Month: August 2020

Walk Leader’s Adventures

Walk Leader’s Adventures

Boris and Mark urged and encouraged people to “Stay Local” in the early days of the lockdown due to the Coronavirus. As the lockdown is eased and people are actively being persuaded to have a staycation, it seems appropriate to leave Mt Kenya, Mt Kilimanjaro and the Himalayas to describe a more local adventure…on Mt Snowdon.

Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa in Welsh) is the highest mountain in Wales and England (1085m) and can offer views of Pembrokeshire, Anglesey and Ireland on a clear day. On my many ascents, I have never been fortunate to see that far!

The first recorded ascent of Snowdon was by Thomas Johnson in 1639. My plan was to take a group of 15 European students from an English Language summer school to follow in Johnson’s footsteps. The 16-18 year old students had come to a Language school in Shropshire for a month, to improve their English. They did English language activities in the mornings and sports and cultural activities and visits in the afternoon. As the Sports teacher, I decided to offer the students the opportunity to experience Welsh culture and challenge themselves to climb in the wild and magnificent Snowdonia landscape.

An excited and excitable group set off from the Language school. The mini bus was filled with a reverberation of cheerful students making themselves understood in an assortment of languages. On board we had students from Spain, France, Portugal, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Denmark: and they were determined to share their thoughts and communicate!

We arrived at the Pen y Pass car park ready for the 6 hours return journey to the peak and back. We were well prepared: the route had been planned, weather forecast had been checked and the students had appropriate footwear and equipment. Food, water, first aid kits, whistles and insulated foil blankets were carried in small rucksacks. We were ready for any eventuality! Or so we thought!

We set off along the Miners track. The Miners Path was built to carry copper from the Britannia Copper Works near Llyn Glaslyn to Pen y Pass, where it was transported to Caernarfon. Remains of the mining works could be seen as we steadily climbed. The views were glorious as the sun shone down on green grassy hillsides and the water sparkled as we passed by the lakes of Llyn Teyrn, across Y Cob Causeway to Llyn Llydaw. Chatter had changed to a hum as the climbing took its toil on the slope near Llyn Glaslyn. We stopped for lunch.

Mountain weather can be unpredictable and changeable. And change came. What had started off

as a walk under sunny, blue skies changed rapidly as we ate lunch into a “white out”. Thick mist descended upon us and it was impossible to see the whole party even though we were tightly packed onto the hillside above the lake, which was now invisible to us, concealed by the fog. I was anxious and felt apprehensive about continuing as I knew there was a steep and tricky climb ahead, often requiring the use of hands. I was in a dilemma; should I descend?

And then….out of the mist emerged a mountain guide and his sheep dog….He asked if everything was going okay. I explained how I was in a predicament about continuing the climb. The students were keen to continue but not knowing how bad the visibility was up ahead, I did not want to put anyone at risk. The guide then offered to take us to the summit, and return us to the start of the climb. What a hero!!

In very poor visibility, we followed the guide and his dog up the zig zags to Bwlch Glas and reached the summit after a further gentle walk. There was no view of Ireland or Pembroke to greet us, but the students congratulated each other in a multitude of languages and took numerous pictures of themselves with the dog.

As we descended the Pyg track and reached Bwlch y Moch, the mist lifted and we were treated to splendid views down the Llanberis pass. When we reached the mini bus, the guide left us. The students thought I had arranged for the guide and the dog to guide us …..and I am sure their adventure on Snowdon has passed into English Language Schools Folklore.

When we do meet again at Barry Island or Cosmeston on our Living with Cancer walk or Carers walk, I promise that if a mist descends I will get you back to the car park! I hope to see you soon on a walk. Valeways are expecting to restart their led walks in mid August, so check out the programme on their website.

 

 

Falling in Love (Death at La Fenice)

 

Off The Shelf

Falling in Love (Death at La Fenice)

 

Falling in Love (Death at La Fenice) was this month’s book written by American author Donna Leon. Leon lived in Venice for many years and has written a series of crime novels set in and around the city, featuring her fictional hero Commissario Guido Brunetti.

Flavia Petrelli has returned to Venice and La Fenice to sing the lead in Tosca. Lately, an unknown fan has been sending copious bouquets of yellow roses to the dressing rooms of the international opera houses where Flavia has been singing. In the beginning Flavia was flattered by the thoughtfulness of the anonymous fan but now the growing number of floral tokens have become extreme and Flavia has become disturbed by the attention of what now appears to be that of a stalker.

Flavia is a family friend of detective Guido Brunetti and she tells him of her concerns. When her ex-lover is attacked, Brunetti realises that Flavia’s life could be in danger. The plot grinds on to a never-ending finale.

This was not a popular book with our members. Other than sharing the obvious love the author has for Venice and opera, the story line did not capture our hearts. It was an easy read but we thought that the plot was far-fetched and implausible. We felt obliged to finish the book rather than enjoy it. We gave the book 5/10.

