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A Mix of Two Ancient Cultures

VILLAGE ENVIRONMENT GROUP

A Mix of Two Ancient Cultures

Well, well, well … following last month’s successful Tai Chi session, Tony, one of the elders, asked if he could bring something to the table which he had learnt while on active service in the Far East (Newport Road to be exact). He said this would involve a mix of two ancient cultures and bring warmth and energy to our lives. As a group we encourage folk to bring enlightenment to the fore. But first, our gang master had us cleaning debris from the old part of Walston Road and team member Mr Guest arranged for the Vale to supply a road sweeper to tidy up after we had finished.

When all this was finished, we waited in anticipation for Tony to enlighten us. Right on cue a moped arrived with a large case on the back. The driver then handed out foil cartons of Thai and Chinese. We were surprised, but grateful for Tony’s interpretation of wellbeing.

Our meeting on 13th April will be at the village green and will end with Mrs Phyllis Crump giving a taster session on line dancing, which will be a roaring success with this bunch of cowboys!

Come Home to Rest

ARTICLES of GENERAL INTEREST

COME HOME TO REST

I was a young boy about ten years old, and I had come from my home in Wenvoe to meet my parents at St Mary’s Church. They had gone to the ten o’ clock service. I wasn’t feeling too good that day, so had stayed home.

I arrived at the small park between the Wenvoe Arms and the church and saw a man sitting by the monument. The man was dressed in a brownish green uniform with a coat to match. It was full of mud; the man’s face and hands were covered in dark smears too. He had a peaked hat and a long rifle lying next to him on the ground. His boots, which were also dirty, seemed to be like hobnail boots that workmen wear. Across the man’s face there was a bandage that went around the top of his head covering his left ear. This was also dirty.

“Hello” I said, “are you waiting for someone?” “Yes”, said the man, “I am waiting for my Mam and Dad to come out of church. They always go to the ten o’clock service.” “Who are you?” asked the man. “My name is Julian” I said, “but my friends call me Jules.” The man turned round to me and said, “My name is Terrence Gormley, but my friends call me Terry.” He looked about twenty years old and when he shook my hand it felt cold and wet.

“Do you live in the village” I asked. Terry looked at me and said, “My Dad works on the estate in the village, and we live in one of their cottages. I have just come back from fighting at the Front in a place called the Somme.” “Where’s that?” I asked. “It’s in France” he said. “What’s your gun called?” I asked. “It’s a Lee Enfield rifle” he said.

“How come you went to war” I asked. Terry said “A few of us from the village joined the Welsh Regiment in 1915. I got hit and was sent home to rest. I got the boat to Dover, caught a train to Cardiff, then a milkman gave me a lift to Wenvoe on his cart.” “Where did you get hit?” I asked. Terry pointed to his ear which was covered by the bandage. “I guess I was just lucky” he said. “Oh, by the way” said Terry, “what’s the date today?” I looked at my watch. “It’s 11th November.”

“Well, I guess I might walk up to the church to meet my parents” I said. “I’ll just wait here to meet mine” said Terry, “and I might catch a glimpse of my girlfriend Nelly, if she has gone to church.” As I walked up to the church, the bells began to chime, and I saw my parents coming out. I ran to meet them, and they asked if I was feeling ok now.

I told my parents what had happened to me in the last half hour. They looked concerned and asked me if I could take them to where I met Terry. When we arrived, my dad said “This is the First World War memorial to the fallen servicemen from Wenvoe.” There was no-one at the memorial, but my dad asked me to repeat the name again of the person I had talked to. “Terrance Gormley,” I said. My Dad looked at the fallen names from the village and found a T. Gormley on one of the stones.

Extensive Work Carried Out

Wenvoe Wildlife Group

Extensive Work Carried Out

Quite a bit of vegetation clearance has been taking place. John Crockford has cut most of the Upper Orchid Field and extensive work has been carried out in the Community Orchard despite the very wet conditions. Strimming has been done in the orchards and school wildlife patch.

We have projects on the go working with the Beavers, Cubs and infants’ classes at the School.

 

Wildlife spotted by Wenvoe residents include Hummingbird Hawkmoth (pictured), Scarlet Elf Cup fungus, Jelly Ear fungus, various birds in gardens including Pheasant, Goldfinch, Sparrowhawk and signs are appearing of activity by bats emerging from hibernation. Stonechats were seen near the Golf Club – an unusual event.

