Month: December 2019

The Boy Who Laughed At Santa Claus

The Boy Who Laughed At Santa Claus

In Baltimore there lived a boy
He wasn’t anybody’s joy.
Although his name was Jabez Dawes
His character was full of flaws.
In school he never led his classes
He hid old ladies’ reading glasses
His mouth was open when he chewed
And elbows to the table glued.
He stole the milk of hungry kittens
And walked through doors marked No Admittance.
He said he acted thus because
There wasn’t any Santa Claus.

Another trick that tickled Jabez
Was crying “Boo!” at little babies.
He brushed his teeth  they said in town
Sideways instead of up and down.
Yet people pardoned every sin
And viewed his antics with a grin
Till they were told by Jabez Dawes
“There isn’t any Santa Claus!”

 

Deploring how he did behave
His parents swiftly sought their grave.
They hurried through the portals pearly
And Jabez left the funeral early.
Like whooping cough
from child to child
He sped to spread the rumor wild:
“Sure as my name is Jabez Dawes
There isn’t any Santa Claus!”

 

Slunk like a weasel or a marten
Through nursery and kindergarten
Whispering low to every tot
“There isn’t any no there’s not!”
The children wept all Christmas Eve
And Jabez chortled up his sleeve.
No infant dared to hang up his stocking
For fear of Jabez’ ribald mocking.
He sprawled on his untidy bed
Fresh malice dancing in his head
When presently with scalp a-tingling
Jabez heard a distant jingling;
He heard the crunch of sleigh and hoof
Crisply alighting on the roof.
What good to rise and bar the door?
A shower of soot was on the floor.
What was beheld by Jabez Dawes?
The fireplace full of Santa Claus!
Then Jabez fell upon his knees
With cries of “Don’t ” and “Pretty please.
” He howled “I don’t know where you read it
But anyhow I never said it!”

“Jabez ” replied the angry saint
“It isn’t I it’s you that ain’t.
Although there is a Santa Claus
There isn’t any Jabez Dawes!”
Said Jabez with impudent vim
“Oh yes there is; and I am him!
Your magic don’t scare me it doesn’t”—
And suddenly he found he wasn’t!
From grimy feet to grimy locks
Jabez became a Jack-in-the-box
An ugly toy with springs unsprung
Forever sticking out his tongue.

The neighbors heard his mournful squeal;
They searched for him but not with zeal.
No trace was found of Jabez Dawes
Which led to thunderous applause
And people drank a loving cup
And went and hung their stockings up.
All you who sneer at Santa Claus
Beware the fate of Jabez Dawes
The saucy boy who mocked the saint.
Donder and Blitzen licked off his paint.

By Ogden Nash

 

Christmas Cake

Just thought I would share my old family recipe for Christmas Cake. ,This has been handed down in our family for years.

Ingredients:

* 2 cups flour

* 1/2 lb butter

* 1 cup of water

* 1 tsp bicarb soda

* 1 cup of sugar

* 1 tsp salt

* 1 cup of brown sugar

* Lemon juice

* 4 large eggs

* Nuts

* 1 bottle Brandy

* 2 cups of dried fruit

Sample the brandy to check quality. Take a large bowl; check the brandy again. To be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink.

Repeat.. Turn on the electric mixer. Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add one teaspoon of sugar. Beat again. At this point it’s best to make sure the brandy is still OK. Try another cup… Just in case, turn off the mixer thingy. Break 2 eggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.

Pick the blasted fruit up off floor. Mix on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaters just pry it loose with a drewscriver. Sample the brandy to check for tonsisticity. Next, sift two cups of salt, or something. Check the brandy. Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table. Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find. Greash the oven. Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over. Don’t forget to beat off the turner. Finally, throw the bowl through the window. Finish the brandy and wipe counter with the cat.

Bingle Jells!

 

 

 

SCAM WARNING

SCAM WARNING

Please be aware of a current doorstep scam working the area. These are calling themselves ‘Keep Britain Working’ or ‘Nottingham Knocker’s’ which are a very similar outfit (if not the same).

They are doorstep callers who target areas offering small household products for sale. These callers may claim to be ex-convicts attempting to mend their ways or ex-servicemen. However, they are not part of any recognised rehabilitation scheme.

Please warn your communities, particularly elderly or vulnerable neighbours, not to open the door to strangers or to buy or sell on the doorstep. Some doorstep callers may offer poor quality goods at inflated prices and if a caller is not genuine, they may be gathering information for future crime.

