Category: News

September Was A Busy Month

September 2022 News Update

Death of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral Castle

The lowering of the flag to half-mast on the church tower announced to the village the sad news received on Sept. 8th at 6.30pm. Our new, King Charles III spoke most emotionally of the Royal Family’s loss of a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother in his first address to the nation that same evening. He ended his address with the most memorable words: “May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”

Looking back, September was a busy month. The work on the Tower has been completed and it is looking much improved. The church grounds have been cleared up of the builders debris. The church clock is back ‘tick-tocking’ away, keeping time and striking the hours, much to the satisfaction of neighbours who are used to hearing the hours struck during the day. The clock face and hands have been affected by the heat waves we have experience this Summer so for now, no further expense needed there.

Plans to welcome our new priest into the Ministry Area of De Morgannwg were placed on hold until a definite date could be agreed on. Eventually the service to License Lyndon was led by the Archdeacon of Llandaff the Rev. Rod Green on Sunday 18th September at 3.00pm. In the meantime Vicar Lyndon and Chris have been settling in and took the opportunity of a holiday break in Mid Wales before they enter into the busy life of the M.A.

The Licensing service for Lyndon was a very splendid uplifting service with superb singing of both Welsh and other hymns. Our three churches were represented with invited guests and clergy from within the Ministry Area. Well done everyone.

Our Harvest Celebration was held on Sunday 25th September and was the first occasion that our new Vicar has officiated. The decoration of the church was markedly different this year to previous years as we decided to use all the contributions to the Barry Food Bank to fill the windows with, dry goods, tinned vegetables, tinned meats etc which the food bank have asked us for. This year they are finding the need is greater than ever due to the rocketing living costs and rising food prices in the stores. So in place of fresh vegetables and flowers we had the appearance of a food store, knowing that there is no waste and all the goods will help those who are not so fortunate as we are. We also held a retiring collection for the Christian Aid East Africa appeal which is ongoing as they face the most disastrous famine in that part of the world.

In the afternoon a BYO picnic in the church grounds was arranged with activities for the children, to give an opportunity for Lyndon and Chris to meet up with as many people who wished to greet and welcome them into our community

Live Streaming of our Services

Further work on the camera system in church has now resulted in 24/7 streaming of a live feed which can be accessed on ipcamlive.com/stmarywenvoe This will mean that the church building is covered should we have an intruder in the premises outside of service times, and that anyone can log in to our services on a Sunday morning. Lyndon’s licensing can now be watched by his family in Canada which will be of great comfort and assurance to them. Some reservations have been raised and further work on the system will try and give the assurances needed to make the congregation comfortable in its use.

Vicar Lyndon has said that he intends to keep the same pattern of services as they are at present, as he tries to get a ‘feel’ of what each congregation needs. However, that is not to say that there won’t be any changes in the future.

Harvest Celebrations at St. Bleddian’s will take place on Sunday 2nd October with the usual morning service at 8.30 am followed by a Harvest Festival Service at 3.00pm.

Thank you for your time reading this. You are most welcome to join us and our new priest Lyndon at any of our services.

God Bless and peace

Parry Edwards

 

We Need More Volunteers!

ADVENT WINDOWS 2022

We need more volunteers!

We are planning Wenvoe Advent Windows 2022 following the success of the last two years. Since September’s What’s On we have been pleased to receive a number of requests to take part. However, we need more volunteers to fill the 24 slots of December.

There will be a new window to see each night leading up to Christmas Eve when of course there will be all 24 on display. The final window will be at St. Mary’s Church.

There is no entry fee, it’s not a competition, and, adults and children can be involved. Participants will be allocated a date when they will light up their window for the first time and continue lighting up each day until 24th December. The windows can be designed and constructed from any media; and will need to be lit from 5.00pm to 9.00pm each evening. All the displays should relate to Advent / Christmas and can be humorous, artistic or topical.

