Month: April 2018

May Updates

Planning applications

• Yr Ysgubor, St Lythans. Replacement of cesspit by new septic tank or domestic packaged sewage treatment plant. Council raised no objections

• The Croft, Burdonshill Lane. Extension to house and construction of detached garage. No objections

• Blodfa, Station Road East. Detached garage with workshop. Opposed on the grounds of over-development.

• The Chapel, Twyn yr Odyn. Scheme to deal with contamination risk, in conjunction with development of affordable homes. Unable to comment.

 

 

ALL ABOARD THE AIRPORT BUS FOR KATHMANDU

 

This May, Qatar airways launch long haul services from Cardiff Wales Airport. It is hoped that this will help to secure the future of the airport, providing new opportunities for business and tourists and a shot in the arm for the local airport bus.

From May 1st when Qatar Airways services begin, Kathmandu will be just one of the destinations it will be possible to reach from our local airport. The capital of Nepal has been a popular tourist destination for decades and a ‘place to go’ if you were a hippie in the 1960s or 1970s. The city still has, Jhochhen Tole, nicknamed ‘Freak Street’ in commemoration of the many thousands of hippies who passed through.

On your way to Kathmandu, expect a fourteen hour flight, with a stop in Doha, capital of Qatar. Flying long distance will perhaps make a stopover at Doha a good idea. At the risk of sounding like a tourist brochure, what can you see and do in Doha? Lonely Planet’s Number 1 attraction is the historic Souq Waqif. The entire market area has been cleverly redeveloped to look like a 19th-century souq, with mud-rendered shops, exposed timber beams and some beautifully restored original Qatari buildings. The Trip Advisor Number 1 is a visit to the stunning Islamic Arts Museu    

  

 

    

 

 

 

The Welsh Government has an ambitious target of three million passengers a year for the airport, which if successful will require a replacement terminal within ten years. Some believe the Qatar initiative is overly ambitious. It has been pointed out though, that 1.4 million passengers from Wales and the South West already fly to the Middle East each year using other UK airports. Figures show that exports from Wales to Qatar and the wider Middle East are increasing and are expected to grow further, as Welsh businesses attempt to find new markets outside the European Union. Tourism to Doha itself is rising and of course it is due to host the Fifa World Cup in 2022. Over to Ryan Giggs!

The new developments will mean it is also possible to fly from Cardiff to Namibia, Bali, the Seychelles and even Australia. By way of comparison, Edinburgh's long-haul links are few and far between, although they do include Hartford, Connecticut. From Cork, there’s one long-haul service, oddly to Providence, Rhode Island. Adding to the encouraging expansion in routes, Flybe is putting on a twice weekly flight to Venice and tour operator Super Break has two short breaks to Iceland and Seville. Iberia Express is also resuming flights to Madrid. All this then, is a feather in the cap of the Principality’s main airport.

Perhaps a revival in the fortunes will have a knock on effect on the airport bus. A year after its launch in August 2013 it was being called a ‘ghost bus’ due to low passenger numbers; one official report finding that in its first six months the bus had averaged less than four passengers per journey since its launch. However for us in Wenvoe, the bus is a very convenient and cost effective way of getting to the airport, especially those of a certain age, for whom the service is free. There’s never been a more convenient way of getting to Kathmandu!

 

 

May Planning Updates

 

Planning updates

The following applications have been approved.

• Development of 12 dwellings and infrastructure behind the rectory have been approved. Planning permission had previously been granted, the new application was mainly to change the design and layout of the properties.

• Redrow development. Approval for the retention of a conservatory on plot 4 (a show house).

• The erection of a tempory sales cabin at the entrance to the Redrow development off Port Road.

• St Annes, Old Port Road. Work on trees.

• 14A Walston Road. Construction of a dormer extension to the rear and replacement of the garage doors with French doors.