Year of the Fire Horse

YEAR OF THE FIRE HORSE

It is the Chinese Year of the Fire Horse. Whilst we cannot include Fire Horses in the list of Wenvoe’s wildlife, we do have a couple of species with ‘horse’ in the title. Arguably one of our best-known trees, still visited by adults and children from near and far, is the Horse Chestnut with its popular Conkers. Grange Park has some very fine specimens. Introduced from South- East Europe in the late 16th century, extracts of the fruit are still used for a wide range of medicinal treatments. In the First World War, children were paid to collect conkers from which Acetone could be extracted, and this was used in the manufacture of the explosive, Cordite. In the event, the process was not viable and the factory involved closed in 1918. A particular characteristic of the Chestnut Tree leaves in Grange Park is their tendency to turn brown as early as August, prompting some people to assume Autumn has come early. However, the colour change is caused by the larva of a very small moth which tunnels inside the leaves. Assuming every leaf on our trees has half a dozen caterpillars, mathematicians might like to try to calculate how many larvae there are in Grange Park!

The other species including horse is the Horse Leech, a harmless but large leech up to 15 centimetres or 6 inches long. They used to be seen in the watercourse that ran between the back gardens in Rectory Close and the Grange Estate. However, since the housing development, there is very little flow of water, and we can assume the Horse Leech has disappeared from that location

Hiking And Biking With Richard Trevithick

ARTICLES of GENERAL INTEREST

HIKING AND BIKING WITH RICHARD TREVITHICK

Of the delights to enjoy locally, the Taff Trail must surely be up there amongst the top and to this must be added the Trevithick Trail. The former covers a distance of some 54 miles from Cardiff Bay to Brecon and the latter some 7 miles from near Edwardsville to Merthyr Tydfil with some of that mileage co-incident. Both are mostly routed along former railbeds, canals and the like. This article is about the historical background of a five-mile section of both. But firstly, an introduction to Richard Trevithick and industry at this time, is called for.

Richard Trevithick (1771 – 1833) was a pioneering British engineer and inventor whose bold use of high-pressure steam transformed the possibilities of mechanical power at the turn of the nineteenth century. Born in 1771 in Cornwall which at the time was Britain’s most important tin and copper mining region. The mines were constantly threatened by flooding, and the demand for powerful pumping engines created an environment ripe for innovation. From an early age he was surrounded by the practical challenges of mining engineering. Although he received only a limited formal education he possessed exceptional mechanical insight and mathematical ability.

During Trevithick’s youth, steam engines were already in use, particularly those developed by Watt and Boulton. These engines operated using low-pressure steam and separate condensers, which made them efficient but large, complex, and protected by strict patents. Trevithick took a radically different approach. He believed that high-pressure steam, considered dangerous by many engineers of the time, could produce more compact, powerful engines,

By the late 1790s, Trevithick began constructing high-pressure steam engines for use in Cornish mines. They were smaller and lighter than Watt’s models and capable of generating greater power relative to their size. In 1801, he demonstrated one of his most famous creations, known as the “Puffing Devil,” a steam-powered road carriage.

Soon after, Trevithick was travelling and supplying his high-pressure steam engines far and wide. Witness some of his endeavours: London (for road transport and Thames Tunnel construction); Coalbrookdale (for a locomotive), Peru and Costa Rica (for pumping water from silver mines); a variety of maritime applications; and to South Wales which has been the precursor of this article.

Just a further step back in history. When the iron works in Merthyr Tydfil were first established in the mid-1700s, iron products were carried to the coast by pack animals for onward shipping. In 1790 the ironmasters and the 2nd Marquis of Bute promoted the construction of the Glamorganshire Canal between Merthyr and a sea lock to the south of Cardiff into the Bristol Channel. It was opened in 1795 But subsequent disputes between the iron masters led to a “plateway” also running from Merthyr and Cardiff, being partly constructed. The plateway had L shaped iron rails on which horse drawn wagons carried iron products and later coal. It reached as far south as Abercynon before agreements between the ironmasters were reached. It was however convenient to keep the plateway operating as far as Abercynon, from there cargo was transferred to barges on the canal for onward travel to the Cardiff sea lock for shipment by sea.

