Month: August 2019

A Poem for For Howard Bevan

 

Little Hamston

For Howard Bevan

The surge of green that overruns

the kitchen garden, where it rests

between hawthorn and stone, maroons

the swimming orchard’s sharp harvest.

Green shade, where the last bee drones,

slows the chariot wings, compressed

behind the brazen honeycombs

and Time is stilled, and quiet, blessed.

Welsh slates on the long roof leaden.

Sky curves over dappled gauze.

Nest-filled creepers draw a sudden

blaze of carmine curtains closed.

Though September doors stand open

the parlour flickers, fire on brass.

Flagstones warm, tomatoes ripen

all along the window glass.

The old man sips his evening tipple,

solves another crossword clue,

resting at the oaken table

worn by generations, who

drew their days from crop and stubble,

flock and herd, from morning dew

to twilight’s fall on sty and stable,

Seasons turn and turn anew.

Little Hamston, little jewel

set aside from crowd and noise;

spirit’s strength and soul’s renewal,

all our senseless rush defies.

Good folk, self-sufficient, loyal

follow here their daily lives

In narrow acres, wed to soil,

yet comprehend God’s wider skies.

© Kay Rowe May 2008

 

Kay visited the late Howard Bevan at Little Hamston, a property in Dyffryn, between 1990 and 2008 and wrote this poem about September. Supplied by Pat Read.

 

 

Llanthony

Llanthony

We parked at Llanthony Priory, in the care of Cadw and freely open to the public. The hamlet of Llanthony nestles in the heart of the beautiful Vale of Ewyas. This is the easternmost valley of the Black mountains, described by Gerald of Wales in 1188 as ‘encircled on all sides by lofty mountains, but no more than three arrow shots in width’.

Here in this remote and tranquil valley an Augustinian priory was founded early in the 12th century. A wealthy nobleman, William de Lacy, sheltered in the ruined Celtic chapel of St David, and overcome by devotion decided to found the priory. The Augustinians, popularly known as Black Canons from the colour of their outer garments, were organised on monastic lines but were ordained priests going out to preach and hold services in nearby churches. Nothing remains of the original buildings as the monks were forced to retreat to Hereford and Gloucester by attacks from the primarily English community. The structures visible today date from the 13th century, when the priory was re-established and the Priory church built. Completed around 1230, it was closed 300 years later by Henry VIII during the dissolution of the monasteries. Later a house, now a hotel, was built amongst the ruins where the monks once lived and worshipped.

As soon as we got out of the cars we could hear the loud reverberations of bleating sheep. Nearly all of us peeped over the stone wall (it was high) surrounding the car park to find a huge flock of hundreds of sheep on the other side – had they been brought down for shearing or market?

We walked past the priory taking the footpath towards Hatterall Ridge; it is quite steep in places but a lovely climb on good grass paths which narrow near the top due to bracken. We glanced back at the priory as we climbed and it appeared to shrink while the panorama of the countryside grew. The sweeping upland moorland is shaped by livestock grazing and traditional practices such as heather burning. Here a very special moth, the Silurian Moth, makes its home. The spring buds and leaves of the bilberry plant (known locally as the ‘whimberry’) feed the moth. The purple berries can be foraged by humans but they weren’t quite ripe enough for us. A sign reminded us that by law dogs must be kept on a lead between 1st March and 31st July and whenever livestock is nearby. This practice protects ground nesting birds such as red grouse.

A cairn marked the point at which we met the Offa’s Dyke path, the border between England and Wales. As we progressed along the ridge grazing horses came into view and larks briefly soared. On the side of the next ridge, in Wales, were curious circles shown clearly in the landscape we wondered how and for what purpose they were created. In one photograph I can count 17 of these circles and they seem to be connected by narrow tracks. A mystery!

We strode quite quickly along the ridge as the path is a pavement and thoroughly enjoyed the unusual freedom of not having to look where we were stepping. We took in the view around us: on our right and east, England relatively flat with rolling farmland and to our left, the wild hills of Wales and the Brecon Beacons National Park.

