Category: Kids

School News March 2026 Notes

  Gwenfo School News – March 2026 Notes

GWENFO PRIMARY PTFA

Farmers Market

Sadly, we have been informed by the organisers of the farmers market that due to falling footfall that it was no longer a viable option. We know many within our community supported the small businesses and enjoyed the coffee and fresh produce once a month. It will be a real loss to the village. The stallholders also contributed a small amount to the school each month which meant that we raised over £1,500 over the time the market ran which are much needed funds. The market will continue in Cowbridge every Saturday morning if you would like to continue to support the traders. If anyone has any ideas, links or suggestions please do pop down to the school as we are always open to any ideas that can help support our community.

Thank You!

Huge thanks to the Wenvoe Neighbourhood Watch group who recently made a donation to the school. This will enable us to add security to the site including improved screening to road facing fencing and to install a new security system to our rear gates. We are very grateful for the support.

Wenvoe Wildlife Group

We would like to say thank you to Bruce and the group for your support as ever. Our wildlife area is full of shoots ready to burst into bloom and we have had a bumper crop of apples this year. The gardening club in school sold the apples to their families and we have used the funds to buy more compost and tools for our garden.

 

 

Nicola Starke, Headteacher,

Gwenfô Church in Wales Primary School Tel:02920 593225

 

Valentine’s Bird Feeders

  CHILDREN’S CORNER

VALENTINE’S BIRD FEEDERS

These decorations can be eaten by birds and contain ingredients you may already have in store cupboards or can be easily purchased from local shops.

200g porridge oats

400ml water

120g lard, melted

1 50g of seeds – pumpkin, unsalted peanuts, sunflower seeds etc

• Mix porridge oats and water together and microwave on high for 1½ minutes 

• Stir the melted lard into the mixture and add any seeds/nuts and leave to cool.

• Once cool scoop into balls – golf ball size is ideal. For Valentine’s, you could shape these into hearts either using a cutter or shaping with your hands.

• At this stage either embed a piece of string or twine to hang your hearts or using a straw, or skewer pierce a hole to thread with string later.

• Store in an airtight container until ready to use.

• When ready to use hang up high in trees, or near windows where you can watch the birds enjoy a feast!

Nicola Starke, Headteacher,

Gwenfô Church in Wales Primary School Tel:02920 593225

 

Christmas Crafts Well Underway

WENVOE PLAYGROUP NEWS AND EVENTS

Registered Charity, right in the heart of the Village.

www.wenvoeplaygroup.co.uk

As I write this, Christmas crafts are well underway here at the playgroup.
The children have all settled well into Playgroup life this Autumn Term. Please visit our website
www.wenvoeplaygroup.co.uk to view our gallery of photographs.

We would like to thank all our volunteers in the community for their wonderful support this past year. A big thank you to our Management Committee for their fundraising efforts and Binky Bounce for raising much needed funds.

We would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Should you have a child who is aged 2 years and above, and wish to join the Playgroup, then please contact us: email wenvoeplaygroup@btinternet.com or phone 07859 907976.

 

Beavers, Cubs and Scouts – Are Thriving

 

Beavers, Cubs and Scouts – Are Thriving

1st Wenvoe

I am pleased to let you know that all three sections – Beavers, Cubs and Scouts – are currently thriving in Wenvoe. We have some new Leaders to join those who have been part of the group for a while. Of course, we can always use new volunteers both to work with the young people and to support the group and we do need a Treasurer to oversee the finances from our current incumbent.

In the summer we had a recap of the year and all the amazing things that the young people had done from hiking and outback cooking through to crafts and games. Outings included bouldering and visits to the Fire Station and Airport. The Scouts visited the Fish and Chip shops to find out which had the best chips and earned a Fish Supper from the winning group. All this, while learning new skills developing teamwork, getting badges and having fun.

As there are limited clubs or activities offered to the boys and girls locally, I am pleased that we have not had to suspend any of the sections due to a lack of volunteers. The beauty of Scouting is that it offers a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities that the young people and the volunteers can enjoy and adopt for their own interests.

I know that I, as a Beaver Leader for 20 years, learnt a lot from the experience. Yes, some of the sessions were challenging, but those where few and far between; the joy on the young faces and the friendship of the other leaders made it worthwhile.

I know my own children also enjoyed the experiences offered. They still enjoy camping holidays, following their experiences particularly in Scouts, under the leadership of Skip, Ian Moody. Sadly, Ian died recently after a short illness. He had been involved in the Wenvoe Scouts for over 40 years, and the Group owes him a huge thank you.

Let me know if you are interested in getting involved in the Wenvoe Group.

Jane Fenton-May, President

jfm@fenton-may.org

 

Operating For Over 50 Years

WENVOE PLAYGROUP NEWS AND EVENTS

Registered Charity, right in the heart of the Village.

www.wenvoeplaygroup.co.uk

The Playgroup has been operating from the Village Hall for over 50 Years. We are registered both as a Charity and with Care Inspectorate Wales to care for 30 Children at any one-time from the age of 2 years. We open from 9am until 1pm Monday to Friday and on Wednesday and Thursday we offer care until 3:15pm. Wrap around care for those attending Gwenfo Nursery School

We collect nursery age children from the Early Risers breakfast club at 08:50am and bring them across to Playgroup. We then take children across to afternoon nursery class for 1pm where they attend until 3:30pm. This allows care from 07:50am until 3:30pm Monday to Friday. Great for working families.

