Category: Nature

‘The Gentleman In Velvet’

‘The Gentleman In Velvet’

He was toasted as the ‘gentleman in velvet’ by the Jacobites. A recent classic book was called ‘The Boy, the ?, the Fox and the Horse. In Under Milk Wood, Dylan Thomas wrote:

‘The houses are blind as ? though ? see fine tonight in the snouting velvet dingles’

He was a leading character in the Wind in the Willows. The answer and missing word is, of course, Mole.

The Jacobites, who supported the deposed King James II, were delighted when in 1702 the then King William, died after his horse stumbled on a molehill. He suffered a broken collar bone when he fell and died a few weeks later. The Jacobites then traditionally raised a toast to ‘the wee gentleman in the velvet jacket;’ who had brought about his downfall.

These days moles tend to be seen as a nuisance when they create molehills on pristine lawns, cricket pitches and bowling greens. But for many centuries moles, once called ‘mouldywarps’, were valued for their fur which has a short, velvety texture. Particularly in Victorian times it was used for garments and accessories. So they were trapped in large numbers. The Molecatcher of Wenvoe is recorded as having killed 3,000 moles in 1932 and 3,400 the year before. (Nigel Billingham research).

The mole has a cylindrical body and very powerful forelimbs with claws like shovels making them strong diggers capable of tunnelling 20 metres a day. The tunnels help to aerate the soil and mix up the soil levels which is beneficial to other animals and plants. Their main diet is worms which they consume in large numbers but they also paralyse some with their saliva and stash them alive in ‘larders’ for later consumption.

So whether you are a Jacobite, nature or literature lover, why not drink a toast to our velvet friend?

Busy Installing And Refurbishing Structures

Wenvoe Wildlife Group

Busy Installing And Refurbishing Structures

A number of residents have been busy installing and refurbishing structures in the orchards. Steve Jenkins has placed two new benches in the Community Orchard made of recycled materials which should last for several years. Martin Thomas and Bernard Jenkins have designed and constructed a nice new noticeboard for the same orchard after the vandalising of our previous noticeboard. Lenn Morris from Barry has refurbished an anonymously donated bench in the Goldsland Orchard. Your efforts are very much appreciated!

Our final junior workshop took place in the Elizabethan Orchard – again fully booked with a waiting list. Our thanks to Angela Peterken and Claire Newland for organising and running these very popular events. These workshops have been made possible through funding from the Tuckers’ Plant and Reindeer sales.

It is encouraging to see more and more residents posting images of wildlife seen locally on Facebook. Some are common – some less so like the dramatic-looking Wasp Spider seen in the photo – you do need colour to see it at its best. These records are registered with SEWBREC and will be available for consulting in the event of planning applications.

The Gang Master Pockets The Money

VILLAGE ENVIRONMENT GROUP

The Gang Master Pockets The Money

Hallelujah! The team have been struck a couple of blows by Age Concern. Firstly, we have been questioned over the viability of using people past their sell by date. Secondly for taking defenceless folk away from their loved ones to complete arduous tasks whilst the gang master pockets the money.

None of this was found to be true when the team was infiltrated by two undercover local government officers. As you can see from the photograph, they stood out like sore thumbs. Steve and Tony, they called themselves. The investigation concluded that the oldies were better off working and keeping well, rather than using up valuable space in care homes around the area.

This month the boys tidied up around the fringes of the Walston Castle, plus tidying up the roundabout in Greave Close. A kind lady supplied cold drinks and Gareth’s wife Sue gave us tea and biscuits when the work was done. Tony and Steve were so impressed by the comradeship, that they decided to join us in the future. We appreciate all the goodwill that comes our way. Being able to remember who was at the last meeting, has become a bit of a challenge, but when we meet up it’s like making new friends.

Our next gathering on September 8th will be at the entrance to Clos Llanfair. Big John will bring his favourite tool.

A Fierce Asian Carnivore

A Fierce Asian Carnivore

They are all over the media and all over Wenvoe! Think of a Channel Island and a fierce Asian carnivore. If you haven’t guessed it, it is the Jersey Tiger – a type of day-flying moth.

