Category: News

A Visit to Puy Du Fou

SHARED EXPERIENCES

A Visit to Puy Du Fou

by Sylvia Harvey

Puy Du Fou is an historical theme park near Nantes in France welcoming over 2.3 million visitors every year.

Throughout the summer on Friday and Saturday nights is La Cinescenie – this is the most amazing spectacle. It is a large theatrical performance held on one of the world’s largest stages. It involves 2,500 actors, alongside 190 horses. There are 80 technicians and it brings together 4,000 volunteers.

It is a beautiful pageant telling a story set in the Vendee region. As each scene unfolds, it just takes your breath away. With the constant action, the lighting, the pyrotechnics, it’s almost impossible to describe.

There are a number of other shows on during the day. Two special ones for me were:

Le Signe du Triomphe: A Gallo-Roman stadium performance in which the 7,000 spectators are divided into Romans and Gauls to watch Gaulish prisoners trying to win circus games in front of the Roman governor. The atmosphere is electric; clapping, cheering, booing, chariots thunder around the arena as lions and tigers prowl among the contestants. WOW!

Les Bal des Oiseaux Fantomes: Another breath-taking experience as 330 eagles, falcons and vultures swoop over the audience, with their wings brushing our heads.

I could write so much more but I am hoping others may have visited Puy du Fou and will share their experience..

 

 

Y Taith Pererin Llyn

Y Taith Pererin Llyn

 

It’s a long way from Wenvoe to North Wales, and a frustrating journey if you are in a hurry, but if you have plenty of time, and the weather is good, it is a lovely drive. Such was it one very cold autumn morning, with a hard frost that had whitened the hillsides, and the sun lighting up the autumn colours, showing mid-Wales in all its glory.

The North Wales Pilgrims’ Way (Taith Pererin) is a 134 miles long-distance path, starting in Holywell and finishing at the monastery of St Cadfan on the island of Bardsey. It had some significance in medieval times, and two pilgrimages to Bardsey were considered as good as one to Rome. The section on the Llŷn follows the ancient pilgrims’ route, and that was our goal.

We started at Clynnog, where there is a huge church dedicated to St Beuno in a tiny village, and a spring or well nearby. People with epilepsy were brought to the well and immersed in it, and then had to spend the night on the cold floor of the church. If they were in fit condition the following morning, they then continued along the coast to Aberdaron, and thence by boat to Bardsey.

We inspected the well, but decided to omit the immersion, on the grounds that we were still quite healthy. We walked from Clynnog to Trefor, hoping to get a cup of good coffee, but this was a bit optimistic, so we had to make do with a machine coffee from a Spar shop. We continued over the mountain of Yr Eifl, which had been a centre for quarrying in the days when granite was highly valued. We walked up an old incline, which would have been used to bring the stone down from the quarries, and had a marvellous view of the Llŷn coast, and across the sea to Anglesey. We then came down to the settlement of Nant Gwrtheyrn, which is an isolated community consisting of three farms and the quarrymen’s cottages. The farms are now deserted, but the cottages have been converted into modern accommodation for the Welsh Language Centre, where people can stay during language courses, or they are rented out for bed and breakfast.

It was a beautiful evening, and we watched the sun setting over the sea. The Nant is a remarkable place, and one of the most peaceful places I have ever been to. I shall have to return one day.

Next day we continued along the coast, pausing at the Tŷ Coch Inn at Porth Dinllaen, well known for its location right on the beach. In fact, there was a long queue for lunch, so we had a pint and walked out to the Coast Watch lookout and chatted to the lady volunteers there, who were keeping a watchful eye on the sea, but who seemed to welcome some company. Further on, there were seals relaxing on

the rocks, and one in the water who looked at us suspiciously and disappeared, only to reappear much closer to us, in order to have a better look.

We stayed that night in the Lion at Tudweiliog, a very comfortable pub with excellent food. Next day we walked a long day along the cliffs, and chatted to a woman going in for a swim. She claimed it was fine once you were in the sea, but we decided to take her word for it. We passed the Whistling Sands, where the sand really does whistle when you shuffle your feet in it, and continued to Aberdaron, having to cheat a bit towards the end and take a short cut, because the light was going fast. The cliff path is no place to be in the dark.

We stayed in a small hotel in Aberdaron, with a marvellous view over the beach, and asked the ferryman if we could go to Bardsey the next day, but unfortunately the weather broke that evening after three perfect days, and the sea was so rough next day that we had no wish to be in a small boat at all. It was a disappointment not to be able to complete our pilgrimage, but this was a superb walk, about 40 miles in two and a half days, and we have good reason to go back one day.

