Month: June 2020

Abercynon to Mountain Ash

Abercynon to Mountain Ash

The aim of this walk was to travel up the Cynon valley from Abercynon to Mountain Ash but keeping about a kilometre to the west of and above the river.

Soon after setting off we came to Abercynon cemetery where there are Commonwealth War Graves. The 29 graves are scattered around the cemetery and marked by narrow upright stones, each with a cross and above that a symbol associated with the regiment of the person buried below.

There were thick clouds overhead but it was a good temperature for walking and we had no rain all day. The route took us northwest past Ynysboeth, Pen-twyn, Perthcelyn and Miskin before descending back to the river at Mountain Ash. Those of us who hadn’t been here before were impressed with the beauty and wildness of the area. We have walked in the Valleys of South Wales many times but this felt more remote than most other places. We were in open moorland with streams accompanying us for most of the walk.

The theme for the day seemed to be ‘Walls’. We saw a long stretch of wall absolutely smothered in moss which glowed green. Not long afterwards we walked along an extensive stone wall which was well made but beginning to show cracks; will anyone have the skill or time to mend it?

For lunch we sat against a wall looking back at where we had walked, while a cow stood the other side of another wall looking at us the whole time we were there. They were sheltering from the wind to which we were exposed as we felt it best not to eat in the company of cows.

Our descent to Mountain Ash was through the woodlands of Craig Abercwm and Fernhill where there were no street names just numbers which were quite large in places, a bit unusual.

We crossed the railway and then the river Cynon to enter Mountain Ash. Here we found a park with an Impressive War Memorial having writing and figures carved into each face. A stone circle is nearby. We followed the footpath alongside the river to the railway station but were hampered by drainage pipes which were still in place following the heavy winter rains.

As the footpath crossed the river Cynon and turned towards the station we encountered a strange wall covered in sculpted heads. An article appeared in Wales Online in April last year about the wall and it was headlined ‘The creepy wall hidden in a Welsh town which hardly anyone knows about’. They also said ‘Once seen never forgotten’ and I agree. I found it fascinating. For the author of the article it looks like something out of Game of Thrones.

It is made up of dozens of stone severed heads, ghoulish grimaces and strange creatures. After looking at it for a while you start to notice that some animals are also included e.g. a rabbit peeks out from a ground level tunnel. It was originally based on Greek mythology and the goddess Hebe and ideas of Welsh folklore and images of miners’ faces underground worked their way into the design.

The ex-landlady of a nearby pub is quoted as saying that ‘they used to joke that the faces were based on some of the regulars as they’d stagger home.’

The artist is Blackpool-born Tim Clapcott, who won a tender in 2007 to transform the area of town now known as Riverside Park. It was part of an EU and Welsh Assembly regeneration project. Tim went to Art College in Cardiff in the 1980s and thinks that that particular bit of land was a former slag heap. It took him about a year from conception to completion of the project. The actual sweat and toil took about 6 weeks with the help of local stone masons and labourers.

The concept went on to win a British Landscape Award. I asked a local about the wall and she said that they represented the miners who had worked in local mines and ‘I don’t know why they put them here. Who is going to see them?’ I found that an interesting idea the miners hidden underground are available for all to see but in a location that most people wouldn’t expect to find them. This piece of public art is definitely worth seeing. Continuing to the railway station we saw mosaics on the ground and then travelled by train back to Abercynon.

Walk 7.6 miles and 1500ft ascent. Map 166.

 

 

Enjoy The Outdoors And Stay Safe

Enjoy The Outdoors And Stay Safe

It has been great to see so many people out visiting the orchards and other wildlife sites. Please remember that the sites have largely been created by and are managed by the Wildlife Group in the village. All members are volunteers and we receive no official funding. All sites are there only because the landowners, whether the Vale of Glamorgan Council or local farmers, have supported the projects and allowed the space to be used. If anyone, whether adults on their own or families, would like to help, do get in touch.

Of course, access to the countryside brings with it the responsibility to look after it and whilst many will be aware of the Highway Code, how many of you know the Countryside Code? Here it is as a reminder, this version taken from the Welsh Government website.
Respect other people. Consider the local community and other people enjoying the outdoors. Leave gates and property as you find them and follow paths unless wider access is available.
Protect the natural environment. Leave no trace of your visit and take your litter home. Keep dogs under effective control.
Enjoy the outdoors and stay safe. Plan ahead and be prepared. Follow advice and local signs.
You will find more detail in leaflets and on websites. These thoughts are often summed up as:
Take only photographs – leave only footprints.

