Category: News

Pétanque Returns To Wenvoe

PÉTANQUE RETURNS TO WENVOE

After several years of absence, pétanque is back in Wenvoe. The Vale Pétanque Club, affiliated to the Welsh Pétanque Association, has found its new home at the original pétanque playing area located at Wenvoe Playing Fields, Station Road East.

Our members have been playing in various teams competing in the Welsh Pétanque Association National Leagues and for national titles (men and women, singles, doubles and triples). Members have also represented Wales at international events in the UK (Home Nations and Celtic Challenge) and abroad at the World and European Championships (Juniors and men). We are always looking for the next Welsh champion!

Pétanque is a very easy sport to start and is accessible to children from the age of 6 years, adults of both sexes and disabled persons. Many of you will have played or seen the game while on holiday in France or picked-up boules in a Welsh pub for a friendly game.

At the Vale Pétanque Club, we will offer both sides of the game: the friendly, laid-back social game where the result is second to meeting with friends and spending a couple of hours of light exercise in good company, and the competitive matches where every point is fought for and winning is essential. Sessions for all ages and abilities will be organised and supervised by Welsh Pétanque Association qualified coaches.

We currently have 14 purpose-built and newly refurbished wheelchair accessible pétanque pistes open to members every day of the week and all year round. We are planning to hold some “Come and Try” sessions, the first of which will be 31st May from 1pm to 4pm, with all equipment provided. However, if you are passing through the playing fields and see some of us there, please do ask about the game.

Anyone interested can contact the Club by email at: Valepetanque25@gmail.com

J C Meggitt Story – Post Script

Articles of Interest

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF MR J C MEGGITT –

POSTSCRIPT

In the three previous issues of What’s On, we learned how 28 year old Meggitt had come to Barry in 1884 at the start of the construction of the dock and set up a thriving timber supply business. He had involved himself in civic life and did many “good things” for the rapidly expanding town.

We further learned that after his retirement in the 1930s he undertook world wide journeys to over 35 countries and he wrote in depth of his experiences. His writings were published in booklet format by the Western Mail.

These booklets are being reproduced in PDF format to be uploaded onto the People’s Collection Wales website. However, should you wish to read the full text of his journals in advance of them being available thereon, please drop me a text message on 07532 222 381 and I’ll provide you with a copy.

This story is not quite over yet. Barry Library has acquired Meggitt’s scrap book cum photo album covering the period 1912 to 1918. And what a treasure trove it is! Amongst the many items of interest that have been preserved for posterity are:

  • Invitation to the Investiture of the Prince of Wales at Caernarvon 13th July 1911
  • Photographs of travels to Jerusalem, Cairo and Athens in 1912

  • Photographs of travels to Italy in 1913
  • Clippings from newspapers about Marconi’s early wireless transmissions (1908), the “Great War”, a railway accident at Shrewsbury and other topical items of interest
  • A number of family photographs
  • Photographs of Meggitt and Jones timber yard at Barry featuring women employed during the Great War
  • Photographs of Windsor Road Congregational Church Sunday School on their 25th anniversary in 1915
  • A ticket for a flight in an Avro Biplane 1919

 

And if all of that were not enough, we also have a copy of the history of Meggitt and Jones – Fifty Years – 1884 to 1934 in PDF format.

Tony Hodge

Highlight Of The Living With Cancer Walk

LIVING WITH CANCER STROLLERS

Highlight Of The Living With Cancer Walk

What was the highlight of the living with cancer walk at Cosmeston this month?

The bright blue sky?

The sparkling lakes?

The warming sunshine?

The endless chatter?

The ice creams?