If you would like to participate you need to live in a house that has a window (upstairs or down) that can clearly be seen from the street and you will need to keep the window illuminated each evening after it is ‘opened’ until December 24th.

For more information contact Jude Billingham: on 07516 112897 or judebillingham@ yahoo.co.uk

We would be delighted to hear from you.

This is a St. Mary’s initiative for the whole community

 

Wenvoe Tennis Courts To Be Refurbished

WENVOE TENNIS COURTS TO BE REFURBISED

I can confirm that funds have been secured, via Tennis Wales, to resurface the Tennis Courts at the Recreation Field in Wenvoe.

A pay gate will be installed that requires booking via the Tennis Wales app. Free provision at the site will be offered at certain times such as during the peak summer months when free open days will be scheduled to promote the site and allow residents to join in organised activity or free play. Tennis Wales is also developing a free offer which will be used at sites to engage with local groups.

Tennis Wales will also be implementing programmes for the local schools to support the curriculum and wider school outcomes. Our programme brings together inclusive PE lesson plans, personal development resources, teacher training and much more. It’s all been designed by teachers, for teachers, and it’s all free. Tennis Wales offer schools who complete our free online primary or secondary teacher training course a £250 reward voucher. The voucher can be spent on tennis equipment or 10 hours of team teaching with an LTA Accredited Coach.

Pricing Policy

Tennis Wales has developed a low-cost pricing policy which supports them to protect and prepare tennis courts for the future. As a not for profit organisation, any funds generated from the site are reinvested into the annual maintenance, future resurfacing costs and local community engagement.

We have 3 options designed for families, students and casual users:

  • Family Pass – £39.00 (per year)

 

Any household family member can book & play for 12 months, with as much tennis as they wish to play included.

  • Student Pass – £19.00 (per year)

 

Any student can book & play for 12 months, with as much tennis as they wish to play included.

  • Pay & Play – £4.50 per court, per hour

 

Simply book online, pay for the hour and give tennis a try.

The refurbished courts will also provide an opportunity, with Tennis Wales assistance, to re-establish a Tennis Club in Wenvoe.

If you are interested in this please contact:

Councillor Russell Godfrey:

Tel: 07927 588924 or

email: regodfrey@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

 

All Change For The Royal Mint

ALL CHANGE FOR THE ROYAL MINT

The accession of King Charles III to the throne, brings with it the need for changes to British coins and notes. As important as that is, it is not the only challenge currently facing the Royal Mint, with some recent predictions claiming that in ten years time only one in ten transactions will involve cash.

It is re-assuring that Wenvoe’s shops, pubs and cafes still accept cash as a means of payment. Many of us still prefer to have notes in our purses or wallets and are more than willing to put up with the rattle of coins in our pockets when we are given excess change. All good news for charity tins and buckets.

Despite predictions of a cashless society on the horizon, the future of the Royal Mint seems secure for some time to come. After all, coins have a long history, having been around as a method of payment since the 6th century BC. Those early Lydian coins (made of electrum, an alloy of silver and gold) were minted by merchants, in what is now western Turkey, as tokens for trade transactions. Coins have a long and proud history in the UK as well of course, with the Royal Mint having been in existence for more than 1,100 years. It is in fact Britain’s oldest company and is owned by HM Treasury.

The Royal Mint is the world’s leading export mint, making coins and medals for an average of 60 countries every year and still making an annual profit of over £8 million. More than 900 people are employed at the Llantrisant site where some 90 million coins and blanks – metal discs which are minted into coins – can be produced in a single week. That adds up to almost five billion coins a year! No wonder, then, that the Ministry of Defence is responsible for the round-the-clock, 52 weeks a year security of the 35-acre site. The Mint also regularly produces very popular and collectable special edition coins to mark or celebrate important British events. Some have become very valuable.

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the Royal Mint will be designing and minting new coins featuring the head of King Charles III. These will show him facing to the left. Elizabeth II’s effigy faces to the right. It is a tradition from the 17th century to alternate the way successive monarchs are facing.