 

 

 

Christmas Reindeer Cafe

CHRISTMAS REINDEER CAFE

The local community was treated to a really lovely afternoon on Saturday 23 November when Glenys and Mike invited everyone to spend time with friends and neighbours at the Christmas Reindeer Café.

Randolph’s extended family were eagerly awaiting the arrival of people from the village who had offered to give them a home. The reindeers, handcrafted by Mike, will make a lovely addition to our garden displays for the festive season. And, for those wanting something a little smaller, the snowmen complemented Mike’s display of handcrafted gifts.

Wenvoe Crafters supported the event and it was an opportunity to buy good quality Christmas cards, decorations and balloons.

The warm and welcoming atmosphere in the Church Hall was fantastic. Hot and cold drinks as well as a very tempting variety of Glenys’ delicious homemade cakes, meant that everyone stayed to catch up and while away a very pleasant couple of hours. With John and Lowri in the kitchen, it really was a family affair.

Raffle prizes included bottles of champagne, wine and spirits, food and sweet hampers and a

handmade Christmas cake. All thirty-six raffle prizes had been generously donated by people from the village in order to support such a worthy cause.

The £440 raised will be donated to the Wenvoe Wildlife Group in order to support the many on-going projects that we read about regularly in the monthly ‘What’s On’ update.

Glenys and Mike would like to thank all of the people who supported the Christmas Reindeer Café and made the day such a success. Their thanks also goes to their family and the people who donated the raffle prizes.

Glenys and Mike have also extended a special thank you to Joyce Hoy who worked tirelessly with the Tucker family preparing the Church Hall and making the table decorations. Perhaps most importantly, Joyce also ensured that all of Randolph’s family were looked after until they were taken to their new homes.

A very special ‘thank you’ on behalf of the village to Glenys, Mike and their family for hosting the Christmas Reindeer Café. You created such a lovely afternoon and the money you have helped to raise will have a lasting impact on the continued hard work of the Wildlife Group.

 

 

 

 

 

November Planning Updates

Planning Updates

The following application have been approved.

  • 3, Whitehall Close, Wenvoe. Single storey rear extension with raised terrace (as existing) conversion of garage to habitable room.
  • Woodside Grange, Wenvoe. Works to trees cover by TPO – No. 07, 1988
  • Field House, 8, Old Port Road, Wenvoe. Single storey extension to front of property, roof reconfiguration and erection of pergolas, log store to garden room/gym.
  • 73, Heol Collen, Culverhouse Cross. A side and rear single storey extension providing an enlarged kitchen area and lounge.
  • Starbucks Drive Thru, Brooklands Retail Park, Culverhouse Cross. Car park, building and drive thru’ signage to a new Starbucks site
  • On Road outside the Valegate Retail Park, Culverhouse Cross. Display of a double-sided illuminated paper advertising panel, fully integrated into a bus shelter.

 

Capital Projects.

Community Centre library building. A revised profile of possible grant spend has been submitted to the Welsh Assembly.

Construction of the new play area at Twyn yr Odyn is in progress.

A new disabled access to the Grange Park is under construction. It is a free standing ramp to avoid damage to tree roots.

The new play area at the Redrow site is nearing completion.

Discussion between the Vale, Cemex and the Council are in progress to the future of Whitehall Quarry and adjacent land. It is hoped there could be a cemetery extension and possible recreation use.

The cricket club using the Station Road playing field erected plastic netting adjacent to the stream last summer. The supports have been removed and the

netting left which is now becoming entangled in the undergrowth. The club will be requested to remove it.

Report received on the new recycling scheme. In general, the independent monitoring body is fairly satisfied. There are minor problems reported. Large boxes are not always being collected; these should be flattened before placing with recycling. Only Vale bags and containers are being emptied; additional bags are available if you regularly have excess material. The collection of green waste at outlying locations has been causing concerns.

With a very wet autumn pot holes are expected to become a problem this winter . Potholes should be reported to Vale web site or Council

 

 

November Planning Applications

Planning applications

  • Woodside Grange, Woodside, Wenvoe. Work to tree covered by TPO. This is for additional work. Supported subject to work being undertaken by an approved company.
  • Glenburnie, Port Road, Wenvoe. Outline planning application for a care home development and associated works with all matters considered except landscaping. The Council approved the principal of constructing a care home locally but had reservations concerning traffic, the proposed access, the building line and hedgerows.
  • Former ITV Studios, Culverhouse Cross. Construction of drainage ditch. The Council objected to this construction viewing it as an extension of the present site rather than being included within their boundary.
  • Valegate Retail Park, Culverhouse Cross. 3 totem signs. These will list the businesses available on the site. No objections raised.

 

 

New Bus Pass

 

NEW BUS PASS

Concessionary Travel Pass

Have you applied for your new pass?

