Month: March 2017
Grade ll Listed Barn
Goldsland farm has a great story to tell. A working farm of around 200 acres producing milk with a herd of 180 mixed Holstein Friesians and Dairy Shorthorns and regularly winning awards at the Vale of Glamorgan Show, such as Best Holstein Exhibit and First, Second and Third in the Best Dairy Cow category (2016). It is farmed by Abi Reader who was Welsh Woman Farmer of the Year in 2016. The farm has a viewing platform above the milking parlour and regularly receives visits from school parties and other groups.
But there is also plenty of history. Excavations at a nearby cave in the woods revealed the 5,000 years old remains of humans along with a flint saw blade and other tools. One of the barns is a Grade ll listed building dating from the 1800s and described as a larger than average early to mid 19th century barn from the age of agricultural improvement. Around the same time watercress beds were introduced, fed bys. The three sections could be split into different habitat types, possibly one of mainly open water, a second with water plants and the third reeds. Two benches have been put in along with a noticeboard and large bee hotel.
With the help of money from Tescos a Nature Trail is being created which takes you from fields to ponds, to woods via a sunken lane, to meadows and finally an orchard. The orchard will consist of old varieties planted traditionally, many dating from Victorian times and including a variety we have not planted before, Gabalva, a cooker from Cardiff. We also have a couple of appropriately named Holsteins. Some Perry pears are being grafted for the autumn. The wildflower planting will include a small meadow and raised beds with annual arable flowers.
Also in the pipeline is a project to create a series of reed-beds to process slurry from the farm. The outflow will be much cleaner water and this will help to improve the water quality in the Goldsland Brook which runs through the farm and the Weycock River which the brook feeds. It also creates yet another habitat which should benefit wildlife in the area.
A Public Right of Way runs through the farm and if this has whetted your appetite to see more the farm opens its doors to the public on Open Farm Sunday which takes place on Sunday 11th June. This popular event which attracted 2,000 visitors in 2015 gives an opportunity for everyone to see the farm in action, to watch the cows being milked and for children in particular to get close up to animals. For more information about the wildlife and history projects, contact the Wenvoe Wildlife Group.
April Planning Applications
Planning Applications for April
Police House, 1, Old Port Road. – Retention and completion of boundary wall and fence. No objection but the Council would wish to see the stonework completed as soon as possible.
5, Old Port Road. – Flat roof dormer to the rear of property with a rear single storey extension and out-houses in the garden. No objections
Unit 2, Brooklands Retail Park, Culverhouse Cross. The application seeks advertisement consent for the erection of six signs at the approved Aldi store of which five would be illuminated and one non-illuminated; no objections were raised.
The Walled Garden, Nr Wenvoe Castle Golf Course. Single storey bedroom and ensuite extension was supported by the Council
April Planning Updates
Planning updates
The following applications have been approved.
7, St. Andrews Road – A minor alteration to the previous approved plan to replace existing outbuildings with new ones.
41, Gwenfo Drive – Retention of two storey and single storey extensions to side and rear of property, and detached double garage.
Burger King Culverhouse Cross. – One double sided advertising unit fully integrated into bus shelter
Duffryn House. – The installation of a 1 hour fire door and frame to the second floor of Dyffryn House
Land at the Lawns, Cwrt Yr Ala Road, Michaelston Le Pit. – American barn to provide 3 x stables and a feed store
The appeal by Newydd Housing Association to the refusal of planning permission for the land at the former Bus Depot Site, Chapel Terrace, Twyn Yr Odyn, has been allowed and planning permission granted for the demolition of the existing buildings and residential redevelopment of land to deliver 15 affordable homes together with associated car parking, landscaping, drainage infrastructure and other ancillary development. The full details of the appeal decision are available on the Vale planning site.
The land at the rectory, in preparation for the planned development, has been cleared of scrub. Concern that protected trees may have been removed during the process has been reported to the Vale of Glamorgan.
The Council met with the rector, Rev. Ormrod, and officers to discuss the possible future of the Church Hall. Further discussions are planned.
The Council has held discussions with the acting School Head and the Police over the problems of inconsiderate and illegal parking at school times. The police have agreed to attend in the near future.
Police reported on theft from the telephone coin box at the Village Green and damaged caused to a number of vehicles in Gwenfo Drive. There has also been a large graffiti ‘art work’ produced on the footbridge over Port Road. The Vale are to be requested to remove it.
The Council has met with the Vale’s architect to produce some provisional ideas for the possible siting of a new library at the Community Centre. The decision on the application for funding from the Rural Development Fund is expected from the Welsh Assembly within the next month.
Persons interested renting an allotment at Twyn yr Odyn should contact the Clerk to the Council – see page 2 for details.
Notices on the forthcoming elections are posted on the notice boards. Application material for Town and Community Councillors is obtainable from the Civic Offices, Holton Road
Village Hall Entertainment
The EDEN BUS
EDEN BUS COMES TO WENVOE
Vale Village Church is delighted to bring the Eden Bus to Wenvoe in order to run a monthly youth club in the village. The High tech double decker youth centre is equipped with mac computers, PS-4’s, Xbox 360, a huge 3D TV, sound system and even a recording studio. With low tech options such as a nail bar, board games and chat zones, the Eden Bus is a huge hit wherever it goes.
