The Official Wenvoe Homepage
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Animals Out of Control
We have had a report of a dog being exercised off the lead in the area of St Andrews Road and Burdons Hill. The owner does not appear to be in full control and the dog is reported to have aggressively fought with other dogs.
There is also a report of a horse being ridden in the same area with the rider not appearing to be in full control of the horse.
We suggest residents take extra care when walking in these areas.
Wenvoe Wildlife Group
Visitors to the Upper Orchid Field will have noticed that the piles of bramble and brash are getting even larger as more areas are being cleared. There will be some impressive bonfires once the piles have had a chance to dry out. New trees continue to be planted including Small Leaved Lime, Black Poplar and Beech. Wildflower meadow mix seeds are being scattered on the charred surface where old bonfires have burned. Trees previously totally or partially hidden by vegetation are now seeing the light of day again and these include Hornbeam, the Chequers Tree, Wild Pear and Crab-apple. A spectacular Hawthorn should hopefully display its impressive blossom soon – we often think of these as mainly hedgerow plants but given the opportunity they can grow quite tall.
Primroses were already in bloom on the field in mid-March. April will see the Cowslips follow on and these will be part of a Europe-wide survey. Starting in Estonia the survey looked at the two types of Cowslip – Pin and Thrum – and how they compared in terms of numbers. Distinguishing the two types is not difficult with a bit of guidance and children as young as 4 or 5 took part and proved they were well up to the task. You can download an ‘app’ and record the results. If you know of anywhere that has cowslips which you can access you can do your own survey. For more information, contact the Wildlife Group who will also publish the results of the Upper Orchid Field survey in What’s On.
We have taken delivery of a number of items funded by the Vale of Glamorgan’s Local Nature Partnership including a water butt, pond, bee hotels and plug plants. The latter are for a range of native wildflowers such as Betony, Birds Foot Trefoil, Southern Marsh Orchid and real rarities like Shepherd’s Needle. We also now have a Moth Trap which will help to remedy a section of wildlife which we have done little work on to date. We continue to keep searching for signs of otters in the parish and we now know from an ecology survey carried out at Dyffryn Gardens that they have been present there.
Until it Happens to You
The UK was recently rocked when it was announced that the remains of Sarah Everard, who initially went missing on March 3, were found in Ashford, Kent. The 33 year old marketing executive had been walking from a friend’s home in Clapham to her own home in Brixton in South London when she was abducted.
Sarah Everard’s story started a nationwide, and now, global discourse regarding the safety of women. Beginning on Twitter in the UK, millions of women shared their experiences of worrying about their safety while walking home, encouraging a global discussion about the experiences almost every woman has had.
In an article published by The Guardian in the same week, it was found that 97% of young women 18-24 have experienced sexual harassment, with 80% of women of all ages noting they had been sexually harassed in a public space.
A poll by The Tab, which asked 14,000 students in Britain whether or not they had been groped in clubs, with the results showing that 91% of women who answered noting they had experienced sexual harassment and assault.
The issue wasn’t exclusive to women, however. Overall, 82% of University scholars, both male and female, told the Consent and Sexual Assault Survey that they had experienced groping, with 61% of men noting they had experienced groping. In the study, Cardiff University was found to be the second worst university in the UK for experiencing groping on a night out, with 95% of students saying they had experienced some form of sexual harassment.
Discussions around sexual harassment and sexual assault have been circulating for years, but following the case of Sarah Everard, it feels as though there has been a global resignation that it is an issue which can no longer be swept under the carpet.
Baroness Jenny Jones argued in the House of Lords last week that perhaps there should be a 6pm curfew for men. This comment has been heavily debated online, with many noting it would be unfair to stop men from leaving their homes at night. Many women have argued, however, that despite there not being a physical curfew in place for women, women have always been encouraged to stay indoors after dark, so as to not be in any danger.
