Month: September 2018

Llangorse Lake

 

 Llangorse Lake –  

Parking at the lake, we set off to circumnavigate it. We headed across fields to a solid bridge allowing us to cross a feeder stream. We spotted well constructed bird hides at the edge of a group of trees; three of the oaks here were probably planted when Queen Elizabeth I was on the throne. In the distance at least 2 dozen swans swam on the lake.

 

 

Llangorse is the largest natural lake in South Wales. It has been a feature of the landscape since the ice retreated 11,000 years ago. At that time the outflow to the Wye valley may have been blocked by ice. The lake would have been much larger causing it to spill over into the Usk valley. By the Iron Age it was only slightly larger than the lake we see today and it was important to local people for both food and ritual purposes. It is an important stopover for migrating birds.

We joined the road by the church at Llangasty with Celtic knot work on its notice board and a lovely rectory next door. The church is mostly Victorian but is built on an ancient ‘Llan’, or settlement, that was created by St Gastyn in 420AD. St Gastyn was a holy man and tutor to the Brychan family, who helped extend Christianity in southeast Wales.

Passing Newydd farm we took a road towards Cathedine. At this point we started to notice dark skies all around the surrounding hills, threatening rain. Silhouetted against the sky stood the beautiful skeleton of a tree, still standing though stripped of all foliage and signs of life.

Then we faced a steep climb. Passing Treholford light rain started to fall. As we stopped for lunch at the edge of some trees on a comfortable bank we had misty views of the lake below. Getting closer to Llangorse, we could see the lake clearly but the clouds gathering on the hilltops were getting darker by the minute. We donned waterproofs in preparation for the inevitable downpour. We walked through a field full of a white daisy type flower (oxeyes or feverfew?), the expanse of them was beautiful to behold.

To our right the bluff of a hill appeared – ‘we’ll be going up there in a couple of weeks’!

Across a couple more fields and we were passing a farm where a sheepdog was keen to let us know he was looking after them. Only one big field to cross and the sky was looking ominous ‘do you think we’ll make it back to the cars?’ Someone said ‘yes but we’ll have to get a shift on.’ So we did and the big drops started to fall as we reached the cars.


It had been the first damp walking day of the summer, a bit of a relief after the heat. 7 miles walked and 600ft climbed.

 

 

News Update

The holiday month of August sees a little less activity in St. Mary’s, with the “Pebbles” on their Summer break and some of the faithful away on holiday, but the worship continues week by week and on the twice a month Wednesday Eucharist.

We ended July with a United Service at St. Bleddian’s church in St Lythans. The hot weather had broken on that day but the church was full and it was a delight to see representatives of the three churches coming together to worship and praise Almighty God. Helen Ormrod was there to thank the parishes for the wonderful response to her appeal to help fund her place on the Mercy Ship, which will be based off the coast of Guinea. The total raised was £3,100 and Helen has already booked her passage and we wish her well, knowing that she will be part of a team of health care professionals bringing their skills to a part of the world that so desperately needs it. As a Thank You to the parishes, Jon and Sheonagh held an “At Home” at the Rectory on the afternoon of Sunday 19th August to show how much they and Helen appreciate the kindness, the fellowship and support they have received.

At the United service at St. Lythan’s, we had a guest organist, Mary Williams from Barry. Mary normally attends All Saints Church in Barry and as our rota of organists were all on holiday, she was available to play for our service. Mary is the daughter of JF Williams a former Dean of Llandaff, and her aunt Mrs Idris Davies lived in Wenvoe. So she felt really at home and played very well on an instrument she was not used to. Thank you Mary.

Jon has felt for some time that more people are needed to be Licensed to Assist in the distribution at the Eucharist, and Jenny Ford, Allan Oliver, Judith Billingham and Sandra Davies have all been licensed by Bishop June, in addition to those already able to carry out this important ministry and took up their duties during August. The involvement of Lay people in the ministry of the church is a good sign that all is going in the right direction in the life of the church.

The Building Committee had an opportunity to see

the latest version of the plans for the proposed church extension, on the North side of the nave. Following on, the P.C.C. met on the 28th August to discuss and approve the plans, before they are submitted to the Diocesan Advisory Committee for their comment and decision. We are much in the hands of our architect, Richard, to spearhead this through the negotiations with the DAC and we await their response.

Things to look forward to in September at St. Mary’s, and to which a warm welcome awaits.

Saturday 22nd September 2pm – 5pm SCARECROW FESTIVAL

Sunday 23rd September HARVEST FESTIVAL

Sunday 30th September at St. John’s church in Sully, United Eucharist Service with Bishop June at 10.30am.

