Category: News

Older People’s Commissioner for Wales launches Facebook page

The Older People’s Commissioner

for Wales launches

Facebook page!

Here at the Commissioner’s office, we celebrate the fact that we are living longer, healthier lives and we understand the importance of adding life to years, not just years to life.

Hearing from older people about the things that matter to them most is vital in helping to guide and shape our work and we want to use Facebook as a platform to have an open and honest conversation with older people and stakeholders throughout Wales.

We want to hear from older people about what is working well, and what needs to be improved. We want older people to share their opinions about what it’s like growing older in Wales today and hear their ideas on the best ways to deliver change because by working together, we can help to make Wales the best place in the world to grow older.

If you would like to keep up to date with the Commissioner’s work, feel free to like, follow and share our page

here: https://www.facebook.com/ Comisiynydd-Pobl-H%C5%B7n-Cymru-Older- Peoples-Commissioner-for-Wales- 463421591135062/?modal=admin_todo_tour

 

 

September Parish News

ST. MARY’S PARISH CHURCH NEWS

September has been a busy month at St. Mary’s when we welcomed our “Pebbles” children back from their Summer break. We also had a number of new parishioners who joined us in worship and it was good to be back in harness for the equally busy time that is planned in the run up to Christmas.

The plans we have presented to the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the church extension seemed to have reached an impasse. We were asked to prepare a ‘justification statement’ on the need for the project, which they did not accept. However, we will continue to work towards the vision we have to bring all our church activities on to one site.

During the month a lot of work has been taking place in and around the church. The historical tiles in aisle and chancel are being continually mopped and are gradually looking better. They will look cleaner until the restorers are able to bring them ‘back to life’ when they start work in February 2020.

The ‘blown’ plaster near the altar and behind the organ bench has been removed and will shortly be repaired with lime plaster. In the churchyard a number of the stone crosses on the older graves were found to have a ‘wobble’ and they have been reset and re-pinned with stainless steel rods to make them safe. Lastly, the wrought iron archway leading to the churchyard extension, has been removed for restoration and will shortly be back in situ with new stone caps and rewired for a new light, hopefully in time before Winter. Donations towards the cost of all these projects are welcomed. We get no grants to help us undertake the work. Our income is totally reliant on our fund raising. Please help us with digital giving or old fashioned cheques. Thank you.

Apart from our normal services on Sundays and midweek in September, three funerals and four baptisms have taken place in St. Mary’s. We also had a surprise wedding for the guests at one of the baptisms, and the music from friends in opera and “Only Men Allowed” was especially appreciated. It is good to see the church being used to mark the milestones in lives well lived.

Did you know that during the family service at St Mary’s Church on Sundays there is a children’s group called ‘Pebbles’? We meet every week during term time, starting at 9:30 in the church hall. During this time the children engage in fun activities with the aim of promoting values for life such as being kind, caring and thoughtful to others. Children age 4+ can be dropped off at the hall and will be walked over to church for the final part of the service. Pre-school children need to be accompanied by an adult.

‘Pebbles’ is led by an experienced Primary School teacher with the additional support of a parent. If you would like to find out more you can ring Alison on 02920598313 or just turn up! A warm welcome awaits you.

The Chattery continues to meet on the second

Thursday morning in the Church Hall at 10.30, bringing old friends and new friends together for a chat and coffee/tea plus a free raffle. The cost is £2.00 and is an opportunity to get out of the house and meet up with really friendly church going and non-church going folk..

At a recent meeting of the Parochial Church Council it was decided that the loose cash and notes in the special collections at the Harvest Festival services would be donated to the Christian Aid Harvest Appeal. The fresh produce to the Salvation Army and the tinned/dry goods to the Food Bank in Barry. The money at the Remembrance Sunday service will be donated to the Royal British Legion and the collections at the Community Carol Service and ‘Waiting for Jesus’ on Christmas Eve, will be donated to the ‘Neo-Natal’ ITU Unit at the UHW Hospital, Cardiff. There will be an opportunity to bring toys and games to church during November for the appeal for toys for the Food Bank for distribution to families in difficulties in the Vale, and Christmas “Goodies” nearer to Christmas.