Transport for Wales are working with all Welsh local councils and Welsh Government to roll out new-style Concessionary Travel Cards by the end of December 2019. These cards will replace the current green ‘bus passes’ across Wales. The old-style cards will not be recognised by electronic readers on buses after 31st December 2019.

The new-style cards offer the same free travel rights and benefits as the current bus passes. The new cards are designed so that they can work as part of an integrated travel network in the future.

Advice and support with the application process is also available from your local council, Age Cymru and other community organisations. Find out where you can find help in your local area by contacting our help desk at travelcards@tfw.wales or call 0300 303 4240.

Residents are encouraged to apply online or ask a friend, family member or someone they trust to apply online on their behalf. Online applications take around 15 working days to be processed.

Paper application forms are available by emailing your contact details to travelcards@tfw.wales. They’ll also be available from your local councils. Paper copies take around 20 working days to be processed.

To apply on line go to:-https://tfw.gov.wales/ travelcards and follow the simple instructions. You will need the number of your present card and your National Insurance number to complete the application. The new card will use your present photograph unless you wish to change it, instructions are available on how to proceed

 

 

Walking Group November Programme

Walking Group November Programme

Walkers meet at the front of the Wenvoe Community Centre. If you are interested in a walk, just turn up; don’t forget your lunch on an all day walk. When transport is required we car share. Contacts for this month’s walks are: Bert-20594418, Mike 01446 742269, V’Iain 20593221, and Ian 20594573.

 

Sat 2nd Nov:- Newton Green, Nr Chepstow . 7½ mile walk.

Meet at 9.30am .Mike (OL14)

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Thurs 7th Nov:- a walk round Cosmeston Lakes and into Penarth.

Meet 1p.m. at the village hall. . Bert

 

Christmas walk & lunch Thur 11th Dec. at the Horse & Jockey. We will need the menu choices and monies by Thursday 7th Nov. walk. so that we can finalise the information for the booking.

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Sat 9th Nov:- Park Penallta Countr Park. Approx 7 miles.

Meet at 9.30am. Ian

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Sat 16th Nov;- ChepstowPark Wood. Approx 7 miles.

Meet at 9.30am. V’Iain (OL14)

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Sat 23rd Nov:- Tylcha Fach, Tonyrefail. 7¼ mile walk

Meet at 9.30am Mike (166 & 151)

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Sat 30th Nov:- 14 locks 6.7 miles walk.

Meet at 9.30am Ian (152)

 

 

 

RHS 8 tips for November

RHS 8 tips for November

  1. Clear up leaves, especially from lawns, ponds and drains.
  2. Please make sure all containers kept clear of the ground.
  3. Plant tulip bulbs for a spring display.
  4. Prune roses to prevent wind rock.
  5. Plant out winter bedding.
  6. Cover brassicas with netting if pigeons are a problem.
  7. Insulate outdoor containers from frost. Bubble wrap is good.
  8. Stop winter moth damage to fruit trees, by using grease bands around trunks.

Top tips from the Wenvoe Environment team

  1. Keep an eye on those good gardening neighbours to see what they’re up to.
  2. Build an extension to house all the new recycling bags.

Do not feed plants at this time of year as most of the nutrients will end up in water courses. Apply an autumn mulch to the likes of agapanthus, kniphofia and phygelius. Remove stakes and other supports from late flowering herbaceous perennials as plants die down for the winter and store in a dry place for next year. Helebores rarely flower at Christmas despite the common name of Christmas rose. Remove diseased or damaged leaves and encourage earlier flowering by covering with a cloche. Garden centres often sell off perennials at this time of year. They will not be looking great but if you can see past the the drab looking specimens, you will have great plants next year.

Weeds are tough and will grow when most plants have given up so if you can get onto the soil keep up with the weeding, it will all help for next year’s spring rush. Digging over the earth at this time of year exposes soil born pests and larvae to the birds and frosts. Try not to leave the soil uncovered for too long or the risk of erosion and nutrient loss will occur. Cover with a mulch if possible. Clay soils can be more workable in the autumn as they are not as hard as rock or too soft. Mulching will help to improve the structure. This is especially prevalent if you live on the Grange, where most of the top soil was stripped off before building started.

When you next plant up some containers, add a little sand (along with the small stones you put in the bottom of the pots) to the compost. This will help drainage and give more room for the root system. Petroleum jelly smeared around the top of the container will discourage slugs. Both these tips are from radio 4 so they must work.

The author of this column will be giving (and probably receiving) advice on any subject at the Christmas Reindeer Cafe on Saturday 23rd November between 12noon and 4pm in the Church Hall so why not come along. Entry is free and all are welcome.

Take care and happy gardening

 

 

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