Baroness Jenny Jones later clarified that her comments were not asking for serious policy proposal, but rather pointing out that London police had advised following the case of Sarah Everard that women “not go out alone”. She told LBC that it was a concern to her as it appeared that no one seemed to “bat an eyelid” at the assumption that women ought to change their actions in order to stay safe.
Of course, walking alone is dangerous for everyone regardless of their gender. However, as we’ve seen from various surveys, women feel they are in significantly more danger when walking home alone than men.
According to data from UN Women’s Sexual Harassment Report 2021, 71% of women of all ages in the UK have experienced some form of sexual harassment in a public space, with this number rising to 86% among 18-24-year-olds. The MP Jess Phillips last week read the names of the women killed by men in the UK over the past 12 months. compiled by the Femicide Census; in 2020 and 2021, the list amounted to one woman every three days.
The discussion surrounding safety is one everyone should have, regardless of gender. But it’s important that we listen to the women who are expressing their concern, and we begin to change the way we address the safety of women. Men’s stories deserve a platform – but should not be used in order to diminish the stories of women; each story is valid.
Using hashtags such as #NotAllMen not only dismisses the lived experience of women and girls, but also seems as though it is invalidating the stories men have too. Why only bring up the statistics about male rape and harassment in order to counteract the stories being shared by women? Think about it – would you still share those statistics if women weren’t having this discussion? Stories from men who have faced similar experiences need to be addressed, in their own right, not as a way of invalidating stories from women; that isn’t fair to anyone.
Women and most men are aware that not all men are dangerous and not all men would do these horrible things. When we’re walking home (during the day, but especially at night) and the man behind us has been walking in the same direction for a long while, we don’t have the time to make sure he’s one of the good guys – it could cost us our lives.
We know it’s not all men, but the problem is, we don’t know which men.
The world needs to have this discussion. It may feel uncomfortable, but if we don’t have the discussion nothing will change. It’s also vital that men are part of this discussion. Men are able to tell their friends when their behaviour or the things they say are inappropriate and could stop further harassment or assault.
The discourse surrounding the safety of women is underway, and it’s important we all listen. Almost every woman has a story or an experience. A lot of men do, too. So let’s listen to them, and encourage change, so that the next generation don’t have their own stories.
by Tirion Davies
VILLAGE ENVIRONMENT GROUP
On a lovely crisp Spring morning the gang set about the bamboo in the community cemetery. Cheered on by walkers, we soon made short work of clearing it. I believe some of the team who worked hardest had noticed how quickly the cemetery was filling up and were worried about the spaces left for internment. On Sunday 7th March a few residents did a litter pick. The efforts of people like this help to keep Wenvoe a nice place to live.
Our next meeting is on Monday 12th April at 9.30am outside the Community Centre. If you would like to be as fit as this team, then join us.
THE VILLAGE GARDENER
Gardening Advice for April
Tips from Mair Jones of Brynheulog Nurseries:
Craftsman Eric White on what to get right this month:
Do not be fooled by April. We can still have cold nights that will ruin all your hard work of raising tender plants. Just try to be patient, they will soon catch up. Planted up hanging baskets will come on tremendously well in the cold frame or greenhouse. Show gardeners like the late Kenny Condick would never put a hanging basket outside until June. Perennials, which will eventually need support, should be staked early and tied in as they grow. Protect fruit tree blossom with fleece if there is any sign of frost in the weather forecast. When mulching around the trees make sure to keep it away from the stem. Forsythia will still be in flower this month and one of the loveliest displays is at Church Rise, on
the left hand side just after where the shingle starts. This plant needs to be cut back just after flowering as it produces flowers on this year’s new growth. A great time for planting annuals direct to the soil where they will need just a bit of thinning out as they emerge. Mark where you sow these as they could be mistaken for weeds. Lawns will start to look good now after a feed and weed. This is a good time to sow grass seed on any bare patches.
