Month: March 2017

Village Whist

 

As most of you know, Wenvoe’s monthly whist drive sadly came to an end last year. The money that was collected for charity during 2016 amounted to £474.69 and was passed on to The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, the chosen charity for last year, nominated by Marilyn Case.

As we see the demise of whist in Wenvoe, readers may like to have some facts about whist in the village.

Prior to 1988 whist was held on the school premises and I believe funds were donated to the school. However in 1988 we moved to the Community Centre. It was decided to donate all future funds to charity, a different one to be voted in each year. Our first charity was LATCH and our final effort was for GUIDE DOGS.

Over twenty eight years of our support, we are pleased to have raised many thousands of pounds for a variety of organisations both in the UK and abroad.

Sad to see the end of whist in the village but it’s possible that sometime in the future, whist could be reinstated in Wenvoe.

 

 

History of a Wenvoe Farmer – Part 2

 

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF TOWYN WILLIAMS – CONTINUED

Towyn went to Rhoose Primary School and joined the school choir which came second in an Eisteddfod in Cardiff. After 12 months in Rhoose School Towyn moved to the Grammar School in Barry. He left when he was 14 – Towyn said he did not so much as leave, he just stopped going and it was the happiest day in his life. Towyn worked at home for his father at Ford Farm and at this time he became interested in bell ringing at Llancarfan church until he became less keen when the Vicar suggested that he came to church!.

In June 1946 Towyn saw an advert in a London paper inviting farmworkers to work on the land in Canada. Encouraged by the stories of Towyn's parents, on September 8th he sailed for Canada on the S.S.Moralgia with his friend Jim Bryer, They travelled by train to London, flew from Notrtholt, put down in Shannon then to Gander in Newfoundland. Stopped for 6 hours for an engine change then to Toronto. The long last leg was without food or drink supplied – there were no Air Hostesses on this long and tedious journey.

Towyn worked on a dairy farm near Lyndsey, Ontario, before moving on to a lumber camp with Jim. They worked with all nationalities, including indians.. A day's work would be to walk three miles through three foot of snow, cut down 60 trees using a cross cut saw – no chain saws then.Jim and Towyn had Xmas dinner on a farm about 80 miles from the lumber camp. To return they caught a bus to Whittin about 15 miles from the camp. They decided to walk hoping to get a lift from a passing motorist. They were out of luck.When they were within a mile from the camp they heard and saw a pack of wolves behind them. Not daring to stop they kept going. Later the older men at the camp told them if they had stopped to rest that would have been the 'end of them'. They were so tired and frightened that it took them a week to recover.

Jim continued to work at the lumber camp until 1938 when he came home to work on a farm near Swindon. Towyn stayed on in Canada moving out west to Saskatchewan. The following Spring Towyn left Ontario to work on the Priaries in Saskatchewan He worked on the Homestead that his father had left 25 years previously. The Homestead now belonged to another family. Everything here was big. Huge tractors were used to plough fields a mile long and it was difficult to keep awake while discing and ploughing.

Towyn had the chance of a trip home on a cattle boat, from Montreal to Manchester. Living conditions onboard were primitive. His quarters were at the stern of the ship and it was quite peaceful – when the propeller occasionally stopped ! There were 250 cattle on board, heifers in calf to be placed on farms all over the country.

In September 1950 Towyn married Audrey Taylor of Leach Farm near Carmel Chapel. They lived in a wooden bungalow just up the road from Ford Farm where Towyn continued to work for his father.

In 1953 Towyn took on Ballas Farm, Wenvoe where he stayed for the next 30 years bringing up his family – three girls and a boy. By 1978 Towyn, tired of milking 120 cows a day, decided to make a change. He sold the herd and bought Whitehall Farm near St. Lythans. Whitehall Farm brought a new adventure open to the public – Pick your Own fruit. He planted raspberries, strawberries, gooseberries. red and black currants with a back-up of potatoes and broad beans. This is what Towyn and Audrey did for the next 20 years finally concentrating on stabling and feeding around 15 ponies. At almost 80 he remained the 'hands on' farmer very attached to his old tractor.

