Category: News

Tucker’s Christmas Reindeer Sale.

TUCKER’S CHRISTMAS REINDEER SALE.

Not long now! Mike and Glenys invite you to come along to their 3rd annual Christmas Reindeer sale on Saturday 20 November from 10am to 5pm at 29 Vennwood Close (opposite the church).

Apart from the stars of the show there will be some lovely things to buy and a festive atmosphere to get you in the Christmas mood. We are being joined by six other local crafters on the day. Trevor Williams will be joining us again and will be selling his lovely, lit wooden houses which include some new designs this year. There will be a table selling hand made cards on behalf of Wenvoe Community Why not join us and pick up a reindeer and some Christmas spirit! We are so looking forward to seeing you there

 

 

The Grange Open Space, Wenvoe

THE GRANGE OPEN SPACE, WENVOE

The Vale of Glamorgan Council has recently undertaken a number of improvements to facilities in the village, using Section 106 monies received from new developments. Improvements include the new play areas at the Grange and Twyn Yr Odyn, and the new library building. There are still monies remaining. These are for the provision or improvement of public open spaces and community facilities in Wenvoe. The Council is exploring opportunities in the area, including further enhancements at the Grange Open Space. What would you like to see here? Are there any other spaces or community facilities you would like to see improved? The Council would like to hear your views. Please see the possibilities outlined below and complete the feedback form to share your views at https://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/en/our_council/consultation/Play-Area-Improvements.aspx. The consultation will close on: 22 November, 2021

 

 

New Library Opens Its Doors

WENVOE COMMUNITY LIBRARY

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

ANOTHER WENVOE LANDMARK EVENT:
NEW COMMUNITY LIBRARY HUB OPENS ITS DOORS
IN NOVEMBER

If you fancy some good reads as we head towards winter, a cup of coffee and a chat in the centre of the village, and a dedicated reading and activity area for children… look no further! Wenvoe Community Library is re-opening its doors – new doors, as the library now has a brand-new building in the same location behind the community centre.

Thanks to tireless efforts by the directors and volunteers to secure grants and raise funds, the library team is delighted to expand its services to the community in the form of a dynamic community hub.

Books will form the principle, but not the sole focus of the hub. The new space includes a coffee area, a new children’s space, an enhanced IT offering, and the capacity for local groups to host meetings and classes.

The community library hub continues a long tradition of reading in Wenvoe. The Church Hall, built in 1894 and stocked with popular papers and magazines supplied by Laura Jenner, was known as the Reading Room and considered the origin of the library. The Church Hall later housed a village library for many years before it moved in the 1970s to the present site behind the Community Centre.

The new library building has been built by Wenvoe Community Council, and funded by Vale of Glamorgan Council, using section 106 contributions together with a Strong Communities grant. The Community Library Hub is run and managed by volunteers and will be open as often as possible depending on the number of volunteers available. It will also be holding regular fund-raising events to cover costs to ensure the library stays open.

We hope to be able to count on your support – and if you would like to contribute to this community-based initiative as a volunteer, please call in or contact the team via email: wenvoelibrary@outlook.com

Click and Collect

We shall continue to supply you with books on a click and collect basis during library closure. We’ll be at hand in the Community Centre on Tuesday and Thursday mornings between 10-12 to help you with on-line ordering and general enquiries. You can phone us during opening hours on 07526 478740 whilst we are in the Community Centre.

We hope to open the new Community Library Hub soon.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Library opening times

 

 

Give Blood Today

x

  WELSH BLOOD SERVICE

Over 2000 blood donation appointments are available this autumn at the Barry Memo Arts Centre and Copthorne Hotel. The Welsh Blood service are looking for new and existing donors to support them over the coming weeks. Approximately 350 donations of blood a day are required by Welsh hospitals and the Welsh Blood Service is calling on support from local communities to make a significant difference to thousands of patients’ lives.

Blood and its by-products play a vital role in saving lives, with donations helping accident victims, patients having a kidney, liver or an organ transplant, pregnant women, leukaemia and cancer patients, someone about to undergo open heart surgery or premature babies in need of a vital blood transfusion.