Leaving the EU has created an opportunity for British nurseries to step up to plate. They have known about this situation for quite some time and although the choice may be a little diminished, there is no excuse to put up prices on what is available.
From this month on, there will be people offering garden services. Some will be okay but others will disappoint, so please be careful. If you need help it’s better to have a friend or neighbour recommend someone. British Soil on Station Road will give you advice on the best way forward. For general gardening advice, the best place to find it is at the Twyn yr Odyn allotments. You will never meet a friendlier bunch. They have a wealth of knowledge ready to share – especially Sue and Barry.
On Saturday 1st May from 10.00am, there will be a plant sale at our home in Vennwood Close. Covid regulations in place at that time will be followed. Some friends and fellow growers from the village will be joining us to peddle their best flora. Please ask for advice on the day, with the likes of Joyce, Brian and Sandra, Bruce, Gordon and Ann in attendance. It will be like Gardeners Question Time.
Take care and happy gardening.
Good News on The Tree Planting.
For once there is a little bit of good local news on the tree planting front although the overall position for the UK remains dire. Despite the importance of trees for carbon capture, climate change and biodiversity, despite the impressive commitments and bold targets from all the UK governments whatever their political persuasion, the actual delivery of new trees in the ground can only be described as lamentable. Take the example of Wales where the Welsh Government’s target is to plant 2,000 hectares of trees every year. Achievement in 2019/2020? 80 hectares – just 4% of its target. So where is the good news?
Tree-planting on any scale in the parish of Wenvoe and St Lythans has been very limited and with road-widening, housing development and cutting down of trees by individual householders, we have probably had a net loss of tree cover every year. The last significant tree planting was at the Jubilee Wood by the Vale of Glamorgan Council around 9 years ago of 5.5 acres (2.2 hectares) and how many of you know where that is? But now, walkers on the public footpath from near the corner of Walston Road to Whitehall Farm can glimpse the tree-planting that has been carried out by Cemex as part of the quarry restoration plans. This involves 2,530 trees and 1,100 shrubs – a significant number by any standards. There is a lot more potential good news in the scheme including the variety of trees planted including Cherry, Aspen and Rowan and the planting of woodland and pond margin plants. Whilst there is no public access to the site at the moment, it is assumed that either Cemex or the Vale of Glamorgan Council who own the site will be arranging both access and information when the site is secure and ready in the future.
Meanwhile the Wildlife Group continue to plants trees as they have for 13 years now. 28 fruit trees donated by Keep Wales Tidy were planted last month in Wenvoe, St Lythans and Twyn yr Odyn. New varieties are being planted on the Upper Orchid Field. These include Black Poplar, described by the Woodland Trust as ‘imposing, elegant and rare’. Once 
widespread in the UK it is now isolated with Somerset being the nearest county with established numbers. It is the food plant for many moth caterpillars including the Figure of Eight, Poplar Hawk and Wood Leopard moths. Bees and other pollinators take advantage of the early pollen in the catkins and birds enjoy eating the seeds – see photo. Ideally the tree flourishes best in damp conditions so we may well need to supplement our generous rainfall with dousings of extra water in dry periods.
The Quarry and the Upper Orchid Field will be complementary, particularly as they are next to each other. The Quarry will have a large number of trees but fewer species – 11 on present plans. The Upper Orchid Field will have fewer trees but more species with 30 planned for this year. It will be interesting to compare the biodiversity on the two sites as the trees become established
MAKING STEPS MATTER
During the last year we were allowed and encouraged to walk. We kept fit (or in some cases got fit), often managing to greet people or make new friends at a safe distance and watched the seasons go by.
In Kenya, Florence walked 6 hours a day to collect water for her family as her previous water supply had dried up. She had managed to collect enough for cooking, and washing, until Christian Aid helped build an Earth Dam locally giving enough water for her family for her to water her crops. Rose, living elsewhere, still needs to walk to collect water with Coronavirus making this lack of reliable water more critical for the family for handwashing. Climate change for her is a matter of survival.