They have been seen recently on Walston Road, in Clos Lanfair, Twyn-yr-Odyn, Walston Close and Church Rise. We are being urged on TV and in many of the newspapers to look out for it as part of the annual butterfly count. It is reported that it has increased by 78% in the last year – reversing the trend of most other species which are in decline. In Victorian times it was considered a rarity but in the last 10 years has been spreading from the South and throughout Britain. Originally mainly known from the Channel Islands – hence its name. The prominent stripes are reminiscent of a tiger.

If you see one with the wings open it reveals a bright red or yellow underwing. Most moths are nocturnal, but this one is diurnal as it is out and about during the day – another reason why it is seen more often.

Summer Is Now Done

THE VILLAGE GARDENER

Summer Is Now Done

Well, that seemed to go quickly. Summer is now done, and we must nurse what’s left of the summer bedding for every last bit of colour we can before clearing the beds to plant bulbs, wallflowers, primula and pansies. Monica in Rectory Close just digs her annuals straight back into the soil and plants the Autumn/Winter plants on top. Leave the tulips until late Autumn, as they tend to rot if put in early.

The lawns have had a hard time this year. It’s a pointless task trying to water them; we just have to wait for some rain and give them an autumn feed. If you can aerate them and rake off the thatch, they will be a lot better for it.

Keep camellias well-watered so they can produce buds for next Spring. There’s no need to feed roses now; you don’t want them trying to put on new growth when they should be slowing down. Give hedges a good trim now and that should see them through until next year. If you grew a wildflower garden this year and didn’t cut it back before the seed heads formed, then good luck next year as it will be covering most of your plot and the immediate neighbours. Putting water out for wildlife is one of the best things you can do, especially with the extreme weather we’ve had this year. Once you start doing this you must keep it up as birds and insects get to know where it is and depend on it.

The late Betty James would wash all the pots she used for seeds and cuttings. Over the years she never had a problem, always using clean pots and buying new bags of compost. Then compost went peat free, it didn’t seem to matter how much you paid or whose name was on the bag, it caused a big failure rate on what could be produced in her greenhouse. The compost may be better for the planet, but you can’t put it in lovely printed colourful bags and charge the earth, when it’s absolutely rubbish. There is a process it should go through to get this material right for the consumer but they’re cutting corners by rushing it through. Yes of course we must recycle, just do it properly. A lot of gardeners are using coir to bring on seedlings and cuttings, it works well. It is also sustainable.

The allotments seem to have a lot of bare soil showing at present after a lot of harvesting. This means compost bins will be filling up. A lot of folk leave the runner bean roots to rot in the soil as they’re full of nitrogen. Collecting seaweed for use in the soil seems to have gone out of fashion, maybe because of the effort involved. This material is brilliant for the garden, just wash it off and dig it in. It’s full of nitrogen, potassium and phosphates. Jersey nurserymen use it to good effect.

Don’t forget, we need as many entries for the Wenvoe Village Show as possible to help keep it going – use it or lose as they say. For all the details, please see page 5.

Take care and happy gardening

Wenvoe Community Orchid Field

Wenvoe Wildlife Group

Wenvoe Community Orchid Field

Once known as the Sledging Field, this meadow is now a Community Nature reserve with over 300 species of flowers, grasses, insects and birds. It is managed as a traditional meadow with an annual mowing to encourage the sort of wildflowers that are fast disappearing from our landscape.

The 5 acre field is surrounded by hedgerows and woodland and there are fine views from the higher points across the valley. On a clear day you can see Penarth and beyond that England across the Bristol Channel. There are several benches around the field, some in the sun, others in shade.

Mature trees enclose the site including Oak and Sweet Chestnut. A public right of way runs through the bottom of the meadow but you can follow any of the paths that meander around the field. An information sign near the entrance shows the different routes you can take.