The new Charles III coins and notes are not likely to appear in general circulation for some time. The Royal Mint Advisory Committee needs to send recommendations for them to the Chancellor and obtain royal approval. Designs are then chosen and the final choices approved by the Chancellor followed by the King. The Queen’s coins did not appear until 1953 – the year after her accession. Elizabeth II’s coins are expected to stay in use until they are gradually replaced.

If you still love coins why not visit the Royal Mint? The Royal Mint has its own fascinating museum and website through which you can book ‘The Royal Mint Experience’ – one of Wales’ top tourist attractions. A guided tour of the site costs from £13.50 for adults, £10.35 for children between 5 and 15 and £11.25 for seniors. There is in fact a full calendar of other activities – ranging from creative workshops to special guest speakers exploring The Royal Mint’s traditions through fun-filled, interactive sessions

 

August Letters

 

My last Sunday School

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to the children and Parents of Pebbles and the congregation of St. Mary’s for all the good wishes, cards and presents I received after my last Sunday School. It’s been a privilege to work with such wonderful children and their very supportive parents. I look back over the past 12 years with a huge smile on my face as I remember all the fun times we had, especially on Mothering Sunday and Christmas time. Who’d have thought the Incredible Hulk and Bat Man could be part of the Nativity! So, thank you again for being part of those memories which I shall always treasure.

 

I would like to express my sincere thanks to all our neighbours in the village for their kindness, moral support and practical help during Judy’s long illness and since her death on July 5th.

Keith Bryant

Kind Regards, Alison x

 

Here are some items of interest which appeared on the Wenvoe Community Facebook page.

Graffiti appeared on the footbridge the night of the 5th of August.

Many houses in the Redrow estate reported images of a cyclist trying car doors at 6:30 am on the 6th of August.

On the 16th August the Wenvoe Arms had cooking oil stolen from their backyard.

All these incidents have been reported to the police and some with photographic evidence and positive outcomes.

We all need to be aware of anti-social and potentially criminal incidents. Report to the police and also let Wenvoe residents know via Neighbourhood Watch and our Facebook page. We are all stronger as a strong community!

Thank you NHW

 

I think that What’s On should be politics free. Allowing a column by Andrew R T Davies is unacceptable unless you have balancing contributions from Labour, Lib Dems, Plaid and the Greens.

John

 

I would like to question the scope of our Wenvoe What’s On. As I understand it this is a local magazine for current (and former) residents of our community which, crucially, I believed was politically independent.

I was dismayed to see the Conservative party-political article written by Andrew RT Davies, in the August edition. If the magazine wishes to stray into politics it needs to be fair and equitable and I would also expect to see articles penned by the Welsh Labour Party, Plaid Cymru, Green Party etc. As the elected member of the Senedd for Vale of Glamorgan, can we expect an article from Welsh Labour’s Jane Hutt?

Waiting times in the NHS are clearly of concern; a strong, well funded and supported NHS should be the backbone of our society.

However, in my opinion, Andrew RT Davies’ article was biased and misleading and an attempt to score political points against the current Welsh Labour Senedd administration. Perhaps the Right Honourable Mr Davies, would also like to comment on the state of the English NHS where responsibility lies with the UK’s Conservative Government?

Please may I ask,in what capacity is Andrew RT Davies writing in our local magazine and as it is entitled a column, is it envisaged this will be a regular feature of future What’s Ons?

Whatever your political persuasion (or non), balance and objectivity is key to a thriving democracy.

Sue

 

You’ve probably received other messages about the inclusion of a column written by Andrew RT Davies, in the latest What’s On.

I have enjoyed many years of reading this magazine and one of the nice things about it is the absence of political themes.

If this column is to become a regular feature then surely you must find Labour, Plaid, LibDems, and Green Party members to make contributions too?

Or is the magazine going to become politicised just for the Conservative voters?