BBC “Celebration” programme rehearsal on Monday October 1st at St. Mary’s with the recording a week later on October 8th at 6.30 pm. Jon wishes to thank everyone who took part in selecting their favourite passage and book of the Bible. Many of the comments made for interesting reading and there is a broad sweep of favourites which will make the broadcast meaningful and thoughtful, and represents how the congregations of the three churches approaches the worship of Almighty God in 2018/9.

The Parish Magazine “Connections” which is available in church on the first Sunday of the month, proves popular with a near “sell out” in recent months. A reminder to the congregation in Wenvoe that we offer a year’s subscription for £5.00, payable now, which many find more convenient than paying month by month. The magazine, which shares news with St. Lythan’s and Sully, brings the activities of the parishes together in a well produced publication.

Blessings to all our readers

Parry Edwards

 

 

Meetings Schedule

 

Our branch doesn’t meet in August but some members enjoyed a summer lunch at the Wenvoe Arms on the 7th of the month. They want to thank the staff for a their warm welcome and excellent service. A further lunch is planned for Monday September 10th and menus will be provided at our Sept. meeting at which members will need to pay.

Culverhouse Cross has invited us to their harvest supper on October 11th.(please sign up at our Sept. meeting).

Our next meeting is on September 6th at 7pm at the Church Hall, when we will be presenting our cheque for this year’s charity, Wales Air Ambulance. No charge for any visitors, who will receive a warm welcome.

 

 

The Annette Bracey School of Dancing

 

The Annette Bracey School of Dancing has had a busy year, so we thought it would be nice for you all to know what's been going on.

We are very proud to announce that you can now see our school professionally on Mr Tumble's DVD, from the TV Programme 'Something Special' on the episode 'Loud and Quiet'. It was filmed a little while ago now at our own Village Hall but still a joy to watch!

From the young, to the more mature student, whether it be Freestyle, Ballet, Street or Exercise, we try to cover it all. Our classes are run throughout the year at the Wenvoe Village Hall on a Saturday from 11:30am to 3:00pm (starting term on the 8th of September 2018) encouraging the younger through to all age groups. We are NATD qualified teachers teaching for enjoyment and through to qualifications in which we pride ourselves. We thrive on keeping up-to date with music trends and the challenge that provides.

It was so nice to see how well all the girls did in their exam session this year with distinctions in Ballet, Freestyle and Street. We concluded our term with a lovely Summer Concert, and it was so wonderful to see our ex-students at the concert well on their way to their careers in Performing Arts.

We have two school shows a year and also perform periodically in the West End of London.

If anyone would like to start, either from scratch or take up dance again, don't be shy! Give us a call and we would love to kick-start that experience and hear from you! Your initial trial class will be free as a taster session!

If you feel that age has pipped you at the post, why not try something else?

Annette is a qualified Zumba Instructor part of the ZIN network and has a Monday evening class starting in our Church Hall on the 10th September from 6:15-7:00pm which is a new Zumba Cardio class combining Freestyle, Toning and Sentão (incorporating chair-work). The music is fab and great for shifting those unwanted calories (consumed in the summer via those cheeky ice-creams!) helping you get ready for a little black

number over Christmas!

If you feel like something completely different again, why not try Annette's Balletcanetics class? This is very popular in numerous Cardiff Health Clubs and popularity is spreading! So, why not be part of the buzz and give it a go?!

We have two classes a week in the village, one on Monday evenings from the 10th September in the Church Hall from 7:00-7:45pm and one on a Wednesday evening in the Village Hall starting on the 12th September from 6:15pm-7:00pm.

Balletcanetics is really different from anything else, as it is done from a standing position, or a chair if required, to ensure you get the best out of your bodies without getting down onto the floor. It really does strengthen your core and give you a sense of wellbeing. Using the breathing essences of Yoga and Pilates and slow, controlled movements incorporating strengthening exercises from Ballet, it is a beautiful combination. Although it is slow and controlled, you do work, believe me! The ambience of the class is truly amazing; people find it invigorating and empowering where no one is too old to try.

If you would like a free trial class, just cut out this article from the Wenvoe What's On and bring it along to class with you to give it a go!*

*One free class entitlement per person.

For more information on any classes, upcoming events or to book any demonstrations, please call Annette on 07739535726, email us on annette.bracey@hotmail.co.uk or visit our websitewww.annettebraceyschoolofdancing.co.uk

 

Wenvoe Playgroup Welcomes Newcomers

 

We hope that everyone had a lovely summer holiday?

Just to remind you, we open on Wednesday 5th September at 9am to commence the Autumn Term. Parents are welcome to stay and play with our younger members between Wednesday and Friday of this week to re-introduce the children to the group after the 6 week break. If unsure please email us at wenvoeplaygroup@btinterent.com

If you have recently moved into the Village then Welcome to Wenvoe. Here is a little bit about us.