Your contributions

We would love to receive a review or synopsis of a book you are reading during lockdown. Please email your contributions to wenvoelibrary@outlook.com

 

 

Library Matters – August

                          WENVOE COMMUNITY LIBRARY

Tel: 02920 594176 – during opening hours or wenvoelibrary@outlook.com

Like and follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/WenvoeCommunityLibrary

Vale of Glamorgan Libraries

Our new Click and Collect Service will operate at Barry, Cowbridge, Llantwit Major and Penarth Libraries. All other Libraries remain closed for the time being. You can order books, talking books and DVDs online from our catalogue https://bit.ly/37VRDhJ or by phone.

Even though our Community Library is temporarily closed, you can register on-line for instant access to our online resources from home. You can find further information on the Vale of Glamorgan site.

Not sure what to read next, or don’t have access to the catalogue? Just ring up Barry Library on 01446 422425 and ask the staff to put together a lucky dip bag of the types of books you like to read. Staff will contact you by email or phone when your books are ready with details of how to arrange your collection. Please collect the books at your allocated date and time from the library entrance at 160 Kings Square, Barry CF63 4RW. Books can be returned anytime during new library opening hours. Drop your books in the return bins at the entrance.

Wenvoe Community Library Facebook stories

To keep in touch with the community during lockdown, we are currently planning a series of stories that you can view on our Facebook page. These will be read by volunteers and friends of the library and available to view from August.

Look out for the next issue of ‘What’s On’ for the programme for the month. There will be stories for children and adults in both English and Welsh. If you would like to be involved, please email us. To maintain social distancing, we can video you reading your story outdoors.

Summer 2020 Reading Challenge

Information Sheet for Parents and Guardians

The launch of the Summer Reading Challenge in Wales commenced on Friday 17 July. It is not too late to meet the Silly Squad and have fun taking part in all sorts of challenges and games.

  • Joining: Your child signs up to the easy-to-use website and creates their own profile at: Sillysquad.org.uk.
  • Prizes: If your child signs up online, they will receive digital prizes as they read.
  • Reading: Your child reads six or more books of their choice: fiction, non-fiction, joke books, picture books; any books they like either from the library, e-lending platforms or books from home. Why not read together as a family, encourage reading aloud or read to your pet. Use the online prizes as an incentive for your child to read.
  • Discussion: Encourage discussion around the book the child is reading. Use our hints and tips and starter question sheet to encourage discussion. Your child can write a review on the website or post on our social media pages.

Recycling, food and garden bags

Unfortunately there will be no access to our library buildings during this period. To order new recycling bags please complete the order form on the Council’s recycling webpage https://bit.ly/2Z0VwOi

Clwb Clonc

We are still meeting online every Monday at 11 a.m. If you would like to join us and keep up with your Welsh language skills, then sign into Zoom. The log-in details are the same each week -Meeting ID: 760-4305-6456. Password: 5dgcwT. We’d love to see you.

 

 

The Book Character I Would Most Like to Meet

Page Turners

The Book Character Page Turners Would Most Like to Meet

A survey for World Book Day asked ‘leading lights of literary luminaries’ to name the characters who gave them the greatest reading pleasure. The list included Pip (Great Expectations), Elizabeth Bennett (Pride and Prejudice), Sherlock Holmes (Hound of the Baskervilles etc), Gandalf (Lord of the Rings) and Anne (Anne of Green Gables). The Page Turners were asked to select a character from a book that they would most like to meet.
Sylvia would like a whodunit solved. She would like to meet Mlle de Poitiers, the French Mistress from the book, ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’ by Joan Lindsay. Sylvia would be keen to talk with her about the ‘event’ and the pupils involved. The detective Endeavour, from the Morse series by Colin Dexter was Helen’s choice. Helen believes he is a dour, irascible character who has the ability to collate a series of clues. Endeavour also has the prowess to effortlessly complete The Times crossword every day, and Helen would greatly appreciate meeting him to obtain some tips!! Tess would like a walk down memory lane and meet up with Sir Wilfred Thesiger author of ‘Arabian Sands’ and ‘The Marsh Arabs’. Tess spent many years in the Middle East and would like to chat with Sir Wilfred of their shared experiences of crossing the Empty Quarter (Rub-al-Khali) and travels in the Middle East. Babs selected the character Olive Ketteridge from the novel of the same name by Elizabeth Strout. This novel comprises of 13 short stories, highlighting characters living in Crosby, Maine. The common thread in each of the stories is Olive, a retired school teacher, who has impacted in many ways on the lives of different characters. Babs believes Olive is cranky, opinionated, complex and fascinating: and she thinks they would become friends if they ever met! Lynne chose Celie, an African-American woman living in the deep American south, from the novel ‘The Colour Purple’ by Alice Walker. Celie was born into poverty and segregation and spends most of her life being mistreated and abused by the men in her life. Celie eventually takes charge of her own destiny and becomes free of her abusive past. A strong, hopeful and combative character that Lynne believes would provoke some stimulating discussions. Sandra had just completed the ‘The Testaments’ by Margaret Attwood and would like to meet the divorced judge, Aunt Lydia. Aunt Lydia is imprisoned with other women in a stadium and endures weeks of squalid conditions. Aunt Lydia emerges as a woman who accepts that she must do what is necessary to stay alive. She becomes a mole. Sandra wonders why she chose to become a mole and behaved so badly, so cruelly and so stupidly. May would like to meet Miss Marple, a character from Agatha Christie books, including ‘The Murder at the Vicarage’. May imagines she would be good for a gossip and might also chat about some of the crime solutions she has been involved in (minus the gory details!)
Which character in which book would you like to meet?