 

The application by Starbucks for a drive through unit at Brooklands Retail Park has been refused on the grounds that it would considerably reduce the level of parking available to serve the existing units resulting in traffic congestion.

Highways – No further feedback from Vale Highways concerning traffic and other issues.

Library – Still no response form the Welsh Government concerning our application for a Rural Regeneration grant.

Church hall – A meeting between the church and the council working party has been arranged for April 26th.

Police matters – There was a burglary recently at the Grange estate, when a house, which was

occupied, was entered at night and belongings and two cars taken. The police stress that it is very important to report any suspicious activities, including cars, in the neighbourhood to 101. All crimes are reported on the South Wales Police website.

The PCSOs reported that scams, mainly by phone, are on the increase. It is most important that elderly and vulnerable neighbours are given support dealing with unexpected phone calls. The police recommend subscribing to schemes such as Call Guardian, operated by BT, and Call Safe by Talktalk. These schemes answer an incoming call by asking for the caller’s name; if it is not given, the call is refused.

Annual General Meeting – The community council AGM will be held on May 10th.

 

 

April Activities

 

As always all were made welcome by Madeleine at our April meeting, especially Pam Hodge, a former member who came as a visitor. We were pleased to see Pam and hope she will come again. We all send June, who is in hospital awaiting surgery, our good wishes for her future recovery.

An interesting evening was provided by Mansel Thomas who in addition to being a member of the Rotary Club of western Cardiff , is publicity officer, treasurer and website designer for the Rotary Doctor Bank, which was set up in Britain and northern Ireland, following great success in Scandinavia, the Netherlands and Germany. Mr Thomas’s talk with slides was excellent and informative. We learned that the UK has 1 doctor to 350 people, whereas in rural Africa that ratio is 1 doctor for 10 to 20,000 people. Rotary Doctor Bank is involved only with mission hospitals, mainly in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. 4th year medical students have visited these hospitals to work and also dentists. A major refurbishment has taken place at Kamuli hospital in Uganda. For further information visit www.Rotary Doctor BankGB and I.org

Members were thanked for the way they all came together on March 15th to celebrate our 15th anniversary. AS vice president, Margaret stepped in to chair the event and all visitors thoroughly enjoyed it all. Glamorgan Federation events were announced. May 14thsees Dinas Powys hosting the fashion show by Samantha B of Ewenny. We will next meet on May 3rd, which will be our annual meeting when the committee for 2018-2019 will be formed. In May we will also be voting on the resolution of Mental Health Matters and WI advisor, Carol Atkinson will be overseeing the proceeding.

For many years June has been our efficient, well-organised and dedicated treasurer, but sadly, due to ill health she has had to step down. Wde appreciate all the hard work she has done and we all wish her well on the road back to good health.

 

 

March Talks

 

On March 21st, Mr Tom Phelps entertained us. He first gave us an insight into his childhood education which was poor but was determined to learn by following correspondence courses. He went on to write hundreds of humourous poems which he read to us with his very Welsh accent making them very comical.

This was followed on 28th March by Mr John Metcalf who spoke about the Vale of Glamorgan Festival of Music which celebrates 50 years this year in Cardiff. Mr Metcalf is a composer who has many compositions and theme tunes to his credit.

Following our Easter break, Viv Truman came to tell us how she became an antique dealer. Starting with a stall in Jacob’s market in Cardiff and progressing to two shops. She told us how jewellery devalues immediately its purchased. As usual Viv’s talks are always humorous.

 

 

March and April Activities

 

Well, here we are at the start of the Summer Term already! The time really is going by so quickly.

Just before we broke up for Easter, the children in our Foundation Phase took part in an Easter Bonnet parade! The bonnets were, without exception, delightful! The parade took place in our school playground and was well supported by parents, grandparents, carers and friends. Our judges were Oliver Fulthorpe (Head Boy and Millie Jorna (Head Girl). Thanks go to all our families for such amazing efforts in making the bonnets and, of course, to our PFTA, who provided the prizes.

