Category: News

Report from the Hub August 2025

WENVOE COMMUNITY HUB

Tel: 02920 594176 – during opening hours or wenvoelibrary@outlook.com

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Report from the Hub

August 2025

JULY 2025 IN OUR COMMUNITY LIBRARY / HUB

NEW OPENING HOURS

We are now open Monday, Tuesday and Wednes-day 10 am – 4 pm and Saturday 9 am – 1 pm.

NEW BOOKS

Romance: “NOVA” by Rebecca Yarros. Four-time snowboarding medallist – full time heartbreaker.

Crime: “Say Nothing” by Erin Kinsley. Your son has gone missing. The police arrest the prime suspect YOU

Fiction: “Even Beyond Death” by Fiona Melrose Passionate, witty and moving.

Non-Fiction: “In Search of Schrödinger’s Cat” by John Gribbin. Quantum Physics and Reality

Children’s: “A Riddle for a King” by Mark Forsyth: An adventure story about a boy called Philo

The Summer Reading Challenge has been launched. Sign up at the library any time until September.

The Library/Hub’s Toddler and Parent/ Grandparent/Childminder’s

Annual Away Day

Wednesday morning 9th July dawned bright and sunny, the clear blue skies beckoning us to Porthkerry Park, for the annual Library Toddler Group’s away day, a stark contrast to July 2024 when the wind and rain confined us to a café for the duration of the trip.

What more can a young child ask for than access to an exciting playground, collecting pebbles, to watch aeroplanes flying in and out of the neighbouring Rhoose Airport, trains crossing the viaduct and of course an ice cream or lolly.

The morning was a unanimous success; we Welsh are experts at making the best of things but what a difference the sunshine makes – fingers crossed for next year!

Baby and Toddler Groups run every Wednesday between 09.30 and 11.00am.

 

 

Walking In Kyrgyzstan (Part 1 Of 2)


WALKING IN KYRGYZSTAN (Part 1 of 2)

Three of us, all no longer of working age, recently joined a group of 12 in total to trek in the Tian Shan mountains in Kyrgyzstan. Of the 12 in the group, we were the oldest (and slowest), most of the others being young people in their late 20s. By the end of the trip they were in fact in awe of us and insisted their parents would never have been able to undertake the trek!

Kyrgyzstan, officially the Kyrgyz Republic is a small landlocked country in central Asia. It is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the south and China to the east. Kyrgyzstan was formerly part of the Soviet Union and declared independence from the USSR in 1991. It is farther from the sea than any other individual country and is an endorheic basin in which all its rivers flow into closed drainage systems which do not reach the sea.

The country is approximately the size of Great Britain without Northern Ireland, 91% of which is over 1,000m high. Peak Jengish Chokusu, at 7,439 metres is the highest point and is considered by geologists to be the northernmost peak over 7,000m. Although geographically isolated by its high mountainous terrain, Kyrgyzstan has been at the crossroads of several great civilisations as part of the Silk Road.

 

Tourism is slowly developing in the country with skiing and trekking in the mountains being the main attractions. It was obvious that the government is developing substantial infrastructure in readiness for the country to further open up with major road building taking place.

We underwent a long drive from Bishkek, the capital, to Karakol in the east which is the stepping stone for both hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter. Hence we feel able to comment first hand as to the state of the roads as our minibus was not only lacking in leg room but also shared with us every bump and pothole in the road!

The first 2 days were walking through, around and among incredible enormous fluted red sandstone rock formations (Molasse) set in large meadows where the Kyrgyz people still take their large flocks of fat-bottomed sheep, cattle and horses up to the summer pastures, staying in yurts.

We stayed our first night trekking in a small settlement of yurts alongside a river where we were fortunate to be able to have a banya, (a traditional Russian steam bathhouse), and then spent the following 4 nights under canvas. There was an expectation that we put up and packed up our own tents and it was interesting to see that this was a skill not commonly known among the whole group! All of the campsites were alongside the river or a lake and despite the ever-decreasing temperature as we climbed, there were a couple in the group who continued to enjoy cold water plunges until the water temperature apparently dropped to 4 degrees! (For those interested, ablutions were in the freezing meltwater river or lakes and the use of long-drops.) As well as the 12 of us, we had a guide, 2 assistant guides and 2 horsemen who were responsible for our 8 pack horses which carried our bags, the tents, enough food for us all for the trek and our rubbish! Packing the horses in the morning was a tremendous skill.

