Category: News

The Welshman Behind The Gunpowder Plot

THE WELSHMAN BEHIND THE GUNPOWDER PLOT

Guy Fawkes may be the most infamous figure in the Gunpowder Plot but he might not have been involved in the legendary conspiracy to blow up Parliament, if it had not been for a Welsh spy.

Fearing the wrath of the authorities, Hugh Owen fled to Flanders and built up a network of contacts that anyone seeking to wipe out the political establishment would want to tap into. He was known to have been involved in some way or an-other with all sorts of conspiracies and plots. He was also popular with other conspirators due to his ability to communicate in Latin, French, Spanish and Italian, as well as English and Welsh. Owen’s contribution included providing intelligence to Catholic Spain, perhaps even during plans for the Spanish Armada of 1588. Research by Jonathan Roche, of the University of Nottingham has shown how in 1597 Owen told Spain that Essex had taken most of the front line fleet to the Azores to intercept a treasure fleet, which left England undefended. His report apparently led to the immediate deployment of the third Spanish Armada, which failed only because of storms off the Scilly Isles. Roche said ‘The Armada of 1597 came within miles of landing in Cornwall and, if it weren’t for a storm, who knows what might have happened?’

By 1605 Catholics had given up on hopes that James I would be more sympathetic to them. Attempts to instigate rebellions among the aristocracy and to secure a foreign invasion had failed. So, led by Robert Catesby, the Gunpowder plotters decided the best way to destroy the government was to blow it up. By then, Owen himself had developed a passionate dislike of King James, calling him ‘this stinking King of ours’ and ‘a miserable Scot’. Owen could be trusted and knew all the right people. It was no surprise when one of the lead conspirators in the Gunpowder Plot, Thomas Wintour, came to Flanders in 1604 to see him. Wintour outlined the plan to blow up the House of Lords during the State Opening of Parliament on 5th November 1605. Owen was only too glad to play his part, using his secret contacts to put Wintour in touch with a Spanish explosive expert, none other than Guido Fawkes, better known today of course as Guy Fawkes.

England later demanded Owen’s extradition from Flanders but had little evidence of his involvement. Owen successfully distanced himself from the conspiracy saying, ‘I take my oath that no human being ever wrote to me about it, nor did I write to anyone about it, nor did any other person do so by my order.’ He was able to spend his last years courtesy of the Spanish government, living out his life in relative luxury at the Spanish embassy in Rome. It was a welcome obscurity, entirely suitable for someone who lived life in the shadows. His end was a lot less traumatic than that of Guy Fawkes, who revealed the names of his fellow conspirators partly due to being stretched four inches on the rack. Following interrogation, Fawkes, Win-tour and several other conspirators were hanged, drawn and quartered. Hugh Owen lived on and eventually died in 1618 at the age of 80.

Hugh Owen, was a devout Catholic born in 1538 at Plas Du in Caernarvonshire. He was known as the “Welsh Intelligencer” and was one of the most determined plotters against the Protestant monarchy. Owen was hated by the government in England who considered him a major trouble maker…with good reason!

 

 

September Letters

 

Ref: Andrew RT Davies article

I am writing further to letters in the last issue of the What’s On with regards to the article by Andrew RT Davies.

Firstly, I would like to apologise if this caused offence.

The idea was to get a view from the Senedd with regards to local issues, the title of the article should have been A View from the Senedd. Andrew’s office have apologised for both the topic written about and the title of the article.

This was never meant to be a party political article.

I asked the What’s On editors to include a view from both the Senedd and Westminster. I thought it would be of interest to the community.

In the 28 years I have lived here, to my knowledge no other party has ever made any effort to include anything in the What’s On.

Yes, I am a member of the Conservative Party, but as local ward Councillor, I am committed to representing all members of the community whatever their political views are.

My one and only objective is to represent the community I live in to the best of my ability and ensure we have the best facilities possible.

I hope this clarifies matters for all concerned.

Your sincerely

Cllr Russell Godfrey

 

We would like to thank fellow dog walkers and neighbours who have asked after Andy through his recent illness. He passed away peacefully at home last month surrounded by family. Our family have been supported throughout by City Hospice and Marie Curie staff – all of which were superb.

Sue, Rufus, and family – Greave Close

 

All the family of the late Melissa Jayne Davis, nee Ankin, would like to pay a huge thank you for all the wonderful support given to Melissa before and after she passed away on 7th July aged 46. Melissa fought bone cancer very bravely and remained at her home with all her family. Melissa was born in Wenvoe and lived here until she married Mark, then lived in Barry with Rhian, their fourteen year old daughter. Rhian is now going to do the Shine Night Walk for Cancer Research on 7th October in Cardiff with Linda, Shirley, friends and school mates in memory of Melissa who was well loved and is truly missed by everyone. So many happy memories to never be forgotten. With heartfelt thanks for everyone’s support.

Marilyn and Terry Ankin and all the family

 

Fundraising to Replace Memorial Bench

Fundraising to Replace Memorial Bench Destroyed in a Storm.

