Llandegfedd Reservoir

 

It was a bright, sunny morning as we parked at the visitor and watersports centre in Coed y Paen near Pontypool and Usk, just a few miles north of Newport. Our walk was to follow ‘the Reservoir Trail’ which circumnavigates Llandegfedd reservoir. The route is possible because Welsh Water have made two sections of their land permissive paths; the remainder of the trail is public footpaths or roads.

The reservoir was constructed after Cardiff Corporation was granted permission in 1958 and it was completed in 1968, covering 434acres it has a capacity of 5,300million gallons. Only 3% of the water is rainfall the remainder is pumped from the river Usk. Llangedfedd reservoir has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its importance to over-wintering wildfowl and because of this the reservoir is closed to all activities from 1st November to 1st March each year. Its northern edge has nationally important grasslands which are managed as hay meadows encouraging biodiversity. Flowering plants include several orchids and yellow rattle as well as orange foxtail grass and adders tongue fern.

From the car park we followed the tarmac path down a steep slope to water level, passing 5 red pictures on posts, if you look through the viewing rectangle at the side of the path all these magically line up to produce a single image of a pike. The British record pike (46lb 13oz) was caught here in 1991.

We crossed the dam enjoying the peace and quiet of the water in the morning sunshine (though we had to avoid some cars travelling towards us). At the far end of the dam we turned left and immediately climbed into the shade of woodland, where we spotted our first foxgloves of the season. After about 1km we passed a bird hide on the edge of the lake and then followed an inlet of the reservoir, which is a breeding ground for otters. We were not lucky enough to see any.

At the end of the inlet we turned north passing the entrance to Trostra Farm, their metal signpost drew admiration from all of us and gorgeous purple clematis in full bloom grew nearby. Continuing through woodland the men of the group helpfully held up a large fallen tree so that the rest of us could pass under it (in reality it was set in its location).

Going through Twyn y Cryn woods, we came out at the top of a field. We stopped here for lunch, even though it was only just after noon, as there were good views of the reservoir and surrounding landscape. One sheep in the field showed a little interest in us but the rest continued grazing.

Near Yew tree farm a late Bronze Age hoard (the Glascoed Hoard) was found and is on display at the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff. Soon after we passed another bird hide which is in the area that is closed in the winter. From here we continued south enjoying open views of the lake and spotting a fisherman wading in the water. There were stretches through woodland that were very muddy and slippery underfoot but it was dry in the more open ground. Woodlake Park golf course was on our left and a number of wooden seats were available for anyone wanting to relax.

Despite the warm day, we arrived back at the visitor centre at 1.30pm – one of the earliest finishes for one of our walks, having walked just over 6 miles and climbed 650ft. This was partially down to the good quality of the paths but also the pace set by those in the lead!

We took advantage of the refreshments on offer at the award winning centre. It was named ‘Welsh Building of the Year’ in 2016 by the Royal Society of Architects.

This would be an excellent walk for anyone new to walking who wants to get out into the countryside, throughout the walk there are fingerposts directing you around the reservoir trail. Parking at the centre is free and the facilities very good. The area was bustling with families and people enjoying the many water sports available at the reservoir. Map152 or use walk leaflet no 7 ‘The Reservoir trail’ created by Llanbadoc Community Council.

 



 

WENVOE VILLAGE SHOW

Have you ever been to a show and thought “mine are as good as that”? Well why not try your hand at entering our Village Show? The maximum number of entries per person in any ONE category is two. Previously entered items are acceptable if they previously failed to win a prize. You will find further details in the Library. Look out for more information on the Village Show in the August ‘What’s On’.

Schedule

Fruit & Vegetable – best examples of:

1. Apples – 3 cookers

2. Apples – 3 eaters

3. Tomatoes (standard size)- 3 same type

4. Tomatoes (cherry) – 3 same type

5. 5. Beetroot – three

6. Carrots – three

7. Onions – three

8. Potatoes – three

9. Runner bean – three

10. Chillies – three

11. Any other vegetable – One (unless smaller than a medium sized onion then 3 items should be submitted for judging)

 

Vegetables – whoppers

12. Runner bean – longest

13. Cucumber – longest

14. Marrow – biggest

15. Onion – largest

16. Potato – largest

17. Misshapen vegetable – funniest shape- a caption must also be provided.

 

Culinary

18. 4 Scones

19. 6 Welsh cakes

20. Fruit Cake (own recipe)

21. Quiche – own choice

22. Victoria jam sponge

23. Lemon Drizzle Cake

24. Bread (Handmade

25. Bread (Machine made)

26. Fruit Jam/jelly

27. Marmalade

28. Chutney (any type)

29. Eggs (home produced) – 3 matched

30. Homemade soft drink.

31. Homemade alcoholic drink

 

Craft

32. Tied bunch of flowers from your garden

33. Handwriting (adult) 50 words from a novel

34. Fabric/needlecraft

35. Wool. e.g. Knitting, crochet, felted etc.

36. Painting/Drawing

37. Papercraft

38. A wooden craft item.

39. Any other craft item.

 

Photography – unmounted and no larger than 7” x 5”. Do not write on reverse side please.

