Month: February 2020

Did Anyone Ever Escape From Alcatraz

Did Anyone Ever Escape From Alcatraz

In the movie entitled “Escape from Alcatraz” starring actor Clint Eastwood, Frank Morris was portrayed as the keen and brilliant mastermind of one of the most famous prison escapes in history. The FBI and American authorities’ official version is that the plan failed, the prisoners drowned and no-one ever escaped from ‘The Rock’.

Frank Lee Morris had spent a lifetime in the prison system before his arrival on Alcatraz, mostly for armed robbery. Morris was credited by prison officials as possessing superior intelligence, and he had a reputation for brilliant escapes. This was why he was put on The Rock in January 1960. John and Clarence Anglin were also clever escapers.

The plan was extremely complex and involved the design and fabrication of ingenious lifelike dummies, water rafts, and life preservers, fashioned from over fifty rain coats that had been acquired from other inmates – some donated and some stolen. They would also require a variety of crudely made tools to dig with, and to construct the accessories necessary for the escape. By May of 1962, Morris and the Anglins had already dug through the cell’s six-by-nine-inch vent holes, and had started work on the vent on top of the cellblock.

The inmates alternated shifts, with one working and one on lookout. They would start work at 5:30pm and continue till about 9:00pm, just prior to the lights-out count. Meanwhile, John and Clarence started fabricating the dummy heads, and even gave them the pet names of “Oink” and “Oscar.” The heads were crude but lifelike, and were constructed from a homemade cement-powder mixture that included such innocuous materials as soap and toilet paper. They were decorated with flesh-tone paint from prison art kits, and human hair from the barbershop.

Using glue stolen from the glove shop, the inmates also started working to cut and bond the raincoats into a makeshift raft and life preservers. Each evening, following the completion of their self-imposed work detail, they would hide the materials on top of the cellblock to minimize any chance of being caught with the contraband materials.

After months of long preparation, the inmates were ready. Immediately after lights-out at 9:30pm, the inmates made their final thirty-foot climb up the plumbing to the cell house roof, crossed 100 feet across the rooftop, and then carefully manoeuvred down fifty feet of piping to the ground near the entrance to the shower area. This would be the last

anyone ever saw of Morris and the Anglin Brothers.

In a later interview, prisoner Allen West said that their plan had been to use their raft to make their way to nearby Angel Island. After resting, they would swim to the mainland. They would steal a car, take clothes from a store, and then venture out in their own separate directions.

For decades speculation abounded as to whether this famous escape attempt had been successful. The FBI spent several years investigating, and later resolved that the inmates’ plan had failed.

The FBI said:

  • The men had neither friends nor relatives with the financial resources to come to San Francisco and assist in the escape e.g. buying a boat.
  • There would have been no way to communicate with outside contacts in order to confirm the date of the break.
  • The Bay waters were too cold and dangerous for anyone to survive.
  • Relatives were watched and the men didn’t contact them.

 

People who believe they escaped say:

  • The men planned it all on their own and didn’t need help.
  • They had made proper life rafts and equipment.
  • The FBI wanted everyone to think they were dead.

 

 

Tanzania Expedition – Jacob Morgan

Tanzania Expedition – Jacob Morgan

I just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone in the village who supported me in fundraising for Tanzania. I will be leaving very soon, on February 10th, for my 10 week expedition and I am very excited.

The picture below is of me at the top of Pen Y Fan, after completing it 5 times in one day back in November.

This fundraiser along with the quiz and raffle night held at the pub received huge support from so many of you, and I am very grateful. I am extremely proud to be able to say that the fundraising target of £3,450 for Raleigh International was reached, which is truly amazing. A total of £1,265 of that was raised by you, the generous people of Wenvoe.

So once again I would like to thank all of you for the lovely messages and support I received. It really means a lot to me. I look forward to telling you all about my trip when I am back in the summer.

 

 

Cowbridge to Ystradowen.

Cowbridge to Ystradowen.

In contrast to most other Saturdays this winter the day dawned frosty and clear. What a relief after Storm Brendan and all the rain. We walked from Aberthin towards Prisk and Ystradowen in glorious sunshine. The views in all directions were brilliantly clear and we admired the beautiful country in which we live – a bit of sunshine makes all the difference. We saw several rams separated from ewes, donkeys, a llama and the first sighting of lambs this winter.

