Category: News

December Letters to the Editor

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2016 Christmas Fair

Ipen-purple would like, through your page, to thank everyone who attended the Christmas Craft Fair on 27 th November in the Village Hall which was organised by Maria (Style A'Head hair salon owner) and myself. We had an amazing response, both from visitors and crafters and were so glad that it was such a success and so well attended by the village and beyond.

I would like to extend my enormous gratitude to my husband, family and friends for all of their help in setting up and helping the day go smoothly. There really would not have been a fair without them. Special thanks also go to Paul, Sue and Paige who served the refreshments so efficiently and enthusiastically. Thanks go too to the members of the Village Hall Committee who decorated the hall so beautifully which made it look really festive when all 30 tables were in place and groaning with crafts.

There will be two more Wenvoe Craft fairs in the village in 2017 organised by myself and my husband Mike – the first will be in May and the second will be another Christmas fair in Late November. Watch out for more information in the What's On in 2017.

 

Glenys Tucker,

Grange Avenue

 

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2016 Round Up

 

ST. MARY’S PARISH CHURCH NEWS

A Happy New Year to all our readers… a Blwythin Newedd Dda..

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The season of Advent in the church has been marked with the traditional lighting of the Advent candles each Sunday. The first Sunday marked the Patriarchs thinking of Abraham the father of the Nation of Israel. Then on the second Sunday we remembered the Prophets of old, hearing of Isaiah in the Old Testament, on the third Sunday we heard of John Baptist the last of the prophets as he prepared the way for the coming Messiah. On the fourth Sunday our prayer was for Mary and Joseph when the candle for Love was lit and finally on Christmas Eve the white central candle will be lit for the Birth of the long awaited Saviour, Jesus the Light of the Light. Advent is a special time of waiting and preparation for the greatest event in the Christian Calendar. The hymns we sing reflect the solemn nature of our worship and week by week we gradually relax as we draw nearer to Christmas day itself, for on the Sunday before Christmas our ”Pebbles” children performed their Nativity play at the 9.30 am service. This always brings the Mums and Dads, the Aunties and Uncles and even the Grandparents to see their little ones make their debut on the stage, and all are always welcome, with coffee and tea in Church Hall after the service. Well done to our “Pebbles” leaders and helpers in coaching the “Pebblettes” in their speaking roles, now greatly helped with our new sound system so we can hear them clearly in all parts of the church.

The Community Carol Service on Wednesday evening the 14th December, brought the different organisations in the village together, with Readings and Hymns based on the traditional Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. The collection taken during the service was donated to the work of Ty Hafan, the children hospice at Sully. The evening was rounded off with mince pies and mulled wine in the Community Centre, kindly provided by the Wenvoe Community Council. Mention must be made of the superb decorated Christmas tree outside the community Centre, larger than last year, a mobile crane was needed to erect it in place. Well done, Diolch am fawr.

A session of “Messy Church” with the theme of The Nativity, was held in the Community centre on Saturday afternoon the 3rd of December. The activities included making things that told the story of how Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem long ago including a large collage of last year’s Christmas cards for display in the church. This is a combined act of worship and time based around arts, crafts, celebration and eating together, arranged with St Mary’s and The Vale Church, and is well appreciated with the families who attend with their children. Look out for the dates of the next sessions in 2017.

This year we have given a Christmas Card to every house in the parish, the cover designed by children from “Pebbles” giving all the times of the Services over Christmas, and of course extending a warm welcome to all at this special time of the year. To the homes with young children, it is a time of excitement and expectation, to the older generation it is a time of reflection of events in the past, but to all it is the ending of one year and the wondering of what 2017 will bring into our lives.

The work in the Churchyard continues, at a slower pace than we would have liked, but if a job is worth doing is must be well done, and Mike our contractor is very methodical and careful in his work. The drainage to take away the rainwater from the roofs has been a particular problem for him. With old drainage pipes being uncovered, not knowing where they drain to, realising that we have a stream running into the trench around the Transept which means another “soak away” has to be dug. Work in any churchyard raises all kinds of problems and situations which cannot be foreseen at the time until you put a spade into the ground, however the day will come when the work will be finished on the North side of the church, before we commence on the South side of the nave

The church finances can cover the costs of the current work and the St. Mary’s 200 Club has given the Building Fund the proceeds of the year, after the prize money has been allocated. A surplus of £1,750 has been deposited which is a wonderful result, and thanks go to all who are shareholders in the 200 Club and of course there is room for many more. Contact Dickon Oliver for an application form and continue to help us keep the church building fit for future generations. (see page 5).