How do they work?

The sellers may say that they are on a ‘rehabilitation course’ arranged by Probation Services or other organisations trying to find people work. This is not the case, and often they are known criminals. Probation Services do not run such schemes.

They may show a card which claims to be a ‘Pedlars Licence’ or work permit. This is not valid and they are breaking the law if they are using anything like this. They may also hand over a card saying they are deaf or dumb.

According to the Police, the bag of household products is supplied by someone who employs them. The male/female is supplied with a full bag of household products (including the typical tea-towels!) and charged a minimal sum for the contents. It used to be £35. They can keep whatever they make, above this amount.

Usually they are deposited in an area from a transit

van and given a list of streets to work. An hour or so later they are picked up and dropped off in another location. They often work from 9am to 9pm.

They will knock on a door, offering cleaning items which they know are cheap and of very poor quality; the householder also knows they are rubbish but that is part of the scam. Many people will purchase items and pay them out of their good nature as they have fallen for their story or, just to get rid of them. There have been cases of elderly residents handing over large sums as these people can be very persistent and confrontational.

The price for whatever has been purchased usually comes to a note – usually £10. The householder disappears to get this and according to the police, this is when the scam begins. When the note is handed over, the person examines the condition and how long it took the person to get it. If it is crumpled, they accept it and move on. If it is crisp flat and new, they are much more interested and may engage the person in more conversation, to obtain details about them. As they leave they will smell the note. If it is slightly musty, it is an indication that there is more in the property.

These addresses and the addresses of elderly and vulnerable people are noted. They are then handed to the employer and there is a small amount of cash handed over for each one. These addresses are then sold in prisons and pubs. If there is a later break-in, the employer expects a further cut of the proceeds.

Police advise that in almost every case of a stop check – the people have long strings of convictions for burglary and violence. They use the skills learnt during their criminal activity to identify possible targets.

Please do not open your doors to strangers. Do not buy goods these people offer you on your doorstep

 

 

December in the Library

 

Saturday 21st December in the Library

10-10:30 am, Storytelling. Join us when the Christmas Elf will be reading magical Christmas stories for the under 5s.

12 noon, Raffle. The winning raffle tickets will be drawn for your chance to win one of our fabulous Christmas hampers.

Secret Santa

In the run-up to Christmas we are offering a surprise Secret Santa adult or child book for £2. Buy your ticket in the library and choose your wrapped book.

Christmas opening hours

We shall be open as usual on Saturday 28th December, Monday 30th December and Tuesday 31st December.

Happy Christmas. We would like to wish our members a very happy Christmas and thank you all for the support you have shown your community library throughout the year.

 

 

 

 

 

Bus Pass Renewals & New books

Help with bus pass renewals

Existing Concessionary Travel Cards holders and new applicants are being asked to apply for new-style cards via the new Transport for Wales online portal. Your old-style cards are only valid until 31 December 2019. If you are having difficulty in renewing your bus passes, come along to the library and we’ll help you complete an application online. Just bring along your existing bus pass and your national insurance number. We also have temporary bus passes available.

New books

Snow is falling and books are calling. We have a good range of new books for you to snuggle up and read over Christmas.

Crime and thrillers:

‘Brutal’ by Mandasue Heller. A bereaved husband is faced with a devastating choice in this gritty thriller.

‘A Shadow on the Lens’ by Sam Hurcom. 1904 and Thomas Bexley, one of the first forensic photographers, is called to Dinas Powys. A young girl has been found murdered but the crime scene appears to have been staged, and worse still: the locals are reluctant to help.

‘Red Strike’ by Chris Ryan. Another in the Strike Back series. Chris Ryan turned to writing thrillers to tell the stories the Official Secrets Act stops him putting in his non-fiction.

‘The Stone Circle’ by Elly Griffiths. Nelson is disturbed when he receives a letter telling him to go to the stone circle and save the child who is buried there. Sure enough, a child’s bones are found in the circle, those of a girl who vanished thirty years ago. When the lead suspect in that case, the so-called Stone Man, is found dead, Nelson knows that he is dealing with a killer who cannot forget the past.

‘Her Sister’s Secret’ by E V Seymour. An absolutely gripping psychological thriller with suspenseful twists

‘Neon Prey’ by John Sandford. Lucas Davenport pursues a prolific serial killer who has gone undetected for years in the newest nail-biter by this internationally bestselling author.