The Vale Foodbank: Helping People in Crisis

“The foodbank was there when we really needed it, it was an absolute lifeline.”

We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry. That’s why we provide three days nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us in crisis. We are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.

Last year the Vale Foodbank provided emergency help for 3,833 people of these 1,414 were under16. That was an increase of 11% on the previous year. All of the six centres continue to be busy with no sign of requests slowing down. Currently they have been able to meet all the requests; however some items have run low on occasions and much needed funds have been used to buy in essential goods.

Regular support from all three churches is much appreciated by the staff to ensure stocks are maintained. A boost from harvest festivals will be gratefully received to replenish stock for the winter months ahead. Recipients from the Foodbanks are so grateful for emergency food to help them in times of crisis. In addition staff can give advice as to where help for their individual situation can be found, whether that be housing, benefits, employment or other needs. Goods can always be left in the Church Porch or brought into church on Sundays or the occasional Wednesday morning service

Reports on the “Scarecrows” and associated events during the afternoon will be in the November issue.

Blessings to all our readers and warm welcome awaits you at St. Mary’s.

Parry Edwards

 

 

Film Rules In The Vale

FILM RULES IN THE VALE THIS MONTH

Early October sees the finale of the Vale of Glamorgan’s very own film festival. There is still a chance to catch up with some of the events which run until October 6th. The aim of this pilot project entitled ‘The Hidden Here’ is to test interest in a film festival celebrating film in unique venues across the rural Vale of Glamorgan.

The event which started in September, has already included a variety of films, workshops, creative talks and immersive events as varied as dinosaur puppets and films in St Donats, animation in Cowbridge, ‘Buster Keaton’ in St Hilary Church and a unique screening of ‘Apocalypse Now’ in GJD’s Air Museum and Hangar in St Athan. There were multiple screenings of ‘Ice Age’ and ‘Early Man’ in Cosmeston Medieval Village as well as build and escape from the shower block ‘Hut 104’ from ‘The Great Escape’ at Dresd studios; the only Film Studio that reuses and recycles film / TV set props.

On October 3rd at St Hilary Village Hall there will be an opportunity to learn about the Bollywood film industry, taste authentic Indian street food and see a performance of Bollywood dancers.

 

On Saturday, 5th October (09:00-22:o0) Atlantic College, St Donats hosts a full day screening of Jurassic Park movies from the original in 1993 through to Jurassic Park World Fallen Kingdom (2018). The films are being shown back-to-back with the ticket price being £5 entry to St Donats Castle.

Sunday 6th (16:00-19:00) sees an attempt to set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORD for the largest film quiz ever! The event will be held at St Athan Aerospace Park as part of the festival finale. Film and quiz fans will find themselves immersed in props, sets and costumes from a multitude of feature films and well known TV shows. ‘There are 50 teams available to book onto so rally up your friends for our Guinness World Record attempt in a truly unique setting.’ If you are a smaller group, you will be matched up to ensure you are sitting with a full complement of 10 contestants. Quiz tickets cost £3.

On Wednesday 30th October, Penarth Pier Pavilion is also holding a film quiz titled ‘Halloween Film and TV Quiz (18)’ Organisers promise a creepy, gory, goose-bump-inducing evening with the opportunity to try to win a prize! Questions cover a variety of film and TV categories, music, video and a few surprises. Tickets are £3 per person. The event which starts at 7:30 pm is open to over 18s only. To enter email info@snowcatcinema.co.uk, with your team name and number (maximum 6).

If your interest lies more in music, St Donats Arts Centre is hosting a tribute show to the music of Paul Simon, both as a solo artist and as one half of Simon and Garfunkel. The tribute event, featured on The One Show, features a full band, video clips, stories, and memories from the last 50+ years under the title ‘Sounds of Simon.’ The event takes place on Saturday, 12th October (19:30- 22:00). Tickets are £15.50.