I am sure that many of you are aware that the attractive, and well used memorial bench on the village green was sadly destroyed in a storm in November last year. The bench was in memory of my mother, Audrey Rees, and was donated to the village by myself and my father in 2010. It goes without saying that it has been heart-breaking to see such a well-cared for, and appreciated bench, in memory of a close family member, destroyed by a falling tree. A bench which I personally used to take the time and care to thoroughly clean and oil every year.

I know that the bench on the village green is much missed by the village as a whole. I would love to replace it with an identical one. A replacement bench would cost £1,220. I have therefore launched a fundraising campaign, to hopefully raise the amount necessary in order to replace it. Any donations, whether they be large or small, would be gratefully received. Donations may be made in the following Gofundme crowdfunding campaign: https://gofund. me/4a825edc

Should any donations be raised in excess of the target amount, these would be donated to a worthy cause, namely the Wenvoe Environment Team. The Environment Team help to maintain the village green, and any other community areas around the village which need attention.

I thank you for your time, support and kind words.

Esther Rees

 

The Derivation And Meaning Of Place-Names

THE DERIVATION AND MEANING OF PLACE-NAMES

HIGHLIGHT

The English name ‘Highlight’ first appears on maps in the 16th Century – during the reign of Elizabeth 1st – as the name of a farm. Before that time, the name was Welsh – ‘Uchelolau’. The name ‘Highlight’ was obviously an attempt at translating the Welsh name – but unfortunately, it was erroneously translated – although this incorrect version was adopted and has been used down the centuries to this day.
The original Welsh name – Uchelolau – is made up of two elements – ‘uchel’ and ‘olau’. ‘Uchel’ is an adjective – still used today – which means ‘high’ – so that part of the Elizabethan translation was perfectly correct. The problem lies with the second element. There is a Welsh word ‘(g)olau’ which means ‘light’ – and this is what was used in the translation to give us ‘Highlight’.
BUT, ‘olau’ also has another meaning (just as ‘bark’, for example, has more than one meaning in English). ‘Olau’, at one time, was used as the plural form of ‘ôl’ which means ‘mark/ footstep/ track’. (Today we use ‘olion’ as the plural of ‘ôl’). So ‘uchel’ + ‘olau’ correctly translates as something like ‘high track’.
I think ‘Ridgeway’ would be a more correct translation of ‘Uchelolau’.

BRYNHILL
This is obviously an example of a bi-lingual name – made up of two elements with the same meaning – ‘bryn’ and ‘hill’ – a perfect example of tautology!
This phenomenon can be seen in place-names which are centuries old. The name Chetwood in England is made up of two elements – ‘chet’ from the Celtic/Brythonic word ‘kaito’ (which has given us ‘coed’, meaning ‘wood’ in Welsh) and the English word ‘wood’.
Then we have Bryndown near Dinas Powys – ‘bryn’ – the Welsh word for ‘hill’ followed by ‘down’ meaning ‘hill’ of course – as in The Downs at the top of The Tumble – and Gibbonsdown, meaning Gibbon’s hill.
Another obvious example is the River Avon. ‘Afon’ is the Welsh – or old Brythonic – word meaning ‘river’.
Bredon Hill in Worcestershire is an example of triple tautology. It is made up of three elements, all with the same meaning – ‘bre’ from the Brythonic or Celtic word ‘bryn’ meaning ‘hill’ – ‘don’ from the Old English word ‘dun’ again meaning ‘hill’ – followed by the word ‘hill’ itself!
But Torpenhow Hill in Cumbria takes the biscuit! It is made up of four elements – all meaning ‘hill’. ‘Tor’ is from Old English, ‘pen’ is from Brythonic and ‘how’ is from Old Norse. Then the word ‘Hill’ is added for good measure!

There are plenty of examples of this phenomenon in all parts of the world and I’m sure many will surprise you – Lake Tahoe (Lake Lake), Sahara Desert (Desert Desert), Mississippi River (Big river River), Faroe Islands (Sheep islands Islands), East Timor (East East), The Rock of Gibraltar (The Rock of the Rock of Tariq) and many more.

Next month – Merthyr Dyfan, Holton, Buttrills, Tregatwg/Cadoxton. Môr Hafren/Severn Estuary.

Ann M. Jones

 

“Are You OK?” Campaign

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Last month our national Neighbourhood Watch launched an “Are you OK?” campaign against street harassment. Although street harassment is unlikely to be common in Wenvoe we may see it elsewhere. It is usually directed towards women, girls, and gender-diverse people.

Street harassment is on the rise and is often not an isolated incident. We know the long-term impact can harm mental health and change people’s behaviour. Victims often feel guilty, ashamed and blame themselves.

Witnessing street harassment and not safely intervening sends the message to those experiencing it that it’s okay and society normalises it.

The campaign encourages those who see someone being harassed in public to ask the victim “Are you OK?” when they feel safe doing so. Those three little words let the victim know they have support and street harassment is never okay.

Alan French

 

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

 

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