At a large cairn we stopped for a time contemplating and then turned towards Wales, starting our descent through the bracken covered hillside. We lost height quickly and came to a signpost directing us to Capel y Ffin. Now that we were lower the temperature rose and we enjoyed the local flora including some splendid foxgloves and thistles.

Arriving in the valley we disturbed a couple of black sheep, hiding in the bracken, and climbing a stile followed the road back to Llanthony. One of us had camped here many years ago and was able to share stories of all the various haunts they had explored.

On reaching Llanthony we walked around the ruins of the priory and the church of St David’s. A sign stated ‘Welcome to St David’s built on the earlier site of the monastic cell of St David, patron saint of Wales. This is one of the ancient and holy sites of Wales and has welcomed pilgrims throughout its history.’ It had a peaceful atmosphere andone of its stained glass windows has a white dove against a rich blue background – beautiful.

Walk7.25miles 1200ft ascent. Map OL13

 

 

 

 

Love Island People Are People

 

People are people

This summer, just like the majority of the nation, I spent each night watching ‘Love Island’. For two months, I dedicated part of my day to watching a bunch of people, not that much older than myself attempt to find the loves of their lives. I feel like over the two months I formed opinions on those people, and recently I found myself having to take a step back and remember that these are real people.

With the ever-changing status of ‘celebrities’ in this day and age, everyone has an opinion, and everyone feels their opinion deserves a platform. But, when you’re seeing people attack someone online, the lines can get blurred and dangerous. As a society, we put celebrities on a pedestal, but sometimes people on the internet can forget that celebrities have hearts of their own. And when they’re thrust into celebrity life by shows like Love Island, they may not be as strong as they appear in a villa, cut-off from the outside world. Re-entering everyday life when everyone suddenly knows who you are must be hard, but especially when it also comes to comments about their appearance or being vilified for their reasoning behind entering an environment like Love Island.

This year’s Love Island final seemed close, far closer than the one we all endured in 2018. Despite the fact that Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury were the longest-lasting couple to have made it to the 2019 final, Amber Gill found love in Greg O’Shea after being mistreated by Michael Griffiths. The final seemed close, and despite the fact that Greg and Amber hadn’t long been coupled-up, Amber’s status as the nation’s sweetheart suddenly meant the final was hard to predict.

But whilst I, like probably about 80% of the UK, impatiently waited for the result, I decided to check Twitter to see if I could predict the final vote. What I found, however, was that ‘#MoneyMae’ was trending on Twitter. I laughed for a second, but then I realised that this is her life. Molly-Mae would be leaving the solitude of the Love Island villa, at just 20 years old, to a status as ‘fake’ by just about everyone on the internet. I admit, some of her actions on the show seemed as though she was desperate to win, but never did I question her love and admiration for Tommy. And let’s be honest, if you’re joining Love Island, finding fame (and maybe getting some of that prize money) must be in your peripheral. Molly-Mae was vilified for playing the game, but others won our hearts for being better at hiding the fact they were doing the same.

It feels like because reality-TV stars are putting their lives out to the world, the public think they owe us more of their private lives. Sometimes, with people like Gemma Collins, we see some reality-TV-made celebrities as more of characters than real people. We can sometimes perceive their personality as an act; but making comments on their personality can be harmful. It’s easy to forget that these are real people. These are people who, despite putting parts of their life to the public, deserve privacy.

I was astounded recently when I saw that Good Morning Britain had practically forced Love Island contestant Curtis Pritchard to label himself as bisexual. On the Love Island Reunion show, which followed a week after the live final, the host questioned islanders on whether or not they’d slept with one another since leaving the villa. Surely, they deserve that privacy? They’ve put their lives in the spotlight, but we don’t need to know every little detail of their life. It must feel as though they’re living in The Truman Show and you can imagine how disturbing that must feel.

Then there’s the trolls on the internet. People who think they deserve a say in everyone’s lives and do all they can to promote negativity. Why waste your time on nasty comments? I should hope they have jobs to do, or lives to live. ‘#MoneyMae’ might seem like a bit of fun, but it can easily be considered trolling. There’s joking about certain decisions or actions made by celebrities, but there is a point where things can be pushed too far.