Back to Trevithick. In 1802 he built one of his high-pressure steam engines to power a forge hammer at the Penydarren Ironworks for Samuel Homfray, one of the iron masters (the others being Richard Crawshay and the Guests father and son). Homfray encouraged Trevithick to mount that engine on wheels in the hope that it would make a better locomotive than others that had been trialled elsewhere in Britain. Result: success!

Homfray was so impressed with Trevithick’s locomotive that he made a bet of 500 guineas with Crawshay that this locomotive could haul ten tons of iron along the tram way from Penydarren to Abercynon, a distance of some 10 miles. On 21 February 1804 this was achieved, hauling five wagons and 70 men the full distance in 4 hours and 5 minutes, at an average speed of 2.4 mph. Having proved the engine’s capability for locomotion, it returned to its original function for powering the forge hammer.

The routes I am describing for this article start on the Taff Trail in an industrial estate in Abercynon where the plateway and canal formerly met. From here one hikes or bikes north along the west bank of the Taff on the Taff Trail which utilises the bed of the tram way. After passing under the modern viaducts for the A470 and then the A472 the valley becomes well wooded. Near Quaker’s Yard and Edwardsville, the trail is bridged over the Taff twice before resuming its progression on the west bank.

After about 3 miles, where the only sounds to be heard are bird song and rushing water, a junction is reached. Here the Taff Trail (NCR 8) branches left to cross the Taff via the historic Pont y Gwaith to follow the west side of the A470. The Trevithick Trail proper (NCR 477) takes the right fork. Evidence of the plateway now presents itself as stone blocks with drilled holes which once held bolts that secured the “plates”. From here NCR 477 continues for a further 8 miles to Merthyr Tydfil, this is to be the subject of a further article.

Tony Hodge

 

Margam Park and Merthyr Mawr

Margam Park

We parked at the small fishing lake near Margam Abbey, the drive over had been misty and as we started out it was raining. Heading north we passed the lake with ducks and swans.

Margam park is one of 22 sentinel sites across Wales acting as an early warning system for any plant pests and diseases. There is a hillfort just above the abbey, we decided not to climb it as there would have been no view. A memorial bench dedication struck a chord, ‘come and sit and watch the seasons change’, we were ready for an end to this winter’s rainfall.

Everything was festooned with moss, fungi and water droplets. The views were restricted as the mist and rain continued. We walked alongside woodland, through woodland and almost up to the Ogwr Ridgeway walk. Lunch was taken in a wood where some of us sat on tree stumps but most stood, as the incessant rain dripped from the trees onto us and our sandwiches.

After lunch the rain was heavier with a wind driving it horizontally. We saw frog spawn and squelched across an open area as the footpath was water-logged. Bare trees grew from ponds which are almost certainly not there normally.

The mist became thicker and a herd of deer stood staring at us through the gloom. Soon after we reached the highlight of the walk, a visit to an ancient ash tree. Its trunk had split open and a couple of branches had reached down to the ground. On one of these, above our heads, a group of daffodils were growing amongst ferns – an amazing sight. Hidden by the mist, beyond the tree was Port Talbot steel works.

Margam

Margam’s tamer paths formed the rest of the walk as we passed information boards about bike rides and walks in the area and a sculpture of a stag outside the remains of the abbey. More than one of us will return to visit the Margam Stones museum with its Celtic crosses.

At the end, we were all soaked through and we opted to go straight home rather than stop for a drink. One person declared it ‘the wettest walk ever’. But that ash tree and the deer made it all worthwhile, I think!

Walk 7 miles 1110ft Maps OS165,166,151

 

Merthyr Mawr

Parking at Castleton we walked up the surprisingly busy road, but the weather was dry. A footpath led us uphill across a grassy field and down to a stream which had spread over the grass. White violets, vibrant red cup-shaped elfin cap and other fungi were abundant.

At Merthyr Mawr the dunes are fenced and cattle or ponies graze to keep the dunes open, preventing overgrowth by dense grasses and scrub. We walked through some scrub where gorse and hazel were in flower and spiky sea buckthorn bordered the paths together with the seed heads of evening primrose.