It’s easy for anyone aged 17 to 66 to book online and become a lifesaving donor. From start to finish, the donation process takes up to one hour, with the physical blood donation lasting only 5-10 minutes.

Give blood today, visit https://wbs.wales/WenvoeOnline to find all donation sessions in your area and to book an appointment.

For further information and to register on line please visit https://www.welsh-blood.org.uk or alternatively call 0800252266

October Letters

x

(The EditorPen+inks are not responsible for opinions expressed, although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information. The editors reserve the right to protect the anonymity of anyone who wishes to contribute articles or letters for the magazine provided they are aware of the identity of any such person. )

 

The majority of Wenvoe dog walkers are considerate but recently my neighbour told me that she had seen someone park their car outside my house and let her dog (on a lead) come into my garden to do its business. Then she put the dog back into the car, made no attempt to bag the deposit, and then walked her child off to school.

This is not acceptable behaviour. Why should I or my neighbours have to clear up after other people’s animals?

Please be considerate whoever you are. You have been seen.

Name supplied to Editors

 

I would like to say a huge “Thank You” to the ladies of Wenvoe WI for their very generous gifts, lovely card and Pam’s special poem that I received at our September meeting when I stepped down as their President. It was all a wonderful surprise and I was totally overwhelmed by the kindness shown to me.

It has been a privilege and a pleasure to have been the President of our local WI for many years during which all committees and all members have given me their continuous support. Everything we have achieved has been the result of good team work.

The time is now right for me to step down. I would like to take this opportunity to give my very best wishes to Janet Young who has very kindly agreed to be our new President.

Madeleine Rees

 

My family and I would like to say a big thank you to everyone for their kind messages received after the sudden loss of Gareth in August. Reading the many cards and letters gave us great comfort.

Special thanks also to Jon Ormrod for his kindness and support.

Sandra Davies

 

 

 

Reducing Air Pollution

 

WENVOE FORUM CONSIDERING TODAY AND TOMORROW

Reducing Air Pollution and Carbon Emissions

Last month we wrote about harmful pollutants that may be hiding in the Wenvoe air. Much of the time roads through the village are quiet but at peak hours traffic pressures combine with HGVs and vans with diesel engines, people using Old Port Road trying to avoid queues, parents doing the school run. Those parts of the village that are close to the busy Port Road will also experience higher levels of emissions. What can we do, as village residents, to reduce the pollution?

At its most basic, reduction of air pollution from vehicles is obvious. Reduce the time engines are running. Let’s start with the quick wins:

  • Reduce the number of vehicle journeys. Plan your vehicle use to minimise trips. Walk, cycle or use public transport if you can or share vehicles.
  • Reduce the mileage and time of journeys. Choose to use local services and make journeys when the roads are quieter.
  • Keep engine running time to a minimum. Make sure all the passengers are ready to depart, before you start the engine. Don’t leave the engine idling. On a public highway this contravenes the Highway Code and is liable to an on the spot fine of £20.

 

You may have all these things in mind already and they make good sense. If we each find one extra reduction we can make, it will make a difference.

Let’s think in a bit more detail. Firstly, considering the centre of the village, especially as the school is at the heart of the densest traffic and therefore our youngest residents are at greatest risk. Consider walking to activities within the village rather than driving. For most people it’s only a few minutes’ walk to school, church, the library, the shop, the Wenvoe Arms. The school is already in a scheme to promote walking to school which has many advantages beyond pollution reduction – well done Gwenfo Primary. The Forum will help if we can.

No-one is going to blame anyone for jumping in the car when it’s raining hard, and those a bit further away might have to adopt other strategies but every vehicle journey saved will improve the air. In time we are likely to be moving to electric cars which will help, though still create some local pollution through brake and tyre particles and asphalt dust.

Turning off engines whilst stationary makes a difference. Some car models do this automatically but if you are going to be stopped for a minute or more it’s worth turning off the engine. Be conscious and conscientious! Some of the vehicles left idling while passengers are in the shop come from outside the village. With the help of the Vale of Glamorgan Project Zero team who met with us all in July, the drivers of council vehicles at the Alps Depot have been alerted by senior managers that they need to switch off their engines. We are exploring signage to ask other drivers for the same courtesy.