At Ystradowen we saw St Owain’s church and headed west passing a motte before turning south for our return journey. We found a relatively dry field where we basked in the sunshine while eating lunch . A caterpillar chose to crawl across one of our boots; it was carefully removed.

After lunch the ground was waterlogged in places even though numerous ditches have been dug to drain the land. On a lane we found one ditch clogged with leaves which two people valiantly cleared with their walking poles and the water gushed away. Fortunately we walked along the road, past Newton towards Newton moor; the fields had reeds growing in them and signs of recent flooding.

Skirting Cowbridge we crossed the Aberthin road to climb a hill, following a footpath. A blocked footpath forced us down a quiet road for the final stretch. (Walk 7.75 miles 650ft Map 151)

 

 

Barry

Barry

The forecast was that Storm Brian was going to blow hard with intermittent heavy showers. Still 13 brave souls set out from Cold Knap and quickly moved down to the lake to seek shelter from the wind. Many seabirds had the same idea and we even saw a black swan on the lake.

We walked over to Barry’s Whitmore Bay via Jackson’s Bay, Clements Colley Walk and Nell’s Point. Returning after a well -earned drink to Cold Knap we agreed that all cobwebs were blown away and we felt refreshed and very glad we had ventured forth. (Walk 5 miles)

 

 

Cowbridge and Sigingstone.

Cowbridge and Sigingstone.

The weather forecast was sunshine and showers but we only saw sunshine in the distance and had more than our fair share of showers. We set out from Llanblethian Church near Cowbridge, along the Valeways Millennium Heritage trail crossing a very full Factory brook.

We crossed a field where the remains of a World War II runway are visible and as we approached Siginstone, found an Air crash memorial slate which marks the 40th anniversary of a tragedy. ‘On Sunday 12th March 1950 a Tudor V Aeroplane returning from Dublin crashed 200 yards from this spot as it approached Llandow Aerodrome. 75 Welsh rugby supporters and 5 crew died. There were just 3 survivors. In Belfast the day before Wales had won the Triple Crown.’ The plane had done many relief trips to Berlin before crashing on its return from Dublin. Fans had a lot of luggage (souvenirs?) and it is thought this caused the crash. As a result airlines introduced baggage weight limits.

 

Next to the air crash memorial stone is Sigingstone Pond. We chatted to a man who lived in the house next to it and he told us that his father had the farm above the pond and cattle used to come down to the pond to drink. His grandfather would fill buckets at a tap in the wall above a spring and carry it up to the farm.

At the Victoria Inn, Sigingstone we turned onto a stretch that was particularly muddy with muck coming over boots; most of us carefully skirted the edge but one person ventured into the worst of it! We were relieved to emerge onto a long path between two hedges glowing golden in their winter coats.

We took the road to Crossways House passing what appeared to be its own sewage processing plant. The boundary wall at the front of the house proved an excellent place to sit and eat our lunch.

Between Penllyn (north of A48) and St Brynach’s Church are a series of coffin stiles, which consist of two stiles side by side with a wall between them on which a coffin could be rested as the stile is climbed. St Brynach’s Church was for centuries the parish church of Penllyn and remains its burial ground even though it is a mile away. It is thought that the stone traces of settlement close to the church are of Romano British origin and the ‘village’ was wiped out by the Black Death (14thC). The church boasts ‘no electricity, lighting or heating’.

Although the stiles on the Millennium Way were well maintained most of the others were pretty poor, sometimes surrounded by mud and there were plenty of double stiles! We stopped at the Bonvilston cafe for tea and they served us even though they had shut the dining room. (Walk 7 miles 650ft Map 151).

 

 

Happy New Year everyone!

Happy New Year everyone!

Since getting back into the flow of uni work, I’ve come to realise recently that just maybe some of my work-life balances aren’t as healthy as they probably should be.

These days, I wouldn’t dare submit an essay the day it’s due – I’m too worried something will go wrong and it won’t make it in. For some reason, I need for my essays to be submitted the night before it’s due (at the latest). For me, it’s a comfort to see it’s actually gone through and I still have a little time to change anything if need be.