Natural Resources Wales’s website explains how dunes are formed. Waves carry offshore sand to the beach and storms and tides stir sand from the seabed. Coastal erosion can contribute and rivers may bring inland sand. Sand deposited on the beach, gradually builds to dunes, typically in areas with a wide sandy beach.

Waves and wind leave obstacles such as wood, pebbles and seaweed on the beach at the high tide mark. Once the sand is higher up the beach it can be blown by the wind, is trapped by the obstacles and dunes start to form. Plants like marram grass colonise the dunes, their roots stabilise the sand allowing more sand to build higher dune ridges. As plants die organic matter allows other plants to grow perpetuating the growth of the dunes.

Arriving at the beach, we noted the huge amount of wood which sat at the hightide line and walked halfway to the river Ogmore before choosing a tree trunk to sit on for lunch. A cool breeze picked up and reaching the river we saw ripples running across it in strange patterns.

Walking upriver we noticed holes dotted in the sand dunes, continuing for a good distance, rabbit burrows we guessed as they looked too large for birds, and we had seen a few rabbits. Good paths led us past a stand of silver birch and then beech trees with their russet leaves and back to the car park.

Walk 6.5miles 450ft Map OS151

Travels And Travails In Southern Africa, 2025


TRAVELS AND TRAVAILS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA, 2025

A trip in 2025, which was part holiday and part (agricultural) research, began in Zambia with three of us (Sue, Ewen and myself) as guest of another friend (Bruce), a long-time Zambian commercial farmer. Our aim was to share ideas on regenerative farming, now a hot topic due to net-zero emission objectives. Southern Africa has outstanding farmers, and we probably gathered more ideas from them than they from us.

The first week of farm visits was followed by a short break to the Kafue Game Park which is roughly the size of Wales, and doubles in size when surrounding Game Management Areas are also included. On entering the Park, we were to learn that heavy rainfall during the previous week had washed out two culverts on the route we had intended to follow. The alternative route we were advised to follow had clearly seen little or no traffic for many weeks because there was barely a sign of any wheel tracks and vegetation between the tracks was often higher than our vehicle. But no matter; we were all seasoned ‘bush’ travellers having worked in Africa for many years and had made numerous overland journeys the length and breadth of the continent; what could possibly go wrong?

Well, plenty, as it turns out, because about 60kms into our journey we became completely stuck in a swamp with the vehicle’s underbelly perched on heavy clay and the wheels spinning uselessly in the water that invaded our wheel tracks. At first, we thought that the vehicle could be easily extradited but soon realised that we weren’t as well equipped as we thought. We had nearly 50m of tow rope but no winch, nor any hope of a towing vehicle appearing, and the jack that came with the vehicle malfunctioned quite quickly when it became filled with clay and swamp water. Although we all had mobile phones, we had no connectivity either on SMS or the Internet.

On the upside, we had a reasonable supply of food and, being in a swamp meant there was a plentiful supply of water; by good fortune/foresight, Sue had grabbed a metal box of biscuits before we departed, and this became the sole utensil for boiling the rather unsavoury looking swamp water. Also, and by sheer good fortune, the last farm we visited before entering the park gave us a sack of lemons and I can confirm that boiled swamp water with a whole lemon squeezed into it makes a delicious drink (Anyone with a garden pond should give it a try!). Also on board were two bottles of malt whisky, intended as gifts for future hosts.

Being in a game park, it was in part disappointment but more relief that we did not see any large game though there was plenty of evidence that they were not too far away. But what was in abundance were insects. We got stuck at about 4pm and were unable to extract the vehicle before dusk when the mosquitoes emerged in such vast numbers that there was no option but to retreat into the vehicle, extinguish all lights, and spend the next few hours swotting those that were already inside. A four-seater pick-up is an uncomfortable place to be seated at the best of times, but with dawn lying a full 12 hours ahead we were resigned to a night with little sleep. But there was conviviality as we were all good friends, and the possession of the malt whisky did much to lubricate the night away.