We hope to be able to measure the air pollution and wouldn’t it be nice to declare Wenvoe a VERY LOW pollution zone? We are told it adds to house values. Perhaps in time we might be able to put signs at each end of the village to deter those who use the village to dodge queues on the main road too.

Turning to those parts of the village nearer the main road which are predominantly used by non-Wenvoe residents, it may feel that pollution in these areas is outside residents’ control. Working on the basis that every little helps all, the suggestions already made still hold true. It is possible that we can do more.

The Welsh Government plans to introduce legislation in 2023 on reducing the speed limit to 20mph in many places that currently have a 30 mph limit. Initial research showed that the public is generally supportive. ‘There is evidence that lower speeds result in fewer collisions and a reduced severity of injuries, as well as bringing environmental benefits by decreasing emissions from vehicles and by encouraging active travel.’ (Beaufort Research 2021)

There is a public consultation exercise and Wenvoe Forum will submit its comments. As well as supporting speed reduction, we will also highlight how our community is divided by a busy through route which will retain a much higher speed limit. We will underline how the lack of safe crossing points impacts on residents and restricts their capacity to walk or cycle safely and reach public transport provision. We will stress that consideration should be given to providing road crossings as part of the plan. Any roll out of this plan and decisions on which 30mph zones will be lowered will involve the local authority, so we will also copy our response to the Vale of Glamorgan LA.

This development is in an early stage. As it progresses, we can try to shape developments to provide the most benefit to us and our environment.

If your What’s On is delivered in time you can personally respond to the consultation which closes on Oct 1st https://gov.wales/proposal-reduce-speed-limit-20mph-residential-streets

We will keep you informed of other opportunities to influence. Comments and new members welcome.

List of Suppliers: Other ways of reducing vehicle miles are to plan your weekly menus and have food and goods delivered. Back at the beginning of lockdown the wonderfully community spirited team behind Wenvoe Community Support Group Facebook page created a list of traders who will deliver to Wenvoe. We have added to and updated it and you can find an expanded version on our blog https://wenvoeforum.wordpress.com/ Please let us know if we’ve missed anyone.

@ForumGwenfo; e-mail Facebook: Gwen Fo @ https://www.facebook.com/gwen.fo.1/ Wenvoe Forum @ https://www.facebook.com/groups/635369267864402;

twitter gwenfo.forum@gmail.com

 

 

October News Update

October News Update

The church is now open for worship without the need to book your place in the congregation. We are still required to sanitise our hands on entry and leaving, to wear a face mask and keep social distancing.

This last condition is probably the most difficult to adhere to, for when any congregation gathers, having been prevented from doing so for such a long period of time, it is the most natural thing in the world to greet and converse, taking time to catch up on all that has gone before. Singing is now allowed, wearing a face mask, and somehow we raise our voices in praise, so we are getting back to a new kind of normality. Come and experience this for yourselves. You will be very welcome.

The fundraising for the repair of the tower is gathering apace, with the results from a number of fund-giving bodies expected during the month. We are extremely grateful for the response from those who have already donated. The work is being delayed until next spring when the lime mortar can be applied without the risk of any frost. The recent appeal for old and unusable IT appliances to be recycled brought a great response and filled the church hall kitchen to overflowing. We await to hear whether this will bring in funds for the appeal. We must also thank Mike and Glenys Tucker for organising their “stones for the tower” appeal. Do support them; fund raising is a thankless task, and as a well know multinational grocer, puts it “every little helps”.

However, like many things in life, we now have an additional problem with the church clock. Time is standing still on the Wenvoe clock. For some time the hands were stopping at ten to three each day. The clock people, Smiths of Derby who installed the clock in 1883 and have maintained it ever since, have examined the linkage etc and their report is likely to say that somehow the hands of the clock are fouling each other, causing the stoppage. Their report has been received, and the cost of repair is likely to be in the region of £16,000 inc VAT. Funding will be sought from recognised fund holders for church clocks, and the work will be carried out at the same time as the scaffolding is on the tower next year.