After the first 2 days, we left the molasse rocks behind us as we joined the Silk Road and climbed steadily along the Gulcha River through a very wide glacial valley with great meadows fringed by strange, pointed conifers with round bases and black kites soaring overhead, glimpses of snow-capped mountains ahead. The valley got steadily less wide as we climbed but there were still large herds of livestock and their attendants on horseback with the obligatory shepherd dog.

A highlight was stopping at a yurt alongside a river crossing one lunchtime where we were treated to an enormous freshly made fluffy naan bread and a tub of fresh buttermilk which we passed around tearing off a chunk of bread and dipping it into the buttermilk. Delicious! It made a nice change from potato and cabbage stew or plov – a local version of paella.

Our second to last campsite was in a buttercup festooned meadow alongside a lake accessed by crossing the river on horseback. Unfortunately, the weather on the last day was typically Welsh requiring full waterproofs and was made more miserable as we were walking up over the pass on a very shaley path. Sadly, that meant that the incredible views were not for us. I was fortunate enough to look sufficiently exhausted, very much feeling the lack of oxygen, and was offered one of the pack horses to carry me over the pass! I was not about to refuse (what I considered) a gift horse in the mouth.

 

The Kymin and Kenfig

The Kymin and Kenfig

The Kymin

We parked in a layby, on a hill east of Monmouth and the river Wye and walked along the road a short distance to take a footpath into woodland. It was hot, humid and sunny, but walking on a wide track in the woodland shade was very pleasant.

Soon we were passing one of the impressive houses which abound in Monmouthshire. We came into the open and had a trek up a stony track. A farmer and young child passed on an off-road vehicle and we probably all thought how good it would be to get a lift. A flock of sheep still wearing their woollen fleeces gained our sympathy as they grazed a dry field in full sunshine. A little later we came across shorn sheep, lying in the shadow of a hedge, and looking more comfortable.

Soon we were back in woodland and following part of the Offa’s Dyke path before climbing up to the Kymin at 800ft. The Kymin and its nine acres is a National Trust property, overlooking the Wye valley and Monmouth. As it was clear, we could see the Brecon Beacons and Malvern hills. Everyone had a look at the Naval temple and then decided to eat lunch, some choosing benches in full sun with panoramic views and others finding shade, near sweet chestnut trees and an uneven ‘bowling green’.

Over 200 years ago, a group of local gentlemen formed a picnic group and visited the Kymin every Tuesday. This led to the building of the round house, for shelter when the weather was inclement. It is a quirky building, small, circular and with a castellated roof and has now been converted into a holiday cottage. There is also the Naval temple, which was built by public subscription in 1800 and commemorates 16 of Britain’s famous admirals and their victories in the Seven Years War and the war against France. It is Grade II listed and has undergone three restorations; the last two by the National Trust in 1987 and 2012 because of storm damage. Nelson commented ‘It was one of the most beautiful places he had ever seen’.

Resuming our walk, we descended a path through gnarled tree roots and rocks, where it was noticeably cooler (and had been the planned location for lunch). We avoided the nearby road by walking parallel to it through the woods, negotiating a large ditch and a fallen tree. At last, we had to emerge from the wood to cross the road in full sun, following a track littered with signs from the local Staunton council, warning most vehicles off, but not walkers. We entered a final stretch of woodland, then a tunnel with creeping plants hanging down over its entrance and a ceiling covered in bricks and were soon back at the cars.

The day was hot and humid, with a cooling breeze. Our leader did us proud, managing to devise a route that stayed in woodland most of the time, with short spells in the open. At the end of the walk, we drove to Redbook to visit the Boat Inn for thirst quenching drinks. Walk 6.2m 1000ft Map OL14

Kenfig

It was hard to believe that our last walk had been rained off as we set out on the hottest day of the year so far. We left Wenvoe earlier than usual to head for Kenfig. The first part of the walk meandered across the dunes, occasionally finding shade under a small copse of trees and taking drink breaks. The areas that are normally waterlogged in winter and spring had dried out and were springy underfoot.

 

There were fabulous flowers, some being viper’s bugloss, evening primrose, sea holly, and a low growing shrub with small dark, berries (a rose?).

As the morning progressed it got hotter, and Lawrence of Arabia came to mind. Then we broke through the dunes to the beach to be met by a sea breeze which immediately made us feel comfortable. Several of us took off our boots to paddle in the sea, along the beach. Wonderful! After crossing the main part of the beach, half of us ate our lunch whilst the other half went for a swim – the sea was not cold!

A shorter route back to the car park took us to Sker house, reputably one of the most haunted houses in Wales. R. D. Blackmore, (author of Lorna Doone) wrote a novel called ‘the maid of Sker’ which was inspired by Sker house and a Welsh ballad of the same name.

