Category: Wenvoe Community Hub

“The Belly of Paris”

Off the Shelf

The Belly of Paris

 

In our Zoom meeting this month we discussed Emile Zola’s ‘The Belly of Paris’. Les Halles (the belly of Paris) was the huge central market of the capital and the centre of this mid 19th century novel. Florent was wrongly imprisoned on Devil’s Island for murder in the coup of 1851. Florent manages to escape and return to his native Paris where he lives under a false identity with his half-brother Quenu and his wife Lisa, above their charcutier shop. He is found a position in the market as a fish inspector.

This is a story of intrigue, petty jealousy and rival social positioning amongst the working class of Les Halles and depicts the widening gap between the rich and poor of Paris. Florent is an ineffectual character who, after being tested to his limits by the stall holders, finally gains the respect of the market traders. However, his true identity is discovered by his sister-in-law’s jealous neighbours. Florent who has involved himself with a group of socialist activists, is turned in, is arrested and deported again.

We felt that although there was not much of a story to the plot, Zola perfectly described the market, and the lives and social conditions of those who worked there. He depicts the poverty, and the constant striving for social standing and respect by the working class. In his vivid description of the market halls, the stalls and the characters, he takes us into the homes of the traders, describes their clothes, food, habits, and language. His portrayal of the produce and the sights and smells of the market provided such an atmosphere that we felt we could be taking a live tour of Les Halles. We gave the book a score of 8/10.

When Will The Library Re-Open?

WENVOE COMMUNITY LIBRARY

Tel: 02920 594176 – during opening hours or wenvoelibrary@outlook.com

Like and follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/WenvoeCommunityLibrary

When will the Library re-open?

You will probably have heard the First Minister announce that libraries in Wales can now re-open. Vale libraries are currently seeking guidance from Public Health Wales about the necessary safety measures. This is likely to be some time ahead for community libraries and no date has been suggested. However, Barry and Penarth libraries, are working on a Click and Collect service. We will keep you updated next month with full details how to access the service when it is in operation.

Clwb Clonc meet online every Monday at 11 a.m. If you would like to join us and keep up with your Welsh language skills, then sign into Zoom. The log-in details are the same each week -Meeting ID:760-4305-6456. Password: 5dgcwT. We’d love to see you.

Summer Reading Challenge

This year’s Summer Reading Challenge is still going ahead but obviously will be facilitated online at http://ow.ly/skcU50zDzWW The “Let’s Get Silly!” campaign will open on 1st June leading up to the launch day on Friday 5 June.

The digital challenge platform will include a safe sign-up process, a personal profile area where children can set reading goals, review books, view book recommendations and access guides to e-lending. There will also be a forum to chat to friends, play games, download and print activities, as well as family activities with rewards and unlockable content to keep children and families engaged throughout the summer months. The platform will be FREE for children and families to use.

Lockdown Library activities.

Here are some ways to access new books, even though we are closed

The National Shelf Service https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPUIqlJM0aieXdq-LxKDvWA/live. This is a new daily YouTube broadcast featuring book recommendations from professional librarians. The daily videos will focus on helping children and families discover new, diverse reading experiences. The broadcast will run Monday to Friday at 11.00am each day at https://www.cilip.org.uk/nationalshelfservice. The selected titles will be available to borrow as e-books from most local libraries via their websites.

Welsh Libraries

This year the Get Creative Festival has moved online with #GetCreativeAtHome. Head to the #RBdigital app and check out their range of crafting magazines (including MollieMakes magazine), which are packed with tutorials on all sorts of creative projects. #GetCreative RBdigital UK https://libraries.wales/my-digital-library/e-zines/

Online Book Group Wales – Borrowbox https://libraries.wales/my-digital-library/borrowbox

Each month, titles will be chosen by popular vote. Titles will become available as eBook or/and eAudio through our Borrowbox service, or you can join in with your own print copy. There will be a Welsh and English title available for discussion every month. They will prompt a ‘half-way’ discussion, followed by a final discussion at the end of each month.

Wonderful children’s eAudioBooks are available as simultaneous reading titles from BorrowBox this month, so no queues!

Star Wars

Read Star Wars Comics today on the RBdigital app or website – use your library membership number to register! https://libraries.wales/my-digital-library-rbdigital-comics/

Off the Shelf

In our Zoom meeting this month we discussed Emile Zola’s ‘The Belly of Paris’. Les Halles (the belly of Paris) was the huge central market of the capital and the centre of this mid 19th century novel. Florent was wrongly imprisoned on Devil’s Island for murder in the coup of 1851. Florent manages to escape and return to his native Paris where he lives under a false identity with his half-brother Quenu and his wife Lisa, above their charcutier shop. He is found a position in the market as a fish inspector.

This is a story of intrigue, petty jealousy and rival social positioning amongst the working class of Les Halles and depicts the widening gap between the rich and poor of Paris. Florent is an ineffectual character who, after being tested to his limits by the stall holders, finally gains the respect of the market traders. However, his true identity is discovered by his sister-in-law’s jealous neighbours. Florent who has involved himself with a group of socialist activists, is turned in, is arrested and deported again.