We have been opening the church on Saturday afternoons for visitors to see the freshly painted walls and chancel ceiling, and also to see the renowned wall monuments to the Thomas/Birt/Jenner families of Wenvoe Castle. These monuments are among the finest in South Wales and date from 1636-1824. The carved and gilded reredos at the altar was designed by the renowned church designer and architect Sir John Ninian Comper and was gifted to the church in 1901. The restored Victorian tiled floors complete the image of the church that the church restorers of the 19th century wished us to see. Although at the time, the restorations and improvements did not meet with general approval. But times change and we are the grateful inheritors of much that has gone before.

Our children’s “Pebbles” group has been meeting since early September and what a joy it is to see the youngsters back in church. It has been 18 months since they were last in church, and how some of them have grown! We welcome new faces as they join in the activities in the church hall under the guidance of the leaders and the parents. “Pebbles” is from 9.30am each Sunday morning during term time. There is always space for new faces. All are welcome.

We continue to support the work of the Food Bank in Barry and wish to thank those who make regular weekly donations to the food boxes in the church porch. The donations are collected from Wenvoe and Sully every Thursday morning, and they are most gratefully received for the families in the Vale who find themselves in difficult circumstances beyond their control. So, thank you for your help and support. Please keep the donations coming. Diolch.

The work towards the setting up of the Ministry Area, nine churches united to bring Jesus’s love to the Community, continues with the introduction of a weekly bulletin for the Ministry Area which is known as De Morgannwg. These are available in all nine churches, setting out the times of services and what is happening during the week. We are now nine months into the preparations and setting up of the various groups to bring us all into one large Christian family when the Bishop’s Decree is signed on 1st January.

A great welcome is assured to all from our Parish Priest and Churchwardens.

Parry Edwards

 

 

Trevor’s Christmas Workshop

x

TREVOR’S CHRISTMAS WORKSHOP

Following on from last year, I have been busy once again making more Christmas Model Houses and Decorations for this year’s Christmas Festive Season. I have made over 25 different types of models, including new designs for those looking for something different this year with plenty of stock available.

Glenys and Mike Tucker are holding another Reindeer Sale on the 20th of November and they have kindly invited me along again, so I hope to see you there.

I will also have my models on display at my Workshop/Garage from Saturday the 23th October and you are very welcome to call. You will find me at : 12 Goldsland Walk, Wenvoe. Please give me a call or send me a text/email to check that I will be in. Mobile: 07867 337335 email address: trevor.e.williams@btinternet.com. I also have my own website, which shows all my Xmas Houses, photographs and prices etc. https://trevorewilliams5.wixsite.com/website-4.

I will again be supporting the Marie Curie Charity with a donation for every sale I make to help fund their fantastic nursing care in the community. Looking forward to seeing you.

 

 

Advent Windows 2021

ADVENT WINDOWS

A St. Mary’s initiative for the whole community

Following last year’s success, we are inviting you to take part in lighting up your windows this Ad-vent. The Advent Windows 2021 will encourage us to wrap up warm and get out to view them throughout December. There will be a new one to see each night leading up to Christmas Eve when there will be 24 all 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.

We need a minimum of 24 participants to decorate their windows. Participants will be allocated a date to light up their window for the first time and continue lighting up each day until 24th. 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 e.g. lights, mobiles, cut-outs. 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 dis-plays should relate to Advent/Christmas and can be humorous, artistic or topical. Last year there was variety in size, content, both humorous and stately, with modern and traditional designs.

The windows will be lit from 5.00pm – 9.00pm each evening. Each house participating will be asked to:

  • display a number (corresponding to the date their window is ‘opened’) to differentiate from other residents who will have their own Christmas decorations.
  • keep their window a surprise as far as is possible before the designated big reveal 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 ‘opened’ 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: Sandra and Brian Jones: 02920594248. Glenys and Mike Tucker: 07922 109721. Jude and Nige Billingham: on 02920594708 or 07516 112897.

Please let Jude Billingham know by email judebil-lingham@yahoo.co.uk, phone or text by October 16th if you want to decorate your window by supplying your name, address, email, telephone number, and any date preference you have.

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.

 

 

1 … 60 61 62 63 64 … 124