 

 

Footpath Closures Lifted

Footpath Closures Lifted

The Vale of Glamorgan Council previously closed Public Footpaths at Cosmeston Country Park, Porthkerry Country Park, Dunraven Bay, Ogmore-by-Sea and Atlantic College.

All of these closures, which were introduced as part of coronavirus measures, have now been lifted. No formal closures associated with coronavirus remain in place at this time.

When making use of public paths please exercise responsibly, stay local and follow public health advice.

Following the lockdown landowners have raised concerns about increased use of public rights of way on their property, increased numbers of dogs, and perceived risks of exposure to Covid-19 for residents and farm workers, particularly where family members are either vulnerable and/or self-isolating.

To help address this, the Welsh Government have published guidance: ‘Stay active, stay healthy, stay local’ and increased messaging around responsible recreation.

Landowners do not have the legal right to block or obstruct public rights of way or access land. However, in very limited circumstances where large numbers of people are using such routes or where residents are vulnerable or self-isolating, landowners may consider the following measures:

  • Temporarily displaying polite notices that encourage users to respect local residents and workers by following social distancing guidelines and consider using alternative routes that do not pass through gardens or farmyards*.
  • Offering an alternative route around gardens and farmyards only where it is safe to do so (you must gain permission from relevant landowners and make sure the route is safe for users and livestock) provided that the original right of way is maintained.

 

*This is a polite request only, and there is no power under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW) or the Highways Act 1980 for landowners to close or obstruct a public right of way or use of access land.

Key points to note under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and the Highways Act 1980:

  • Under Section 137 the Highways Act 1980 and section 14 of CROW it is an offence to obstruct the free passage along a public right of way or Access Land.
  • It is an offence under Section 57 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 to display a notice that contains “any false or misleading statement likely to deter the public from using” a right of way.
  • It is also an offence under section 14 of CROW to display a sign which deters the public from exercising their right to use that access land.
  • It is an offence under Section 132 of the Highways Act 1980 to display on the surface of a public right of way or on any tree or structure within the public right of way any unauthorised sign or mark.
  • Land owners may be liable for personal injury under section 2 of the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 and Section 1 of the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1984 if they are reckless or intend to create a risk – for example by offering a dangerous alternative.

 

This means that:

  • If a land owner offers an alternative route, they must ensure that it is safe to use and that the existing right of way or use of access land is maintained so that users with differing abilities have a choice.
  • A notice must not imply that there is any doubt about the use of the existing right of way or use of access land.

 

These temporary measures must be lifted as soon as social distancing measures are relaxed.

 

 

VE Day 75 Celebrations

VE DAY 75 CELEBRATIONS

 

 

 

CALLING ALL VE75 CELEBRATION PHOTOGRAPHS

I am in the process of compiling an album of photographs taken during the VE75 day celebrations around the village. I already have upwards of one hundred but would love any more that could be sent to me to add to them. I think this will prove to be a really lovely addition to Wenvoe history archives and is particularly important as a visual record of a joyful day in trying and unusual times. If you have any photographs that you would like to include please copy them into an email to me at pukkatucker@gmail.com

 

Thank you,

Glenys Tucker

 

 

The June Letter From Jon

Dear All,
I hope you are all well and that you and those you love are staying safe at these trying times.
On Saturday 16th May, I was sent an email by Llandaff Diocese outlining the Welsh Governments strategy on how Places of Worship may emerge from lockdown.
In essence there are four phases:
Black Phase – where we are at the time of writing
Closure of places of worship.
Red Phase – Opening of places of worship for private prayer under physical distancing
Amber Phase – Limit services and size of congregations linked to ability to ensure physical distancing
Green Phase – All places of worship open for full services, alongside physical distancing
We are obviously a long way from being in the Green Phase, but it is good that myself and the church councils of Wenvoe and St Lythans can begin to make plans about how we can proceed to move initially into the Red Phase. I obviously do not have a time scale for this, but it is important that we do start to make plans so that we can open our buildings as soon as possible.
St Mary’s in Wenvoe and St Bleddian’s are there for you, whether you are a person of faith or not. When we open our doors again you are very welcome to come in and just soak up the peace and atmosphere of the buildings, and remember that these places have stood for hundreds of years and have been through wars and plague. These are buildings that will be there for you and future generations to come to.
I look forward to seeing you and sharing time with you once this period of self-isolation is concluded.
Take care, and many blessings to you all.
Jon,
Vicar of Wenvoe and St Lythans

 

 

We are delighted to hear that the Glamorgan Voluntary Service has presented organisations and individuals in Wenvoe with ‘Outstanding Volunteering Achievement Awards’ in recognition of their contribution during the COVID19 crisis.