We emerged at dawn with much determination but after two hours of effort with minimal reward we realised that our predicament was likely to last longer than we had hoped. The sheer relief at the departure of (most of) the mosquitoes was quickly replaced by the arrival of tse-tse flies, the wounds from which took months to heal. Although we were too busy to spend much time wondering about consequences, the thought of malaria (mosquitoes), trypanosomiasis (tse-tse flies), bilharzia (from the swamp) and septicaemia (cuts on bare feet coated in an ‘Elastoplast’ of caked mud), were difficult to expel entirely from one’s thoughts, but by good fortune none of us were to suffer from any of these.

By mid-morning on day two, and with no progress in extracting the vehicle, it was time for a coffee break and conference. The default recommendation in such situations is to stay with the vehicle, but we had no idea whether we had been missed or written off as ‘no-shows’ at the game lodge we were trying to reach. Additional reasoning was that we were still well fed and healthy but that this may not be the case in, say, five days ahead if we were not found. So, it was decided that one should walk back the way we had come to reach an area where another vehicle was more likely to appear. Our host (Bruce) elected to do this solo, reasoning that he was the youngest (just 71) and knew the terrain far better than the rest of us. To prepare him for a potentially dangerous journey, he placed a message on his phone in case there might be a chance connection while walking, and whenever a clearing emerged he drew a large circle within which he recorded the time, and around which he drew two arrows, one showing the direction he had come from and the other showing the direction he was heading; Bear Grylls would surely have been impressed.

After Bruce’s departure, we continued our efforts to extricate the vehicle. It was debilitatingly thirsty work and Sue was virtually full-time boiling swamp water in the biscuit tin and amusing Ewen and I with prophesies of possible future tabloid headlines such as “remains of missing pensioners found in remote area of Zambia”. By mid-afternoon it was clear that, at the very least, another long night in the pick-up was inevitable so we broke off before the madding hordes of mosquitoes returned and decided on a clean-up. Sue had already found swamp indentations, probably formed by elephant feet, where the water was free of visible pollution. We were all filthy, having neither washed nor changed for nearly three days as well as being caked in mud. So, we all striped off and sluiced each other down, and put on fresh clothing; then Sue boiled up more swamp water to make a beautiful coffee in the cafetiere (for her an essential travel item) as well as finding within her modest food store an unopened bar of Lindt chocolate. The feeling was pure ecstasy and, along with the whisky that was to follow, did much to help us through another 12 hours cramped inside the pick-up.

Still feeling good as daylight broke and being reluctant to get covered in dirt from the swamp again, we enjoyed another delicious brew from Sue’s cafetiere and enjoyed a little light reading (books were other assets we had in our possession). As a result, it was a late start before we finally got going and then, mercifully, the peace of the surroundings was shattered by the sound of a helicopter’s rotor. We were to learn that a fixed wing plane had been searching for us throughout the previous day and, when that proved unsuccessful, a helicopter was brought in to assist. From then on, everything was perfect. The helicopter brought food and drink, and (more importantly) Game Wardens with much better kit than we had, as well as much younger bodies to use it, and in less than an hour the vehicle and the swamp bid each other farewell. Most importantly, the helicopter set off to track Bruce and found him safe and well, having not only survived his long walk (30kms) through the game park but also a night sleeping (and untouched) in the open with the sound of wildlife all around. After being reunited, we left the vehicle in the capable hands of two Game Wardens and enjoyed a short flight in the helicopter to the camp where we should have arrived two nights previously. The ice-cold beer that greeted us on landing was the best any of us had ever tasted!

To all of us, Africa has always been a special place, and the source of many memorable experiences although this was the first time that a helicopter rescue had been needed. The remainder of the journey, which included Zimbabwe and South Africa passed without incident, and those reading this account might be tempted to think it would have been a relief to get back to the safety of the UK; but this was also not to be. My flight back to Heathrow landed at 6.30am and I tried hard to get back to Wenvoe in time to attend an important funeral. The attempt was so nearly successful, but after just two miles I had a head-on with a hit-and-run driver at Twyn-yr-Odyn, which wrote my Land Rover off though I was otherwise uninjured and was able to hitch a ride to the wake. My daily run-about was now a beloved Citroen 2CV which I mostly used when going on holiday. Then just a few weeks later, when Sue returned from South Africa along with her cousin, we set off in the 2CV for a sight-seeing tour of Penarth and Cardiff. This time a much more serious hit-and-run driver crashed into us at speed from behind; we rolled twice with spilt petrol everywhere, but it didn’t ignite and we all escaped and without serious injury.

