Month: July 2021

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

 

 

 

Volunteers Needed

WENVOE COMMUNITY LIBRARY

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

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

For general enquiries you can email us at wenvoelibrary@outlook.com

Do you know where the Wenvoe Community Library is located in the village? For most people reading this, the answer will be yes!!It’s been there for years. However people are moving into the area all the time, so if you don’t know, it’s in a very old Portacabin behind the community centre in the centre of the village. The good news is that this Summer, the building is going to be replaced with a new, modern unit which will be slightly bigger than the existing one.

The library is self-funded and run entirely by volunteers which means that we have to continually fundraise to pay for all the running costs to keep it open. This will be the same for the new building. All the volunteers who are currently involved want the new building to become a central hub for the local community and a real asset to the village.

Outside the building, on the grassy area, there will be a small patio area and it is our intention to have tables and chairs on there as well as inside. We are going to install a drinks machine so that we can sell refreshments as well as wrapped cakes and biscuits and this will mean that you can meet friends there – and make new ones – and chat over a drink. The money raised by this will go towards the running costs of the building.

However, in order to provide these services, we need volunteers and we always welcome new people joining our team. We only ask that you commit to a few hours each month. You can be involved in helping to run the library or with selling the refreshments – making the drinks will only involve pushing buttons on the machine! – or you can help us with both. Please consider if you could join us by volunteering and do contact us if you’d like to know more details. We anticipate that the new library/ community hub will be opening in late September so even if you don’t have any time now, will you have a few spare hours from the Autumn onwards? Many of you will already know someone who is already volunteering, so have a chat with them about the duties or pop into the library to see us on a Tuesday or Thursday morning 10am to 12 midday or on a Saturday morning 9am to 1pm. The old building will

be open until at least mid-July. You can also e mail us on wenvoelibrary@outlook.com

We would be really delighted if you would join us

New Library Building

The library will be closed from the end of July to the end of September 2021 for the building for the new library. Our Click and Collect service will resume during this period and will operate from the Meeting Room of Wenvoe Community Centre.

Opening hours when operating from the Community Centre will be:-

  • Tuesday 10 till 12
  • Thursday 10 till 12.

 

 

 

Raring To Go

VILLAGE ENVIRONMENT GROUP

A lovely June morning had the group raring to go. With Martin making his debut, after we checked his birth certificate to make sure he was of a certain age as not show us up. Four of us tackled weeds in the rose border on the village green, while the others who don’t suffer from vertigo set about clearing ivy off a wall. For the second month running one of the team went missing, this time on the way from his home. We have had a quick look for Ieuan (see photo), to no avail.

Our next meeting will be on 12th July at 9.30. The teams will tackle the path leading to Greave Close via Walston Road and the triangle at the bottom of Pound Lane.

 

 

Gwenfo News Again!

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GWENFO SCHOOL NEWS FOR JULY

It is lovely to be writing our school news for the Gwenfo News again!

What a year, but through it all, we have continued to thrive and flourish as a team and learning community.

During lockdown, our ICT skills grew immeasurably!!!

It was absolutely lovely to welcome the children back to school when they returned during the Spring term; they all settled back in quickly and beautifully.

Time passes so quickly and it is hard to believe that we are now in our final half term before the summer break. Although things still look very different in school with regards to social distancing and keeping in our bubbles, we have many lovely activities planned, including theatre workshops and Gwenfo Book Day.

We look forward to keeping you updated with our news.

Best wishes from all of us at Gwenfo Primary!

 

 

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.

 

 

Planning Updates July

Planning Updates June

All the following applications have been granted planning permission.

  • 5, Burdons Close. Single storey side extension.
  • 67, Burdons Close. Loft conversion incorporating new dormer window to rear and a number of rooflights
  • Brackendene, Burdonshill Lane. Proposed Glamping site on part of Brackendene, Burdonshill Wenvoe. Numerous conditions are imposed on the granting of permission including measures to protect local residents from possible nuisance.
  • Oaktree Farm, Morfa Lane. Removal of condition 4 of permission 84/00827/OUT that requires that the occupation of the dwelling shall be limited to a person solely or mainly employed, or last employed in the locality in agriculture or forestry.
  • 9, Grange Close. Change of use from garage to home office, incorporating material alterations.
  • 6, Heol Collen. Extension of existing garage to provide home office
  • 11, Picca Close. Construction of orangery to the rear of the property bringing the ground floor in line with family room of the property.

 

Planning permission was refused for the application by Enfield Cottage, 22, Old Port Road, Wenvoe. Demolition of existing porch and construction of two-storey extension to provide hallway, en-suite bathroom and cloakroom facilities. The reason for refusal was ‘the proposed extension would remove much of the character of the original rear elevation and roof slope of the house and subsume the rear of the original building. The extension is therefore considered to detract from the character and appearance of Enfield Cottage, which is a Positive Building in the Conservation Area’.

The Community Centre is available for hire with Covid-19 restrictions in force. An inspection of the disabled toilet facilities will result in updates being required. All surfaces are white at present which can make the use of the facilities by persons with impaired vision difficult. The taps, hand basins and hot water supply all require replacing.

Construction work on the new library will commence at the end of July, it is expected that the Community Centre car park will be out of use for a couple of weeks during the process. The through access for pedestrians will be maintained.

A new tarmacked footpath from the play area in the Grange to Tarrws Close is complete. A handrail has been requested to be installed on the steps.

A defibrillator is now installed on the wall of 18 Brooklands Terrace. A training session will be organised shortly for any person wishing to see how these machines are used. Anybody having a need to use a defibrillator is talked through the process by the apparatus which will only permit one to shock the patient when correctly fitted and no heart activity detected.

At the Station Road cricket ground the fencing height to the adjoining property has been raised, a decision on use of the ground is awaited. The Vale have been requested to cut the footpath, between the playing field and the village, which is becoming overgrown.

A new allotment gate with a foot passenger access is being considered. The main section of the gate would then be locked and use only permitted by allotment holders. This is to prevent fly tipping.

With the increase walking that people are doing these days a need has been recogniosed for additional benches in some areas in the community. There are numerious benches at present but they are not always where required. There are none in the new St Lythans Park estate, only one at Parc y Gwenfo, none at the quarry entrance area in the village. The council would be interested to hear of your suggestions for new locations for resting areas.

 

 

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