Towyn's interests outside of farming included membership of the 'Glamorgan Flying Club'.After obtaining his pilot's license around 1960 he flew a number of single engined aircraft including a Tiger Moth. The cost when he started was £3 an hour and when inflation rose to over £20 an hour, and with the price of milk falling something had to give.

In the late 70's Towyn's brother, Edward, was exporting various breeds of horses to New Zealand and asked Towyn to help to look after 50 horses on a cargo plane. Towyn eagerly accepted the opportunity to meet up with his son Gareth who was working there at the time. The flight took him via Anchorage in Hawaii to Auckland, New Zealand. Towyn enjoyed flying as a passenger and flew across the Atlantic 39 times visiting Canada, U.S.A., Norway, Denmark, Holland, Belgium, France, Germany, Spain , Portugal, Poland (a farm visit) and Ireland. He had also sat in Concorde, been up in a balloon, and flown a helicopter with an instructor.

Towyn's varied and interesting life came to an end peacefully at Whitehall Farm on 14 August 2016 at the good age of 90.What a fascinating life!

 

 

Allan Jenkins (February 2017)

 

 

 

Church News – March

ST. MARY’S PARISH CHURCH NEWS 

At the recent Parochial Church Council meeting it was reported that the plans for the church extension on the North side of the church, were progressing with further discussions with our architect Julie Boulby. There is much to sort out before we can think of applying for planning consents from the diocese and the local authority. We must ensure that before a spade is put into ground we are quite sure that what we want will stand the test of time, and will serve us and the community for many years ahead. There are a number of restraints on the site, such as the yew tree and the cremation burial plots, and we are anxious that these are not interfered with, so discussions will continue until we are ready to present our plans to the full PCC and then the congregation.

The quinquenial works in the churchyard are slowly coming to an end with only the cleaning of the East window and the new security guards to be fitted. The lime render applied to the boundary walls between the church and the Old Rectory has failed due to frost damage, and will be replaced when all danger of any frost has passed. The old concrete channelling on the south side of the nave and chancel will be removed and new French drain dug with a new soak away under the path. A faculty is being applied for the work scheduled later in the year, to avoid any interference with weddings, as access to the church will be affected during the time the work will be carried out. The saga of the replacement of the hawthorns on the path outside the porch continues with more promises from our contractor that they will be replaced, and the existing trees pruned to a more regular shape. A new notice board will shortly be erected in the churchyard facing the Old Port Road which will enable posters and other information to be more readily available.

Mention of Saga’s… the choice of a Bishop for our Diocese is proving to be difficult. The Electoral College met for three days at the cathedral in February, but failed to find a candidate with 66% of the vote. It passed to the Bench of Bishops who have met for another three days in the cathedral, who have come up with a short list on which they will take soundings around the diocese and hopefully will eventually present us with a new Bishop. Watch this space!!!

We are now in the Season of Lent with opportunities to explore the faith with Lenten Talks and discussion groups in Wenvoe and Sully. The Lenten Lunches in the church hall have been well attended, with very tasty soups prepared by members of the congregation. The Pebbles children will be giving us their presentation on Mothering Sunday at the All Age Eucharist, with flowers for Mums and Grannies. We will be delivering a Easter Card to all the homes in the parish, the cover being designed by the children, giving all the times of the services during Holy week and Easter day. Once again the appeal is made for Easter Lilies to be given in memory of loved ones who have died, to decorate the church for Easter.

On Sunday April 2nd we are launching an appeal for the Famine in East Africa. The loose moneys on the collection plate will be donated to Christian Aid and we know that there will be a generous response to this appeal. This Sunday marks the beginning of Passion Tide and there can be no better way than marking Our Lord’s passion and suffering by doing something to relieve the suffering of the people in that part of Africa who are in dire straits due to the failure of the rains to grow their crops.

