Category: News
When The Battle of Britain Came To Wenvoe
WHEN THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN CAME TO WENVOE
September brings the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. While the events are mostly associated with the southeast of England, the Vale of Glamorgan played an important part in the victory over the Luftwaffe. The Vale villages, including Wenvoe, also found themselves directly affected.
On 31st March 1943, a Supermarine Spitfire on a vital training mission from RAF Llandow crashed near Old Wallace Farm on the outskirts of Wenvoe. Approaching Wenvoe, the pilot, Sgt John Wilson Craighead, suddenly noticed that the plane’s fuel was very low. He decided to attempt an emergency landing but unfortunately hit a dense bank of fog. Seeing a gap he opted for a forced landing. Unfortunately, the area was particularly littered with electricity pylons and telegraph poles and after choosing what appeared to be a suitable field, the plane struck a pole partially hidden with ivy within a thick hedgerow. This sheared off one of the wings, spinning the aircraft into the adjacent field. Only slightly injured, Sgt Craighead was able to extract himself from the plane and get help from nearby Wallace Farm.
Like many others who trained in the Vale for fighting the Luftwaffe, Sgt Craighead was a ‘kiwi’ from the Royal New Zealand Airforce. There were pilots from many nationalities trained at St Athan, Llandow and Stormy Down. They came from all over the Commonwealth and many other countries such as Poland. There were even a handful of American pilots, one who survived after colliding with another Spitfire from the same unit, ditching into the sea off St Athan in February 1943.
Pilots were in many ways more important than the Spitfire planes. It was vital for pilots to practise for all manner of scenarios, particularly dog-fights. This made the training difficult and dangerous. With the average life expectancy of a pilot at only four weeks and an urgent demand for new recruits, the RAF cut the training time from six months to just two weeks. Some recruits saw action with as little as nine hours experience. Not all Llandow and St Athan pilots survived training crashes. An RAF Spitfire flown by 22-year-old Sgt DG White, dived out of formation from high altitude and crashed near the Greendown Inn, St George’s Super-Ely. Sgt White was killed and buried in his hometown of Paignton. On 6th February 1943, a Spitfire broke up in the air over Bonvilston, with some wreckage reaching fields in Pendoylan. Flying Officer Neville Alexander Thomas Fleming unfortunately lost his life and was buried in Llantwit Major Cemetery alongside many others. Another was Sergeant Marion Arthur Plomteaux killed when his Spitfire spun into the ground near Marcross during a practice dogfight.
While Landow and St Athan are well known, there were also two other similar training bases in South East Wales. RAF Stormy Down, which was located near Pyle, Bridgend, opened in 1940. ‘Stormy’ began as an armament training school for the RAF and when they left firstly the French and later American forces were stationed there. Flying ceased in August 1944 due to the dangerous grass landing strip. On the site of Swansea Airport was RAF Fairwood Common. Constructed on what was basically a bog and used for pilot training, it fulfilled a variety of military roles from June 1941 until the end of the war.
If you are interested in aircraft, you might like to visit the South Wales Aviation Museum in St Athan. The museum prides its commitment to a hands-on approach for visitors. You can, for example, clamber into the cockpit of a Tornado and get inside an old Royal Navy Sea King helicopter. You can also get up close to the cockpit of a Russian MiG 29 as well as the flight deck of a Boeing 707. SWAM volunteers can explain the story behind the museum, the planes and other exhibits such as World War II memorabilia. The museum, which has a café and gift shop, is currently open at weekends 10am to 4:30pm, although it is hoped to extend this for special events. Now well established, the museum relies on donations from visitors for funding (suggested £5 per person
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 Progress of Wenvoe
THE PROGRESS OF WENVOE
I took a stroll the other day,
And passing Wenvoe on my way
Was pleased to see such progress made,
As it is always good for trade.
I mean the village is so changed,
New houses built and well arranged,
The gardens and the walks so clean,
Which proves that some one lives within.
Ten years ago this village look’d dilapidated,
And men forsook the place,
And went to other soil
To get their bread by honest toil.
But now its progress is so great,
New houses built in every street,
That every man can work who will
According to his strength and skill.
Tis quite a treat for those who ride,
In brakes and traps to the seaside,
To pass this place, with meadows fair,
And peace and beauty everywhere.
The Church is getting much too small
To seat the people when they all
Come as they ought on Sunday there,
To spend the time in praise and prayer.