You’d think submitting an essay two days before it’s due would be a relief – it is, but I still worry the link’s been lost or I’ve forgotten to add something and time after time I’ve resubmitted an essay three or four times because there’s just one more thing I think it needs.

I bet my parents are rejoicing (to an extent) when I tell them sometimes – my first year of GCSE saw me doing the bare minimum. I think part of it is me realising that the bare minimum for me is disappointing; it makes me guilty, because I know I’m better than that.

If I haven’t learnt my flashcards to the dot the day of the exam, I’m scared I’ll fail. My best isn’t always phenomenal, but I feel worse if I do badly and I hadn’t tried my hardest. Maybe it’s because I know that if my results are less than stellar, there’s no way anyone can tell me it’s because I didn’t try hard enough. It’s still gutting but at least I have the peace of mind that maybe I just can’t necessarily do that particular subject.

I think I have quite low standards for myself, too. It’s laughable how excited I get when I get good feedback on some work. I wrote the beginning of a script for this year’s module at the start of the year, and I still can’t stop fixating on the positive feedback. I’ve always been the kind of person who feels boosted by positive feedback. I’m petty enough that part of me wants to do better than the teacher thinks I can do sometimes (ahem, see History A Level Vietnam War coursework) but generally speaking, I can feel deflated if my feedback has no positives.

I guess part of me thinks I have something to prove. I’m studying for a degree in subjects I should excel at; I get worried when I don’t do as well as I’d like to.

It’s hard I suppose to fall out of old habits sometimes, even if they’re not as healthy as they should be. I don’t think I’ll ever be the kind of person who doesn’t need to check everything twice before submitting, which to some extent is a good thing – just maybe not when it’s quite so neurotic.

But maybe this next decade needs to be different. I’d like to learn to be (a little) more carefree with my attitudes to work. I don’t think submitting my essays a few days in advance is a problem, but I should definitely learn to be more conscious that as long as I’ve checked it to the best of my ability before submitting it, that it doesn’t need any more work.

I’d like to learn to be calmer when it comes to exams. There’s nothing I can do to change the outcome the second I leave the exam hall – whatever happens, happens. Funnily enough, the exams last year actually went pretty well (doesn’t mean I didn’t think about them throughout the summer). I’d like to learn to leave my worries on the exam hall floor.

I’d like to learn to see the positives of my work. To be able to say ‘Okay, this bit wasn’t perfect, but that’s fine’. I’d like to learn that perfect shouldn’t have to be the operative word every time. I’d like to incorporate more positive attitudes to my work. Perfect isn’t always necessary; I think for me, it’s probably too much to have to think of everything as perfect every time. I’d like to learn to look at my work and not be consumed by the negatives.

I feel like a hypocrite sometimes when I’ve said to others that they should be careful to balance their work-life time effectively, when I know I’m not necessarily doing the same. The title of this column could be considered an example of said hypocrisy.

Should probably start taking my own advice, soon.

Despite what I’d like to learn, one thing I have learned the past few months is that it’s okay for me to leave university with a 2:1 if it means I’m okay. A First Class, and that craved perfection isn’t worth risking my mental health.

As we head into 2020 and this next decade, I need to remember that my mental health is more important than being perfect.

By Tirion Davies

 

 

Planning For the New Year

Planning For the New Year

President Madeleine welcomed everyone and extended New Year greetings to all present. We were delighted to have 3 visitors – Sandra, Debbie and Diane. We certainly hope they will visit again.

Our speaker for the evening was Stephen Allen. Stephen is the Chief Officer of South Glamorgan Community Health Council (the Patients’ Watchdog). His wonderful talk was packed with information and stories regarding the work of the Community Health Council – from its involvement in “Save the Sam Davies Ward” campaign (Barry Hospital) to advice on submitting complaints about the NHS.

Changes will soon be taking place. The Community Health Council will become a new Citizens Advice Bureau. The new body will cover social care as well as health care – something which can only be a positive move forward.

After refreshments we proceeded with WI business. Members were thanked for all their contributions towards our December Christmas party evening. It was announced that a Christmas card had been sent to Pat Williams at the home in Porthcawl where she is still spending time. Glamorgan events were read out. Then each member voted for one of the five resolutions listed and explained in the recent edition of WI life.