Support for Traidcraft continues with the Spring Catalogue available in addition to Easter goodies and cards and gifts. The Food Bank collections have continued with the weekly collections taken into the Barry Food bank.

The next session of Messy Church will be on Saturday April 8th between 3.30pm – 5.30pm in the community Centre with an Easter theme for the crafts and worship and a tea party etc. It is FREE and all people of all ages are welcome.

Ministry Area Trip to Brecon on 30th April following the United Service in St John the Baptist Church in Sully. After lunch in the Pilgrims Tea Rooms there will be an opportunity to go on a tour of the Cathedral and attend the 3.30 pm Choral Evensong if you would like to. Names please on the lists in church to confirm the numbers as soon a possible. The cost of the coach is approximately £10.00 and the return home will after Evensong. Please note that your time in Brecon is your own if you wish to do other things. The lunch and the tour have been organised and are just our suggestions.

Happy Easter to all readers

Parry Edwards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March Book

 

 

The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy

by Rachel Joyce

Rachel Joyce first introduces Queenie Hennessy in her debut novel, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, when Queenie writes to her old friend Harold, with whom she has had no contact for 20 years, telling him that she is dying of cancer. Harold replies that he is coming to see her and embarks upon a 600 mile journey on foot.

Following the success of that novel, Rachel Joyce had the brilliant concept that Queenie’s character and story had not been fully portrayed and thus, the book she describes as a companion novel was written.

Queenie tells her story of life and death as she awaits Harold’s arrival, whilst being cared for in a nursing home in Berwick upon Tweed run by nuns. She recounts her life with portraits of her childhood and her days as a Classics Scholar in University. When taking a new job she meets Harold, a married man with whom she secretly falls in love. Queenie’s sudden departure following the tragic death of Harold’s son David, for which she partly blames herself, results in her journey to Berwick upon Tweed, where she lives for the next 20 years creating her Sea Garden.

Between these recollections of previous years, life in the hospice is brilliantly portrayed. We are enthralled by the characters of Queenie’s fellow patients and the nuns caring for them, including imaginary characters who were a manifestation of the morphine induced haze in which Queenie was living her final days.

The Page Turners all agreed that the book was well written and extremely descriptive although some enjoyed it more than others. Following what was generally considered a slow start, the majority found that we warmed to the story, which was sad, funny and thought provoking. The scores ranged from 6 to 8.5 and averaged out to a score of 7.

 

 

 

 

March Activities

 

A lovely morning in March and a good turnout for our team. We split the group with one half spending time at St Lythans pump area which was badly overgrown and 4 green bags were filled with debris – brambles, weeds etc. and more is waiting to be collected by one of us.

The other half of the team were busy forking the rose bed at the community centre.

Our next meeting will be on April 10th at 9.30 a.m.

In the meantime suggestions from the community as to possible future work for the team can be left for consideration in one of the What’s On boxes.

 

 

 

 

 

Women Run The World

 

Recently, it was International Women’s Day, which means we get to celebrate women. This day was originally ‘International Women’s Working Day’, a day used when it made its first appearance in 1909 in remembrance of the 1908 strike of the International Ladies Garment’s Union. There was need for the women’s day because in Germany by 1914, women were finally given the right to vote.

International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate being a woman and to remember all those before us did so that we may be where we are today. Without those incredible women in history (lest we forget the Suffragettes) I wouldn’t be able to voice my opinions – nor be educated enough to do so. The first recorded celebration of the day in the UN was in the ‘International Women’s Year’ in 1975. Since then, it’s been held every year on March the 8th across the world in the countries where women’s right are as equal as possible to men’s.

To me the day means I get to learn more about the women who have shaped the world to become the way it is today. From women forgotten throughout history, to women who grace our screens day in and day out; those that make a different affect the teenage population of girls in sometimes the best way possible. A woman doesn’t have to be a ‘role model’ to normal standards to be inspiring. That’s what International Women’s Day means to me. Despite only really celebrating it these past two years (unfortunately I was unaware of it), this day means I get to be aware of the inspiring women who made it acceptable for me to express my views.