The tower is low, it has no pride,
But scaffolding now stands by its side,
And workmen soon will point its face
And raise its head to grace the place.
J.B.
Barry Dock News, 21st July 1893
Reflecting on the change and development of Wenvoe since 1893 you may wish to consider the poem’s relevance to the village as it is today
Beauty And The Beast
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Whether you’re enjoying a ramble along this stretch of the Wales Coastal Path, enjoying a coffee or hot Welsh cakes from the café, or just stopped by to take in the views, Nash Point continues to wow visitors every day. With a large bedrock beach full of fossils and fertile rock pools, stunning rugged cliffs and rock formations, the views are topped off with the majestic Nash Point Light-house. In 1977 a rare plant, the Tuberous Thistle, was even discovered growing within the lighthouse station and the grounds were subsequently declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest. However Nash Point has a much darker, even tragic history, meaning walkers and seamen still need to keep their safety firmly in mind.
For those walking the coastal path the Summer experience, of course, changes dramatically in the Autumn when the reason for the Nash Point lighthouse becomes increasingly clear. Together with frequent storms and thick fog, the strong currents have led to many a shipping disaster with many vessels driven aground on the Nash Sands. There is in fact a long history of shipwrecks in the area. In 2019 excavations carried out near Nash Point by Cardiff University unearthed bones thought to be from ship-wreck victims from Tudor and Stuart times. There are many local tales of the period when smugglers and wreckers apparently lured vessels onto rocks, attacked the crew, and looted the cargo.
It was a shipping tragedy in 1831 which led to the building of the Nash Point lighthouse. Frolic was an early wooden, steam powered vessel based in Bristol and used for a cargo service between West Wales and Bristol. It was also one of the first paddle steamers to be operated in the Bristol Channel as a ferry service. Frolic was very popular because before the age of the railway it was quicker to travel by sea than road. It’s life came to a violent end whilst sailing from Haverfordwest during a violent storm on the night of 16th March. The 34 metre long ship came to grief on Nash sands at around 3.00 am. In all, 78 lives were lost, consisting of 63 passengers, including high ranking officers and a General, many women and children, and 15 crew. Their remains were washed ashore from Barry to Southerndown and buried in various churchyards along the coastal area of the Bristol Channel.
The public outcry at the loss of the Frolic led to the Nash Point Lighthouses at Marcross being built by Trinity House in 1832 to warn shipping of the danger. Originally, two towers 300 metres apart had fixed lights powered by paraffin. When navigating the Bristol Channel the pilot would sail so that these were lined up in his sights, ensuring that the vessel would be south of Nash Sandbank. The Lighthouse Tower (originally painted black and white stripes) near the lighthouse keepers’ cottages, once housed the west or low light and was 25 metres high. The Lighthouse Tower with the east or high light is 37 metres high and is nearer the fog horn. At the beginning of the 20th century the low light was removed and the high light was changed to a catadioptric lens with white and red group flashing. It was modernised again in 1968 when it was electrified. Interestingly Nash Point Light-house was the last manned lighthouse in Wales to go automatic when it became computer controlled in 1998 and the keepers left two years later. The fog horn is no longer used for shipping purposes but is heard when it is sounded on special occasions.
Shipwrecks and other related debris still litter the beaches and coastal waters. In 1948 there were 24 notified wrecks in the Bristol Channel. By 1950, 14 had been cleared by either demolition charges being placed on board, or if sunk on a muddy bottom, by placing explosive charges around them, and covering them by exploding the charges and depositing a thick layer of mud over them. One ship, a tanker of over 10,000 tons that was sunk off Nash Point, required the use of 129 tons of explosives by HMS Tronda to break-up the wreck. We were given a sharp and somewhat surprising reminder of just how strong the Bristol Channel currents can be in 2004. After the flood disaster at Boscastle, Corn-wall in that year, a boat from the area washed ashore at Porthcawl and along the Heritage Coast a number of different items were found such as “Boscastle Tourist,” “Fish & Chips” and “Car Park” signs.
August Letters
Dear Editor,
Having read the July edition of Saint Mary’s
Parish Church News I felt a response was needed. I
attended the public meeting mentioned which was
held approximately 8 years ago in the Community
Centre to discuss the extension to the Church and
the sale of the Church Hall.