Denise Miles

 

I have always enjoyed receiving and reading Wenvoe Whats On and have appreciated the hard work that goes into producing the magazine every month. In that context I wonder if you can tell me if the Wenvoe Whats On non political and non religious policy has changed. I was very surprised to see an article from Andrew R T Davies in this months issue. It was called his column (without saying who he is) suggesting this was going to be a regular feature. The facts are that we have a labour led Senedd, a labour led Vale of Glamorgan council and a labour led AM for our area. Of course we have a local Conservative councillor. So if your policy has changed then there surely needs to be a political balance in the Whats On content.

I would prefer Whats On to remain non political as it has been for the 20 years we have lived in Wenvoe. If that’s not now the case I do think there needs to be an explanation in next month’s Whats On.

I look forward to hearing from you. Keep up the good work.

Nige

 

My “Antiques Roadshow” Moment

MY “ANTIQUES ROADSHOW” MOMENT

This is a tale of serendipity perseverance and self-confidence. In 1988 while rummaging around a second-hand furniture shop in Canton I came across a copy of “South”, Sir Earnest Shackleton’s account of his fateful 1914 Trans Antarctica Expedition. It had a very attractive cover and having read bookshelves full of books on Travel and Exploration in my teens I knew a little about the expedition. I bought the book for the princely sum of 50p. Although the Trans Polar expedition failed it became one of the greatest tales of heroism and survival in the history of Polar exploration. The Endurance became trapped in the ice, was crushed and eventually sank. The tale of how Shackleton managed the rescue of the whole crew without loss is a great read especially the account of the incredible 800-mile voyage across the Southern Ocean in a small boat.

 

I hadn’t noticed at the time, but the book turned out to be a First Edition albeit a second impression. I was intrigued by the inscription on the flyleaf which read

“To Vince from those who appreciate his worth and villanies” (sic)

And signed J G McIlroy and F Wild

Research showed that Frank Wild was second in command to Shackleton and McIlroy was the expedition surgeon. Further detective work revealed that “Vince” referred to crew member John Vincent. Vincent had been recruited as Bosun but because of his aggressive behaviour Shackleton had demoted him to Able Seaman. He was one of only a few members of the expedition that was not awarded the Polar Medal. This explained the reference to his “villanies”. I deduced that this volume must have belonged to him. Because of this provenance it occurred to me that this book might be of value to a collector of Polar memorabilia but for me it became part of my small collection of first editions.

Some years later I faced up to the fact my book collection would likely end up back on the shelves of some charity shop or even the skip. It was time to cash them in. Cue The Antique’s Roadshow coming to Cardiff. After queuing for an age, the specialist book expert declared that my book was not a first edition because it was a second impression. It was quite interesting because of the inscription but he didn’t think it was worth much. I was convinced that he was wrong, but he was the expert. So, disappointed, the book went back to my bookshelves.

Fast forward to this year, 2022, the centenary of the Shackleton Expedition. There was a massive amount of interest in the press and media which peaked when the wreck of the Endurance was found largely intact on the floor of the Weddell Sea. Much was written about the expedition and especially about the epic 800-mile rescue voyage of the small boat, “The James Caird”. By this time, I knew that John Vincent the original owner of my book, had been one of the five members of Shackleton’s crew on this voyage. I figured that there would never be a better opportunity to find a buyer for the book.

This time I emailed a few auction houses specialising in rare books. Most resulted in lukewarm interest, but one responded quite excitedly and suggested that I include it in their July auction. They put in an estimate of £1000 to £1500. Bingo. I was right. It was quite a valuable find.

Came the day of the sale we watched online. Lot 66. It seemed to take ages to get to it, but too excited to risk missing it we had to watch from the beginning. The bidding opened with a commission bid of £2600. Wow! then, £2800, £3000, amazing. … and finally, as the hammer came down, £4000. Take a breath.  Time to break out the Prosecco. I just knew that a book with such a provenance had to be worth a lot to someone and I was proved right. There are so many societies and Polar organisations, one of them surely would have valued it. Success!

