curtains in whatever room we were to be based in, as too much light makes it difficult to examine inside the eyes.

The other thing I initially found somewhat disconcerting but soon got used to was ‘performing’ in front of an audience. At one of the schools we were based at, Joseph ushered me into ‘our’ room to be greeted by at least 20 pairs of eyes watching my every move as I unpacked for the day. There were school benches that had all been pushed to the side of the room, so of course they would sit there to wait their turn.

As expected, we saw a wide range of eye conditions. For many this meant their first pair of glasses – and for several hundred people a simple pair of reading glasses would be life changing. We saw plenty of other ‘interesting’ things but, unexpectedly, it was these people whose lives could be changed by a £3 pair of reading glasses that touched me most of all. We helped a seamstress and a local government worker who had given up work because of their ‘poor vision’ and would now be able to carry on working for perhaps another 10 years.

In Tororo town is the Benedictine Eye Hospital, to which we could refer patients who needed treatment including cataract surgery (and Vale for Africa covers the cost of the surgery for these patients) and eyedrops for the treatment of Glaucoma.

In total between our team of 5 we saw just over 700 patients, almost 100 of whom needed cataract surgery. This may seem a drop in the ocean compared to Uganda’s population of 42 million, but you couldn’t help but feel we really were making a difference to those people we saw.

On the final night we were treated to a wonderful evening with those we had worked with during the week, with a very fine meal and some amazing African dancing – a memorable way to round off the trip. We set off early the next morning to begin our long journey home from Tororo to Entebbe airport and on to Wales. I was coming home tired, but with wonderful memories, new friendships, and a little piece of Tororo and its wonderful people in my heart.

The 2020 trip has, like so many other events, sadly been cancelled, but I very much hope to be on that plane to Entebbe again in 2021. If anyone would like to know more about Vale for Africa and the work they do take a look at www.valeforafrica.org.uk where you can find a donation link and more information on how to get involved.

Dawn Saville

 

 

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.

 

 

Thanks for Making My Travels Easy

Thanks for Making My Travels Easy

 

As someone who has spent many happy hours walking the footpaths around Wenvoe during lockdown I would like to thank the people who make my travels easy:

The walk leaders of Wenvoe Walkers who have shown so many of us the local routes around the village and made it possible for us to explore by ourselves once the social distancing rules were introduced.

Valeways and their volunteers, who have maintained the signage and stiles, and those who join in ‘Walk and Clear’ making sure the paths remain open.

Wildlife group for creating and maintaining the Orchid field and orchards.

Our local farmers and landowners who provide access to their land and even through these difficult times have smiled and waved if we pass one another.

Wenvoe Golf Club who were happy for us to wander freely across their land while the course was shut.

Thank you all for helping me and the residents of Wenvoe to explore safely.

Annie Bennett

 

 

Virus Tracing Scams

VIRUS TRACING SCAMS

How to tell if a contact tracing text is real

NHS Test and Trace might text or call you to warn you if you’ve recently been in contact with some-one who tests positive for the virus.

You can tell if it’s genuine if it includes a unique ID number. This ID number should allow you to log into the official Test and Trace website.

Instead of following any links included in the text, go to the website from your web browser and enter the ID number you’ve been given.

You could also check whether the text came from the only number dedicated to the NHS tracing service, which is 0300 013 5000. However, there are concerns it could be affected by number spoofing.

No other messaging services are being used to contact people. If you get a message like this on WhatsApp, Telegram or Facebook, for example, you can be sure it’s fake.

Fake NHS texts: how you can tell the difference

Be cautious and report suspicious messages

If you do receive a suspect Test and Trace message, report it to Action Fraud. The National Cyber Security Centre is also encouraging reporting phishing attempts to report@phishing.gov.uk.

Scammers are taking advantage of the pandemic in any way they can to try and steal information and money.

Be generally suspicious of any unusual or unexpected messages that ask for personal information about you or your friends and family

Source Which.

 

 

Recycling Bag Suggestions

Recycling Bag Suggestions

After a recent very windy rubbish/recycling collection day, I have been reflecting on the small changes we could all make to help improve our great village.

