Month: July 2021

Feeding The Worms

FEEDING THE WORMS

by Danusha Laméris

Ever since I found out that earth worms have taste buds all over the delicate pink strings of their bodies, I pause dropping apple peels into the compost bin, imagine the dark, writhing ecstasy, the sweetness of apples permeating their pores. I offer beets and parsley, avocado, and melon, the feathery tops of carrots.

I’d always thought theirs a menial life, eyeless and hidden, almost vulgar—though now, it seems, they bear a pleasure so sublime, so decadent, I want to contribute however I can, forgetting, a moment, my place on the menu.

 

 

 

Garden Wisdom for July

THE VILLAGE GARDENER

Stella Gardening Tips for July

Wenvoe Kings Of The Road have a secret passion for all things flora. Firstly Dai (The Ditch) Cannon gives us his tips on keeping on top of things in the garden.

  1. Don’t worry, there’s always tomorrow.
  2. Deadhead roses to keep them flowering.
  3. If you are stumped by trying to name a plant, organise a quiz, someone will know.
  4. Give Dahlias a feed and keep well watered.
  5. The plants we buy on a whim never get looked after like the ones we intended to buy.

Roger ‘Triumph’ Davies tells us about things to do in July.

  1. Autumn king carrots can still be planted to prolong the harvest.
  2. Feed and deadhead roses.
  3. Remove whippy side shoots of wisteria
  4. Cut as many flowers as you can off your sweet peas to put in vases as the more you cut, the more they flower.
  5. If you’re buying shrubs at the garden centre, don’t take the motorbike,

The Soil Association is a charity which was formed in 1946 to promote the use of organic solutions for keeping soil healthy and safe to use. They work with farmers and growers to change some of their practices.

Some soil facts.

  1. Soil stores more carbon than the atmosphere and all forests,
  2. Healthy soil can help prevent flooding.
  3. Every minute we lose the equivalent of 30 football pitches.
  4. It can take up to a 1000 years for a single centimetre of soil to form.

One of the Soil Association’s main recommendations is that we try to keep the soil covered at all times, most of the year it’s not a problem as plants cover the soil. During the winter they recommend that we use a thick layer of mulch, green manure crops or old blankets to cover the soil to prevent erosion.

We are asked to help wildlife in our gardens where we can. One of the most fascinating mammals to see is the bat. A simple bat box and some night scented flowers, such as evening primrose to attract moths, and it won’t be long before bats are coming to your garden at dusk.

Try not to let seed pods form on sweet peas yet or they will stop flowering. If you would like to see sweet peas at their grandest, then the rear garden of Mr Crumps in Rectory Close is a must. Keep up the deadheading of bedding plants and repeat flowering perennials. July is a good month to take hydrangea cutting, cut off a non-flowering stem just below a leaf joint and stick it in soil. Watering is a task that we have to undertake especially if you have a lot of pots. thick mulch on the top of pots will help reduce the evaporation.

On the allotment and in veg gardens watering can sometimes be a choice of which plants get watered, especially if you have to carry it a fair distance. Lettuce, rocket and spinach will bolt and go to seed if allowed to dry out. Gardeners will be harvesting some of their fruit and veg this month, as well as planning for later this year and the following spring, seeds like lettuce, beetroot and carrot can be sown along with winter cabbage and kale, plus some potatoes for Christmas dinner.

Take care and happy gardening.

 

 

Why Men Are Never Depressed:

 

Why Men Are Never Depressed:

Men Are Just Happier People

(What do you expect from such simple creatures?)

Your last name stays the same.

The garage is all yours.

Wedding plans take care of themselves.

Chocolate is just another snack.

You can never be pregnant. (You can look like it!)

Car mechanics tell you the truth.

The world is your urinal.

You never have to drive to another petrol station toilet because this one is just too icky.

You don’t have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.

Wrinkles add character.

People never stare at your chest when you’re talking to them.

New shoes don’t cut, blister, or mangle your feet.

One mood all the time.

Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.

You know stuff about tanks and engines.

A weeks holiday requires only one suitcase.

You can wear a white T-shirt when walking in the rain.

You can open all your own jars.

You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.

If somebody forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.

Your underwear is £8.95 for three.

Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.

You never have strap problems in public.

You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.

Everything on your face stays its original colour.

The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.

You only have to shave your face and neck.

You can play with toys all your life.

One wallet and one pair of shoes — one colour for all seasons.

You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.

You can ‘do’ your nails with a pocket knife.

You have freedom of choice concerning growing a moustache.

You can do all your Christmas shopping on December 24 in 25 minutes.

No wonder men are happier!

 

 

More Walking  Books

Walking  Books

The Hiding Game by Naomi Wood

Social distancing continues, so a gentle stroll in the playing fields preceded our Page Turners’ meeting lolling on the grass in the very sunny orchard!