As of 2019, two former Love Island contestants have committed suicide due to online trolling. Allegedly, more than 38 suspected suicides have been linked to reality tv shows worldwide. Love Island has dozens of therapists ready for the islanders; Amy Hart of this year’s cast said she had visited the therapist numerous times whilst on the show and needed desperately to visit them again when she got her phone back. Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury have been told to stay away from social media since their return to everyday life due to the onslaught of negative comments they’ve received. We as a society are obsessed with the lives of others, but it is important to remember that these are people, not characters in a fiction show.

As the saying goes, ‘it’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt’. Be mindful of the comments you are making on others’ lives. They’re still people.

By Tirion Davies

 

 

Music Shop History Request

I am embarking on a project to document the history of music and record shops in Cardiff, Barry and Penarth and I would love to have some help from Wenvoe residents. I am hoping to publish a book which will document the hidden history of music and record shops from 1850 to the present day- the first 170 years. Very little has been published on this specific topic locally and I felt it was a subject that deserved more publicity as these shops were/are an important part of many peoples lives.

Over the last 18 months I have uncovered information on 330 (yes 330!) music and records shops in the area. I am hoping that local residents can help me fill in some of the gaps. I am appealing for help in finding out more about the shops and the people who owned/ran, worked in them as well as any reminiscences of being a customer. Any photos or other memorabilia relating to record shops would be great too.

Of course there were many high street stores such as Woolworths, Howells, Morgans, Littlewoods and specialist stores Virgin, HMV and Our Price etc. However I am particularly keen to find out more about some of the small independent shops many of whom did not just sell records and/or musical instruments but stocked bicycles, TV’s, Radios, electrical and other household items. Before 1900 it was quite common for tobacconists to stock sheet music and musical instruments. I have even uncovered a watch maker stocking musical items.

Most people can remember the first record they purchased and where – however embarrassed they now feel about it! – and these stories could also help with my research.

If you have any information you would like to share please let me know. I can be contacted at nigelrbillingham@yahoo.co.uk or 02920 594708. Thanks for your time

 

 

 

Sticky Toffee Pear and Ginger Pud

Sticky Toffee Pear and Ginger Pud

150g dates, chopped small

125g butter, softened

125g caster sugar

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

175g SR flour

1 tsp baking powder

2 tsp ground ginger

for the sauce

50g butter

75g soft brown sugar

5 tbsp. double cream

4 pears, peeled and chopped

3 balls of stem ginger in syrup, chopped

Butter a 20.5 cm [ 8inch] non stick baking tin. Pre-heat oven fan 160C. In a bowl add dates and cover with 75ml boiling water and leave to soak for about 10 mins, then drain and set aside. In a large bowl, mix butter and sugar with a whisk until creamy. Gradually mix in the eggs, then the flour, baking powder and ground ginger with a whisk until creamy, set aside. Make the sauce. In a sauce pan melt the butter [don’t let it burn] and sugar till sug-ar dissolves. Remove from heat and stir in the cream. Add pears and stem ginger, stir to coat and tip into the prepared tin. Spoon pudding mixture over pears and bake for about 1 hr, covering with foil half way through. Check with a skewer to check it’s cooked. When cooled turn out onto a serving plate, let the sauce filter through the pudding. Serve with either extra double cream or vanilla ice cream. ENJOY.

Apology for my mistake on last month’s recipe – it should have been entitled Pasta Shells with Tuna and Peas not Pears

 

Mr Greedy

 

 

Maple-Bacon Buttermilk Scones

Maple-Bacon Buttermilk Scones

300g pack smoked streaky bacon, diced

2 tbsp. maple syrup

430g SR flour, Plus extra for dusting

½ tsp salt

4 spring onions, finely chopped

170g butter, cut into cubes

240ml buttermilk

1 egg, lightly beaten

Preheat oven fan 180C. Line a large baking tray with non stick baking paper. Fry the bacon for about 5 mins until golden and crisp. Stir in the maple syrup and fry for a further 1 min. Transfer to a plate lined with kitchen paper, set aside to cool completely, Sift the flour and salt into a large bowl, stir in the spring onions. Add the butter and rub with finger tips until mixture resembles large bread crumbs, stir in the cooled bacon. Gradually mix in the butter milk with the blade of a table knife to form a slightly sticky dough. Lightly dust a work surface with flour and tip out the dough and roll out to a rough 22cm square, about 2.5 cm thick. Cut the dough into 9 squares, then cut each square into 2 triangles and place on the baking tray. Lightly brush the tops of the scones with the egg and bake for about 18 – 20 mins until golden. When slightly cooled, slice in half, butter and enjoy.