The certificate pictured, is awarded to Wenvoe Community Council. Many more certificates will be presented to organisations and individuals shortly.

Mark Stillman, who is the Marketing and Membership Officer for GVS said: ‘Volunteers Week is celebrated in June every year and the work you have undertaken is highly commendable’.

 

 

June Planning Updates

Planning updates

The following applications have been approved.

• Northcliffe Rise, St Lythans Road, Duffryn – First floor extension and garage conversion to existing dwelling. New single storey detached garage and two storey with basement detached workshop/storage. Also including alterations to existing entrance and landscaping existing garden.

• Valegate Retail Park, Culverhouse Cross, Cardiff.

 6 No. Flexface signs above 4 no. unit entrances within Valegate Retail Park.

 

• 43, Gwern Close, St. Lythans Park –Conversion of existing integrated garage into bedroom.

 

 

No Meeting In May

The Community Council has again not met in May because of lockdown rules. It was agreed by all councillors that the existing membership and councillor roles would continue until such time as council can meet in a conventional manner. However, there has to be a meeting soon, possibly by electronic means, to approve the accounts for 2019/2020.

The lighting in the main hall at the Community Centre has been refurbished and a new projection screen installed.

A project to replace the existing library building has been started. It appears that, even without the Welsh Government grant that was rejected, there may be sufficient funding to construct a new building, without it being attached to the community centre.

 

 

IT’S AN EMERGENCY….

IT’S AN EMERGENCY….
POSTERS AND SLOGANS AT THE READY!

 

There’s nothing like an emergency to create a new raft of creative public service slogans and posters. Perhaps the most famous are those from the two World Wars. From the notorious WWI recruitment poster ‘Your County Needs You’ to the clever and guilt tripping ‘Daddy, what did you do in the Great War?’ slogans and images have been familiar parts of wartime imagery in the UK. WWII brought us ‘Dig for Victory’ and ‘Careless Talk Costs Lives’.

In more recent times, governments across the globe have had to get creative, to warn, educate and ‘encourage us’ to get up to speed with coronavirus and obey the rules. ‘Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives’ has given way in England to ‘Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives.’ A London-based creative team, James Hodson and Jason Keet, recently revived some of the UK’s most famous and catchy World War 1 and World War 2 slogans, to help in the new global battle against the spread of Covid-19. Instead of taking up arms, the country now requires us to ‘Sit on the Sofa’ and ‘Click For Victory’ by shopping online.

Australia has a well-deserved reputation for pulling no punches with public service posters etc. Their ‘If you drink and drive you’re a bloody idiot’ sums up the clarity usually adopted. Covid 19? No worries! Crocodile Dundee and kangaroos to the rescue. Swapping his trademark hunting knife for a butter knife, Dundee is pictured in a safety vest with the label: ‘Protecting Australia’s citizens from themselves.’ The posters below suggest correct social distancing need not be a problem. Every Aussie must know exactly what to do when they exercise with their kangaroos and koalas!

Twenty years ago, Stuart Manley found a dusty copy of the Second World War poster ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ in his second hand book shop in Alnwick, Northumberland. It was originally designed in the summer of 1939, by the shadow Ministry of Information. The choice of Red and White, copied from Hitler’s ‘Mein Kampf’, was chosen in the belief that the combination would produce a strong psychological reaction from the public. Although 2.5 million were produced, the surprising thing is that it was never actually issued. Officials feared that ‘it may annoy people that we should seem to doubt the steadiness of their nerves.’ The keep calm message didn’t seem totally relevant during the months of ‘phoney war’ which followed the declaration of hostilities in September 1939. By the time the Nazi Blitzkrieg began in Western Europe in the spring of 1940, a newly appointed director of Home Publicity decided to scrap ‘Keep Calm and Carry On.’ Stocks were pulped to help overcome a serious paper shortage. In spite of this, the poster and its many modern derivatives, has become one of the most recognisable in British history. Today we are advised to ‘Keep Calm and Wash Your Hands.’ We might as well add ‘Keep Calm and Sort out the Loft’ and of course, ‘Keep Calm and Wave to Friends and Neighbours As You Walk Around the Village!’

 

 

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