My recollection was that the general feeling of
those attending it (and the centre was full) was NOT
positive towards these plans at all. There were some
comments from those in favour but there were many
more from those who were against it. Many of us
who have lived in Wenvoe for a long time remember
the Church Hall as the Reading Room and have a
great fondness for it.
I am very glad that this asset, which was gifted
to the parish by the Jenner family, is not going to be
sold and possibly demolished. It was stated in the
article that it was unfair that the Pebbles group
(Sunday school) had to cross the road to the Church
in all weathers. I could understand this argument if
the Church Hall was situated a long distance from
the Church but this is clearly not the case.
As I understand it there is no longer a Pebbles
group using the Church Hall on a Sunday so that is
no longer a concern anyway. It was also stated that
the general opinion of the meeting was that it was
the Church’s business to do as they wished with the
Church and Church Hall. That is also not correct.
There was one person at the meeting who said
something similar who was a church goer at the
time. The church is an outstandingly beautiful
building with many centuries of history which can be
appreciated by all residents, whether they are
members of the congregation or not. The Church
Hall is an asset that many churches would be
delighted to use and it is a shame that it has not had
the care it needed over the years. I am delighted that
its future is now secure.
Glenys Tucker
THE NEW REPAIR SHOP
I just wanted to say how pleased I am with the
new repair shop that runs every month in the
Community Centre.
If you haven’t visited yet and have something
needing repair, then that is the place to visit. It is
very welcoming, there are lots of people there to
help, plus refreshments.
My item was repaired and I was happy to give a
donation.
Sian Jones, Gwenfo Forum.
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
Pepper and Courgette Paella & Cherry and Almond Loaf Cake
Courgettes and peppers take centre stage now in the garden, allotment and the shops. Try this delicious paella….
Roasted Red Pepper and Courgette Paella
Ingredients
• 500g Courgette
• 2 Red Peppers
• 4 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1 Medium Onion
• 4 Clove Garlic
• 2 Teaspoon Paprika
• 1 Teaspoon Turmeric
• 2 Teaspoon Tomato Paste
• 1 Litre Vegetable Stock
• 15g Thyme
• 250g Paella Rice
• 70g Black Olives
Method
De-core and slice the red peppers into long 1 inch thick strips. Slice the courgette into rough 1 inch chunks. Place the peppers and courgette on a baking tray and cover with a tablespoon of the olive oil. Season well and then grill on high (250˚C) in the oven for 15 – 20 minutes until the peppers soften and start to blacken.
Finely chop the garlic and onions. Heat the remaining olive oil in a deep set pan over a medium heat, then add the onions and garlic and fry until the onion is soft. Spoon in the turmeric and paprika and cook for a further minute before adding the paella rice.
Prepare the stock and combine the tomato paste and chopped thyme into the stock, then pour the mixture over rice. Simmer the rice gently for about 20 minutes until the stock has been completely absorbed and the rice is al dente. Do not be tempted to stir the rice once the stock has been poured over!
Roughly chop the black olives. Once the rice is cooked, remove from the heat and toss in the olives, cooked red peppers and courgette and mix well.
Cherry and Almond Loaf Cake
Cherries are still in season and anything that spins off a Bakewell tart has got to be good. This loaf cake brings together a gorgeous combination of almonds and cherries in a much easier way to recreate those beloved Bakewell flavours!!
Ingredients
• 180g butter at room temp.
• 180g caster sugar
• 3 medium eggs
• 250g fresh or frozen cherries
• 2tsp almond extract
• 155g plain flour
• 1tsp baking powder
• 5tsp ground almonds
• 3tbsp milk
For the glaze
• 125g icing sugar
• 2tsp milk
• ½tsp almond extract
To decorate
• 3 tbsp flaked almonds
• Cherries on their stems
Method
Preheat oven to 200°C (180°fan) or gas mark 6 and line a 900g loaf tin with baking parchment.
In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs 1 at a time, mixing each time then add almond extract.
Combine the flour, baking powder and ground almonds in separate bowl and then add to the bowl along with the cherries and gently fold to combine. Add the milk to loosen and stir lightly.
Transfer the mixture into the lined tin, level it out and bake in the oven for 50mins, until golden brown and a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Leave to completely cool in tin.
Make the glaze in a small bowl by combining the icing sugar, milk and almond extract. It should be thick but pourable; adjust with more milk as required.
Turn out cake and pour glaze over it and scatter over the almonds and extra cherries.
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