The other work going on the churchyard is the repair of the “Morgan” grave by the churchyard gate. Messrs Mossfords have removed the white marble stonework to their workshops and have relaid the foundations in readiness for the headstone/white cross to be sited. The cost for this is taken from the trust fund set up by the family some years ago to maintain the grave, and will not need any additional work for some years to come.

Looking back over the year, 2016 has been a very busy year in the life of the church, and 2017 will be full of opportunities to spread the Gospel out into the parish. Work on the preparations and ideas for our extension on the North side will be formulated and examined by many statuary organisations, and it is a project worth doing for the future of the church in Wenvoe. Some time in the year the St Mary’s Building Fund will be relaunched to raise our contribution to the work, and grants will be applied for from Charitable bodies who have funds for this purpose.

Just a reminder… Jon our Priest in Charge, known to many as Vicar Jon, is always available twice a month in St. Mary’s Church on Monday afternoons, as part of the “Open Door” scheme, running in Wenvoe and Sully. He is available for any discussion or problem or suggestion you have, and wish to chat with him. No appointment needed, just turn up.

Once again A Happy and Prosperous New Year to all readers of “What’s On” in Wenvoe from the congregations at St Mary’s and St Lythan’s.

Parry Edwards

 

 

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More Musings of A Political Teenager

 

PLAY HARD, WORK HARD


Smells Like Teen Spirit

 

Being a teenager is hard

I’m only a few years into my teenage life and already, I can see it’s becoming, increasingly, a tougher challenge to face as the days pass by. It’s hard enough being a teenager, puberty knocking down your door and having certain restrictions; throwing in some exams makes life that much worse – and that much harder.

Teenagers have the hard job of revising, and trying to keep social. Universities these days decide that we need to have the right qualifications, by staying indoors with no human interaction to study, and spending every waking minute on studies; whilst we must also make sure that we have things to put on our resumee, like extra-curricular activities we shouldn’t have enough time for. Telling me to ‘take some time off every now again’ is easier said than done, because according to everyone else, and educational boards, I ought to be a robot. But that’s not what they want either. Still with me?student01

The expectations put upon us make the heavy load harder to bear. You’re set a target each term – if you have a bad target, you’re expected to be able to get better; if you have a more-than-achievable target, ‘the teacher thinks you can achieve it’ and so you must. But there’s never the question of do you think you can achieve it? It’s always a given, and so help you if you fall short.

Being a teenager (and a young one like myself), has its restrictions. Work experience? You must be at least 18, don’t you know the rules?! It’s infuriating. There’s the aspect of politics too. You are unable to vote at 16, but can legally have a child. What is the difference between deciding our political future – it is our, isn’t it? – and caring for a child? I would presume the latter is harder. You’re legally unable to earn minimum wage at a job until age 16, and unfortunately, there’s still the unlikely chance that you might not have time to have a job at 16.

The ‘grunt’ is one my mother in particular likes to overplay. It’s the mimicking that parents do when they shout at you and you, annoyed, shout back ‘OKAY!’ and they continue to use it as a soundtrack to your life, and mentions the ‘teenage phase’ to possibly anyone they see. Nope. I am not someone who continuously has their headphones in (actually, I do that. I like my music.). I’m a teenager. Who’s continuously tired of working so hard from such a young age for exams and work that I could be doing when I’m older and more capable.

Being a teenager is hard. . . . . . .

 

 

 

 

Christmas Draw

Christmas Draw Results

The Village Hall Management Committee would like to thank everyone who kindly donated prizes to this raffle and also to the people who support us by buying and selling of the tickets. All money raised through the raffle contributes to the on-going insurance, maintenance and daily running costs of the Hall which is primarily for the use of the villagers.

We thank you all and wish you Good Health and a Happy and Prosperous New Year

If you have not provided an address or telephone number to claim your prize please ring Gail Adams on 07968 865550 to arrange collection

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Our New Ward Officer

 

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I am the new ward officer, I have been a PCSO with SWP for the past 4.5yrs working in Barry but have now moved across to the Vale.

I have recently returned from maternity leave after having a gorgeous little boy and now work part-time.Due to this I work alongside my colleague Sarah Johnson who covers when I am not on duty. We look forward to working together as both are new to the Vale Neighbourhood Police Team.