A little differently, on Sunday 13th October (12:00 – 15:00), St Hilary Village Hall hosts the St Hilary Foragers Produce Market. A vast array of local produce will be on sale including savoury and fruit pies, jams, cake, piccalilli and other fresh fruits and vegetables.

 

 

A Poem for For Howard Bevan

 

Little Hamston

For Howard Bevan

The surge of green that overruns

the kitchen garden, where it rests

between hawthorn and stone, maroons

the swimming orchard’s sharp harvest.

Green shade, where the last bee drones,

slows the chariot wings, compressed

behind the brazen honeycombs

and Time is stilled, and quiet, blessed.

Welsh slates on the long roof leaden.

Sky curves over dappled gauze.

Nest-filled creepers draw a sudden

blaze of carmine curtains closed.

Though September doors stand open

the parlour flickers, fire on brass.

Flagstones warm, tomatoes ripen

all along the window glass.

The old man sips his evening tipple,

solves another crossword clue,

resting at the oaken table

worn by generations, who

drew their days from crop and stubble,

flock and herd, from morning dew

to twilight’s fall on sty and stable,

Seasons turn and turn anew.

Little Hamston, little jewel

set aside from crowd and noise;

spirit’s strength and soul’s renewal,

all our senseless rush defies.

Good folk, self-sufficient, loyal

follow here their daily lives

In narrow acres, wed to soil,

yet comprehend God’s wider skies.

© Kay Rowe May 2008

 

Kay visited the late Howard Bevan at Little Hamston, a property in Dyffryn, between 1990 and 2008 and wrote this poem about September. Supplied by Pat Read.

 

 

Love Island People Are People

 

People are people

This summer, just like the majority of the nation, I spent each night watching ‘Love Island’. For two months, I dedicated part of my day to watching a bunch of people, not that much older than myself attempt to find the loves of their lives. I feel like over the two months I formed opinions on those people, and recently I found myself having to take a step back and remember that these are real people.

With the ever-changing status of ‘celebrities’ in this day and age, everyone has an opinion, and everyone feels their opinion deserves a platform. But, when you’re seeing people attack someone online, the lines can get blurred and dangerous. As a society, we put celebrities on a pedestal, but sometimes people on the internet can forget that celebrities have hearts of their own. And when they’re thrust into celebrity life by shows like Love Island, they may not be as strong as they appear in a villa, cut-off from the outside world. Re-entering everyday life when everyone suddenly knows who you are must be hard, but especially when it also comes to comments about their appearance or being vilified for their reasoning behind entering an environment like Love Island.

This year’s Love Island final seemed close, far closer than the one we all endured in 2018. Despite the fact that Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury were the longest-lasting couple to have made it to the 2019 final, Amber Gill found love in Greg O’Shea after being mistreated by Michael Griffiths. The final seemed close, and despite the fact that Greg and Amber hadn’t long been coupled-up, Amber’s status as the nation’s sweetheart suddenly meant the final was hard to predict.

But whilst I, like probably about 80% of the UK, impatiently waited for the result, I decided to check Twitter to see if I could predict the final vote. What I found, however, was that ‘#MoneyMae’ was trending on Twitter. I laughed for a second, but then I realised that this is her life. Molly-Mae would be leaving the solitude of the Love Island villa, at just 20 years old, to a status as ‘fake’ by just about everyone on the internet. I admit, some of her actions on the show seemed as though she was desperate to win, but never did I question her love and admiration for Tommy. And let’s be honest, if you’re joining Love Island, finding fame (and maybe getting some of that prize money) must be in your peripheral. Molly-Mae was vilified for playing the game, but others won our hearts for being better at hiding the fact they were doing the same.

It feels like because reality-TV stars are putting their lives out to the world, the public think they owe us more of their private lives. Sometimes, with people like Gemma Collins, we see some reality-TV-made celebrities as more of characters than real people. We can sometimes perceive their personality as an act; but making comments on their personality can be harmful. It’s easy to forget that these are real people. These are people who, despite putting parts of their life to the public, deserve privacy.