Wenvoe Playgroup is a registered charity and operates Monday to Friday from 9am at the Village Hall here in Wenvoe. We care for children from the age of 2 years and 4 months to 4 years and 11months. We work alongside Gwenfo Nursery to support parents by offering wrap around care. The majority of our families at this time are attending playgroup from 9am with a lunch box from home, then staff walk the children across to the Nursery for the afternoon session until 3:30pm. The cost of this is £16.50 per day.

We also collect children from Gwenfo Nursery daily at 11:20am and walk them across to the Playgroup until 12:45pm for a cost of £8. Children may attend a minimum of one day and up to five days a week.

On a Wednesday the children may be collected at 11:20am or stay in our care until 3:15pm for a cost of £16.50. Children require lunch, a boxed lunch to eat at 12noon.

Our wrap around care continues to grow, supporting the parents needs as best we can. We hope to introduce Breakfast Club soon; however, it all depends on numbers who wish to use our service. We will be assessing this on our return as some families who are registered with us have shown interest. Is it something you may be interested in for your child who is attending morning nursery at Gwenfo? Do you need care for them from 8am until nursery opens? If so please get in touch with us either by visiting us from 5th September or via email wenvoeplaygroup@btinternet.com

It can become very confusing with the flexible support on offer, so please email us your questions and we will do our best to support you.

We look forward to hearing from you or seeing you on 5th September. In the meantime, please visit our website www.wenvoeplaygroup.co.uk and view our Statement of Purpose for further information.

 

 

St. Mary’s Scarecrow Festival

A poem to celebrate
St. Mary’s Scarecrow Festival.
“ The Scarecrow” by Walter de la Mare

 

All winter through I bow my head
Beneath the driving rain;
The north wind powders me with snow
And blows me black again.
At midnight ‘neath a blaze of stars
I flame with glittering rime;
And stand above the stubble, stiff
As mail at morning prime.
But when that child called Spring
And all his children come
Scattering their buds and dew
Upon these acres of my home;
Some rapture in my rags awakes,
I lift void eyes and scan
The skies for crows, those ravening foes
Of my strange master, Man.
I watch him striding lank behind
His clashing team, and know
Soon will the wheat swish body high
Where once lay sterile snow.
Soon will I gaze across a sea
Of sun begotten grain;
Which my unflinching watch has sealed
For harvest once again.

 

 

Autumn/Winter programme

 

After a sweltering summer, we are now about to start our Autumn/Winter programme. With Christmas plans on the agenda. ‘How time flies’. We have a full programme for the rest of the year, which commences on September 5th with, as always, a game of Bingo .This is followed on the 12th with the much awaited return of a very funny lady, Lorna Pearson, known as the Welsh Pam Ayres, who has entertained us previously with her humorous anecdotes and poems.

If you are a person who dislikes going out on dark winter evenings, why not try a Wednesday afternoon with Leisure Group. Our entertainment is very varied, from speakers to music, or Harvest Thanksgiving to chair exercises and Christmas Festivities. So come along to the Community Centre at 2:15pm on Wednesdays and give us a try. Visitors are always welcome.

 

 

Maple Plum Crumble

Maple Plum Crumble

8 ripe plums, halved, stones removed

4 tbsp maple syrup

50g butter, cut into pieces

50g plain flour

50g rolled oats

25g golden caster sugar

½tsp ground cinnamon

25g flaked almonds

Heat the oven to 180C fan. Place the plum halves, skin side down, in a large heat proof dish. Drizzle over half of the maple syrup and roast for 10 mins. In a mixing bowl add the butter, flour, oats, sugar and cinnamon and rub together until you have a rough crumb. Stir in the almonds. Sprinkle the crumble over the plums and drizzle the remaining syrup over the top. Bake for a further 15 mins until the top is golden. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped double cream.

 

 

Summer Berry Pavlova

Summer Berry Pavlova

5 large egg whites

400ml double cream

600g mixed summer berries [raspberries, blueberries, red/black currants]

250 caster sugar

2 tbsp orange liqueur [optional]

Icing sugar to dust

Heat the oven to 120C. Mark out 2 circles 23cm diameter on baking parchment. Line 2 baking trays. Beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt in a CLEAN mixing bowl until they hold stiff peaks. Whisk in the sugar, 1tbsp at a time until you have a glossy-looking mixture. Spread the mixture onto the baking parchment up to the diameter of the circle. Make an indentation in the centre of one. Bake for 1½ hours, then switch off the oven and leave the meringue to cool completely for 2 hours [or over-night if possible]. Whip the cream with the orange liqueur and spoon on top of the meringue circle with the indent. Scatter half the berries over the cream, put the other meringue on top. Add the remaining berries on top, dust with icing sugar and serve.

 

 

 

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