Community engagement plays a big part of our role and something I enjoy very much, I am a people person at heart.

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and a fantastic new year, I look to start 2017 by booking my diary up very quickly so if you have any events or groups you would like myself to attend please drop me an email.

 

 

Samantha.Jones2@south-wales.pnn.police.uk

If you see me passing please stop and say Hi!

 

PCSO 55439 Sam JONES

Llantwit Major Police Station

 

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The Care Home Closes

 

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The Old Rectory Care Home has been a family business for over 30 years, opened by Dr. and Mrs. Beryl Richards in 1984. Following Mrs. Richards’ passing in 2013 the business passed on to the next generation of the family. We have been privileged and honoured to have been entrusted with the care of all our residents over those years. Sadly, we have made the difficult decision to close the home.

We have been incredibly proud of the care that has provided at the home to our residents over the years. Staff have been nominated and short listed for national care awards, as well as the home ensuring various Investors in People awards.

Our plan is a phased and carefully managed closure, and to finally close on 31 January 2017. The wellbeing of our residents and our staff in this transition is our priority.

Thank you to you all who have contributed to the happy life of the home over the years; it has been very much appreciated.

 

We would like to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a healthy and happy 2017.

Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda.

 

 

THE OLD RECTORY CARE HOME
10-12 Old Port Road.
Phone: 029 20 593340 / Fax: 029 20 598690
manager@theoldrectorycarehome.co.uk

 

 

 

 

November Letters to the Editor

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Re. Twyn yr Odyn 'playing field'

pen-bluexmas2I have read with interest the recent letters from Mrs Stokes and Mrs Miller. The 'St Lythans Down Inclosure Award', 1861 reads in part as follows,

'And I declare that I have set out and do herby set out, allot and award unto the Churchwardens and Overseers of the poor in the said Parish of Wenvoe all that piece and parcel of land numbered 1 on the Map annexed containing One Acre and two roods to be held by them and their successors in trust as a place for Exercise and Recreation for the Inhabitants of the said Parish and Neighbourhood and I direct that the Fences on the Southwest and Northeast sides of such allotment shall from time to time be repaired and maintained by and at the expense of the Churchwardens and Overseers of the Poor of the said Parish for the time being-' (sic). This land is now known as the 'playing field'.

 

Can the use of the 'playing field' as a car park by the BBC, which prevented villagers using the 'playing field', be considered 'exercise and recreation'? I suggest not, although I hope that the villagers will benefit from the payment made by the BBC.

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the wedding of Mr and Mrs Stokes. However, I understand that, although relatively new to the village, they generously invited every family in Twyn yr Odyn to join their celebrations and that in true community spirit, villagers helped with the preparations. I suggest that it is strongly arguable that the erection of a marquee on the 'playing field' for a celebration to which all the villagers of Twyn yr odyn were invited, would have been for the 'recreation' of the villagers of Twyn yr odyn and indeed that this is just the sort of precedent that should be set.

In any event, this discussion has highlighted other issues relating to the 'playing field'. Given that the land is for 'exercise and recreation' would it be possible for monies to be allocated for the purchase of playground equipment, goalposts, tables and benches or a wildflower area?

Does anyone have or have access to a legible copy of the 'Tithe Plan of the Parish of Wenvoe'?

Karen Lane-Angell

 

 

quill-purple

 

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The Macmillan Coffee Morning, held in The Wenvoe Community Centre raised £335. We would like to thank everyone, all the bakers, tea/coffee makers, book stall, the Community Centre for giving us the hall and to everyone who supported us by coming and giving so generously to this worthy charity

Hazel Crockford

 

 

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Wenvoe Arms Reopens

 

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So the refurbishment is complete and we are open.pub01

We are so grateful to the community for the support that has been shown to us already. We were certainly not expecting to receive good luck cards before we even opened the doors and met anyone. As a family, we have always been community centered and it is so refreshing to move into an already well-established and supportive community that Wenvoe so evidently is.

We are still dealing with teething issues from the refurbishment and want to thank you all for your patience at what for us is a very frustrating time. We look forward to having our full team in place and being able to welcome you day and night for good food as well as beer and coffee.

We look forward to our first Christmas in Wenvoe.

 

Digby, Jennie and Binki.

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Any enquiries please pop in or call 02921 322772

 

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