We collect children daily at 11:20am from Gwenfo Nursery and on into our lunch club until 1pm. On Wednesday and Thursday children may stay until 3:15pm. Ideal for those working part-time!

30 Hour Funded Childcare Offer Children from Cardiff and The Vale are benefitting from this offer. 12.5 hours are used for LEA Nursery and 17.5 hours per week can be allocated to time with us here at Playgroup. This offer is for children the term after their 3rd Birthday. To find out more, please visit our website:

www.wenvoeplaygroup.co.uk

Tax Free Childcare: We accept payment via the Government’s Tax Free Childcare. Currently, many families use this method to pay fees for all ages, or use alongside the 30 Hour Childcare Offer to top up extra hours and/or transition fees. Families set up a Tax-Free Childcare account and for example; every £8 the family pay in; Welsh Government pay in £2. For further information go to www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare.

Further information can be found on our website www.wenvoeplaygroup.co.uk along with photos of our group in the gallery.

Our Statement of purpose and Admissions Policy & Procedure can be found in ‘DOCUMENTS’ on our website, which may be useful for times and prices. However; if you want to know more, please email or phone. All contacts are on our website.

Should you wish to be added to our list for 2025 or 2026 please email wenvoeplaygroup@btinternet.com.

We are holding an open morning on Wednesday 3rd September, from 09:15am to 11:15am. Please come along and view our group. We look forward to meeting you

We would like to thank all those who volunteer to keep the Playgroup operating successfully and wish you all a lovely summer break. We close on Friday 18th July, until our open morning on Wednesday 3rd September

 

The Ice Cream Van Visited

WENVOE PLAYGROUP NEWS AND EVENTS

Registered Charity, right in the heart of the Village.

www.wenvoeplaygroup.co.uk

 

Well, what a lovely treat for the Playgroup children! The Ice Cream Van visited our Easter concert, with a special treat of a free ice cream for all children and the staff of course! Peppa Pig also visited with an Easter Egg for all the children and a fun day was had by all.

We would like to thank all our families and friends who made this possible. The Easter eggs were provided by the Tesco support team at Culverhouse Cross. They sell second-hand books and with monies raised, they donate to local charities. Thank you for this. If anyone has any good quality, unwanted books, then please, contact us and we can pass them on for you. Our way of saying thank you as a community playgroup.

For all those on our waiting lists for September, we will be contacting you sometime in May, to invite you to an open afternoon in June.

If you are thinking of joining us from September 2025, then please email us and we can add you to our waiting lists for 2025 – 2026.

Many thanks to all those in our community who continue to support the Playgroup behind the scene, to ensure we continue to offer this service for the surrounding area.

Contact us at wenvoeplaygroup@ btinternet.com or on 07859 907976. Why not view our website: www.wenvoeplaygroup.co.uk and view our gallery to see what we have been up to!

Wenvoe Scouts Need Your Help!

 

Wenvoe Scouts Need Your Help!

 

We are still looking for volunteers. Fortunately, we have found a new Cub Leader, but he needs 1 or 2 Assistants to help him or long term the Group will not be able to function. Support and training is available and, from experience, working with the young people is very rewarding.

Cubs are boys and girls aged 8 to 10 ½ years. They learn new skills, whilst having fun enjoying indoor and outdoor activities and earning badges. We also need a new Treasurer as part of our Trustee Board, which oversees the governance of the Group. More information about volunteering is available on the Scout Association website.

Celebration of Wenvoe Scouting: On 1st April we held a well attended Celebration of Wenvoe Scouting. The Cubs excelled at serving us all refreshments. We saw photos and heard about the year’s activities. During the meeting Community Councillor Paul Freeman presented the Group with Nature/Wildlife packs from the Vale Nature Partnership as seen in the photo. These will be used by all sections to learn more about wildlife locally and they plan to work in areas set up by the Wildlife group in the School and the Community Orchard

We are grateful to the Vale Nature Partnership for the donation and to Paul for organising it.

 

Scout Fete, Sat 5 July Romilly Park and Unwanted Crockery: Save this and let me know if you have any donations for our fund-raising Smash a Dish Stall

Group Council AGM Monday 19 May 6.30 Community Centre: Come and meet us and find out more about Wenvoe Scout Group.

Jane Fenton-May, Chair 1st Wenvoe Scout Group.

 

jfm@fenton-may.org

Celebration of Wenvoe Scouting

 

Celebration of Wenvoe Scouting and Review of Last 12 Months
7pm Tuesday 1st April Wenvoe Community Centre

g https://www.scouts.org.uk/ or email me for a chat.