Every last drop is precious and this year Christian Aid’s challenge is: Together we STOP this climate crisis.
Our Local Challenge is to count our steps throughout the month of May. To keep on with our walking, whether around our neighbourhood or as far afield as the current restrictions allow. You may want to do this individually, with friends or family and get others to sponsor you for what you achieve to help women like Rose get an Earth Dam. You can set your own target, walk as far as you are able, but the challenge for those who are able is to reach 300,000 steps throughout the month.
Sponsorship can be set for a specified amount no matter how many steps are achieved. Forms are available in the Church Porch or can be picked up in Springfield Stores. Results and donations can be given to Rev Jon Ormrod or posted through the Church letter box (this will be emptied daily).
For more information contact me by email judebillingham@ yahoo.co.uk
News for April
Please allow me to start on a personal note. I have just watched the wonderful Mothering Sunday Service from St. Mary’s on Facebook. It was a most uplifting time for those who had joined in and it is a privilege to be a part of the wonderful family of our three churches. Diolch yn fawr
Now to Church News…
March 23rd was kept as a DAY OF RELECTION marking one year since the first “lockdown” in the country due to COVID-19. A year in which many have died, many have contracted the virus and recovered, and how thankful we are for the NHS who looked after their patients in the most difficult and worrying of circumstances. The Archbishop of Wales asked us to REFLECT, TO HAVE HOPE AND TO SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER, this has to be done carefully, thoughtfully and hopefully as we come out of the many restrictions imposed on us to keep us safe during the darkest days of the Winter now coming to an end. A sure sign of this was the re-opening of our churches on March 21st, for Eucharistic worship, once again under strict conditions of hand cleansing, mask wearing, no singing, no loitering and keeping a social distance from each other. As before, attendance had to be booked in advance and seating allocated within the church, but it was good to be getting together. Mothering Sunday was an online service featuring the children of our Pebbles group and young musicians from Sully. Wonderful and a big THANK YOU. Also to hear Jon’s Mum reading from St Paul to the Colossians was truly amazing. Daffodils were freely available outside our churches to give to Mums, Grandmothers and Godmothers, as a token of the love we have for all they have done for us.
The Easter issue of the parish magazine “Connections” was printed and posted to all church members and included a Palm Cross in time for Palm Sunday and Holy Week (see Jon’s letter for details of services). We have had to suspend our usual practice of providing lilies in remembrance of loved ones this year, but we ask for names of loved ones to be remembered at the altar with a lit candle; names to the Church wardens please. We invite all who wish a family member or friend to submit their names, for you are all part of God’s family whether you are a church member or not. The churchyard cross will be decorated as last year, thanks to Mike, Sandra and Brian. The children from Wenvoe School are decorating pebbles to go around the base, and this together with the Easter Garden in the porch will make for an interesting visit.
During the month there has been work ongoing at St. Mary’s. You could not fail to notice the security tape barrier around the base of the tower. During the severe frost, mortar has been falling from the masonry. Steeplejacks have been up the tower to report on the likely cause and report on how to put things right. At long last after a battle with the Royal Mail we have finally been allocated a postcode for the church and the church hall. We needed this to get a BT landline into the church to assist in streaming our services on the internet. We have installed secure post boxes in the church hall porch and the church porch to receive mail and also for the community to use should they wish, to contact the church authorities. The notice boards in the porch have been refurbished with user friendly panels of cork, to make the insertion of drawing pins etc much easier, so no more damaged fingers, we hope.
The Church Hall together with the adjoining Wheelwrights Shop have been surveyed by our church architect and his report is awaited, with some trepidation, for we know it will not make welcome reading. However, work will be required to make it fit for purpose, so watch this space.
Easter Greetings to all. Continue to keep safe and look forward with hopefulness to better times ahead.
Parry Edwards