I was astounded recently when I saw that Good Morning Britain had practically forced Love Island contestant Curtis Pritchard to label himself as bisexual. On the Love Island Reunion show, which followed a week after the live final, the host questioned islanders on whether or not they’d slept with one another since leaving the villa. Surely, they deserve that privacy? They’ve put their lives in the spotlight, but we don’t need to know every little detail of their life. It must feel as though they’re living in The Truman Show and you can imagine how disturbing that must feel.

Then there’s the trolls on the internet. People who think they deserve a say in everyone’s lives and do all they can to promote negativity. Why waste your time on nasty comments? I should hope they have jobs to do, or lives to live. ‘#MoneyMae’ might seem like a bit of fun, but it can easily be considered trolling. There’s joking about certain decisions or actions made by celebrities, but there is a point where things can be pushed too far.

As of 2019, two former Love Island contestants have committed suicide due to online trolling. Allegedly, more than 38 suspected suicides have been linked to reality tv shows worldwide. Love Island has dozens of therapists ready for the islanders; Amy Hart of this year’s cast said she had visited the therapist numerous times whilst on the show and needed desperately to visit them again when she got her phone back. Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury have been told to stay away from social media since their return to everyday life due to the onslaught of negative comments they’ve received. We as a society are obsessed with the lives of others, but it is important to remember that these are people, not characters in a fiction show.

As the saying goes, ‘it’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt’. Be mindful of the comments you are making on others’ lives. They’re still people.

By Tirion Davies

 

 

Music Shop History Request

I am embarking on a project to document the history of music and record shops in Cardiff, Barry and Penarth and I would love to have some help from Wenvoe residents. I am hoping to publish a book which will document the hidden history of music and record shops from 1850 to the present day- the first 170 years. Very little has been published on this specific topic locally and I felt it was a subject that deserved more publicity as these shops were/are an important part of many peoples lives.

Over the last 18 months I have uncovered information on 330 (yes 330!) music and records shops in the area. I am hoping that local residents can help me fill in some of the gaps. I am appealing for help in finding out more about the shops and the people who owned/ran, worked in them as well as any reminiscences of being a customer. Any photos or other memorabilia relating to record shops would be great too.

Of course there were many high street stores such as Woolworths, Howells, Morgans, Littlewoods and specialist stores Virgin, HMV and Our Price etc. However I am particularly keen to find out more about some of the small independent shops many of whom did not just sell records and/or musical instruments but stocked bicycles, TV’s, Radios, electrical and other household items. Before 1900 it was quite common for tobacconists to stock sheet music and musical instruments. I have even uncovered a watch maker stocking musical items.

Most people can remember the first record they purchased and where – however embarrassed they now feel about it! – and these stories could also help with my research.

If you have any information you would like to share please let me know. I can be contacted at nigelrbillingham@yahoo.co.uk or 02920 594708. Thanks for your time

 

 

 

Welsh Learners at Clwb Clonc

Meet the tutor 1-3pm 04/09/2019

Canolfan Wenvoe Community Centre

Dewch am sgwrs â’r tiwtor

If you pop into Pugh’s garden centre on a Monday morning you might notice a group of people chatting in Welsh over their coffees. Some may speak quickly and others throw in English words to keep the conversation going. This is because this self-organised group is attracting Welsh learners and speakers alike. Last May a few Wenvoe library volunteers decided to start a Clwb Clonc (Chat Club) and posted an advert in this magazine. This advertised that learners and speakers would be welcome to meet at 11 a.m. on Mondays in the garden centre’s café. Janet Tabor says, “We are going from strength to strength. There are usually around 10-15 people each week. Although most come from Wenvoe village itself this popular group has people popping in from other areas in the Vale. We have a lot of fun. I would like to see more joining us. In my opinion it is wonderful to have an opportunity to use our Welsh locally. You never know how many people can speak Welsh in your area!”

