Month: August 2021

Aromatic Lamb and Eton Mess

Aromatic Lamb with Dates

1 tbsp olive oil

1 large onion, finely chopped

500g diced boneless lamb, from the leg

300g sweet potatoes, cut into small chunks

2 tsp each ground coriander and cinnamon

1 tbsp tomato puree

50g pitted dates

2 tbsp coriander, roughly chopped

Heat the oil in a large pan, add the onion and lamb. Quickly fry until the lamb is lightly browned. Add the sweet potatoes and spices, mix well. Pour in 425ml boiling water and the tomato puree, then bring to the boil. Cover and simmer for about 15 mins until sweet potatoes and lamb are tender, adding the dates for the final 10 mins. Sprinkle with the coriander and serve with couscous.

Posh Eton Mess

600ml double cream

3 tbsp icing sugar

8 meringue nests

700g strawberries (not large) hulled

200g bar dairy milk chocolate, grated

300g packet chocolate digestive biscuits

75g butter melted

Butter and line the base of a 23cm spring form tin with baking paper. Put the chocolate in the fridge for a while before grating. Prepare all ingredients before making up in tin.

Blitz the chocolate biscuits in a processor, tip crumbs into a bowl. Add butter, mix well and spread into the base of the tin. Level off and pat down with a flat bottom glass. Hull strawberries and cut each one into 4. Divide in half and place in two bowls. In a bowl grate the chocolate and return to the fridge. In a large bowl scrunch up 6 of the meringues. Blitz the other two in the processor.

Using a food mixer or hand mixer with a bowl whip the cream until it forms peaks add the icing sugar and continue to whip until it becomes a little stiff. Tip the cream into the bowl with the meringues and mix well.

Divide cream mixture into two and spread one half onto the biscuits in the tin, level off. Top the cream with one half of the strawberries, level off. Sprinkle half the chocolate over the strawberries. Repeat again with the remaining ingredients, cream, strawberries and chocolate. Sprinkle the blitzed meringues over the top.

Place in the fridge to chill before serving. Run a hot knife around the mess and the outer ring of the tin and unclip. Enjoy!

 

 

 

National Meadows Week

National Meadows Week

We celebrated National Meadows Week in July with a ‘walk and talk’ around the Upper Orchid Field. We are fortunate to have this facility on our doorstep and it is well used by visitors, dog-walkers and joggers whilst providing a haven for wildlife. The UK has lost around 97% of its wildflower meadows in the last 100 years and there are few remaining examples around Cardiff and the Vale.

So, what is a ‘meadow’? It is an open area with herbaceous and other non-woody plants and from which a hay crop is taken every year. It is not grazed by livestock. Fields which are grazed are referred to as ‘pasture’. The vast majority of the non-arable fields in Wenvoe are pasture, mainly grass and with minimal biodiversity.

Hay meadows are an important element in mankind’s cultural and social evolution. Finding food for livestock over Winter was never easy but once we had developed the tools like sickles to be able to take a hay crop, cattle, sheep and goats could be kept in enclosures during the coldest months and fed the stored hay. And so, we had haystacks, hayricks and barns.

The hay meadows attracted plants that would grow happily in grass, would set seed and then be cut in the Autumn for storage. These flower varieties are very different from the weeds of arable (ploughed) fields like Poppies, Corncockle and Cornflower. In contrast on the Upper Orchid Field you will find Primroses, Cowslips, Knapweeds, Agrimony and, of course, Orchids, along with over 100 varieties of herbs and grasses.

This range of species is ideal for our threatened bees and other pollinators and the disappearance of our meadows is one of the reasons for the decline of our insects – a crisis which we are warned about daily by scientists. Meadows also act as a carbon sink – another topical issue. In next month’s issue we shall say a bit more about the Upper Orchid Field – who owns it, what its status is and what the Wildlife Group are doing to preserve it. In the meantime, enjoy the field and its flowers and trees. On our walk we found Bee Orchids – a wonderful but easily overlooked little plant. What can you find?

The Upper Orchid Field

 

 

The Salt Path by Raynor Winn

At last the Covid 19 restrictions relaxed enough to allow us to meet in Jill’s lovely garden with delicious cake to follow!