 

 

Environment team’s tips for the month:

THE VILLAGE GARDENER

Environment team’s tips for the month:

  1. Prune all summer flowering shrubs once blooms are over.
  2. Water Camellia and Rhododendrons, to help buds develop for next year.
  3. Collect ripened seed and store for next year.
  4. Cut back your wild flower patch to help scatter seeds.
  5. Spray ground elder and other perennial weeds while in leaf.

Michelle in Vennwood has some forthright advice for non gardeners:

  1. Builders merchants provide all you need.
  2. Lay some slabs, they don’t need mowing.
  3. Use gravel. That way no one can get near without you hearing them.
  4. If you feel the need for green stuff, plant in a pot .
  5. Put gravel on top of the pot to stop birds throwing the dirt everywhere.

Some of Wenvoe residents have great back gardens, including Heather on Gwenfo Drive whose rear garden would rival any show garden at Chelsea. Sixties pop star Brian and his wife Wendy have a classic rear garden anyone would love to have. Mr & Mrs Cottle and Mr & Mrs Lawrence have lit up Gwenfo Drive with their front gardens for many years. Mr & Mrs Grant’s garden is looking really good.

If your lawn hasn’t lived up to expectation this year, it will probably be down to a lack of effort last autumn. Scarifying is not easy but essential along with aeration and nutrients. Do not feed your lawn with high nitrogen feeds at this time of year. It will promote growth and weaken the grass. Autumn lawn feed should be used now as this is lower in nitrogen and will promote root growth.

Hanging baskets need quite a bit of attention to keep them looking their best. They need watering every day, especially if they are hanging under eaves and feeding at least once a week is a must along with dead heading when needed. Dahlias will benefit greatly from cutting the spent heads off, as will roses. Now is the time to stop feeding roses. Blackspot can be prevalent this time of year on roses. The brand Rose Clear is the most effective for controlling this, pick up any fallen leaves as they can spread the disease. Pelargonium cuttings can be taken now. They are easy to grow, certainly easier than growing from seed.

A lot more people have been growing vegetables in containers this year. From what I have witnessed, potatoes, French and runner beans, peas and carrots have been most successful. If there was to be an autumn show this year the competition would be stiff. The usual suspects will be in the running. The Hammonds, I know, have grown some wonderful stuff this year. A periscope will be needed to spy on Gordon’s garden this year, there must be some monster veg growing there as shutters have gone up all around the estate.

Take care and happy gardening.

 

 

Chicken with a Leek and Bacon Cream Sauce

MR GREEDY’S

Chicken with a Leek and Bacon Cream Sauce

4 chicken breasts

3 leeks, sliced and washed

200g smoked streaky bacon, cut into slices

300ml double cream

80g flour

80g butter

300ml whole milk

Good knob of butter for frying

300g strong mature cheddar cheese, grated

Salt and black pepper to taste

Fry the bacon in the butter until just done, remove from pan and set to one side. Add the leeks to the bacon juices, add more butter if required. Cook until soft. Put with the bacon; tip over any juice from the pan. Make the white sauce: Melt 80g of butter in a saucepan, stir in the flour, with a whisk add the milk. Still on the heat, keep whisking until all the lumps have gone and thickened up. Season with salt and pepper. Add the cream and more milk if too thick. If too runny, mix a little flour and milk in a cup and add to the sauce until it has thickened. Add the cooked leeks and bacon; stir in. Add the cheese and stir until melted. Tip half the sauce into an oven proof dish. Place the chicken on top of the sauce. Tip the rest of the sauce over the chicken. Cover with foil, cook for about 30 – 35 mins until chicken is cooked. Serve with baby buttered new potatoes and a green veg or with cooked long grain rice.