We discussed ‘The Hiding Game’ by Naomi Wood. This novel traces the chequered relationships of a group of disparate students at the Bauhaus school of art during Germany’s turbulent 1920’s.

On line reviews were very favourable, but one reviewer did say that The Hiding Game was not a book to be read at speed. Due to the nature of its content they found themselves putting the book down to carry out their own research on line.

Those Page Turners who were not so knowledgeable nor diligent with probing the history found this novel to be tedious. Several thought the characters were uninspiring and that the story line was weak.

But for those who had an interest in the Bauhaus movement and the period of the rise of the Nazis, it was a very enjoyable and stimulating read.

Our scoring ranged from 9/10 to 4/10.

 

 

Local Conservative Branch Relaunched

The Wenvoe & Peterston Branch of the Conservative Branch has now been relaunched.

New and old members are most welcome

It is hoped that a Fish & Chip Quiz night will be arranged when safe to do so.

For further information/details on becoming a member, please contact myself (contact details below)

Stay safe

Russell Godfrey. Chairman

Contact details – Russell Tel: 07724827496. Email: info@russellgodfrey.co.uk

 

 

From Our Roving Photographer

FROM OUR ROVING PHOTOGRAPHER

Some people spend a lot of time carefully placing litter where it can be enjoyed by everyone. Then along comes a busy body like the one in photo who removes the art work, some times before it can be appreciated. What’s the world coming to.

 

 

Because Cowards Get Cancer Too

OFF THE SHELF

 

 

“Because Cowards get Cancer too

This month’s book was Because Cowards get Cancer too. Many of us remembered journalist John Diamond revealing his cancer diagnosis in his Times column. He was just forty-four, the husband of Nigella Lawson, and a self-confessed hypochondriac.

Hypochondria normally comes in two varieties. The chronic version, which turns every twinge into a cardiac event, every spot into a melanoma, every cold into pneumonia, is the worst because of the not knowing. By comparison, the acute version, in which a doctor with a real medical degree tells you that you do have some actual minor illness and that you can look ill when you tell people about it in the pub, is, in its way, rather cheering. But this is beyond those conditions. Nobody can tell me that the fear of being put under for an hour or so while they cut your neck open is an irrational one.

Diamond was the first journalist to take his readers on his cancer journey both in his column and in TV documentaries. His three-year cancer experience began with an optimistic prognosis, treatment led to remission and faith for a healthy future only for the cancer to return and his hopes of survival shattered. Light-hearted and even humorous in parts we found his story harrowing and disturbing and his fear palpable. An insightful but not an enjoyable read. We gave it 7 out of 10.

 

 

Repairs And Redecoration Taking Place

News for July

St. Mary’s Church remains closed while the repairs and redecoration is taking place, and all services have been transferred to the Church Hall, on Sunday and for the midweek service on Wednesday. The work which is being done to a very high standard, is taking longer than was anticipated, and we are unlikely to be back in church until July. This has been a good exercise for the congregation, as so often the church is associated with a building, rather than thinking of the church as the people of God meeting together for worship. During the recent fine weather church gatherings have been taking place outdoors. The ministry area treasurers met in the shade on the north side of the church, and a family baptism took place around the churchyard cross. The current thinking is that when COVID-19 is finally kept under control with vaccinations, a new way of worship will be necessary, harking back to the Biblical days when Jesus taught the people wherever he found them. It is refreshing and a new way of thinking, perhaps the old ways were not the best way, and that God’s clean fresh air really does blow away the cobwebs.

The setting up of the Ministry Area is one way in which this can be done, with nine churches coming together, to pool ideas, share finances, and work towards the greater good. The smaller parishes will have as much say in matters to maintain the regular round of worship in each church as the larger ones. Jon wrote in one of the weekly newsletters an explanation of what the Ministry Area of De Morgannwg will mean to each one when we are brought together in 2022.

“As you are probably aware, the new Ministry Area of De Morgannwg will come into being by Bishop’s Decree on January 1st 2022. On this date, the nine churches of Dinas Powis, Michealston le Pit, Penmarc, Porthkerry, Rhoose, St Andrews Major, St. Lythans, Sully and Wenvoe will become one Ministry Area which will be called the Ministry Area of De Morgannwg. Each church will remain with its own identity, so these three churches will become

St Bleddians Church, St Lythans, in the Ministry Area of De Morgannwg

St John the Baptist Church, Sully, in the Ministry Area of De Morgannwg

St Mary’s Church, Wenvoe in the Ministry Area of De Morgannwg.

Each of these three churches will continue with their own Devolved Church Council which will be making decisions on a local level. The PCC will become the Ministry Area Council, each of the nine churches will have a representative on the Ministry Area Council. Each church will have an equal voice so that the views of all congregations can be aired.