We crossed the golf course several times, where a surprising number of people were playing. Arriving back at the car park we enjoyed delicious ice-creams and cake, in the shade. Looking at photos I said, ‘It looks like the Med’ my friend replied, ‘It felt like the Med’. Walk 6.6m Map OS151

The Horse and Jockey 2025

THE HORSE AND JOCKEY 2025

Well, what a start! We’ve had a great first six months and would like to thank all our wonderful customers near and far for your support.

We have celebrated births, deaths, marriages, Christmas Day, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s & Father’s Day. We work with local charities such as 2wish who visit us monthly for coffee & a chat with families that have been affected by the sudden or unexpected death of a child or young adult.

We are looking forward to what the next six months brings as we head back into Autumn and Winter, the season of twinkling lights & real fires. The Horse & Jockey, a place to meet old friends and new. We can offer you solace, joy, company or a listening ear, a shoulder or simply time. Everything you need you’ll find right here, food for the soul and a great pint of beer. The coffee is hot and our Gin is grand, Paula is the boss and The Boys understand.

Our pub is your pub and we’re here for you, where friends come together, old and new. Join us for a swift one, lunch, a pint or dinner. The Marsh family welcomes you, as one of their own.

 

We open seven days a week

Monday: Friendly darts meeting 7pm

Tuesday: Quiz Night every other week

Wednesday: Food served 12pm – 8pm

Both our Luncheon Club & Daily menus

Thursday, Friday & Saturday food served from

12pm to 8:30pm

Sunday: Traditional roasts served 12pm to 4pm Sharing platters 5-7pm

Live music on the last Sunday each month 7pm – 9pm

The Horse & Jockey – a pub to call home!

“Orbital” by Samantha Harvey

 

“Orbital” by Samantha Harvey

Orbital by English author Samantha Harvey was winner of the Booker Prize 2024. The novel is beautifully written with distinctive and poetic prose. It covers a 24 hour period in the International Space Station as six astronauts and cosmonauts from America, UK, Japan, Italy and Russia hurtle through 16 sunrises and sunsets at over 17,000 miles per hour, 250 miles above Earth.

Their day is filled with individual tasks carried out with dedication and precision as they pass over and see the ever changing vistas of oceans, mountains, deserts and glaciers, a world without borders. They watch as a gigantic typhoon builds over the Pacific.

They have a daily exercise programme to offset the negative effects of the lack of gravity and at night they sleep floating about in their small claustrophobic cabins. We are given brief insights into the lives, histories and thoughts and learn how the cycle of daily orbits result in the loss of their natural sense of time.

This novel initiated a lively discussion and some very different reviews from the Page Turners. All agreed it was well written and thought provoking. Some were fascinated by the narrative and were of the opinion that any elaboration of the characters would have changed the whole tenor of the book. More negative responses described how they found it tedious and boring with no plot or character development, not enough human drama and too many lists and repetitive descriptions of scenes of Earth from space. Scores ranged from 4 to 10 and the overall score was 8.5.

August Church News

August Church News

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

A warm welcome awaits you at our service on a Sunday morning at 9.30 am, but if you cannot make it log on to our website https://www.ipcamlive.com/stmaryschurch. We know many far and wide do log on, including our friends in the Glenburnie Care Home, and we consider this as a part of our mission to spread the Good News of Jesus in the world. Give it a try. You will be pleasantly surprised.

July has been a relatively quiet time in church with many enjoying their holiday at home or abroad. That does not mean our door is closed. We have hosted three funerals during the month. Each one was different to the other in many ways, but the same message is preached, that of hope. For Christians death is not the ending of a life but a beginning to a new life in the glorious heavenly kingdom that Jesus told us all about. It is natural to grieve for the departed, but a new day dawns and life goes on. Think on the words of this well-known Easter hymn

The strife is o’er, the battle done;

the victory of life is won;

the song of triumph has begun.

Alleluia!

The powers of death have done their worst,

but Christ their legions has dispersed.

Let shouts of holy joy outburst.

Alleluia!

Our dearly departed are not forgotten. Week by week we remember their passing a year after the event. We understand that a formal church funeral is not for everyone, and that Direct Cremation is gaining in popularity. Vicar Lyndon is only too ready to advise during difficult times when decisions have to be made to say farewell to a loved one.