We felt that although there was not much of a story to the plot, Zola perfectly described the market, and the lives and social conditions of those who worked there. He depicts the poverty, and the constant striving for social standing and respect by the working class. In his vivid description of the market halls, the stalls and the characters, he takes us into the homes of the traders, describes their clothes, food, habits, and language. His portrayal of the produce and the sights and smells of the market provided such an atmosphere that we felt we could be taking a live tour of Les Halles. We gave the book a score of 8/10.

Your contributions: We would love to receive a review or synopsis of a book you are reading during lockdown. Please email your contributions to wenvoelibrary@outlook.com

 

 

“Birdcage Walk” by Helen Dunmore

Birdcage Walk by Helen Dunmore

 

Not to be beaten by the lockdown we held our meeting via Zoom. This month’s book Birdcage Walk by Helen Dunmore was set in Bristol during the time of the French Revolution. Lizzie Fawkes was brought up by her idealistic widowed mother with whom she is very close. Her mother has remarried but is in poor health. Lizzie is recently married to widower John Diner Tredevant whose first wife is understood to have died in Paris. Diner is an entrepreneur who has overstretched himself in building a grand crescent in Clifton. In different times he would have sold the grand houses, but the war has made potential buyers reluctant to invest. After his workmen walk out, he has to abandon his venture. Diner is a complex character, demanding and emotionally needy. The novel becomes very

dark following the death of Lizzie’s mother in childbirth. Diner’s financial problems begin to affect his personality and Lizzie has suspicions regarding the death of his first wife. This was a novel about mortality, and it was Helen Dunmore’s last novel, written during her terminal illness in 2017 when she died aged 64. We thought the relationship between mother and daughter was wonderfully described and the love between them was palpable. Her description of the walks on Clifton downs made us feel that we were walking beside her on her journeys. Overall, we gave the book a score of 7/10

 

 

Now You’re In Lockdown

Aren’t you pleased that you’re a library member?

Now you’re in lockdown, aren’t you pleased that you’re a library member so you can enjoy our fabulous collection of online materials such as ebooks, audiobooks and digital magazines? You’re not a member? Well we’ve got some good news; online library registration is now active!

Just click the “Join Online” button on our online catalogue and become a member in minutes: https://wales.ent.sirsidynix.net.uk/client/en_GB/vog_en

As if we didn’t already have enough to offer, we’re delighted to add ULibrary Digital to our list of online services. Discover even more audiobooks, available to listen to instantly with your library membership. Ulverscroft are offering their eBook service for free up until July 31st. So if you are having trouble using either of the Vale services or finding what you want to read you could try this. Ulverscroft ebooks—https://www.ulibrary.net/register/

Digital Communities Wales—https://www.digitalcommunities.gov.wales/covid-19/

has a host of resources worth looking at, especially on the padlets.

A Dinas Powys volunteer, who is a keen Bridge player recommended this site for others keen to learn and play Bridge online – https://www.bridgebase.com/

Clwb Clonc

We are still meeting every Monday at 11 a.m. but rather than in the café, we are at home on our computers. If you would like to join us and keep up with your Welsh language skills, then sign into Zoom. The log-in details are the same each week -Meeting ID: 760-4305-6456. Password: 5dgcwT. We’d love to see you, bring your own coffee.

Your contributions

We would love to receive a review or synopsis of a book you are reading during lockdown. Please email your contributions to wenvoelibrary@outlook.com

 

 

 

‘Tombland’ by C.J. Sansom

‘Tombland’ by C.J. Sansom

This month, our book was ‘Tombland’ by C.J. Sansom. This was the seventh in the series of Matthew Shardlake, the hunchbacked lawyer detective.

In this case Shardlake is directed by Lady Elizabeth (the future queen) to investigate the murder involving a distant relative. In so doing, Shardlake, aided by his assistant Nicholas Overton, finds himself embroiled in the peasant rebellions of 1549 and in particular Kett’s Rebellion in Norfolk. Sansom crammed a huge amount of historical information in the book’s 800 pages but contrary to it being a tedious read, it transported us into the 16th century and we all felt that we were alongside Shardlake in his quest.

Sansom’s books were new to most of us and as we enjoyed the book so much, we felt that we would have liked to start with the first book of the series. We gave ‘Tombland’ an overall score of 8/10.

 

 

March Library News

March Library News

 

The Cancellation of Planned Events and Activities: The following events have been cancelled:

Gardeners’ Question Time

Bus trip to Hay Festival

For those who have bought tickets, we will contact you individually.

Easter Raffle: The tickets sold as well as the prizes which have again been generously donated, will be moved to the Village Show .

 

Clwb Clonc. The editor of the Dinesydd visited us last month for a photoshoot. Our meetings are going strong with about ten of us regularly attending on Monday mornings for a lively chat to practise our Welsh speaking skills.

Volunteers: We would like to extend a warm welcome to our new volunteers and Friends of the Library. We depend on the support of the community to keep the library running and to support the events and activities that pay the bills. We look forward to working together again soon.