No…..it was the sight of a family of voles in the water…a real treat

 

 

Hedgerows Are Invaluable

Hedgerows Are Invaluable

You can stand anywhere in the village with a view of the countryside, and you will see hedgerows. Along Port Road, Old Port Road and around the school as well. You could be forgiven for thinking they are common and unthreatened. Yet since 1950 the UK has lost 118,000 miles of hedgerow. This is what the Woodland Trust says:

Hedgerows are invaluable. Who doesn’t love seeing a hedgerow, brimming with blossom and alive with pollinators? Thousands of species depend on hedgerows for food, shelter and moving through the countryside. Hedgerows are also extremely beneficial for the land, reducing soil erosion and flooding, storing carbon, extending growing seasons, providing shade, sustaining pollinators and providing natural pest control. Over 500 plant species, 60 species of nesting birds, hundreds of invertebrates and almost all our native small mammal species depend on hedgerows. Many are ancient landmarks, some of the oldest and steadiest semi-natural features in our landscape.

The Wildlife Group, with the help of the Woodland Trust, WWG members and groups such as the Scouts, have planted new hedgerows which you can see on the Community Orchard, around the Goldsland Orchard, the Bee Loud Glade and Cae Ysbyty. These are increasingly full of fruit and berries such as Rowan, Damson, Guelder Rose (see photo), Hawthorn and Wayfaring Tree. But we need more if wildlife is to flourish so if you have sufficient land, a large garden, farm, smallholding or even allotment areas, consider planting a hedge. They cost little and in the right circumstances you can get free trees from the Woodland Trust.

May Meeting of Wenvoe W.I.

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

May Meeting of Wenvoe W.I.

On Thursday 1st May Wenvoe WI met for their AGM at 7.00pm in the Church Hall. The out-going president Mrs Jan Young welcomed members and our Glamorgan Federation Advisor, Mrs. Claire Atherton. The meeting commenced with the usual business as well as the annual financial statement, the secretary’s report and a closing statement and vote of thanks to the out-going Committee by the President. Finally, Mrs Atherton presided over the election of new officers for the forthcoming year.

These will be as follows:

Mrs Carol Charlson – President

Mrs Pamela Ewington – Secretary

Mrs Dedrie Smee – Treasurer

Committee members – Mrs Lyn Hull, Miss Ros Lock, Mrs Madeleine Rees and Mrs Brenda Webster.

Our open coffee morning was held on 1st May where £200 was raised for our charity for the year – Ty Hafan. On 4th July it is intended to visit Ty Hafan and tour the gardens.

Our next WI meeting is on 3rd June at 7.00pm in the Church Hall, when Mrs Anne Lush will speak about the ‘History of Cake and Cake Making’.

All tasters, visitors and potential new members are most welcome.

Jan Young

June Church News

June Church News

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

The weather forecasters have said recently that this year the month of May has been the sunniest and warmest and driest for many, many years. The rainfall has been light and soon there could be calls to use our precious water carefully to conserve supplies. The churchyard is looking lovely this year with the flowering hawthorns showing an abundance of bright red flowers outside the church porch. However, we are missing the large cherry tree in flower. It is now the site of a carving of a leaping salmon, carved from the trunk by our ever-resourceful Mike who looks after the grounds so wonderfully. We get many complements on how well kept both the church and surrounding grounds are, and St. Mary’s is a real treasure in our village. Shortly we shall be working on the roof to replace some slates that have slipped and also replacing the ridge tiles on the Transept roof. These minor defects were reported in the recent Quinquennial inspection with other works needed to maintain the church fabric in good condition.

VE80 celebrations took place in the church and village over the Early Spring Bank Holiday, more commonly known as the May Bank Holiday. The longest period of peace in our country, was celebrated with the same joy that marked the ending of WWII in Europe in 1945, with prayers and hymns in church on the Sunday, a time of reflection at midday on Thursday, followed by the pealing of the church bells in the evening and the lighting of the Beacon of Hope at the village War Memorial at 9.30pm.

The Village Plant show brought the proceedings to an end, and we have to thank both Glenys and Mike Tucker for how well they organised, with their many helpers, a day marked with lovely warm sunshine. Events like this that make our community such a good place to live, a chance to meet up with other Wenvonians to chat about current news and reminisce over past times.