We discussed The Salt Path by Raynor Winn. For Raynor Winn and her husband Moth, the cruellest of diagnoses and the simultaneous collapse of their business opens an unexpected door to salvation through a journey which, over its length, transforms into a sweeping narrative of inner courage and nature’s ability to heal. They have almost no money for food or shelter and must carry only the essentials for survival on their backs as they live wild in the ancient, weathered landscape of cliffs, sea and sky. Yet through every step, every encounter, and every test along the way, their walk becomes a remarkable journey.

There were mixed feelings regarding the book. Nearly everyone agreed that it was a good read with great evocative descriptions of the weather, geography and the hardships encountered. It was not a negative book despite the sadness of their situation with lots to smile at.

However, many felt that it didn’t quite ring true. There was some criticism of the lack of Moth’s viewpoint or communication with their children, despite the couple’s closeness; Ray seemed in denial of Moth’s condition and that she was pushing him. Ray came across as not a very nice person. Many felt that there had been a lack of planning in relation to equipment, irresponsibility in not considering Moth’s medical condition or medication and some resentment about their taking advantage of others.

All agreed that it was good to read a book that led to wider discussions regarding ‘wild’ camping on private land which could encourage others to think that it was possible and right to do (although illegal in much of Britain), the problems of litter in wild places and sharing long distance walking stories.

Scores out of 10 ranged from 6 to 9 resulting in an average of 8.

Other books discussed:

Barak Obama’s autobiography

Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell

The Lake of Dreams by Kim Edwards

A Single Thread by Tracey Chevalier

The Bell in The Lake by Lars Mytting.

 

 

 

Green Flag Judging

Wenvoe Wildlife Group

Green Flag Judging

It has been a frenetic few weeks as we prepared for Green Flag judging on some of our sites. As gardeners will know the weather has contributed to a mass of vegetation and it has been a challenge to keep paths open. Green Flags are for open spaces, the equivalent of a Blue Flag for a beach, and factors taken into account include ease of access, information on site, tidiness and biodiversity. The scheme is run by Keep Wales Tidy and this year we have applied for 7 awards. The next highest village in Wales has two! The results will not be out until late Summer/early Autumn, but we are keeping our fingers crossed. The photo shows our judge at the Bee Loud Glade.

We are now involved with the Barbastelle project for the Vale of Glamorgan. This woodland bat has not been recorded yet in the Vale, so a programme has been set up to deploy special bat recorders in 10 locations around the county. We shall be looking after two of them. This involves installing the recorders which are about twice the size of a credit card, changing the batteries every 3 weeks and downloading the data – this goes on for a year! Anyone wanting to help with the project can contact the Wildlife Group.

And, finally, our thanks to those who have donated items to the group. We have received wildflower seeds from a resident in the village, plants from Dinas Powys and two Cherry Trees and some slate tiles from Radyr.

 

 

 

Green Flag Judging

Wenvoe Wildlife Group

Green Flag Judging

It has been a frenetic few weeks as we prepared for Green Flag judging on some of our sites. As gardeners will know the weather has contributed to a mass of vegetation and it has been a challenge to keep paths open. Green Flags are for open spaces, the equivalent of a Blue Flag for a beach, and factors taken into account include ease of access, information on site, tidiness and biodiversity. The scheme is run by Keep Wales Tidy and this year we have applied for 7 awards. The next highest village in Wales has two! The results will not be out until late Summer/early Autumn, but we are keeping our fingers crossed. The photo shows our judge at the Bee Loud Glade.

We are now involved with the Barbastelle project for the Vale of Glamorgan. This woodland bat has not been recorded yet in the Vale, so a programme has been set up to deploy special bat recorders in 10 locations around the county. We shall be looking after two of them. This involves installing the recorders which are about twice the size of a credit card, changing the batteries every 3 weeks and downloading the data – this goes on for a year! Anyone wanting to help with the project can contact the Wildlife Group.

And, finally, our thanks to those who have donated items to the group. We have received wildflower seeds from a resident in the village, plants from Dinas Powys and two Cherry Trees and some slate tiles from Radyr.