I don’t know who bought my 50p find. I like to think that it went to somewhere like the “Scott Polar Research Institute” and that someday I would be able to see it again. In truth, it’s a bit sad. Of course, the £4000 was exciting and was very welcome but it just vanishes anonymously into a bank account and is forgotten whereas figuratively speaking, the gap on my bookshelf remains. I miss it.

But now the blood is up. Next to go will be my first edition of Bruce Chatwin’s “In Patagonia”. I know this is worth a couple of bob. Then my major project is to convince some art gallery that my original but unsigned Fauve oil painting of Collioure is genuine and worth in my estimate upwards of £2,000,000. I was right last time. I’ve got a lot of work to do.

Alan Williams

 

References:

The John Caird   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voyage_of_the_James_Caird

The Scott Polar Research Institute
Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge » Our present

Original film of the expedition
In cinemas: South: Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Glorious Epic of the Antarctic (1919) | BFI

Re-enactment of the Boat Journey
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3742938/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

 

Advent Windows 2022

We are inviting you to take part in lighting up your windows this Advent 2022 following the last two successful years.

The Advent Windows 2022 will encourage us all to wrap up warm and get out to view the windows throughout December. There will be a new window to see each night leading up to Christmas Eve when of course there will be all 24 on display.

This community fun event will run from the 1st-24th December, with the final window at St. Mary’s Church. We would like you to take part; there is no entry fee, it’s not a competition and adults and children can be involved.

How it works: – We need a minimum of 24 participants to decorate their windows. Participants will be allocated a date when they will light up their window for the first time and continue lighting up each day until 24th December. For those of us viewing the windows this will mean every day from 1st December a new window will be lit up to go and see so that by 24th December there will be 24 windows to view.

The windows can be designed and constructed from any media including lights, mobiles, cut outs etc. They can be as simple or technical as your artistic tendencies take you. They can be internal or external displays as long as they involve decorating your window. All the displays should relate to Advent / Christmas and can be humorous, artistic or topical. During previous years there was a great variety in size, contents, both humorous and stately, some with a modern portrayal and others of traditional designs.

The windows will be lit from 5 – 9pm each evening.

Each house participating will be asked to

– display a number corresponding to the date their window is ‘opened’ to differentiate it from other residents who will have their own Christmas decorations.

– keep their window a surprise as far as is possible before the designated revealing evening

If you want to participate you need to:

 live in a house that has a window (upstairs or down) that can clearly be seen from the street without people coming onto your property

 be happy to keep the window illuminated each evening after it is ‘revealed’ until December 24th

 

We are aware that many people give their time and money to support a host of different charities. If you would like to put a charity box outside your house you would be most welcome. Just make sure you empty the box each evening.

For more information ring: Glenys and Mike Tucker: 07922 109721 or Jude and Nige Billingham: on 02920594708 or 07516 112897.

Please let Jude Billingham know by October 16th that you want to decorate your window by supplying your name, address, email address, telephone number, and any preference you have about dates by email (judebillingham@yahoo.co.uk) by telephone, or text.

Please be aware that in agreeing to participate you are also agreeing to have your address identified on the windows map that will be made available so people can look for your window. No names or email will be shared without your permission

This is a St. Mary’s initiative for the whole community

August 2022 News Update

August 2022 News Update

After many trials and holdups our new priest The Rev. Lyndon Hutchison-Hounsell and his wife Chris finally made it to the Rectory on the evening of the 8th August after a gruelling journey from London, Ontario Canada. They were welcomed with many useful gifts to help furnish their home as well as messages of welcome and greetings. It has been heart-warming to see the response from all over our three churches to make them feel at home in Wales and that they are among friends. Before Vicar Lyndon can take any services in our churches he will have to be licensed by the Bishop, and this hopefully will be in September at a date yet to be announced. He is anxious to meet as many people as possible and has been around the village, with visits to St, Mary’s, the Wenvoe Arms, The Hub and other places, so please make yourselves known to them.