Looking back, we were very lucky that these incidents did not have tragic outcomes and all who assisted us were quite brilliant. Africa Parks who supplied the helicopter that found us were so professional, as were the Game Wardens who assisted us. After the last car crash we spent 14 hours in A&E in the Heath and I feel proud that the wonderful NHS staff attended, without question, to the injuries sustained by my South African guest despite the fact that she did not hold a British passport. The police were also marvellous and managed to extract a DNA sample from the exploded airbags of the abandoned vehicle that had crashed into us and, from the forensics that followed, were able to find the offender who has since received a custodial sentence. And, finally, the NFU Mutual Insurance Company which dealt with all associated matters with generosity and a minimum of fuss. Quite soon I will be setting off for another, and very similar, journey to Southern Africa. No doubt there will be new adventures, but I will try hard not to repeat the events of last year as they are surely better to look back on than to re-experience.

Robert Reader

April Church News

April Church News

Lenten greetings from the members of the congregation at St. Mary’s to the wider community of Wenvoe and St. Lythans. If you cannot make it to church, follow and join in our service on a Sunday morning by logging on to www.ipcamlive.com/stmarywenvoe.

As I write, we are mid-way through the season of Lent. We celebrated Mothering Sunday on 15th March. This day is also known in the church calendar as Refreshment Sunday. It is a little pause in the solemnity of Lent, when we honour our Mother Church in the cathedral at Llandaff, give praise and prayer for our Bishop Mary Stallard and of course our own mother, grandmother, God mother and anyone who cared for us during our formative years. The congregation was presented with daffodils during the singing of the last hymn to give thanks to the people assembled; it was a very joyful occasion.

Our Curate, Rev. David is getting to know us. He preached his first sermon at the Mothering Sunday service, and this was well received. David is a part time priest with us and his day job is teaching; somehow, he is able to combine his care for his students and care for his worshipping community. We pray that he will find his time with us to be an enriching experience with very happy memories.

By the time you are reading the church news we shall be in that period know as Passiontide, when we hear of the suffering that Jesus underwent as He approached the final days of his ministry, leading up to his crucifixion on Good Friday.

On Maundy Thursday we will take part in the Agape Supper. This is to remember the events when Jesus, at supper with his disciples, having washed their feet before the meal, took bread and wine, and instituted the service we know as Holy Communion or the Mass at the Last Supper. We recall at this time our vocation to serve through the recollection of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. This is a profound opportunity to reflect on our call to love one another as Christ mandated. You are welcome to join us at 7.00pm in the Church Hall, providing seats are available, followed by the Watch Service in the church.

Good Friday, 3rd April 2pm – Walking the Way of the Cross – All are invited to gather at St Bleiddian’s, St Lythans to walk down the hill to St Mary’s, Wenvoe OR to gather at St Mary’s for a reading of the Way of the Cross concurrently while awaiting the arrival of the pilgrims from St Lythans at about 3pm for the conclusion of the Way of the Cross and Solemn Liturgy of Penitence. This is the day that we remember the crucifixion of Christ; we acknowledge brokenness in the world; and we confess our part in that brokenness. While this day is a solemn recognition of darkness, our profound hope in the Resurrection underlies our observance of Good Friday.

Holy Week and Easter

Palm Sunday, 29th March 9:30am – Eucharist and Palm Procession – Church yard, Wenvoe The Holy Journey through the Cross to the Resurrection begins with the Palm Procession recalling Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Holy Week Daily Eucharist 6.00pm – Monday in Holy Week, 30th March – St Bleiddian’s, St Lythans 6.00pm –Wednesday in Holy Week, 1st April – St Mary’s, Wenvoe Holy Week & Easter continues with the Triduum, which consists of the greatest three days of the Christian year.