 

 

Strawberry Shortcake

MR GREEDY’S 

Strawberry Shortcake

11/2 cups SR flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 cup icing sugar

150g butter, softened

1 large egg, beaten

250g cream cheese

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup strawberry jam

2 cups strawberries

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

Preheat oven to 180C Fan . Place flour, baking powder and icing sugar in a bowl. Mix to combine. Cut in butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Add egg and a little milk if necessary; mix to form a stiff dough. Draw a 20cm circle on a piece of baking paper and place on an oven baking tray. Press dough out to fill circle. Bake for about 20 – 25 until golden and soft to touch. COOL BEFORE ADDING THE TOPPING. Soften the cream cheese and mix in the icing sugar (1/4 cup) Spread cream cheese over the shortcake and then cover with strawberry jam. Hull the strawberries and cut in half, if large. Arrange strawberries over the shortcake. Heat water and sugar (1/2 cup) together in a saucepan over a medium heat, stirring until dissolved. Increase heat and cook sugar mixture until a light golden colour. Cool slightly then pour over strawberries. Working quickly, use a fork to pull threads up from the caramel.

 

 

Orchard Noticeboards Refurbished

Orchard Noticeboards Refurbished

Despite lockdown a number of Wildlife Group members have been working on our sites either as individuals or couples.

The main focus has been on the noticeboards of which we have 6 large ones, one small and two more due to be erected soon. After a trial we have opted to repaint them Sage-coloured which blends in more with the countryside and is distinctive to the parish. The Welsh and Elizabethan Orchards have been completed and the notices re-affixed. The Community Orchard has been repainted and notices are back up. We shall move on to the Wild Orchard next. These play an important role in communicating what we are doing and why with visitors, many of whom are from outside the village.

Other work involves clearing vegetation and strimming paths, trimming willow, planting in our raised beds and cleaning the benches and other furniture which is as popular with wildlife as humans but with the inevitable consequence in terms of ‘bird poo’. A new bench has been installed at the top of the Upper Orchid Field in memory of the Kennetts who lived in Barry but were supportive of the Wildlife Group.

We continue to receive regular photos from residents either notifying us of plants and animals spotted or asking for help in identifying them. These are added to the wildlife recording database for South East Wales (SEWBREC) which ensures the records are properly logged and retained. Species recently include Dwarf Spurge (plant), Shaggy Ink Cap (fungus) and Pied Hoverfly. These and many more can be seen on our Facebook pages.

When working in the orchards, we often meet people who say that they were not previously aware of them. So each month we shall refer to one of them.

The Community Orchard is closest to the centre of Wenvoe and on the Playing Fields. To get there take the footbridge over the by-pass and continue down Station Road. After 100 metres turn right into the Playing Fields and the orchard is at the very far end hidden behind a hedgerow. You can also take the tunnel from Vennwood Close and follow the path.

 

 

Nothing Is Certain But Death And Taxes

Nothing Is Certain But Death And Taxes

How many times have you heard this quote?

Unfortunately, it is true; and whilst we all have too much time on our hands, perhaps it is something that should be considered.

I can’t say I know that much about taxes, other than I pay them. But death………….

Given time to reflect on these strange times we find ourselves in, and the thousands of people who have met their death at the hands of Covid 19, death certainly raises some questions, and I mean at a practical level rather than a spiritual one.

We are all aware that at some point in our lives we will lose a loved one, or even our own life. But are we prepared? Have you decided upon your wishes, or discussed the wishes of loved ones? What about people living alone with no family to rely on? It is a difficult conversation to have, but saves a lot of heartache and worry in the long term.

Here’s some questions to consider:

Do you or your loved ones know who to contact in the event of a death?

Have you/they made a will and where is it kept?

Is a funeral plan in place, who with and where is the paperwork?

Are you aware of the type of funeral preferred (burial, cremation, religious, green etc)

Where were you/they born?

What was your/their occupation?

Marital status?

Spouse’s occupation?

Maiden name?

I appreciate that this all seems a little callous and unfeeling, but these are the questions you or your loved ones will be faced with at a very difficult time, from either your GP, paramedics, police, coroner’s office or registrars.

Other useful information would be:

GP name and address

Medical conditions

Medication

Solicitor name and address

You’ll be surprised where these conversations go.

I’ve learnt of people who want their ashes scattered at Knap Point, so family can get chips and visit them; also a relative that wants throwing off Swanage Pier, preferably when she’s passed away, special songs and hymns to be played at services and menu requests for the wake to name but a few.

But what to do and how?

One suggestion could be to consider the points above and prepare a document with all the information required and seal it in an envelope, and make your family and friends aware of its existence and location for when required.

 

Alternatively, if you have a Green Cross Container, place details of your next of kin within that, so if medical assistance is sought, the emergency services will know who to contact. You could also indicate where other documentation may be found.

I hope I haven’t distressed or depressed anyone too much, just given you something to ponder.

Blame it on Covid 19 and too much time to think about ‘what if’.

In the meantime, BE SAFE.

 

 

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