The latest edition of the Ministry Area “Connections” magazine was available during August and a copy has been placed at The Hub in Wenvoe, during the library opening hours. Lyndon wrote a letter for the magazine as follows

“Hello, De Morgannwg Ministry Area!

It is such a pleasure to be able to say hello and I so look forward to getting to know all of you. I’m sure you’re curious about who I am and, of course, you will get to know me over the course of the next few months, too. As an introduction, here’s a little bit about me and my wife, Chris.

We’ve been married for 33 years. We have lived in various locations in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba. My family is from Newfoundland. We have two adult children, Thomas and Emma. Thomas is studying architecture and has a passion for sustainability. Emma is an artist who enjoys working with textiles – especially knitting.

Chris and I love to travel. We spent two months in Italy in 2012 and four months in the UK in 2019. We enjoy visiting holy sites and places where other pilgrims have walked before. We are looking forward to spending many hours on the trails of the Wales Coastal Path and Brecon Beacons. We hope to share those walks with many of you.

We also enjoy music and dancing, reading historical and mystery novels, and local food and drink. I enjoy singing and playing some guitar. Chris enjoys knitting and researching her genealogy. We are looking forward to being introduced to cricket, rugby, and football, (as spectators) and would like try our hand at bowls and croquet.

I have been a professed member of the Third Order of the Society of Saint Francis for more than 20 years. There’s lots to talk about but suffice it to say this means I have a keen interest in caring for the earth and those in need.

I was ordained priest in 1993 so I’ve been at this for a while. But that’s not to say I don’t have anything to learn. I most certainly do and I look forward to

continuing my spiritual formation alongside the good people of De Morgannwg Ministry Area.

Peace and many blessings,

Lyndon

During the month of August our church services have been led by visiting priests and we have been enjoying the varying styles of worship they bring to the church. Being a holiday month we always expect a downturn in attendances with people away on holiday, but the number of worshippers has been very encouraging, and things can only improve once Lyndon is able to officiate and establish the normal pattern of services in our churches.

Work on the tower is progressing now at a faster rate than before with the mortaring gang applying the lime mortar as quickly as the weather conditions allow. The recent hot sunshine dries the mortar out too quickly and causes cracks, delaying the final mortaring to be applied. So hopefully the work will be completed in September, the scaffolding, removed, the clock restarted, and the ground around the tower cleaned up in time for the Harvest Festival and BYO picnic in the church grounds to meet up with our new priest. So watch for the announcement on the church notice boards and the community pages.

The Rev. Kevin Barry, our former curate will be licenced to the East Vale Ministry Area on Sunday 4th September at Llancarfan church at 6.00pm and members of our three churches will be there to support him and to acknowledge the time he spent with us. Our best wishes and prayers go with Kevin and his family for this next stage in his ministry in the Church in Wales.

We supported the Christian Aid “East Africa Hunger Appeal” with retiring collections at our Sunday services. “After the worst drought in 40 years millions of people across East Africa are facing the threat of famine and dying. With the war in Ukraine causing global food prices to rocket, we are facing crisis on crisis. Due to climate change many families are now homeless, identified as displaced” Faced with a situation like that we have no option but to try and help with whatever money we are able to raise to ease their situation especially in the provision of water purification kits, dispersing animal feed and medicine. Christian Aid is supporting over 300,000 people and more help is needed. Thank you to all who supported this appeal in our churches.

Looking ahead we are planning a number of events to meet up with our new priest during September. They are all in the planning stage and no firm dates have been agreed at the time of writing, so keep your eye on the notice boards in church and on the weekly newsletter.

Thank you for reading this, the very latest news from St. Mary’s and we invite you to join with us during the month as we celebrate a new chapter in the life of the church here in Wenvoe. God Bless.

Parry Edwards

 

1 … 25 26 27 28 29 … 99