Aimed at Yr 6 and above sessions will run from 7pm – 8.30pm and the bus will be parked opposite Grange Park. Sessions are currently booked for
April 7th, May 5th, June 9th, July 7th, Aug 4th, Sept 8th
More information can be found at www.valevillage. org.uk or call Gary on 07782 305738.
March Report and Schedule
The president introduced our speaker Peter Cox to our March meeting. Peter is a former employee of G.C.H.Q-a British Intelligence and Security Organisation, responsible for providing the British government and the armed forces with information to keep our country safe. We were given an intriguing and interesting insight into 
the work at G.C.H.Q, touching on the story of Geoffrey Prime, who was a former linguist at G.C.H.Q who in 1982 was jailed for seven counts against the official secrets act. He had been interested in all things Russian, especially communism and was fluent in the language. There are several interesting social events for members in the coming months as follows:
April 19th – Dinas Powys fashion show with the Edinburgh Woollen Mill.
May 17th – Link Meeting at Sully and one at Wenvoe Community Centre on June 16th.
June 21st – Garden Party at Margam Park.
Our Table Top event is on May 6th, at 10.30 at the Community Centre. We would appreciate donations for the tombola or raffle prizes which can be brought to our April or May meetings
Our next meeting at the church hall on April 6th and Stephen Allen will talk about “Care in the Community”. Visitors are welcome.
Event in box. WI Table Top sale, Saturday May 6th, 10.30 Community Centre. Admission 50p, to include coffee and biscuits. There will be a raffle.
Family Ancestry
The Wenvoe Community Library
Contact us on 029 2059 417
Have you always wanted to trace your roots and learn more about your ancestors? Wenvoe Community Library is holding weekly drop-in sessions on Tuesday mornings 10:30-12:30. These are for beginners and more experienced genealogical researchers who are willing to exchange tips, strategies, and resources with others in the group in researching their family history. On-line genealogical sources are Ancestry and FindmyPast and are available to the public for in-library use during regular library hours. The library has free Wi- Fi so you are encouraged to bring your laptops/ tablets to share your research with others. A librarian will usually be at hand to cover the basics of how to begin your research, what resources are available and the basic forms and programmes you can use in your family history project. If there is sufficient interest and expertise we can schedule specific topics to be examined in more depth. We would ask for a donation to the community library of £2.00 if you attend this event.
The Easter holiday looms so we are reminding parents that the library is open at its usual times for children to borrow books, DVDs. We are happy for younger children to come into the library and read as much as they want!
We continue to have a selection of books available for purchase from our Book Sales of last year. These have made a real contribution to our being able to keep the library viable.
Don't forget our EASTER RAFFLE which will be drawn on Easter Saturday! The raffle contains a variety of goodies for the Easter weekend and there are three prizes. The draw is planned to be at 1200 and will be a mystery village VIP. We will telephone the winners as soon as the draw is made. .
April Event
What to do in April
This is the time of year when everything starts to grow. Weeds will be the first to shoot up, they are a good indication of spring. The RHS spring show is in Cardiff on the 7- 9th April and is well worth a visit if only to get expert advice from gardeners who really know how it's done.
It's now time for the first lawn treatment of the year. Whichever one you buy make sure it has mosskiller in it as this past few months' weather has been ideal for moss growth. When cutting your grass early in the season please do not cut too low as this can weaken grass growth and encourage moss. Aerating a lawn is a good idea as it helps with drainage, prevents soil compaction and allows nutrients in and air to circulate. There are various types of aerators on the market but the hollow tyne ones are better. It takes a while but is well worth the time and effort. Roses now need their first feed of the year. There are many brands of rose feed to choose from and all do the same thing. Take care to follow the instructions as too much feed will produce weak, leggy growth which will not hold up the blooms.
If your lavender plants are starting to get a bit woody now is the time to take cuttings from new growth. Pick a stem without a bud, cut to finger length and strip off lower leaves before dipping in rooting powder [this will help germination but also stop cuttings rotting] and place in 3'' pots of gritty compost to help drainage. Remove any cuttings that start to look sick in order to prevent spread of disease. This technique can be used for most softwood cuttings.
Pot up dahlia tubers and begonia corms and keep in a frost free place as this will encourage growth making them ready to plant out when all risk of frost has gone. Birds are nesting now so if you can resist taking the shears to hedges and shrubs all the better. It will also keep us all on the good side of the wild life group. Feeding birds all year round is a must as they depend on well stocked tables but at this time of year loose peanuts left on bird tables are taken back to nests with young who choke on these whole nuts. Peanuts kept in bird feeders don't cause this problem as they have to be broken up for birds to retrieve.
It is true that as you get older you appreciate things more. Passing through the village in March there was a definite sense of well being at the sight of the spring flowers in bloom. The daffodils around the park and church were beautiful and the great display of crocuses on the village green were a joy to see.
Happy gardening!