‘The Venetian Masquerade’ by Philip Gwynne Jones. A game of blackmail and betrayal is played among the backstreets and canals of Venice

‘The Punishment She Deserves’ by Elizabeth George. Another masterpiece of suspense in the Inspector Lynley series.

‘The Silver Wind’: Four Stories of Time Disrupted by Nina Allan. Martin Newland is fascinated by watches and clocks and the nature of time. Time, memory, love, hope and regret all complicate Martin’s quest for the truth. In the implied spaces and overlaps between these five moments in time the reader is granted a mysteriously enriching vision of the everyday world

‘Ghost Fire’ by Wilber Smith. A new generation of Courtneys fight for freedom in an epic story of

tragedy, loss, betrayal and courage that brings the reader deep into the seething heart of the French and Indian War.

Romance

‘The Winter Orphan’ by Cathy Sharp. A heart-breaking story of one child’s courage, from the bestselling author of The Orphans of Halfpenny Street.

‘Wrapped Up in You’ by Jill Shalvis. The perfect feel-good romance to brighten your day

‘Beauchamp Hall’ by Danielle Steel. Inspired by the TV show Downton Abbey, Beauchamp Hall is an uplifting story of an ordinary woman embracing an extraordinary adventure

Nonfiction

‘My Friend Anna’ by Rachel DeLoache Williams. The true story of the fake heiress of New York City

Poetry/ criticism

‘Great Goddesses: Life lessons from myths and monsters’ by Nikita Gill. Step into an ancient world transformed by modern feminist magic.

Children’s fiction

‘On Angel Wings’ by Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Quentin Blake

‘Mimi and the Mountain Dragon’ by Michael Morpurgo.

 

 

Elizabeth and Her German Garden

 

Book review: ‘Elizabeth and Her German Garden’ by Elizabeth Von Arnim

This book is a delightful read which gave a glimpse into the life of a wealthy German lady in the 1800s, who gently mocks the conventions of marriage and motherhood. The chapters show her life through the seasons and depict a rural world that seems long past. Elizabeth truly lives for her garden, but her precious time outdoors is often interrupted by her three children and playing a rather reluctant host to visitors and wife to her ‘Man of Wrath’.

The fictional Elizabeth finds consolation in the beauty of nature and keeps her sanity and humour by remaining outside the conventions of society and the demands of ‘feminine duty’. Off the Shelf Book Club gave this book a score of 9 out of 10

 

 

All Saints Day Was Celebrated

All Saints Day was celebrated on the first Sunday of the month, with Bert Bates giving the congregation an account of the pilgrimage that he and Gwynne undertook in walking the ‘Camino de Santiago de Compostela’. It was a most uplifting spiritual experience meeting up with the other pilgrims who were walking due to many different reasons. The common greeting was ‘Buen Camino’ and the walk was almost 180km long. Many of the congregation had sponsored their walk and the total amount raised was £610, which is to be given towards the work of charities dealing with young people and their problems. Well done Bert and Gwynne who would encourage anyone who is able to undertake this pilgrimage to give it serious thought. Having a kindred spirit to accompany you would help in the quiet rest times to discuss your feelings and to meditate on what you are about.

Remembrance Sunday: We were blessed with a fine, cold, sunny morning as we assembled in church for the service of Remembrance compiled by Ray Harris. It was a most memorable and moving act of remembering the fallen in WWI and WWII and the many wars that have been fought since 1945. Following the service in church the proceedings moved to the village War Memorial where the Vale Brass Band were playing as the procession from church made their way. Following the Silence, wreaths were laid on behalf of the Rector and Churchwardens, the Wenvoe Community Council, the Army Cadets, The Women’s Institute, the Scouts, Gwenfo School and others. The sounding of the Last Post and the Reveille all added to the solemnity of the occasion, as the community of Wenvoe once more remembered the sacrifice of its own sons in the two World Wars. The loose money on the collection plates, with a contribution from church funds came to £300 and has been given to The Royal British Legion for their continuing work in providing lifelong support with members of the Armed Forces who need help.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.

The lantern has now been fitted to the wrought iron arch between the old and the new churchyard; it now awaits connection to the electricity supply. Work has continued in stabilising the gravestones found to be loose in the churchyard. Mike Tucker, our groundsman takes great pleasure in keeping the church surroundings clean and tidy and we receive many compliments from visitors on how well the church and grounds are presented.