I am lucky that a kind neighbour will bring my recycling bins and bags to my front door, and tuck them safely away, if I am not at home. I appreciate that some people are out at work all day and cannot take their receptacles in promptly; I also appreciate that when it is very windy these things quickly blow away once they have been emptied. After this recent windy Friday I found myself in possession of an extra blue bag and an extra orange bag – 6 days later they still hadn’t been claimed (I, for one, couldn’t afford to lose these too often – they do cost money to replace!). If they’d only had a house number written on them I would happily have returned them to their rightful home. Please folks – take 5 minutes to label your bins and bags, and there’s a chance we wouldn’t end up with so many strewn around certain streets on a regular basis.

On a similar note, perhaps I could suggest that at the same time people take another 5 minutes to look up the current recycling guidelines and refresh their memory. I came outside on that same day to see my front lawn strewn with rubbish that filled half a black bag when collected. This was clearly the contents of someone’s plastic recycling bag – but amongst this waste was black plastic (not suitable for plastic recycling) and dirty food containers (which should be rinsed out and clean before being put in recycling). Cleaning up someone else’s dirty food containers, particularly in the current climate of this health pandemic, is not how I would choose to spend part of my Friday afternoon.

 

Let’s keep our lovely little village looking it’s best!

Burdons Close

 

 

The Chainworks Of Brown Lenox

THE CHAINWORKS OF BROWN LENOX
‘Not the cheapest, but the best’

Established as Samuel Brown & Co., but changing to reflect the financial support of Samuel Lenox, this is a multi-stranded business story that covers the development of iron chain cables and suspension bridges. Brown Lenox figures strongly in the industrial history of south Wales and beyond. First and foremost it was a commercial undertaking, started by Samuel Brown and his Welsh born smith and works manager Philip Thomas, to manufacture iron chains for the anchoring, mooring and even the rigging of ships. It would lead to the establishment of purpose built chainworks at Millwall on the Thames and Newbridge (Ynysangharad) at Pontypridd, the latter works supplying round eye bar suspension chain for Brown’s chainbridges. In the field Brown was the first to erect iron level deck suspension bridges in the country, and the Newbridge works produced the major part of the chainwork for his suspension bridges with maritime chain cable production beginning in 1818.

Captain Sir Samuel Brown, to give him his full title, died in 1852, outliving Samuel Lenox who died in 1836. Lenox’s nephew George William Lenox took over the management of the works in 1840 after the death of Philip Thomas; the family name still represented at the works by a Lenox into the 1950s. In 1969 Brown Lenox became a wholly owned part of the F H Lloyd Group and with the change of ownership came new products particularly quarry plant; ore and waste processing machinery under licence. The last chain cable order was for the Cunarder QE2.

Part of the site had been sold off to form a retail estate in 1987 and the site finally closed in 1999 drawing an end to one of the longest standing and consistently successful companies in Wales with a history as celebrated as any in the country

 

 

A Day To Remember On Skis

A DAY TO REMEMBER ON SKIS

It was a Saturday morning in the early spring and I had woken up in Chamonix, the historic town in the heart of the French alps under the shadow of the mighty Mont Blanc. We were having a rest day and planned to do one of the longest ski descents in Europe, a 20 km run called the Vallee Blanche. But first breakfast was calling and off we went to the restaurant for our baguette, croissants and coffee. Candidly we never felt that the French quite hit the mark with their breakfasts, but they were just about worth get-ting out of bed for.

Vallee Blanche

It was rather inconvenient that the main cable car we needed to use to reach the Aiguille du Midi, our starting point, was closed for repairs so we decided to drive our minibus through the Mont Blanc tunnel into Italy and to take the cable car up from that side. Hearing our conversation over breakfast a French mountain guide asked if he could join us, as he too had the day off and would like to ski the Vallee Blanche with us. So we welcomed Yves to the party and set off for Italy. We caught the first possible cable car to reach Pointe Helbronner from where we could put on our skis and ski down to join our original route back to Chamonix.

Sadly the weather at the top station was awful, a full white out which is a condition when the sky and snow appear as a white sheet in front of you which makes skiing and navigation really tricky. So we drank the inevitable coffees until it cleared. When it did we shot out of the door to make up for lost time and readied ourselves for this challenging ski descent down a glacier. As we lined up, Yves asked if he might lead us down and we thought that was a good idea as, being a Chamonix guide, he would know the safest route. So he went first, followed by John our guide who carried a rope, and I skied at the back of the group with a spare rope. We all started off in high spirits.