Learn Welsh. The Vale wants to start a fast track class in the Community Centre. We hope to attract enough learners who wish to learn quickly by attending Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 1.00-4.00 p.m. 9 hours a week for £90 for the year. Wenvoe resident Brenig Davies says, “Learning Welsh has allowed me to see a parallel world” and “I have made lots of new friends because of my classes”. If you want to discuss learning Welsh further call the office on 01446 730402 or pop along to the meet tutor event on the 4th September.

 

Os ewch chi i ganolfan arddio Pugh ar fore dydd Llun efallai y byddwch yn sylwi ar y grŵp yn sgwrsio yn Gymraeg dros eu coffi. Efallai bydd rhai yn siarad yn gyflym ac eraill yn taflu geiriau Saesneg i gadw’r sgwrs i fynd. Mae hyn oherwydd bod y grŵp hwn yn denu dysgwyr a siaradwyr Cymraeg. Mis Mai diwethaf penderfynodd ychydig o wirfoddolwyr llyfrgell Wenfô gychwyn Clwb Clonc a phostio hysbyseb yn y cylchgrawn hwn. Roedd yr hysbyseb yn rhoi croeso i bawb gwrdd am 11 a.m. ar ddydd Llun yng nghaffi canolfan Pugh. Dywed Janet Tabor, “Dyn ni’n mynd o nerth i nerth. Fel arfer mae 10-15 o bobl bob wythnos. Er bod y mwyafrif yn dod o bentref Wenfô ei hun, mae pobl yn dod i mewn o ardaloedd eraill yn y Fro. Dyn ni’n cael llawer o hwyl. Hoffwn weld mwy yn ymuno â ni. Yn fy marn i mae’n hyfryd cael cyfle i ddefnyddio’n Cymraeg yn lleol. Dych chi byth yn gwybod faint o bobl sy’n gallu siarad Cymraeg yn eich ardal chi !”

 

Mae Dysgu Cymraeg y Fro am gychwyn dosbarth cyflym yn y ganolfan gymunedol. Dyn ni’n gobeithio denu digon o ddysgwyr sy’n dymuno dysgu’n gyflym trwy fynychu dydd Mawrth, dydd Mercher a dydd Iau rhwng 1.30-4.30 p.m. Bydd 9 awr yr wythnos yn £90 am y flwyddyn. Dywedodd Brenig Davies, un o drigolion Wenvoe, “Mae Dysgu Cymraeg wedi caniatáu imi weld byd cyfochrog” ac “Dw i wedi gwneud llawer o ffrindiau newydd oherwydd fy nosbarthiadau”. Os dych chi am drafod dysgu Cymraeg ymhellach, ffoniwch y swyddfa ar 01446 730402 neu galwch heibio i’r Ganolfan

 

 

Sun Hats And Sun Cream

Sun hats and sun cream were the order of the day as the Carers walk set off around Barry Island on the hottest day of the year, so far.

The walk is an opportunity for carers to get together in a relaxed and friendly environment and have some respite from caring duties. When you’re caring, it can be easy to
feel cut off. On this walk there is no danger of being cut off….by the tide, or otherwise! See you in August, on the last Thursday of the month at 10.30am.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Action Fraud Reports

Action Fraud has received 63 reports about a scam in which fraudsters target people with offers of “low cost” loans or “free” government grants. What the victims aren’t told is that the money they’ll receive is actually an advance payment for Universal Credit. The criminals use the personal information they’ve obtain under false pretences to make an application in the victim’s name. After the fraudsters have taken their “fee” from the advance payment, the victim is then left to pay back the total amount once their repayments begin.

How you can protect yourself:

  • Never share your personal or financial information with someone you don’t know and trust, especially if it’s in response to an offer of “free money” or a “free grant”.
  • Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) staff will never approach you in the street or ask for your personal/financial details over social media.
  • If you have concerns about your benefits, you should visit www.gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus.
  • If you suspect your identity may have been stolen, you can check your credit rating quickly and easily online. You should do this every few months anyway, using a reputable service provider and following up on any unexpected or suspicious results.

 

 

1 … 86 87 88 89 90 … 117