Month: December 2021

Mudiad Meithrin Clwb Cwtsh

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Mudiad Meithrin Clwb Cwtsh

Mudiad Meithrin Clwb Cwtsh sessions for Welsh learners are doing online sessions from week commencing 10th January 2022 and they are open to anyone who wishes to learn Welsh with a strong emphasis on learning Welsh with or for their children. Online sessions will be on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for the January term. If anyone would like more information, Please email Emyr at: emyr.williams@meithrin.cymru

 

 

 

 

Xmas Bus and Train Services

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Christmas & New Year Public Transport Service Arrangements

For information, please see below the finalised guide to public transport provision for the Vale of Glamorgan over the forthcoming Christmas and New Year 2021-22 holiday period.

Please refer to the service providers own websites for the latest current timetable information.

 

Use this link to view Table of Schedule Services 

 

 

New Vegan Deli in Barry

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KARRY’S DELI

Wales’ First Plant-Based and Vegan Deli Has Opened in Barry

A Vegan Deli which recently opened in Barry has already proven popular.

Karry’s Deli, on Park Crescent, is one of Wales’ first all-plant-based-products delicatessen; there is also a vegan deli in Aberystwyth as well as a few cafes in Rhondda, and Cardiff and the Vale.

The business was opened by Karry Meyrick, who is from Barry but has spent many years travelling the world, carrying out philanthropic work such as teaching children English.

The 41-year-old business owner said: “I really wanted to own something of my own. During lockdown I read lots of articles and saw lots on vegan and plant-based food, but there didn’t seem to be this in the area. People are becoming more conscious of the environment, their health and what they’re eating. In lockdown people have become more aware of their diet. When Rudy’s Vegan Butcher opened in London it did really well; I thought it would be amazing to have that in Barry.”

When Karry’s Deli officially opened its doors in August, some products sold out within just three days, including many of their cheeses made with cashews. The garlic and herb cheese is proving to be ‘an absolute winner’.

“It’s been lovely and it’s such a friendly street,” added Ms Meyrick. “So many people have come in and thanked me for opening or said they’ve been waiting for something like this; it’s a nice feeling to serve the community. The steaks sold out fast and our cheddar and black pudding did really well too.”

Ms Meyrick describes herself as an ‘accidental vegan’ due to cutting out most of her meat and milk consumption on her travels.

“You don’t have to be 100 percent vegan, or even classify yourself as “vegan”, to eat plant-based food,” said Ms Meyrick. “I think if everyone reduced their meat consumption the world would be a better place – just try one thing; you never know you might like it.”

 

 

December Walk

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THURSDAY WALKERS

Walkers meet at the front of Wenvoe Village Hall. If you are interested in a walk, just turn up.

Thurs 9th December, 10.00am. Meet for a morning walk. We plan to visit city parks and to include coffee and cake to celebrate the walkers’ Christmas. We are hoping this will be at Insole Court around midday. This will enable anyone who is unable to walk on the day to join with us at the café. Many thanks, Bert.

This is not a formal club, but only an opportunity to walk in company: all are welcome, but you come at your own risk.

 

 

Gone: A Girl, A Violin, A life Unstrung By Min Kym

.  Gone: A Girl, A Violin, A life Unstrung

By Min Kym

At 7 years old Min Kym was a prodigy, the youngest ever pupil at the Purcell School of Music. At 11 she won her first international prize. She worked with many violins, waiting for the day she would play ‘the one’. At 21 she found it: a rare 1696 Stradivarius, perfectly suited to her build and temperament. Her career soared. She recorded the Brahms concerto, and a world tour was planned. Then, in a train station café, her violin was stolen. In an instant her world collapsed. She descended into a terrifying limbo land, unable to play another note.

This is Min’s extraordinary story of a young woman staring into the void, wondering who she was, who she had been. It is a story of isolation and dependence, of love, loss and betrayal, and the intense, almost human bond that a musician has with their instrument. Above all it’s a story of hope through a journey back to music.

This is a book that most of the group said they would not have read if it hadn’t been recommended by a musician in the group. Having said that, there was overwhelming praise for the book despite over half saying that they found it full of sadness and loss – the violin, her childhood, the lack of a paternal presence in her life – with many gaps and things unsaid in relation to Min’s family and her recovery from depression. Many felt they were left with questions after finishing the book.

There was some discussion about whether the pressures Min was put under to play and excel, her acquiescence with male domineering figures in her life might have been in some part due to her cultural background. It was agreed that the book was brilliantly written and gave a fascinating insight into the relationship between a musician and her instrument, the life of a musical prodigy and solo performer. The book may well have been written as a cathartic process for Min coming to terms with her loss.

Average score 8.

It was interesting to learn that many musicians are always self critical of their own performance and that for musicians, music always comes first.

Many thanks to our host for the toasty warm fire and cakes!

 

 

The December Roving Photographer

 

 

 

FROM OUR ROVING PHOTOGRAPHER

 

Helen Morgan, who lives in Gwenfo Drive, was seen clearing weeds from the pavement on Old Port Road. She has to work on her own though, as she is just too young to join the environment team!!

These two sprightly Wenvoe men have 140 years between them. Dave [left] and Barry still like to show off their skills and have no intention of putting their feet up.

 

 

 

The Missing £5 Note

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THE STORY OF THE MISSING £5 NOTE

Chippenham George worked for the Post Office and his job was to process all the mail that had illegible addresses. One day just before Christmas, a letter landed on his desk simply addressed in shaky handwriting: ‘To God’. With no other clue on the envelope, George opened the letter and read.

Dear God,

I am a 93-year-old widow living on the State pension. Yesterday someone stole my purse. It had £100 in it, which was all the money I had in the world and no pension due until after Christmas. Next week is Christmas and I had invited two of my friends over for Christmas lunch. Without that money, I have nothing to buy food with. I have no family to turn to, and you are my only hope. God, can you please help me?

Chippenham George was really touched, and being kind-hearted, he put a copy of the letter up on the staff notice board at the main Fareham sorting office where he worked. The letter touched the other postmen and they all dug into their pockets and had a whip round. Between them they raised £95. Using an officially franked Post Office envelope, they sent the cash on to the old lady, and for the rest of the day, all the workers felt a warm glow thinking of the nice thing they had done.

Christmas came and went. A few days later, another letter simply addressed to ‘God’ landed in the Sorting Office. Many of the postmen gathered around while George opened the letter. It read:

Dear God,

How can I ever thank you enough for what you did for me? Because of your generosity, I was able to provide a lovely luncheon for my friends. We had a very nice day, and I told my friends of your wonderful gift – in fact we haven’t got over it and even Father John, our parish priest, is beside himself with joy. By the way, there was £5 missing. I think it must have been those thieving fellows at the Post Office.

George could not help musing on Oscar Wilde’s quote: ‘A good deed never goes unpunished’

 

 

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