We continue the VE80 theme with an afternoon concert by the Sian’s Singers on Sunday 8th June at 3.00pm at St. Mary’s Church which will include a singalong of WWII songs. Sian’s Singers are a very talented group, and we are pleased to host them at this time. There is no admission charge but donations to church funds will be welcome, and there will be refreshments in the Church Hall following the performance. All are most welcome as we once again remember with gratitude the sacrifices made by our Armed Forces and the members of the civilian population during the years of 1939 – 1945.

The other big event taking place as I write is the Christian Aid Appeal organised by Jude Billingham and her team of helpers. The climate crisis is ravaging the farms of indigenous communities in Guatemala; your financial support

will help fund vital tools and training so farmers can support their community to escape hunger. Many events took place in the village during the week of the 11th May, the results will be reported in next month’s news.

St. Bleddian’s Church update: Those of us with large gardens know how difficult it can be when the lawn needs mowing, the edges trimmed and the weather can often be against you, well imagine the problem of keeping the churchyard at St. Lythan’s in a pristine condition.

Thanks to volunteers from the Friends of St. Lythan’s the maintenance of the churchyard has seen the grass cut, and a general tidy up done in recent days. The church is not being used for regular worship and is used as a festival church to mark those times of the year when special services are held to commemorate the great days in the church’s calendar. So, a big thankyou to all who have helped while the search for a more permanent gardener is made.

We are so grateful for the regular donations to the Vale Food Bank which appear in the collecting boxes in the church porch week by week. Due to your generosity, we are able to take a considerable amount every Thursday morning, thanks to Jude and Nigel, to Barry, and the staff are so pleased that our contribution to those in need, comes each week on a regular basis.

The items most needed at present are tinned potatoes, rice puddings, tinned fruit, meat products and carrier bags. Thank you, thank you! Your gifts are most needed. Alternatively a cash contribution is also welcomed to save carrying heavy items to the collecting boxes. Please place in an envelope clearly marked “Food Bank”.

It is good to have an opportunity to share the St. Mary’s news with the community. You are all held in our Sunday prayers, and if you need advice and help on family matters, please contact Vicar Lyndon on 029 2280 6018 (confidential phone).

Every Blessing to all readers,

Parry

 

 

Chicken and Sweet Potato Hash & Strawberry Cheesecake French Toast

Try this flavour-packed hash for an easy, protein-packed midweek meal. Chicken mince is coated in delicious chipotle spice for added oomph. Then follow with strawberries with a different twist!

Chicken and Sweet Potato Hash

Ingredients

500g sweet potatoes

2 tbsp olive oil

1 onion

400g chicken mince

½ tsp garlic granules or 1 clove fresh garlic crushed

½ tsp dried rosemary

50g chipotle paste

100g curly kale (or Swiss chard, spinach, cabbage)

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C, fan 180°C, gas 6.
  2. Peel the sweet potatoes and cut into 3cm chunks. Toss with 1 tbsp of oil, season and spread out on a baking tray. Roast for 30-35 minutes until golden and tender.
  3. Peel and finely slice the onion. Heat the remaining 1 tbsp oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium-low heat. Fry the onion for 6-8 minutes until softened.
  4. Increase the heat to medium-high, add the chicken mince and fry for a further 8-10 minutes until opaque.
  5. Stir in the garlic granules, rosemary, chipotle paste and a good pinch of salt. Stir-fry for 1 minute. Pile in the kale and continue to stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until tender.
  6. Stir through the roasted sweet potatoes. Divide the hash among plates and serve.