Our next meeting will be on Thursday, 6th February at 7pm at Wenvoe Church Hall, when we will be enjoying “Musical Moments with Maria”. Any visitors can always be assured of a warm welcome and there is no charge

 

 

‘A Winter Book’ by Tove Jansson

‘A Winter Book’ by Tove Jansson

‘A Winter Book’ by Tove Jansson. This is a quirky collection of short stories by an author more renowned for her children’s books about the Moomins.

On one level they are an easy read but also have depth and gravitas. They are written from the point of view of a naive child and are simple and non- pretentious. The descriptions of scenery are vivid, and it is easy to picture the situations and even smell the smells from the text. A sense of humour pervades the stories which reflect the bohemian upbringing of Tove. We all enjoyed the stories and recommend giving the book a score of 8/10.

 

 

Concentrating On Our Book Stock

Concentrating On Our Book Stock

In the following months we shall be using this page to review varying facets of our library provision. This month concentrates on our BOOK STOCK which is a key asset and plays a major role in our service.

The Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 states that libraries should provide ‘a comprehensive and efficient library service for all persons desiring to make use thereof’. One of the cornerstones of a library is having a well organised and suitable book stock. To this end we are regularly liaising with the Vale Council section who are responsible for ordering our books.

Our aims are to maintain and develop an attractive book stock.

FICTION: New titles, classic and perennially popular titles. Factors to consider are performance of titles by the same author, series of books for consistency, and influence of the media

NON-FICTION: Popularity of the subject, how specialist is the material and the quality of the book

CHILDREN: A balance of familiar, comforting books as well as books to challenge, excite and delight children.

TEENAGERS: Well-known authors, particularly series, and up-to-the-minute games.

ANALYSIS:

  • We are in contact with the Vale to provide us with some statistical analysis of our book stock
  • How we think of a book is subjective; in book clubs a novel will receive a score of 9/10 from one reader and 2/10 from another
  • Our plea is to have some extra input, some male and teenage voices would be much appreciated
  • Please call into the library or send us an email. We would really value your suggestions.

 

Iain Pate “A Journey in Flavours”

Many thanks to Iain who gave us a comical and entertaining talk on his experiences in the flavours industry. We can look forward to yet another of Iain’s amusing talks later on in the year, when he reveals his relationship to Catherine Cookson through his infamous great grandfather.

Christmas Raffle. Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket. £322.00 was raised. All of this goes towards our running costs.

The winners were:

Large hamper – Richard, Whitehall Close – Green ticket 113

Small hamper – James, Goldsland Walk- Green 255

Red wine – Zena , Old Port Road -Green 163

White wine – Colin, Goldsland Walk – Blue 116

Chocolates – Jane, St Andrew’s Road – Blue 146

Smellies – Gillian, c/o Clare – Yellow 110

Table decoration – Erica, Goldsland Walk – Green 245

Table decoration – Laura, Burdons Close – Green 247

Table decoration – Kath, Orchard Close – Yellow 61

Table decoration – Gloria, Old Port Road – Green 158

 

 

Mediterranean Fish Casserole

Mediterranean Fish Casserole

2 tbsp. garlic olive oil

2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped

2 red onions, sliced

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

2 red peppers, deseeded and cut into strips

100ml dry white wine

2 x 400g can chopped tomatoes

1 tbsp. sun dried tomato paste

Salt and fresh black pepper

650-700g skinless firm white fish, cod, haddock, cut into large bit sized pieces

125g pitted black olives, cut in half

Fresh thyme sprigs to decorate.

Heat the oil in a large shallow non stick pan with lid, then stir in the garlic and onions. Cover and cook over a gentle heat for about 10 mins. Add the paprika and peppers and cook, stirring, for about 1 min. Add the wine and bring to the boil, then bubble to reduce the liquid by half. Add the tomatoes and tomato paste, then season. Bring to the boil, reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 15 min. Add the fish and simmer for about 5-6 min until just cooked. Stir in the olives and serve. Garnish with thyme.

Serve with buttered French beans and rice

 

 

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