Category: News

Walking In Kyrgyzstan (Part 2 Of 2)


WALKING IN KYRGYZSTAN (Part 2 of 2)

In last month’s edition of What’s On, Nicola introduced us to an amazing walking adventure in this mysterious and far away country. It is now Day 3 and Nicola, who was feeling the effects of lack of oxygen, had been offered one of the pack horses to carry her over the pass. The story continues ………

Once through the pass we were on a vast upland plateau that was surrounded on virtually all 4 sides by snow-capped mountains. From my vantage point on horseback, I was able to look up, around and glimpse them through the swirling clouds. The rest of the group had to concentrate on where they placed each foot as the ground was boggy, peaty, wet clay in places as well as full of tripping hazards and small lochens. If only it hadn’t been raining…. And so, to our last, fairly miserable, boggy campsite alongside a high mountain lake at 3,800m.

On our last day’s trekking we decamped in the drizzle and walked only a couple of hours until we hit a road where our trusty, so uncomfortable, minibus was waiting for us. Kyrgyzstan has significant deposits of metals including gold and rare earth metals and this was a private road, open to the public 2 days a week, leading to a very productive gold mine initially funded by the Canadians 30 – 40 years ago. Whether the Silk Road continued along this road towards the mine or crossed it towards China we were not able to establish.

And so to our final guest house run by a Russian woman former climber in Kyrgyzstan who shared with us some incredible photographs of her past adventures.

Kyrgyz Eagle Hunters

On our way back to Bishkek, we were treated to a fantastic display by the last Kyrgyz family of eagle hunters and afterwards they provided a feast for us in their own home. And then we finally had a longed-for swim in Issyk Kul Lake which we had travelled virtually the length of on our first day and had had glimpses of in the distance as we hiked. Issyk Kul covers approximately 3% of Kyrgyzstan and is the second largest lake at altitude – the largest being Lake Titicaca. It is said that over 100 waters drain into the lake. Despite the outside temperature being around 35 degrees, the lake was surprisingly cold!

Issyk Kul Lake

 We feel so privileged to have visited a country that few people have heard of, to have walked along part of the Silk Road in the footsteps of so many others over the centuries, to experience such breathtaking scenery. And of course, there is a small element of smugness to have shown some younger people that life does not stop when a certain age is reached but that adventures are still out there to be had.

Nicola Strelley Issyk Kul Lake

 

“The Phone Box at the End of the World” by Laura Imai Messina

 

“The Phone Box at the End of the World” by Laura Imai Messina

This novel is loosely based on a true story, following the Japanese tsunami that devastated Tohoku in 2011. Yui, a radio show host, and Takeshi who is a surgeon have suffered great losses in their lives, and the story follows their slowly developing relationship after an initial encounter at Bel Gardia where the phone box is situated. The concept of a wind phone is beautiful – a safe space where people can reveal their unspoken thoughts and memories to their loved ones, helping to heal their grief after loss.

Opinions were equally divided over who did or did not enjoy this book. The scoring was 6.5/10. Thank you Sandra for providing delicious eats and ripe plums from the garden.

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.

Socialising and Coffee Just as Important

LIVING WITH CANCER STROLLERS

Socialising and Coffee Just as Important

Why is there a picture of people sitting down when there should be a description of the latest monthly stroll at Cosmeston? That’s because just as important as the exercise from the walk, is the socialising and coffee, tea or ice cream at the end! Join us to find out more!

 

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

September 2025 Church News

September Church News

Greetings to you all from the congregation at St. Mary’s Church.

Traditionally September is known as the season of mists and mellowness. This year, autumn seems to have arrived earlier with the trees already shedding their leaves. September is also a time of change for our young people as they change schools or move up to another school year. It can be a very unsettling time for them, leaving old pals behind and making new friends, very often far from where they are living. It is all called “part of growing up” and we as a church wish them and their teachers well, knowing that they will come to enjoy the new school year.

The month of August has been a busy one for those of us connected to St. Mary’s. We are so often complimented on how well looked after your church and grounds are kept. Mike keeps the grass cut, the paths swept and bushes removed. Before you enter the church, you know that great care is taken of this jewel in the community. Inside our visitors are again amazed at how well presented the interior is. Our lighting scheme plays a part in this, highlighting certain parts – the wall monuments to the Thomas family of Wenvoe Castle, the Rood Screen, the reredos at the altar. We opened the church on Saturday afternoons in August for visitors to explore our church. Numbers varied, but the volunteers who were present, reported the appreciation shown by those who came. There will be more opportunities for OPEN CURCH during September.

Church Hall with a New Look

The report in last month’s “What’s On” of the refusal of the local authority to support our application to extend the church, has spurred us on to look afresh at the Church Hall, known locally as the Reading Room. Money that had been kept in reserve for the church extension has now been released to refurbish the Church Hall to “make it fit for purpose” for today’s use. So far, the lighting has been renewed in the lobby, the toilets and main hall. The reveals of the windows have been repaired and painted. The damp in the Gent’s toilet will be eradicated and the fittings etc. refitted when the building work is complete. Hot air hand dryers have been fitted in all three toilets.

This current work has also been possible due to some generous donations received. The most generous response is the offer to decorate the hall and exterior woodwork. The kitchen area will have a revamp to bring it in line with today’s food preparation regulations. Finally, it was time to tackle the store cupboard/room which had over the years become a dumping ground for all sorts of things. Many black bags later, the space is now usable for the things that are needed. So, thank you everyone – you did a great job. Thank you also to those who donated towards this phase of the refurbishment, knowing that there are other works that are planned, which will need local authority agreement.

The Church Hall is sited, in a most prominent part, of the centre of the village and has been greatly enhanced by the development of the garden around the bench seat by Mike Tucker and will be the setting for the Village Show on September 6th. The hall has been valued in the community ever since it was given to the church by the Randolph family for use in the then parish, having been provided by Mrs Laura Jenner of Wenvoe Castle for her tenants to read the newspapers, warm themselves by the fire, chat to each other and generally as a place to meet and relax. Our long-term plan is for this to continue to be a place for hire for family occasions, parties and other meetings.

VJ80 A Day of Solemn Reflection

This took place on August 15th. HM the King paid tribute to all who suffered greatly under their captors and moving ceremonies were held around the UK. The main ceremonies took place at the National Arboretum away from London, though a lone piper played a lament at the Cenotaph in the early morning in Whitehall. The war ended by the dropping of two atom bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with a tremendous loss of life and injury to the Japanese people. Their suffering is still present in the population to this day and many retold how their current ailments are related to those terrible events of 80 years ago.

There have been two funerals at St. Mary’s during August. On the 14th Barbara O’Grady was laid to rest in the community cemetery. The church was full to support her grieving family, and our condolences go to Mike and his children. The congregation was saddened to hear of the passing of Ian Moody after a short illness. Ian’s funeral was held on the 26th August and he was buried with his late wife Carole in the community cemetery. Ian was a well-respected and active member of the community and our condolences are sent to Kim and her family.

Dates for your Diary

Ministry Area Barbeque will be held in Rhoose on September 6th

Harvest Thanksgiving is on September 28th

An afternoon concert by Sian’s Singers will be at 3.00 pm on October 19th.

For those of you who may be unable to attend church in person, all services at St Mary’s are live streamed at http://www.ipcamlive.com/stmarys church

Thank you for reading,

Parry

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