But the day isn’t only about the women in the media or in history. It’s about the women you don’t always consider – the mothers who make life. The women in your everyday whose names you remember – because you remember it for a reason.

I hope that more women look to Marie Curie or Katherine Johnson or Mae Jemison or Valentina Tereshkova or Rosalind Franklin for inspiration in the sciences. I hope that more women look to Sandra Bullock or Dorothy Dandridge or Katherine Bigelow or Frances Marion or Gina Rodriguez or Lucy Lui in film. For the aspiring Michelle Obamas and Theresa Mays. I hope that pop culture springs us more inspiring women. And I hope that they spring us more inspiring men too like Mahershala Ali.

International Women’s Day only confirms what I know. Being a woman has been tough but I’m thankful for those who have fought the battle for me, and can only hope that in my lifetime I can return the favour. I’m proud to be a woman, and hopefully International Women’s Day can make you proud, too.

 

Tirion Davies

 

 

 

 

 

School News

 

 

As always, school life is so busy and enjoyable.

St David’s Day was a wonderful celebration for us – the children looked fantastic in their Welsh national costumes, with a mixture of Welsh shirts and traditional dress. All pupils entered various competitions, including story writing and art. There was also a home competition to decorate a wooden spoon – there really were many wonderful and indeed, innovative entries- a massive well done and thank you to all the entrants. Our Bard was Georgia Iles – Georgia wrote a wonderful poem about The Blitz; congratulations, Georgia.

Children in Foundation Phase were also treated to a visit by Braces bakery, who demonstrated how Welsh cakes are made. Our infant pupils were all given a packet of Welsh cakes to take home – they were truly delicious!

Reception children are presently enjoying a series of African Drumming sessions; previously this term, Years 1 and 2 have also enjoyed learning to play the African drums.

Vicar Jon led us in school Eucharist and Year 5 pupils also visited St Mary’s Church for the Eucharist Service. Vicar Jon visits school every Wednesday and leads us in worship – the children (and staff) thoroughly enjoy his assemblies and hearing about Goldie’s (the puppet’s) adventures!

We are looking forward to another busy few weeks, with Easter fast approaching!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silent Spring ?

The End Game?

No thrush sings in the garden now,

No blackbird looks to bully the thrush

And no swifts shrill above the town,

No kestrels hover over the motorways;

No cheeky sparrows fly up when a car goes by

And no skylarks sing above the barren meadows.

The martins abandoned their nest under the eaves years ago

Early predictions have come true:

'Silent Spring' is here;

There is 'No Room for Wildlife'

What do we have instead?

The roar and unhealthy smell of the motorways,

Green fields, quiet lanes and woods turned into 

Fly-tips, housing estates, business parks and recreation grounds.

Trees and plants stressed or dying in summer heat and drought.

Collectors begging us to 'Save the Children'

For what? A world destroyed by their elders?

Soon, we too will be gone, 'Gone with the Wind' –

Unless …?

 

This poem by Derek Gould was printed in the BBC Wildlife Magazine

 

 

 

 

 

» Read more

Special Chocolate Easter Cake [no cooking]

 

Special Chocolate Easter Cake [no cooking]

100g butter, plus a little extra fo greasing

150g bar of dark chocolate with nuts, broken into pieces

2 tbsp golden syrup

50g hazelnuts, halved

5g pine nuts

175g soft almond amaretti biscuits, broken into chunky pieces

100g dried soft figs, chopped

300g Belgian chocolate sauce [M & S] 2 tbsp Amaretto or Disaronno Liqueur Mini chocolate eggs and cocoa powder to decorate