Easter Sunday – Day of Resurrection, 5th April 7.00am – St Bleiddian’s, St Lythans – Sunrise Lighting of the Easter Fire & Holy Eucharist with Renewal of Baptismal Vows 9:30am – St Mary’s, Wenvoe – Lighting of the Easter Candle & Holy Eucharist with Renewal of Baptismal Vows This is the biggest Sunday of the year! In the earliest days, Easter was the only Christian festival: an annual celebration, in one act of Christ’s life, death, resurrection, ascension, and the sending of the Holy Spirit. The celebration began on Easter day and lasted fifty days in one continuous festival of joy and thanksgiving, ending on the Feast of Pentecost. Our celebration of the Holy Eucharist on Easter Day, is marked by joy with the lighting of the Holy Fire and Paschal Candle followed by the Renewal of Baptismal Vows. There is an absence of all things penitential so that the Great Fifty Days of Easter outweigh the Forty Days of Lent. We celebrate that we are a Resurrection People filled with the New Life of Christ!

Easter Lilies: As in previous years, we will be collecting towards Easter lilies and flowers to decorate the church in memory of loved ones. Please print the names clearly on your envelope with your donation by Palm Sunday. All names will be published on Easter Day. There is a suggested donation of £3 per stem, please. Church decorating will take place on Saturday 4th April at 10.00am. All are welcome.

Food Bank: All contributions are gratefully received, including Easter Eggs. Please leave in the containers in the Church Porch.

Advance notice for your diary: A pilgrimage to Brecon Cathedral has been arranged for October 24th. The Cathedral has recently been awarded a lottery grant of £3m for repairs to the roof, reordering the interior and the building of a West Door and outdoor piazza, to enhance the setting of the West end of the priory church. More details to follow in the Autumn.

Thank you for reading all that is happening at St. Mary’s. You are welcome to join us at any of our services.

Every blessing to you all at this Eastertide.

Parry

April is prime time for rainbows, as the mix of spring sunshine and passing rain showers creates the perfect conditions for the optical illusions. The phenomenon is celebrated on National Find A Rainbow Day, April 3rd. Eating a rainbow of colours is recommended and this crumble achieves that! The Portuguese tarts are included, as we are all missing the Farmers Market ones…..

Root Vegetable and Butterbean Crumble

Ingredients

75g caster sugar
2 large egg yolks
1 large egg
4 tbsp custard powder
2 tsp vanilla essence
600ml skimmed milk
2 tsp sunflower oil
4 sheets filo pastry, (each measuring about 12 inches x 15 inches)

Method

1. Preheat oven to 200°C / Fan180°C.
2. Put the sugar, egg yolks, egg, custard powder and vanilla essence into a pan and whisk until smooth. Gradually whisk in the milk. Heat the mixture until it starts to boil, then simmer for 2 minutes, whisking until it thickens. Set aside.

3. Brush a little oil into the cups of a deep 12-hole muffin tin. Unroll the filo sheets and brush the remaining oil over top sheet. Cutting through all the sheets at the same time, divide the sheets into 12 equal squares (12 squares with four sheets in each stack!).
4. Firmly press each stack into a hole of the muffin tin (oiled side of filo upwards) ensuring that there is pastry sticking over the edge of the hole.
5. Divide the custard among filo cases. Bake for 35- 40 minutes until brown blisters begin to form on the custard.
6. Let cool in tin and then lift out using small knife to cool until firm.

Portuguese Custard Tarts
Ingredients

Ingredients, For the soup

75g caster sugar
2 large egg yolks
1 large egg
4 tbsp custard powder
2 tsp vanilla essence
600ml skimmed milk
2 tsp sunflower oil
4 sheets filo pastry, (each measuring about 12 inches x 15 inches)

Method

1. Preheat oven to 200°C / Fan180°C.
2. Put the sugar, egg yolks, egg, custard powder and vanilla essence into a pan and whisk until smooth. Gradually whisk in the milk. Heat the mixture until it starts to boil, then simmer for 2 minutes, whisking until it thickens. Set aside.

3. Brush a little oil into the cups of a deep 12-hole muffin tin. Unroll the filo sheets and brush the remaining oil over top sheet. Cutting through all the sheets at the same time, divide the sheets into 12 equal squares (12 squares with four sheets in each stack!).
4. Firmly press each stack into a hole of the muffin tin (oiled side of filo upwards) ensuring that there is pastry sticking over the edge of the hole.
5. Divide the custard among filo cases. Bake for 35- 40 minutes until brown blisters begin to form on the custard.
6. Let cool in tin and then lift out using small knife to cool until firm.

 

 

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