 

 

Gardening Tips for August

THE VILLAGE GARDENER

Must Do Gardening Tips for August

Grow your own experts Shirley & Graham Hammond, tips for August:

  1. Dry harvested onions thoroughly, or they will rot when stored.
  2. Pinch off the tops of runner beans to encourage side shoots.
  3. Take cuttings of mint, rosemary and sage.
  4. Spray ground elder when it is growing strongly. Very hard to get rid of.
  5. Sow a green manure when space becomes available.

Betty Facey, who has a lovely garden and a lawn like Wimbledon, has some good advice.

  1. Cut back faded perennials to keep the garden neat and tidy.
  2. Prune climbing roses, unless repeat flowering.
  3. Water camellias and rhododendrons to ensure buds develop.
  4. Trim lavender plants to preserve shape.
  5. Do not attempt to water the lawns as you will never have enough time to do it justice.

Hope your tomatoes are in good shape; you need to pinch out the tops so that plants can use their energy to produce fruit. Watering constantly will stop blossom end rot and reduce splitting. With broad beans having been harvested, you can cut the stalk down to the base and on a good year they will have time to produce a lighter crop. There is still plenty of time to sow lettuce that will be available to crop before it gets too cold. After 4 years or so strawberry plants weaken and produce less, so now is the time to root the runners being produced to fill in for the older plants.

A lot of lawns can look straw coloured in prolonged dry spells. Grass is so tough and can withstand a lot of abuse. By attempting to water it you may well be doing more harm than good, unless you’re prepared to water for hours at a time. By not watering enough you will encourage roots to come to the surface. then at the next dry spell the grass will really suffer.

Prolong the flower displays by constant deadheading and regular feeding especially the hanging baskets, which should last well into the Autumn. Aphids were quite a problem this year, made worse by the late arrival of ladybirds and their larvae. They can be controlled by just wiping them off with your fingers or by making up a solution of water and white vinegar and spray on both sides of leaves. Dahlias are coming into their own at this time of year but be sure to tie them to strong stakes as the wind and rain can play havoc with them. Cut back all the whippy side shoots of wisteria to about 20cms; if you don’t do this you will have less flowers year on year.

Going wild is being promoted a lot in the media and some Wenvoe residents have thrown themselves into it to differing degrees. Jill & Ryland have been turning over part of their front garden to wild flowers and it looks lovely. On the other hand, Pete Ferris has created a wilderness garden at the rear of his abode. Wild animals flourish in the dense foliage. Pete has a rope tied to the handle of the patio door and when he ventures into the undergrowth, he has to tie the other end to himself or he would never find his way back.

Take care and happy gardening

 

 

 

Richard Burton Exhibition

Becoming Richard Burton

Was Richard Burton your heart throb too? Or maybe you wanted to be Cleopatra or even Liz Taylor herself? Don’t miss this exhibition!

Postponed from 2019, ‘Becoming Richard Burton’ is now running at the National Museum Cardiff until 3rd October. This is the first major exhibition about the life of Richard Burton and has been organised in partnership with Swansea University and the Richard Burton Archives which hold papers, diaries and photographs donated to the university by Burton’s widow, Sally.

Admission is free, and if you are flagging after an hour or so (as I was), you can adjourn to the coffee shop on the Ground Floor, to revive yourself, then return for the last half of this excellent exhibition.

Boring and stuffy, it ain’t!! A lovely walk down Memory Lane, with lots of nostalgia, and anecdotes about Richard’s life abound. The videos and audio commentaries which supplement it just add to the aura, and it makes any Welsh person very proud to think of the so very many great talents that have emerged from such a small country. Apart from Burton, one thinks of Antony Hopkins, Sian Philips, Glyn and Donald Houston, Michael Sheen, Harry Secombe, Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, Katherine Jenkins, Charlotte Church, the Stereophonics, Manic Street Preachers, Michael Ball, Huw Edwards. I am sure I have missed out several more, and that is not even talking about our 2nd national religion, RUGBY players!!

So, Wales has really proved the old saying “Small is Beautiful” and we can fly our flag proudly! And DO book a place online to see this exhibition. You will certainly enjoy it.