Strawberry Cheesecake French Toast

Ingredients

150g cream cheese

1 tbsp icing sugar (plus extra to serve)

2 tsp vanilla extract

4 slices thick white toastie bread

50g strawberry jam

150 g fresh strawberries

3 medium eggs

150 ml whole milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

10g butter

Method

  1. Put the cream cheese in a bowl with the tablespoon of icing sugar and 1 tsp of the vanilla extract. Stir until well combined.
  2. Spread all 4 slices of bread with the strawberry jam and slice the strawberries.
  3. Divide the cream cheese between 2 of the slices of bread and spread to cover the surface, then cover the cream cheese with the strawberry slices. Cover with the 2 remaining slices of bread, jam-side down like a sandwich.
  4. Whisk together the eggs, milk and remaining vanilla extract and put in a shallow dish.
  5. Heat the butter in a large frying pan. Soak the sandwiches in the egg mixture, turning until they are well soaked, then transfer to the frying pan and fry until golden brown on the underside. Turn the sandwiches over and continue frying until golden on the other side.
  6. Remove from the pan and cut into triangles.
  7. Dust with icing sugar to serve.

Report from the Hub April 2025

WENVOE COMMUNITY HUB

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

Like and follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/WenvoeCommunityLibrary

For general enquiries you can email us at wenvoelibrary@outlook.com

Report from the Hub

April 2025

Our Community Library / Hub

Just four years ago, the corner of our village that now buzzes with conversation, laughter and the comforting clink of coffee cups was little more than a tired terrapin building clinging to the last threads of usefulness. It is today a thriving hub of activity – a modern, welcoming space that has become the centre of our community.

Reborn as a Community Library / Hub, it is run by a team of four directors and powered by the unstoppable energy of 30 local volunteers. But it is far more than just a library, it’s a place where stories are shared, friendships are forged and community spirit is alive and kicking.

Step inside and you’ll find a warm, light-filled space where people come not just to borrow books, but to connect. The coffee bar is always busy and wholly welcoming. It’s the kind of place where you pop in for five minutes and end up staying an hour, catching up with volunteers, neighbours or meeting someone new.

The hub pulses with life thanks to a rich programme of activities. There’s a vibrant Welsh language group that’s helping keep our heritage alive, a supportive men’s group that offers connection and camaraderie and a magical weekly preschool storytelling and singalong session that fills the space with giggles and imagination. But that’s just the beginning. You can improve your French in a relaxed and friendly setting, chat with your local PCSOs over a coffee, or come along to one of the many guest talks that spark lively conversation and learning.

The Hub is proud to be dementia-friendly, creating a welcoming and accessible space for all. And for those looking for a bit of sparkle midweek, the Golden Girls session brings together local women for laughter, support, and a good catch-up – all part of a community that looks out for one another. There’s always something going on. It’s no wonder that the Hub has become a testament to what happens when community comes first – when people rally together to build something lasting, meaningful, and joyful.

From modest beginnings to a flourishing future, our community hub isn’t just a building. It’s ours. And it’s thriving.

Heulwen Davies

New books in the Library

Spy Thriller: Final Traitor by Andy McDermott. The mission comes first, you are a desirable asset. Betrayal is punished by death.

Fiction: My Favourite Mistake by Marian Keyes

Everywhere she turns, her mistakes are waiting. But might they just save her?

Romance: P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern

A bittersweet storyline guaranteed to tug on your heartstrings.

Non Fiction: Richard Beauchamp by David Brindley

Medieval England’s Greatest Knight

Childrens: Mermaid Academy – Harper and Splash. Dive into Magic

Report from the Hub

  • Our monthly leaflets are available in the Hub for a full monthly list of activities.
  • Reminder: The Library no longer takes second hand jigsaw puzzles, books or magazines due to lack of space.
  • Please remember that with increasing reliance on technology, we are happy to assist with accessing information on-line. Help is also available from Citizens Advice, Age UK and One Stop Shop.

Future Activities

  • Cuppa with a Coppa – meets on Wednesday 4th June, at 2.00pm in the Hub.
  • Wellbeing Group – meets on Friday 6th June between 2.00pm and 3.00pm in the Hub.

 

 

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