Soak the figs in the Liqueur and set aside for about 30mins. Dry roast the nuts in a small pan until toasty brown, set aside. Butter and line the base and sides of a loaf tin [ 19 x 9.5 x 5cm ] with baking paper or cling film. In a basin set over a pan of simmering water, melt the butter, chocolate and syrup. Stir to combine and set aside. Combine the melted chocolate mix, nuts, biscuits and figs together, and spoon into the tin, packing down firmly at the base, smoothing the top. place in the fridge to set for about 2 – 3 hours. Turn out onto a flat cake plate or board. Drizzle over the chocolate sauce so it trickles down the sides. Decorate with the chocolate eggs and a sifting of cocoa powder. Use any left over choc sauce with a slice of the cake

 

 

 

 

Opera and Gardens

 

 

Our next speaker was Lynne Plummer who introduced herself as Sybil’s friend who blathers on about music. The talk that followed was anything but blather and gave us an idea of “Behind the Scenes at the Opera”. Lynne had worked at Covent Garden as a researcher producing “Talking Notes” for people whose sight was impaired. This involved meeting the folk behind the scenes and so as the talk unfolded we were able to see what an extraordinary job these people did.

The format of the talk was to hear a clip of an interview, followed by part of an operatic aria and then Lynne would elaborate on the interview.

We heard from Conductors, Wig Makers, Costume department, Production managers amongst others. We learnt how scale models are built of the sets so that any problems can be ironed out before the full scale set is built and how sloping stages can present problems for opera singers who often have difficulty as special shoes have to be worn to prevent them from slipping.

The Costume department must have been a fascinating place to visit and to see how the various distressed effects are created. The starting material has to be of the best quality to ensure that the costume will stand up to the rigours of many performances but it also has to flow correctly so that it looks good on stage. Also fabrics have to be dyed and this is a department in itself. The wigs that performers wear are made from Eastern European hair and each strand of hair is put on separately.

While all this work is going on behind the scenes the Chorus are busy rehearsing often for three hours in the morning and afternoon and the rehearsal schedule can include 2 or 3 different works at the same time. Another very important consideration is the set lighting which can produce very dramatic effects but has to be perfect as performers don’t want to be blinded by extraneous lighting

A feature that all the operas have in common is a book in which the music is written on one side of the page and the movements are written in pencil on the other side. This book is kept forever.

Thank you Lynne for a very different talk and showing us opera in a new light.

 

It was a great pleasure to see Anthea Guthrie in Tuesday Group once again. Anthea is one of the highest awarded garden designers in the UK having won six gold medals from the RHS and exhibited at Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows. She is also a very experienced cruise ship speaker and botanical guide.

Her talk took us to many places around the world from the Caribbean to the Falklands and from Spain to Brazil.

Accompanied by beautiful photographs on the big screen the talk began with a whacky statue in Lisbon followed by Menorca and Amsterdam where small gardens were enhanced by pots of plants spilling out onto the streets for all to enjoy.

In Spain we saw the largest palm tree as well as badly managed water features that were green whereas in contrast Villa Carlotta in Italy demonstrated how to get a water feature right.

The famous fountains in the Peterhof Palace in St Petersburg showed continually running water which was piped in from 15 kilometres away.

Whilst in Russia we saw “dachas” that are seasonal or second homes for city dwellers. These could be a shack or a cottage but were in colonies with garden plots around your neighborhood as recreational getaways for the purpose of growing food in the small gardens. These were not unlike our allotments.

We also saw formal gardens in Sweden as well as Summer Houses with grass roofs, papyrus in Egypt and cacti in Lanzarote. Busy Lizzies grew in profusion in the shade in Brazil whilst the only proper garden to be seen in the Falklands was in the Governor’s House.

During the whistle stop tour Anthea dropped in a couple of tips for our gardens such as ‘make friends with foliage when you choose your plants’ and if undecided about what will grow well in your garden – take a stroll around your neighborhood to get some ideas.

She also suggested planting bulbs under rose bushes that will flower when the roses are just twigs.

Our thanks once again to Anthea for taking us on this floral tour of the world in about 45 minutes

 

 

 

 

 

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