Thank you again to the PFTA who arranged an Easter egg hunt for all the children on the afternoon we broke up for Easter. This is always hugely enjoyed by the children.

Year 1 attended a multi skills festival at Barry Leisure Centre, enjoying taking part in activities such a karate and tennis. They were very well behaved and a real credit to school.

Year 1 also led worship towards the end of term– speaking and singing beautifully. Very well done, Year 1!

The children all took part in the Sport Relief Mile; this was a great success, with circuits of the playground mounting up magnificently!

We were delighted to have been invited to the Memorial Hall, Barry, to showcase the work the children in Year 2 have been undertaking in their Creative Writing. The children have been working with our hugely talented, Mrs Michelle Briscombe: Mrs Briscombe is a published author and has been developing the skill of story writing in the Foundation Phase. Miss Starke and Mrs Briscombe presented this to a wide audience of school leaders from across the Vale of Glamorgan.

We are engaging in a partnership with Cardiff Metropolitan University; this saw us welcome 13 student teachers for a day in March; the students were investigating what effective teaching learning looks like in practice. The trainee teachers visited all classes as part of their observations; thanks really must go to all the teaching and support staff and to the pupils, who created such a good impression. Feedback received was very positive indeed. Later this week, we will be welcoming the students again, when we will be facilitating opportunities for them to learn about cross- curricular learning.

We are looking forward to the warmer weather and with that, the lovely opportunity to play on our school field. We really do count ourselves blessed to have such a wonderful and stimulating environment.

 

 

 

What’s Happening in May

 

National Walking Month – We receive brochures from several local walking groups; why not call in and choose a suitable walk for you and your family this month?

Local and Community History Month – Increase your awareness of local history by borrowing one of our many local and community history books.

6th May – International Dawn Chorus Day – The story goes that International Dawn Chorus Day began in the 1980s when broadcaster Chris Baines asked everyone to attend his birthday party at 4am so they could enjoy the dawn chorus with him. If you intend to have your own dawn party, the library on-line catalogue has a large collection of books and CDs to help you recognise birds and their calls.

12th May Saturday – National Limerick Day COMPETITION – Celebrate the day with us by entering our Limerick competition. A bottle of Prosecco is awarded for the most humorous and creative Limerick. See the noticeboard in the library for more details.

19th May Saturday – Books and Bake. Saturday 10:30- 12:30. Join us at the Community Centre for refreshments and the sale of pre-loved books, DVDs and delicious home baked cakes.

21st May – Monday – After School Lego. Join us for a fun hour with Lego 3:30-4:30

Weekly Events

Tuesdays – Our Family History Sessions are gaining in popularity. There is no need to book drop in between 10:30 and 12:30. Fee £2 a session.

Wednesdays – We have received excellent feedback from the FREE support sessions providing help with using mobile phones, laptops and tablets. Sessions need to be booked in advance so call in or ring us to find out more.

Wednesdays Knit ‘n’ Natter 2-4pm. – If you enjoy knitting/crocheting and good conversation, then contact Janet Williams jjwilliams23@hotmail.com

New Books for May

We have a tempting selection of new children’s fiction and educational books, craft books and adult fiction. This month’s suggestions:

Tell Me No Secrets by Linda Stacey – a gripping thriller you won't want to put down.

The Trip of a Lifetime by Monica McInerley – addresses the delights and challenges of family relationships.

Out of the Madhouse by Iain Maitland – a family story told with humour and frankness through the author’s diary entries and his own reflections.

Advance Notice

Day Trip to London – Join us on Saturday 14th July for a coach trip to London. Price £20 per person. Book your place now in the library.

Visit us Find us behind the Community Centre

For Library Opening Hours see link

 

Reycling – Remember that we sell bags
for garden, food, recycling and dog waste.
Like and follow us at: – www.facebook.com/
WenvoeCommunityLibrary

 

 

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