Waiting list contact

1stwenvoe.join@penarthanddistrict.org.uk

 

Community members, scout parents, family and carers are invited to join us in the Hall to learn more about the fun that our young people enjoy during meetings and activities. We have had a thriving group thanks to the adult volunteers, who support the group.

We do however need more volunteers both to work with the young people and to act as Trustees to support the group, overseeing the group’s governance and finance. Trustee meetings are once per term and last about 2 hours plus an AGM. Meetings last about 2 hours and are held in the evenings. Working with the youngsters is fun and is very rewarding. There is easy on-line training. Leaders training is mainly on-line and forms part of recognised Youth Training. Sadly due to increased other commitments our current Cub Leaders have to stand down and we will have to suspend Cubs after Easter until we have re-placements. Would you be prepared to try and help? Come and meet us and find out. More information on the website https://www.scouts.org.uk/ or contact me for a chat.

Barry Scout Fete Saturday 5 July. Save the date for this exciting event. We run a popular Smash the China Stall. If you have any crockery you wish to dispose of please let me know.

 

Jane Fenton-May

Chair 1st Wenvoe Scouts jfm@fenton-may.org

 

Many Thanks To All From Playgroup

WENVOE PLAYGROUP NEWS AND EVENTS

Registered Charity, right in the heart of the Village.

www.wenvoeplaygroup.co.uk

Firstly, we would like to thank some of our local businesses, and fundraisers for supporting our Christmas fundraising events. They are;-

The Wenvoe Arms – Sunday lunch for two.

Springfield stores – Chocolates,

Bluebird Care Culverhouse cross – A Hamper of Christmas prosecco & treats.

Tesco Culverhouse cross – Selection box for each child.

The Tuckers – A lovely Christmas throw & more

It is good to know that local businesses & charity fundraisers support their local charity, so thank you all.

We would like to thank S.R. Davis Ltd – Poultry Wholesaler in Barry for their donation of 2 turkey breasts and Weddel Swift Distribution Ltd. for meat donations.

We would also like to express our thanks to the Ivy Cardiff, who donated a three-course meal with wine voucher and Pasture Restaurant Cardiff, who donated a fifty-pound food voucher. These raffle prizes were sourced for us through J.T. Morgan Butchers Cardiff, who purchase from the wholesalers and supply the two restaurants. Many thanks to all from Playgroup.

Latest news

Moving forward from January 2025, Playgroup will be enrolling children from the age of 2 years. We will be working through our waiting lists, to fill our few remaining places to the end of summer term 2025. Should you be thinking of joining the Playgroup, then please do email us a.s.a.p. We have waiting lists up to January 2026. Even if your circumstances change nearer the time you wish to start, it is worth adding your child’s name to the waiting list, especially for September 2025.

We have just received news, that we have been successful in a grant application, made to the Vale of Glamorgan Early years. Monies have been made available to upgrade and refresh part of the ladies’ toilets at the Village Hall. We have also been successful in obtaining monies to update the garden area and furniture within the playroom.

We have received over £30,000 in the past three years to support Playgroup operation. In-turn, the improvements made, also support all who hire and use the Village Hall. We are extremely grateful to the Early Years Childcare Grant panel for supporting us, to ensure we meet the needs of the children. These grants will allow us to operate successfully from the Village Hall, by achieving the National Minimum Standards set by Welsh Government, Care Inspectorate Wales.

I understand that we are one of the very few Playgroups remaining in the Vale, surviving these challenging times, so thanks to everyone, who continues to support the group.

For further information, please visit our website www.wenvoeplaygroup.co.uk where you will find more about us. Please view our Statement of Purpose, Admissions policy, and Operational plan, along with many more policies and procedures.

Remembrance Service and Parade

 

1st WENVOE SCOUTS

Remembrance Service and Parade

I was so proud of our young people and leaders, who turned out to the Remembrance Service and Parade. They did our village proud.

The Governance of the group is seriously in danger and we urgently need support from adults in the village to ensure that the Group continues to thrive. The Trustee Board needs a new Chair and Treasurer by our AGM in March. The work is not difficult and the meetings (about 2 hours) are limited to one per term plus the AGM

The Chair is responsible for the Group and ensuring that the meetings are in order and keep to the point. The Treasurer looks after the finances and ensures the subscriptions are paid and pays the bills, plus organising the accounts and budgets. Neither job is arduous and the current incumbents are prepared to help. There is easy training and more information on the website https://www.scouts.org.uk

In July, despite the stormy weather the Group had a great time at the Barry Scout Show in Romilly Park. The popular Smash the China Stall was a great success, so if you have any crockery you wish to dispose of please let me know.

Finally, Christmas is a time for giving. Sadly the Cardiff and Vale Scout Post is not happening again and if you would like to donate to Wenvoe Scouts you can do this via https://www.scouts.org.uk

Have a Happy Christmas and a wonderful 2025.

Jane Fenton-May

Chair 1st Wenvoe Scouts jfm@fenton-may.org

More information about Scouting and volunteering https://www.scouts.org.uk/ or email me for a chat.

Waiting list contact

1stwenvoe.join@penarthanddistrict.org.uk

Jane Fenton-May   Group President jfm@fentonmay. org

 

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