We continue to provide ‘Welcome Packs’ to all new householders moving into the village. These are updated on a regular basis and give information on all the activities that can be found in Wenvoe. This is regarded as part of our mission to the wider community in which we live. We welcome them to join in as many of the organisations as they wish, and also to inform them that the church is there to help them through the good times and the sad times.

Jon is always available to discuss any topics in his “Open Door” sessions in church on Monday afternoons as advertised in the church newsletter and church magazine.

The Chattery meets on Thursday 12th December in the Church Hall and will have a Christmas theme with lots going on. The FREE raffle is included in the price of £2.00. All are welcome to join in for tea/coffee and mince pies etc and to chat to old friends and new.

Looking ahead to the Christmas Celebrations

A Christmas Card, giving details of all the Services at St Mary’s will be delivered to all homes in the community.

The Community Carol Service on Wednesday 18 December at 7.00 pm will be followed by mulled wine and mince pies in the Church Hall. The refreshments are provided by the Wenvoe Community Council and all are welcome.

Christmas Eve: Waiting for Jesus is at 5.00 pm and Midnight Mass is at 11.30 pm. The collections at these services are to be given to the work of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at UHW and the Food Bank in Barry.

Christmas Day: The early morning celebration of the Eucharist is at 8.00 am.

We wish all our readers a very Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Parry Edwards

 

 

Scouts Cymru Adult Volunteer Of The Year

 

SCOUTS CYMRU ADULT VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Congratulations to Heulwen Jenkins, 1st Wenvoe Scout Group’s Cub Leader and Assistant Beaver Leader, who was awarded Scouts Cymru’s Adult Volunteer Award for 2019!

At the October Celebration of Scouting annual event at the Metropole Hotel in mid-Wales, Heulwen was presented with her award by Rhian Moore, Chief Commissioner for Wales, and Joe Doherty, Scout Adventurer (Antarctica). They are pictured below along with Glenys Shelley, Cardiff and Vale Scouts, who was also awarded a lifetime achievement award at the ceremony. Many congratulations to both.

“Out of more than 3,100 adult Scout Leaders and assistants across Wales, Heulwen definitely deserves this award for the energy and enthusiasm she brings to delivering our programme and growing our Group. This award recognises her engagement with the Wenvoe community, including inviting other adults in the village to share their skills and experiences with our Young People, and celebrating the badges they are awarded. It is a privilege to have Heulwen as one of our leaders and this award celebrates how she lives the Scout values, champions diversity and inclusion in Scouting and helps Young People and adult volunteers develop #SkillsForLife. Congratulations!”

Tori Thomas, Group Scout Leader, 1st Wenvoe Scouts

A full list of award winners was published on Twitter: @ScoutsCymru. For more information about 1st Wenvoe Scout Group email 1stWenvoe@penarthanddistrict.org.uk or follow us on Twitter: @1stWenvoe

 

 

RHS tips for December

RHS tips this month

1. Check winter protection is still in place.

2. Make sure greenhouse heaters are working.

3. Keep ice broken on ponds.

4. Prune free standing apple and pear trees.

5. Acers, birches and vines should be pruned before Christmas to avoid bleeding of cuts.

6. Harvest leeks, parsnips and winter cabbage.

7. Take hardwood cuttings.

8. Do try to keep mice away from stored produce.

 

Wenvoe Environment group tips:

1. Slips, trips and falls are the causes of most hospital visits. Take extra care this time of year.

2. Keep all tools safe and fit alarms to garden out-buildings.

3. Get all your powered equipment serviced so you’ll be ready for spring.

 

Whatever we do over winter will help when things start to grow again. Look after the lawn by re cutting the edges. If the weather stays mild and it’s dry enough it will need a high cut. Continue to rake the leaves up to let any light on to the grass. Make sure you keep the leaves clear of any alpines you may have as they can be killed off if left covered. Keep an eye on any mould that appears on plants that have been cut back. If not dealt with you may have to replace next year. Garden hygiene helps greatly at this time of year. So please dispose of any infected leaves, as diseases will survive into the following year. Check regularly on corms and tubers you have stored over winter to make sure those that show any signs of rot are removed.