The month may have been a quiet one, but there are always housekeeping jobs to be carried out. We have a very large safe in the Tower vestry that holds all our records. These comprise Registers of baptism, marriage and burials for Wenvoe and St. Lythans, service registers, and other misc. documents relating to church activities over the years. Many are facsimile copies of original registers deposited at Glamorgan Archives, and copies provided for use in the parishes. They have now been listed giving the years they cover dating from the 16th century. Parish registers are fascinating records of events many years ago and were authorised by Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII’s chief minister in 1535; there was a great deal of suspicion that Cromwell was bringing in a tax for his master on the sacraments of the church.

Registers began to be compiled for every “wedding, christening and burying” as the Act states. At the beginning the priest or churchwarden obtained a sheet of paper and ruled it into three columns for the three records to be written up. In 1597 a scheme for a “more careful keeping of parish registers” was introduced with entries now made on parchment, and copies were to be made of the old register previously written on paper. Our Wenvoe register appears to have been copied at this time. These loose sheets were then folded and placed in the parish chest, where over the years they were often attacked by mice and damp. Soon these loose sheets were bound into books and later legislation saw the introduction of preprinted register books which are much easier to read. For family history buffs they are an excellent source of historical facts.

Visitors to the church often ask when it was built, and who built it. The stock reply is we do not know, but we can safely say that there was a church on this site back in the 13th cent. Which means that the people of Wenvoe have worshipped here for 800 years and that the ancient Yew Tree possibly predates the building. At some point in time the church was financed by the introduction of a Church Rate levied on the landowners, on individual cottages or fields, the ale house and every farm in the Parish. The actual rate was fixed at the annual Easter vestry meeting and in Wenvoe we have records from 1829 -1870 when the amount of a penny farthing – 5d was levied. The amount raised was used to pay the parish clerk, see to the purchase of candles and coals for the stove, washing the surplice and the purchase of bottles of wine for the communion. Even the killing of polecats appears in the expenditure items. White liming of the interior was a regular feature, as were repairs and cleaning of the churchyard. The amount on the collection plate was not used for the church but went to supporting the poor and aged of the parish. The priest’s stipend came from the Tythe also levied on the parish or from his private means. The church Rate was finally abolished by an act of parliament in 1868, to the great satisfaction of the non-conformists who objected to paying a tax when their own chapels were self-financed by their own membership.

From the Wenvoe record of church rates, one year of 1860 stands out when the amount collected was increased by subscriptions from the wealthier parishioners to £64, 16 shillings, 10d and a farthing. Was that the year that the soaring Gothic chancel arch was raised, to replace the old crude low arch similar to the entrance to the tower?

More news next month of solar panels, alternative means of heating the church and renovations in the Church Hall.

Parry

 

A Very Windy Friars Point

A Very Windy Friars Point

 

High winds and grey skies at Barry Island—and not to forget the sore knees and ankles, did not put off the strollers today…and all were rewarded with an enjoyable walk around Nell’s Point…and of course, ice cream, chat and coffee at the end

 

 

 

Wenvoe Village Show

WENVOE VILLAGE SHOW AT THE CHURCH HALL
SATURDAY 6th SEPTEMBER

This is Wenvoe’s own local show and offers an excellent opportunity for some friendly, fun competition. Will your fruit and veg be the talk of the village? Is your baking a triumph? You don’t have to be an expert, you just need to enter. The show is limited to entries from people who live in the Wenvoe community (Wenvoe, Twyn-yr-Odyn, St Lythans and Dyffryn) and children who are residents of Wenvoe or attend the village school.
Entries to be registered at St Mary’s Church Hall between 8.30 and 11 am on Saturday morning (for those who have other commitments on Saturday morning there will be a limited time slot to register entries between 6 – 7.30pm on Friday evening 5th September but this will NOT include culinary entries). The hall will then be closed between 11 am and 1.30 pm. for the judging to take place. The public will be welcome to come and view the exhibits between 1.30pm and 4pm. From 3pm – 4pm there will be a chance to sample the culinary entries for yourself. There will be a good quality raffle, and this will be drawn at 3.30pm. If you have a prize that you could give we should be very grateful.
If you wish to reclaim your entries they should be collected between 4 and 4.30pm but please note that items entered in the culinary categories will be offered for public tasting and will not be eligible for collection unless there is any left at 4pm. Entry fee – £1 for the first entry and 50p for all subsequent entries per person. You may enter as many sections as you wish but the maximum number of entries per person in any one section of a category is two. Items entered in previous Wenvoe Village Shows are acceptable but only if they have previously failed to win a prize. If you would like to help on the day or have any queries, please speak to Mike or Glenys Tucker.
Weather permitting there will be refreshments available outside all day.
The categories are listed below.

Exhibit Categories

 

 

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