Val Roberts

 

 

 

August News Update

August News Update

The church has not reopened as the decoration and repairs to the wall plaster has taken longer than anticipated. However, we can report that the work is of a very high standard and the interior will look amazing when all is restored to its rightful state. The organ has been removed to the back of the church and the large speaker cabinets re-sited high on the West wall of the nave. The sound quality is superb, and when we can get back to singing the congregation will notice the difference. The previous position of the speaker cabinets on the chancel arch wall was disfiguring in a medieval church so heavily restored in the late 19th century. Do please come and see and hear for yourself. You are all very welcome as this is the parish church for the community, not just for the regulars who attend St. Mary’s.

During this period of upheaval we have hosted a funeral and a wedding, which meant interrupting the work of painting, to get the church back into some semblance of order and cleaning the furniture and floors. Thanks to the hard working team who set to present the church as well as we possible could under very difficult circumstances. When we do reopen we still have to comply with the 2m. distancing, the wearing of face masks, sanitising the hands and booking a place in the week preceding the Sunday services.

The times of services have been slightly altered from the previous pattern. The Bishop had already told Jon to reduce the number of services he was taking on a Sunday morning. The pattern for a trial period of 3 months will be:

8.30 am Said Eucharist at St. Bleddian’s Church

9.30am Said/Sung Eucharist at St Mary’s Church

On the 1st Sunday of the month, Evening prayer at 6.00pm and on the 3rd Sunday a service of Said Eucharist.

On Wednesday morning Said Eucharist at 10.00am

St. Mary’s has been the focal point in the community for many hundreds of years. We will continue to be that focus for Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals for all in the community and being one of nine churches in the new Ministry Area of De Morgannwg, will not make any difference. We have a wish list for St. Mary’s to open our doors to visitors at a set time, with volunteers to be on hand to greet people. More of that later, so watch this space.

Preparations for setting up the decree to merge the parishes of St Andrews Major, Michaelston Le Pit, Sully, Wenvoe, St. Lythan’s together with Porthkerry, Rhoose and Penmark are going ahead, now that most of the contentious issues have been settled. Financially all churches will continue to control their own affairs, but will come under the overall guidance and control of the Ministry Area Council. At a recent meeting of the Wenvoe PCC such agreement was voted on. In all the discussions that have been taking place, we have made sure that the Ministry Area will work in ways that are suitable for the differing range of churches in the group. Some are large, some are small, but each will have an equal voice, with representatives appointed by each church to bring to the council the concerns and aspirations of their individual congregations.

CHRISTIAN AID 2001

Together we STOP this Climate Crisis

Making Steps Matter!

Well done everyone. That includes those stepping out, those sponsoring the walkers, those donating and those who helped with the counting.

I am writing this just a couple of hours after our final count and checking the money brought in via Christian Aid Appeal.

This was the first year we undertook a project (the sponsored walking) rather than a street collection. There were 11 sponsorships with lots of interest throughout the month, as to how they were progressing. There were representatives from the three churches, with different combinations and methods people took to succeed in their walking. One couple took up the challenge in competing against each other, two people joined forces to combine their miles, one continued with an injured foot, another combined walking with steps while playing golf. Dog walking featured and everyone took care to include each step during everyday activities at work or at home. I included every step up and down stairs, each time not grumbling that I had forgotten anything, as I usually do!

The most steps an individual did was made by Steve Robbins who recorded 440,445 steps. Most made over the 300,000 target recommended by Christian Aid. However, I was pleased to reach 243,104 which exceeded my personal target of 200,000.

The total of sponsorship income was £1,760 (with an additional gift aid sum of £397.80). Further donations came to £558 (gift aid adding £86.25), and Gwenfo School raised £279 with their Big Brekkie and non-uniform day. This made a grand total of £3,081.27, including gift aid. Indeed, this was our best year!!! Well done everyone.

It now gives me the pleasure of sending this off to Christian Aid to help in this year’s challenge to address climate change and to support those women waiting for an earth dam to stop them walking six hours a day to collect water. Many thanks and well done all.

A final word – please support the Wenvoe Tower Appeal (see page 4). Many thanks to all who have already donated.

God bless and continue to keep safe.

Parry Edwards

 

 

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