40. Local scenes

41. A two legged friend

42. The sea

43. The colour red

 

Children’s Section – all items MUST be produced by the child. Age categories are under 7 & 8-13,

44. Home baked – favourite cake.

45. Home baked – favourite biscuits.

46. Drawing or painting of an animal.

47. Handwriting – an extract from my favourite storybook (about 25 words).

48. Craft – mixed media

49. Photographs – "My best picture taken in the last year". (The child must have taken the picture.)

50. Pre-school child – Piece of art or craft.

 

Limerick

51. The limerick – first line must be: ‘the last time I got on a bus 

 

Entry for the Wenvoe Village Show is limited to residents of the Wenvoe Community (Wenvoe, Twyn-y-Odyn, St Lythans, Dyffryn) and children who attend the village school. Anyone who has regular connections with a village organisation but resides outside the community boundary and would like to submit an entry should contact the organisers.

If you have any thoughts, ideas and suggestions about this year’s event or would like to help out organising the Show, do not hesitate to contact us at the library.

 



 

The “Ideal Summer Body”!

 

As the idea of a ‘summer body’ becomes more and more relevant, so does the idea of the ‘ideal summer body’. I’ve struggled a lot with how I look, and the size of clothing I wear doesn’t count as ‘plus-sized’ but neither does it count as ‘the ideal body’. I stand in that weird, medium section – otherwise known as size 12 wearers – where because of the size of clothing I wear, I count as the middle ground no one wishes to be in.

Because the world, and fashion magazines put such an importance on looking ‘perfect’, telling everyone my clothing size as I just did is a big step for me. Because I’ve always had the impression that a size 12 is ‘too big’. Stupid, really isn’t it? I always feel happy when I fit into a size 10 easily. And then I always feel guilty, because I’m not really that size. But why should I feel guilty? Why have I created this idea in my head that a size 12 is less than ideal? According to reports, the average dress size of a UK woman in 2017 was a size 16. But my question isn’t only why do I feel ‘fat’ for being a size 12, but also – why do sizes have such an importance in my brain? And why does what clothing size I am make me judge myself, when I tell everyone else they’re stupid for thinking too much of theirs?

I had a conversation with one of my best friends recently, where we were talking about our clothing sizes. The two of us wear about the same size, and when we opened up the conversation to the rest of the people around us, I was surprised when a ‘skinny’ friend of mine said she wears size 12 trousers. And I suddenly hated that I put a certain expectation on the size of clothing I wear. But I also realised that, by talking about your clothing size with the people you admire around you, you become more aware that the size of clothes you wear means absolutely nothing. Honestly. It may sound hypocritical of me, after my rant in the last paragraph, but really – it doesn’t actually mean anything.

So many people all over the internet have tried jeans or dresses from different shops. All of those clothes might have said the same size, but it doesn’t mean that all of the similar items of clothing fit the person trying them on in the same way as the one before. A size 12 from H&M actually usually equates to a size 8/10 everywhere else if you’re trying on their jeans (trust me). We’ve put such an importance on the size of clothing we wear, believing that the person processing your order behind the counter at Primark is judging you for buying a certain size, but nobody cares, really. Have you ever told a friend, “oh I wear a size 12” and they’ve turned and said “it’s time to lose some weight, hon”? If you have I would advise you run as far away as possible, because from my experience they’ve just looked at me as if to say “am I supposed to act like you’re a beached whale or something?” I’ve always found that I care more about my own size than I do anyone else’s. Someone else telling me they’re a size 12 and acting ashamed always makes me angry; so why don’t I feel the same way about myself?

The model and ‘The Good Place’ actress Jameela Jamil started a campaign recently called ‘I Weigh’. After seeing a post on the social media platform Instagram, where someone had posted a series of photos of the Kardashians and had included how much each of them weigh, comparing them with one another, Jameela Jamil decided to speak up. To some extent, I suppose that’s what’s affected me in the past. The idea that you see celebrities who’ve ‘gained SO much weight!!!’ but who truly just look healthier affect the way you think of your own body. Jameela Jamil herself had experienced body shaming, which is why she created the ‘I Weigh’ campaign, encouraging women and men all over the world to post a photo of themselves with reasons for why they are who they are. I was part of the campaign fairly early on, too, with my own post on Instagram. The campaign is about the importance of more than what the scale says; of having more substance than the numbers you see. The campaign is about removing the grasp sizing and weight has over all men and women, due to what we see in the media, and more about valuing yourself for what you’re worth, and what makes you, you.

I’m going to continue to support this campaign for as long as I can, because I know first-hand the significance a stupid number has over a person. This summer, I’m not about a ‘beach body’ and more about giving the beach whatever body I have, and trying my very best to be confident in that body. This is the body I’ve been dealt, so this is the body I’m going to try to love.

By Tirion Davies

 



 

Wenvoe WI is 25 years old

 

Wenvoe WI is 25 years old this year and in Madeleine’s absence, vice president Margaret accepted two certificates on our behalf. One from NFWI was presented by Carol Atkinson, WI advisor, and the second from June Humphry, Federation secretary, was from GWFI.

Viv Truran who has spoken to us on many occasions, gave us an insight on how she started in the antiques business. It all came about with her decision to de-clutter her home. She sold some articles andenjoyed it so much that she was hooked, working in her spare time, together with her full-time job. After taking redundancy she sold antiques full-time. As always Viv donated her fee to our charity-this year Wales Air Ambulance.

We have received an invitation to the Link meeting at Penarth Conservative Club, June 16th at 2pm. The guest speaker will be John Sheen.

Several members enjoyed the social evening hosted by Culverhouse Cross WI and Pam and Lyn enjoyed the NFWI annual meeting held at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff

A summer lunch is –planned at the Wenvoe Arms for Tuesday August 7th at 12.30 pm. Menus will be available at our next meeting which will be on July 5th in the Church Hall at 7pm when Eva Leslie will be talking about “Crafty Surprises”.Visitors are welcome and with no charge.

 



 

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