 

 

Sun Hats And Sun Cream

Sun hats and sun cream were the order of the day as the Carers walk set off around Barry Island on the hottest day of the year, so far.

The walk is an opportunity for carers to get together in a relaxed and friendly environment and have some respite from caring duties. When you’re caring, it can be easy to
feel cut off. On this walk there is no danger of being cut off….by the tide, or otherwise! See you in August, on the last Thursday of the month at 10.30am.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August News Report

Looking back to Sea Sunday we celebrated during July, the collections taken in the three churches came to £200, with the Gift Aid amount to be added to the total. This money will help to maintain the enduring and vital work of the Mission to Seafarers which has been carried out over the past 160 years.

The scaffolding still surrounds the vestry, as a major design fault was discovered in the original building when it was built in 1991. The new steel roof covering could not be sealed into the masonry because a plastic damp course had been laid when originally built. This has now been rectified with the crenulations’ removed and a lead damp course inserted which can now be sealed against the steel roofing. This has come at a cost which our insurers were not prepared to cover, and we are faced with an additional bill of £3426 for the work of restoring the original masonry back to the 1991 design.

On another page in “What’s On” you will see that we have decided to widen our building appeal through the means of digital giving, which we are calling Donate StM appeal. This is meant for use by casual visitors to the church at times of weddings and baptisms, or by those who have had a previous connection with St Mary’s over the years. Your support for this new venture will be gratefully accepted and will help us to maintain and carry out the repairs that are necessary to keep the church fabric in good order.

Due to the current wet weather season we are experiencing, the work on the boundary walls surrounding the churchyard has been delayed until next spring. The lime mortar which is used to repair the walls will not set when the conditions are not right. This has also been the reason why the rebuilding of the vestry roof parapet has also been held up for the same reasons. However it is good to report that the interior of the vestry is now watertight and re-decorated, the wooden flooring has been sealed and all looks well.

The blue carpeting in the nave, chancel and sanctuary has been removed and for the first time in almost 30 years the historic tiling has been revealed. The white marble slab in the sanctuary and partly under the altar recording the initials of the Birt/Jenner family members buried below in the family vault will cause much interest and comment, as they remind the current congregation of how important in the life of the church these earlier generations at the castle were to the parish. Work to clean the mould and salts that have built up on the tiling will now be removed, the damaged tiles replaced and the surface than sealed to protect the tiles. This will restore the church to the appearance the Victorian restorers wished to present to the parish at the end of the 19th century. Later more decorative work with the installation of the John Ninian Comper Reredos and other furnishings were to follow at the beginning of the 20th century.

The Church Extension Scheme, which has been

optimistically called “Vision 2020” continues on its very slow discussion with the Diocesan Advisory Committee. It is now almost three years since we made the decision to sell the church hall and use the money for an extension to the church, in order to bring all our activities onto one site. The most recent request was for a justification of us wanting to sell the church hall and also why we thought it was the time to think about the future and how we would see the church in the years ahead. It may be very frustrating but it is the way we have to go with the DAC having the final say in recommending the plans drawn up, at considerable cost to the church, to the Diocesan Chancellor who would then issue the faculty to go ahead. Then there is the local authority to be consulted, and not least CADW, for its input into the scheme; so many hoops to jump through, but we think the scheme is a good one and would make us more “fit for purpose” than we are for the present moment.

Looking back. The Wenvoe Open Gardens day in July, which was a great success in the numbers of people who came from far and wide to join in the activities on the day.

On Saturday 20th July the village of Wenvoe was absolutely buzzing! Crowds of people walking around following their maps to locate and admire the 12 beautiful and interesting gardens open for viewing.

The event was inspired and co-ordinated by Sandra and Brian Jones with Mike Tucker working tirelessly in the background.