In Winter look out for Ravens, Buzzards and Wood-peckers with Bullfinches patrolling the hedgerows. The bright red berries of Black Bryony still trail over the shrubs whilst rabbits and moles are in evidence.

With Spring comes masses of yellow – Primroses and Cowslips carpet the field.

From late Spring to early Autumn you can see seven different species of Orchid but the best time is June when the field is covered in several thousand Common Spotted Orchids.

Unusual plants include Herb Paris and the Spiked Star of Bethlehem. Shrews and Field Voles will be lurking in the undergrowth and Slowworms are common. Ringlet butterflies are on the field and Holly Blues on the hedges. Summer also sees a profusion of insects from small ladybirds and froghoppers through lacewings and scorpion flies to the larger burying beetles.

The Elephant Hawk Moth enjoys the big clumps of Rosebay Willowherb. Hoverflies roam
around the Brambles and pose on Fleabane.To find out more about insects and to get ideas on building homes for them visit Insectopia at the top of the field.

From late Summer the Black Knapweed which covers the meadow is host to large numbers of bees. On wet days, wander up to Molluscopolis where many of the secrets of slugs and snails are revealed. As they love damper weather you should find several different species.

How to find us.

Entering Wenvoe from the A4050 by the Walston Castle Premier Inn.

Turn right and then immediately left and follow the narrow lane to the top.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entering Wenvoe from the A4050 near the church.
Turn left by the church in to Walston Road, follow the road to the far end. Parking is on the road; take care not to cause an obstruction for local residents. Follow the marked footpath through the old quarry to the Orchid Field.

 

 

 

 

Want to know more?

The Upper Orchid Field is a meadow owned by the Vale of Glamorgan Council and managed by the Wenvoe Wildlife Group. If you need more information or would like to help with conservation, contact us at The Wenvoe Wildlife Group

Interested in bringing a group to the field?

We have hosted visits from younger age groups such as Beavers and Cubs and can help with school visits. Students and specialists should be able to find suitable topics for research. Species lists can be found on the main noticeboard on the field.

There are no facilities on site but there are two pubs nearby, the Horse and Jockey at Twyn-yr-Odyn and the Walston Castle in Wenvoe. Wenvoe has a village shop and Post Office

 

The Foraging Season Is Upon Us

THE VILLAGE GARDENER

The Foraging Season Is Upon Us

We are reminded again of the changing weather patterns, as we witnessed the third heatwave of the year in the UK by the 2nd week of July. The long dry spells and longer wet spells are becoming the norm as highs and lows take longer to shift across Europe. We won’t alter these patterns, so must do our best to garden as conditions dictate. It is very easy to forget about what’s best to plant when visiting garden centres with the immense choice and quality. The challenging conditions must dictate how much effort we are willing to put in to keeping the plants healthy and drought free.

Growing from seed is the best option, losses have less impact on our finances. Pelargoniums are difficult from seed, as they need special conditions to germinate. Buy as plugs and bring on before planting out, these plants need little water and will flower until the first frosts with a bit of feed and some deadheading.

Herbaceous geraniums are another good drought tolerant plant, that can be cut right back after flowering and will give another display before summer ends. Most shrubs once established are quite tolerant of dry conditions. Lavender is a very good choice and thrives in poor soil. Buddleia and holly will also serve you well when conditions are tough. This year the roses in the borders have flourished. The ones in pots and containers need more water and attention. Keeping plants watered during long dry times is a task. Irrigation systems for containers and soaker hoses for the flower beds can save up to 70% on water compared to a hosepipe.

The foraging season is upon us, with blackberries and damsons the first of the summer fruits that are free. Just look out for Barry Oliver; he knows the best places. He believes that eating fruit in season has kept him young at heart. Considering his age, it seems he’s telling the truth.

The allotment folk have had a busy time with the extra watering. This effort has paid off with a bumper harvest, the best of which may hopefully be entered into the village show. Some are a bit shy of showing off their produce while harvesting. Mike always asks Paula to hold up a sheet to protect his veg from prying eyes when digging up his produce. The allotments have been well tended this year according to the old folk, Colin & Bernard.