There have been several meetings to discuss how our Ministry Area will operate within the Diocesan plan. There are two meetings this week, the first with each of the Treasurers and the second with

those who are serving on the communications Team. Your representatives from the churches are working very hard in order to come up with the best operating structure.

I will inform you of developments as they arise, but the important thing to remember is that your church remains your church, whilst also being able to enjoy time, fellowship and prayer with parishioners from other churches.”

The Christian Aid appeal “MAKING STEPS MATTER” had a number of people being sponsored with the number of steps they took during May. The final results are not yet available, awaiting for the monies to be brought together.

During the time the church has been closed for repairs to the plastering on the walls and repainting, the decision was made to re-site the organ console and speakers from the front of the nave near the chancel screen to the rear behind the font. The present two pews, will be placed in the transept and the space created around the font will be, filled with chairs from the transept. This decision was not taken lightly, but will allow for a better welcoming area when entering the church from the south porch, and the sound from the organ will be much improved coming from the back of the church, forward into the nave and chancel.

During the work around the font, the pews had to be removed to plaster in the gaps left by pews, this has revealed a decorative slate plaque, thought to be part of an early memorial on the wall which had been plastered over for many years. The decoration is of a vase of stylised flowers with a decorative border.

This is in the position where the Wenvoe Castle Family Pew was sited in the days when the church had box pews. These were replaced in 1887 by the pine pews we have at present, this little piece of history from the past will be preserved and left for all to see.

St Mary’s Tower Appeal

£60,000 needed to restore the tower!

In the early part of the year, we received a shocking report from our architect. The tower needs repointing. The restoration work has been costed; tenders accepted but we need to raise £60,000 before the work can begin.

The background to this sad story? In February 2021, an architectural inspection of the tower was undertaken following the discovery of fallen mortar and masonry at the base of the tower and to a lesser degree, the porch. Subsequently, a detailed rope access inspection was undertaken by steeplejacks to all four elevations of the tower. The steeplejacks reported that the pointing and masonry on all elevations was in poor condition with it either loose, falling out or hollow behind which in time will also become loose. Small amounts of plant growth were seen on all elevations with loose lead flashing on the North Elevation over the outbuilding. Imminently falling pointing and masonry was removed at the time, but it is expected that more will become loose, especially when winter frosts set in. The base around the tower has therefore been cordoned off as a safety precaution. We hope to undertake restoration this year as another winter would see more falling mortar and masonry which would compromise the watertight integrity of the building. Therefore, the PCC has resolved to launch an appeal for funds. Please consider donating either to our ‘Donate’ page as shown or if you wish by cheque sent directly to our church treasurer: made payable to St. Mary’s Church Wenvoe

Ray Harris, Orchard House, Port Road Wenvoe, CF5 6DF.

If you are a UK taxpayer we can claim an extra 20% from HMRC on top of your donation as Gift Aid. Please write your address on the back of your cheque.

If you would like to make an on-line donation, our bank details are: St Mary’s Wenvoe 08-90-03 50192159. Please include the reference TOWER

Once the restoration is completed, the community will be able to continue using the church and churchyard as they have done for centuries passed.

Thank you for reading this. God Bless and continue to keep safe.

Parry Edwards

 

 

 

Wenvoe Forum – Considering Today And Tomorrow

A WENVOE FORUM – CONSIDERING TODAY AND TOMORROW

More and different!

Recently the Primary school was kind enough to include mention of our survey in its regular newsletter to parents. We were delighted as it brought in lots of new responses. Like the world leaders at the G7 summit in Cornwall the climate crisis is important to those who responded and hopefully the meeting we are holding on 1st July will be well attended and spark some further activity, details below. Maybe some of our ideas for improving the local availability of sustainable produce might be raised.

Several responses from the school parents mentioned that whilst the new playground is great and seems to be well used, there is little for young people (11-18s) in Wenvoe. If anyone in that age group has ideas for a development that they would like to see, then step forward and the Forum will do its best to help them make it a reality. We would welcome some young voices on the Forum. Others mentioned more community activities, mother and baby sessions and holiday activity for children.

The Forum has set up a private face-book group to be used as a resource for Wenvoe residents. If you want to find out what the Forum is doing or you want to make a suggestion, or let people know what you are doing, this is the place to go. There will be a few rules, as we do not want the page to be an advertising or political site.

To join ‘friend up’ with Gwen Fo who has her own face-book page and you will be invited to join this private group.

If you are reading this and it’s still June we hope to see you at the event

 

More opinions needed please.
If you haven’t completed the survey please, please do, it only takes 2 minutes. You will find it at this address
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/7Y2G95H or on our Facebook page

We particularly want to hear from younger resi-dents, under 25s, students at school, college or university after all it’s your future we are think-ing about.

Anyone who would like to join the Forum for its on-line meetings will be very welcome, please contact us at Gwenfo.Forum@gmail.com and we can tell you more.

 

 

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