Grateful thanks to everyone involved whether opening or visiting gardens, making or just enjoying tea and delicious home made cakes and giving donations to the St Mary’s building fund. Such a special happy day of fellowship with the ‘icing on the cake’ being an amazing £2,000 raised for St Mary’s Building Fund.

Fair Trade / Traidcraft: Wenvoe – After 14 years, Jude Billingham, due to other commitments has decided to close the stall she has run during that time. Way back in February 2005, after the morning service she began to offer various Fair Trade product’s and the sales that day came to £119.98. Since that time sales have fluctuated over the years but the final total over the years is £42,303, which is a wonderful achievement for a relatively small congregation and the friends who have supported her during this time. The remaining stock has been sold off, realising £420 and half of this has been donated to the St. Mary’s Building Fund in recognition of the support Jude has received during her time, as the organiser of fair trade products in the parish. The other half has been given to Traidcraft Exchange, the charity that helps to set up work opportunities in the developing world. A big thank you and heartfelt thanks to Jude and Nigel for all the time they together have spent in raising our awareness of the needs and aspirations of others who are not so well off as we are.

 

The next Messy Church will be on Saturday 28th September in Wenvoe Community Centre when the theme will be “Harvest”. These popular events bring Mums and Dads and their children together to spend a short time together with friends, there is no age barrier, in a time of story telling, craft work, exciting activities, and worship followed by a shared meal and all FREE, so please come along and meet new friends and neighbours. See you there at 3.00pm.

In the past few weeks we have seen on our TV screens that cathedrals in England have installed a mini golf course and a wonderful helter skelter in the nave of their buildings. Any suggestions of what we could install in the nave at St Mary’s should be addressed on a postcard to Vicar Jon as soon as possible.

Lastly for this month, we extend a welcome to all the new parishioners who have moved into Greenwood Close on the St Lythan’s Road, not forgetting the Scarecrow Festival on the 21st September and our Harvest Festival “All Age Service” on the 22nd September.

 

“Come ye thankful people come, raise the song of harvest home.”

 

Parry Edwards

 

 

 

Your Programme for September

RHS to do list for September.

  1. Divide herbaceous perennials
  2. Pick Autumn raspberries.
  3. Collect and sow seed from perennials and hardy annuals.

4 Dig up remaining potatoes, before slug damage ruins them.

  1. Net ponds before leaf fall gets underway.
  2. Keep up with the watering of new plants.
  3. Start to reduce the amount of water given to houseplants.
  4. Clean out greenhouses and coldframes ready for use in the Autumn.
  5. Cover leafy vegetables with netting. unless plump pigeon is on your menu.
  6. Plant spring flowering bulbs.

This month sees two of Wenvoe’s annual Autumn events. The village show on the 7th followed by the scarecrow festival two weeks later on the 21st. These events will only survive with participants, so please enter as there are so many categories to choose from. I have heard on good authority that the Ferret’s outdoor tomatoes will take some beating but not eating. The Hammonds have barred entry to their rear garden so that their show entries remain a secret. The doyen of the village show G J, is keeping his veg close to his chest and I’m quite sure he will not disappoint on the day.

If you haven’t already started composting, now would be a good time as there is a lot to cut back and clear at this time of year. Help will be on hand at the village show if you are unsure of how to go about this; just ask Heulwen who, by the way, is very knowledgeable on the setting out of wildflower gardens.

There will be a lot of work to be done on lawns this month. Scarify the lawn with a long tined rake. This is no easy task and will make you tired and upset when you see the state of your lawn when you’ve finished. This is only for a short while. You will then need to aerate with a fork and apply an Autumn lawn feed which will be low in nitrogen. Reseed bare patches and water if no rain is forecast. To see what a fabulous lawn should be like, just take a look at Mr Darlington’s, which is the 1st house on the right in Larchwood.

Spring bulb planting is upon us. If you intend to plant bulbs in the lawn just remember that after they have flowered, you will need to wait at least six weeks before you can cut the grass. Putting bulbs in the border can leave it looking untidy for sometime at the end of their display. It may be an idea to put them in baskets first so they can be lifted and allowed to die back in a hidden corner. This also allows more room for later flowering plants.

Take care and happy gardening.

 

 

 

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