Garden sheds and greenhouses will make good homes for mice as the weather gets colder. Keep all bird food in sealed containers and sweep up any that has spilt. If you can’t stand the thought of dealing with dead mice from spring traps or poisoned bait and you have the humane traps to keep the prey alive, don’t just release them over the neighbours fence or they will be back home before you. To stop them coming back you will need a long walk or bus trip, as they are very good at finding their way home.

Prevent Christmas tree needle drop by choosing a pine or fir tree instead of the traditional Norway spruce. These hold their needles for longer. Keep the tree away from a heat source. Cut trees will last longer if you cut 3” off the bottom of stem and stand in water.

Gardeners, if you want gardening related items for Christmas, make sure you write a list or go and see the man himself. It’s the only way to get what you need.

I have really enjoyed meeting lots of you around the village. Thanks for all the advice and stories. Hope you have a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Take care and happy gardening

 

 

Ogmore to Monknash

Ogmore to Monknash

We parked at Monknash and caught the No. 303 bus to Ogmore. We were to begin our walk just above the estuary of the river Ogmore and travel back along the Heritage coast to Monknash.

Walking down to the car park we looked towards Porthcawl, heavy clouds sat on the horizon but visibility was good. Turning east glimpses of the sun danced on the sea through the thick cloud cover. The forecast was rain so we were dressed in full waterproofs. After half an hour or so we were stripping off the layers as it was quite warm and there was no sign of the promised rain.

On the way down to Southern Down beach we had the first of several sightings of a large brown and black striped caterpillar – probably the fox moth. A flock of sheep looked as though they had ‘purple rinses’.

We headed on towards Dunraven Bay and as we climbed to the walled garden of Dunraven castle a group of people came in our direction – the crew of a King Arthur film (at least that is what they said they were) decked out in medieval dress complete with at least one sword and some arrows.

At Dunraven the first walled paddock was built in this sheltered spot in 1543. Under the stability of the Tudors, country houses had walled gardens to protect against wandering marauders and wild animals and allowing plants to be grown in remote areas. In a corner of the walled garden is a building which looks a bit like a castle but is in fact an ice house; every winter ice would be packed here to freeze food and store it safely. In Victorian times a heated glass house was placed in a south facing position and exotic plants from other parts of the world were grown. The walled garden is also home to the ghost of a young woman called ‘the Blue Lady’. There have been many sightings and it is said that an appearance is followed by the lingering scent of the yellow mimosa flower.

Walking to the viewing point towards the next bay, we were lucky to see the ‘magic waterfall’ – it only appears after rain!

We explored the ruins of Dunraven house which are above the garden and closer to the sea. People were living in Dunraven in Celtic times. The Romans built a fort here and in the 12thC a Knight called Arnold Le Botelier (or Butler) arrived and built a castle. A marriage led to the Vaughan family taking over the estate and they built a manor house in the 16thC. The Wyndhams bought Dunraven in 1642 and built a huge, ostentatious neo-gothic house in 1803. The house was used as a convalescent home during the two World Wars. Finally in 1962 the mansion was demolished, a casualty of the cost of maintenance.

Continuing along the cliff top, we stopped to admire a juvenile Peregrine falcon which hovered near us for ages. As we walked we kept well away from the edge; there are visible signs of erosion even on the surface but looking at the cliffs we could also see the telltale cracks in the rock face which may well succumb to this winter’s storms.

The rocks forming the cliffs of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast were created in the early Jurassic times. The land that is now the Vale of Glamorgan was formed at the bottom of a warm shallow sea near the equator. Most of the rocks were created from the build up of millions of shells of tiny sea creatures, together with mud brought to the sea by ancient rivers. Eventually this was compacted to form limestone.

We stopped for lunch at an Iron Age fort. Shaggy parasol fungus grew in profusion in the area.

Arriving at Monknash beach we were astounded to see the volume of water pouring down the normally tranquil little stream which emerges here. At this point we divided into 2 groups; half of us walked up the stream and back to Monknash to retrieve the cars finding it necessary to wade across several inches of water in one place with the water getting into boots!

As it was low tide, the other group walked along the beach to Nash Point. It feels almost primeval with its craggy rocks eaten away by the sea and no noise apart from the screech of seabirds and the rolling waves. At one point we heard a deep rumble and glanced at the cliffs just in time to see a small but dramatic rock fall. Just as at Monknash the stream at Nash point was very full and we crossed it where it disappears under large rocks. Walking up the road to Marcross we were reunited with the others in the pub for refreshments. (Walk 8.5 miles Map 151)

 

 

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