 

 

Library Grant Application rejected

Library Grant Application rejected

The Welsh Government has informed the Community Council that the grant application for a new library building made more than 3 years ago, has finally been rejected. This is a huge disappointment . However, the Community Council will now start to explore alternative options for replacing the library building.

 

 

What’s Coming Up in March

 

New Volunteers. – We would like to welcome our new volunteers Trisha and Paula. We are privileged to have an amazing team of enthusiastic volunteers who help us to run the library.

 

Meet the Author – Wednesday 18 March 2020, 7pm, Wenvoe Community Centre

Free entry but a donation to the library would be welcome.

Come listen to and meet Sam Hurcom as he talks about his book A Shadow on the Lens that is based in Dinas Powys.

  1. Thomas Bexley, one of the first forensic photographers, is called to the sleepy and remote Welsh village of Dinas Powys, several miles down the coast from the thriving port of Cardiff. A young girl by the name of Betsan Tilny has been found murdered in the woodland – her body bound and horribly burnt. But the crime scene appears to have been staged, and worse still: the locals are reluctant to help.

As the strange case unfolds, Thomas senses a growing presence watching him, and try as he may, the villagers seem intent on keeping their secret. Then one night, in the grip of a fever, he develops the photographic plates from the crime scene in a makeshift darkroom in the cellar of his lodgings. There, he finds a face dimly visible in the photographs; a face hovering around the body of the dead girl – the face of Betsan Tilny.

 

Gardeners’ Question Time,

7:00 p.m. Wednesday 15th April,

Wenvoe Community Centre

Join us for a good-humoured evening where an audience of amateur gardeners can put their horticultural questions to our panel of local experts. Chaired by Mike Tucker (Village Gardener) and his trusted panellists: Joyce Hoy and Gordon Jones. Tickets £2 available from Wenvoe Community Library during opening hours or £2:50 on the night.

 

Bus trip to Hay Festival

Saturday 30th May.

Watch out for further details

 

Book donations – We are always grateful for donations of good quality books. If you’ve finished the latest bestseller, have some books you’ll never read again or it’s just time for a clear out, you can donate your books to us. Please bring your books to the library during opening hours or if you contact us, we can arrange to pick them up.

Off the Shelf

This month’s book was a light read by Penelope Lively. How It All Began is a book of consequences. Charlotte in her late 70s is mugged and suffers a broken hip. The story describes the knock-on effects of this event. Charlotte’s daughter Rose works as Sir Henry’s secretary but has to attend to her mother. Sir Henry calls his niece Marion to cover Rose. Marion sends a text to her lover Jeremy to cancel their tryst. Jeremy’s wife reads the text, and so the story unfolds. We all agreed that this was a pleasant if not a challenging read and gave it an overall score of 5/10

 

 

 

 

Concentrating On Our Book Stock

Concentrating On Our Book Stock

In the following months we shall be using this page to review varying facets of our library provision. This month concentrates on our BOOK STOCK which is a key asset and plays a major role in our service.

The Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 states that libraries should provide ‘a comprehensive and efficient library service for all persons desiring to make use thereof’. One of the cornerstones of a library is having a well organised and suitable book stock. To this end we are regularly liaising with the Vale Council section who are responsible for ordering our books.

Our aims are to maintain and develop an attractive book stock.

FICTION: New titles, classic and perennially popular titles. Factors to consider are performance of titles by the same author, series of books for consistency, and influence of the media

NON-FICTION: Popularity of the subject, how specialist is the material and the quality of the book

CHILDREN: A balance of familiar, comforting books as well as books to challenge, excite and delight children.

TEENAGERS: Well-known authors, particularly series, and up-to-the-minute games.

ANALYSIS:

  • We are in contact with the Vale to provide us with some statistical analysis of our book stock
  • How we think of a book is subjective; in book clubs a novel will receive a score of 9/10 from one reader and 2/10 from another
  • Our plea is to have some extra input, some male and teenage voices would be much appreciated
  • Please call into the library or send us an email. We would really value your suggestions.

 

Iain Pate “A Journey in Flavours”

Many thanks to Iain who gave us a comical and entertaining talk on his experiences in the flavours industry. We can look forward to yet another of Iain’s amusing talks later on in the year, when he reveals his relationship to Catherine Cookson through his infamous great grandfather.

Christmas Raffle. Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket. £322.00 was raised. All of this goes towards our running costs.

The winners were:

Large hamper – Richard, Whitehall Close – Green ticket 113

Small hamper – James, Goldsland Walk- Green 255

Red wine – Zena , Old Port Road -Green 163

White wine – Colin, Goldsland Walk – Blue 116

Chocolates – Jane, St Andrew’s Road – Blue 146

Smellies – Gillian, c/o Clare – Yellow 110

Table decoration – Erica, Goldsland Walk – Green 245

Table decoration – Laura, Burdons Close – Green 247

Table decoration – Kath, Orchard Close – Yellow 61

Table decoration – Gloria, Old Port Road – Green 158

 

 

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