It was good to be skiing at last. Yves called back that we should follow his tracks as he picked his way be-tween the visible crevasses of the Geant glacier. After a few minutes, Yves and John stopped and we all pulled up, keeping a safe distance between each other. Yves had decided to rope up with John so that if he fell down an unseen crevasse John would be able to arrest his fall with the rope. Being guides they were quick and professional and in a few minutes, someone shouted that Yves had gone. I replied that was fine and we would follow on shortly. “No – he has really gone!” came the reply. In fact, as soon as he had skied off he had fallen straight down a deep crevasse. John had done a textbook arrest by simply dropping down with his skis at a right angle to the pull of the rope, which otherwise might have dragged him in on top of Yves. I told everyone to stay still and went forward with my spare rope ready to carry out a much-practised crevasse rescue of Yves. First I had to establish a belay or anchor, so I took off my skis and thrust the first one deep into the snow – to my horror the snow, about the size of a table, fell away at my feet and I was staring into a deep ice-cold blue crevasse and I was about to fall into it. Quickly I put my skis back on to spread my weight and I moved towards John. A crevasse fall is very serious. It can result in a head injury or broken bones which make extraction more difficult. In the worst case the victim becomes wedged at the bottom, where the sides narrow, and body heat melts the ice which soon refreezes and locks the body to the ice. In this case we knew from his shouts that Yves was uninjured and together we set up a pulley system and hauled Yves out, not without a few Gallic expletives on his part. Alas, he had lost a ski down the crevasse but was otherwise fine; only his pride was hurt. We were lucky to get away so lightly from this potentially dangerous incident.

Shocked as he was he insisted on leading again, now skiing with great skill and balance on a single ski. Amazingly he soon disappeared over the lip of an-other crevasse, but this time John had him on a tight-rope and he did not go far down. Again we pulled him out but we had a long descent to make which on his one ski would have been very difficult. So we made our way to the Requin hut at the side of the glacier where the kindly guardian gave us coffee and found a spare ski for Yves to use. Our adrenalin reserves were running low – it was good to take a breath.

We were now past the Geant icefall and the crevasse risk was behind us, so we skied down happily as far as we could to a point where the snow runs out. Here we took off our boots and put on the trainers we had packed in our rucksacks for the hike up a steep path, to join a modern metal staircase which had been built to give summer visitors easy access to the glacier. At the top of the steps was the small train station of Montenvers. This was the end of the line for a narrow-gauge railway, using a rack and pinion system, which was built in 1908 for the Victorian tourists. How we wished the service was running that day, but sadly it was not so we set off for the long walk back to Chamonix. Our various diversions had set us back so the sun was setting as we reached the town where we quenched our thirsts with good French beers at the Bar National. It really had been a day to remember.

 

 

Forever Amber

FOREVER AMBER

On the landing in Gran’s little house was a large oak chest of drawers on which rested the treasured family Bible. In those days just about every home had one and I remember being fascinated by the contents – the faithfully recorded entries in fading ink, the sepia photographs of long-dead relatives, clothed on their Sunday best clothes, glaring ferociously at the camera, the papery pressed flowers from long ago all of which gave me some idea of life in those times. What happened to these treasures I will never know.

The drawers of the chest were largely taken over by household linen, delicately perfumed with dried lavender from Gran’s garden, but one drawer was devoted to what she called her ‘special things’ which she treasured above all else. There were gloves and a handbag in the softest leather with an amber clasp, a set of beautifully illustrated postcards entitled “The Volunteer Organist” from the 1914-1918 War and lastly two long necklaces, one of jet beads and the other of amber, only worn on Sundays to go to chapel. As a child I was allowed to play with these things, if I behaved myself.

Imagine my surprise recently when I chanced on the TV show, ‘Flog It’, as far as I could tell, an identical necklace of amber beads went under the hammer for £830.00, to the astonishment of the vendors who had put a reserve of only £200.00 on it.

Sadly all Gran’s treasures are lost in the mists of time, but when I next have a good sort- out , I shall pay more attention to what I’m discarding which my family might appreciate.‘

Point of interest.— ‘Forever Amber’ is the title of an historical novel by American author, Kathleen Windsor and was first published in 1944.

 

 

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