Twyn Yr Odyn leg end Gareth Lewis will leave no stone unturned in his quest to gain an advantage with his tomatoes. In July he took some seedlings to a Slayer concert to get them blessed by the band. Unfortunately they confiscated them at the security gate, believing them to be something that only grows in attics under strong lights. Please enter the village show on September 6th and show what can be produced, to encourage others to start growing.

Take care and happy gardening.

This Village, A Place to Cherish

VILLAGE ENVIRONMENT GROUP

This Village, A Place to Cherish

We are only a few old souls, who give an hour or so each month, and are determined to keep the village a place to cherish. Ieuan (pictured) is an old Wenvonian who rarely fails to give up his time to help out. He’s cutting the hedge around the memorial, so pedestrians have a better view when crossing.
One member in particular gives us grief with his tales from the resistance. To be fair he never turns up without his litter picker and collects on the way to where we’re working. On this occasion he stumbled upon a canister of laughing gas outside the vicarage. Upon inspection, he inhaled and started to make sense, which we knew wasn’t right. Worried, we contacted his carer, Alex. By the time he’d got to us Shady was back to normal and chasing speeding motorists.
Our next gathering will be in Greave Close on 11th August where Sue will provide refreshments

Trees, All Is Not Well

Trees, All Is Not Well

 

Walk past the top of Walston Close and you will see, next to the pavement, this magnificent tree – a candidate for Wenvoe’s Favourite Tree – although you may well have your own nominations! It is Eucriphia Nymanensis and it is covered head to foot in blossom with an attendant army of bees taking in the pollen and nectar. We are fortunate in the village to have a range of interesting and mature trees. Those of us struggling in the hot spell will have appreciated our mature trees, not least in and around the Village Green. Trees, as we know, keep us cooler, absorb carbon and help our sense of well-being.

However, all is not well with the regular cutting down of trees which are seldom replaced. Examples of losses in the last couple of years include a Walnut in Station Road, Tulip Tree outside the Community Centre, Weeping Silver Lime in Gwenfo Drive, Loquat near the library and Balm of Gilead Poplar in the churchyard. There may be reasons for their removal but what reasons can there be for not planting a replacement?

Things look a bit brighter in Grange Park where the Vale Council have planted several trees to replace losses and on the Village Green and small patch of land outside the Church Hall there have been individual plantings and trees donated by residents. The Wildlife Group have planted around 150 fruit trees in the orchards and on the perimeter of the Upper Orchid Field around 30 native trees have been placed over the last 15 years.

How do you feel about our trees and is it now time, as some are suggesting, for residents, councils and businesses to take concerted action to reverse the trend? As Persian singer/songwriter Sina Shahbazi sings in his song, Protect The Trees

From the roots to the sky

Their spirit will rise

A beacon of hope

When nature cries

Let’s honour the trust

For the ones yet to be

A legacy green

As far as we see

Protect the trees

Protect our home

Together we stand

We’re not alone

The Sites Are In Tip-Top Condition.

Wenvoe Wildlife Group

The Sites Are In Tip-Top Condition.

Activities this month included strimming the Welsh Orchard, continuing to clear the Upper Orchid Field and working on the Community Orchard. We attended the Playing Fields Open Day but had very few visitors to the Community Orchard – not surprising as the weather was pretty miserable. The willows on the Community Orchard are due to be cut back at the end of the month but they will continue to provide a screen at the northern end of the orchard. Most of the fruit seems to be doing well and the Shepherds Bullace is already being harvested by enthusiastic jam-makers. We still get asked where the orchards are so you can pick up a leaflet showing their locations from the Tuckers’ noticeboard dispenser outside 29 Vennwood Close.

We were delighted to hear that our 7 sites had all passed the Green Flag assessment. Another independent vote of confidence in the quality and accessibility of the nature reserves. Thanks are due to the members of the group, landowners and residents who aim to keep the sites in tip-top condition.

 

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