Month: December 2021

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Gwenfo School News For November

At Gwenfo we’re buzzing to be back for a very exciting half term. Preparations for Christmas are well underway with lots of fun planned.

This half term our value is Trust. We have been talking about what trust is, who we trust and how we can put our trust in God when we are finding things difficult.

Our November Action for Happiness is Exercise and the children are exploring the benefits of exercise and movement for making us feel happy.

Our Nursery and Reception classes are exploring their Sparkle and Shine topic. In Nursery the children have been busy learning all about exciting celebrations like Diwali, Bonfire Night, and will be learning the Christmas story. They had an exciting time holding sparklers for Bonfire Night. Reception have created an amazing party role play area and are learning all about celebrations like Diwali, Remembrance Day and birthdays. They invited some animal friends to a party with lots of decorations and party food.

Year 3 and 4 have a wonderful geography-based topic this half term called Misty Mountains, Winding Rivers. They have been learning to use an atlas to find out where some famous rivers are.

In Year 5 and 6 their topic is called Roses and Royals and is all about the Tudors. They have started by learning about Henry VII and are writing their own biographies. They have even mapped the route Henry VII took before the Battle of Bosworth.

Year 6 made a poppy wreath for Remembrance Day on which they wrote their wishes for the future. Some of Year 6’s wishes included an end to climate change, no more wars and an end to suffering across the world. The wreath was placed at the War Memorial at a special service on Remembrance Day. Huge thanks to Parry for leading the service and talking to the children about the significance and history of the memorial in Wenvoe.

 

 

Went to Mow the Meadows

Wenvoe Wildlife Group

Meadow Mowing

Our thanks to the Vale Local Nature Partnership who not only cut the Community Orchard for us last month but have now cut Cae Ysbyty at Goldsland, the Hospital Field. This is the first time the small meadow has been cut properly and should help to ensure an even better spread of wildflowers next year. Next year several of our sites will be cut in late summer by the machine in the photo which also gathers wildflower seeds and this can be used to create new meadows around the Vale of Glamorgan.

Our thanks also to the Cardiff Rivers Group who have started to clear around the Watercress Beds at Goldsland. They will be starting to remove the willows that tend to dominate and overshadow a large part of the site.

And particular thanks to Mike and Glenys Tucker who have donated so generously from the Christmas Reindeer sale. This money is so important to the work of the group as it enables us to offer match-funding when we apply for grants.

 

 

Christmas Sugar Cookies

Christmas Sugar Cookies

300g caster sugar

140g butter

2 large eggs

1 tbsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp milk

550g plain flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

200g glace cherries, chopped

In a large bowl, beat the sugar and butter together until pale and creamy. Gradually beat in the eggs, vanilla and milk. Mix the flour, baking powder and salt together in a new bowl, then add a few spoonfuls at a time to the butter mixture, stirring with each addition to combine, Fold in the cherries through the dough, then shape into two logs. Wrap the logs in cling film. Freeze one for a later date and chill the other for at least 2 hours. Heat the oven to 180C fan and butter 3 non-stick baking trays. Unwrap the cling film from the chilled log and use a large knife to slice rounds the thickness of a £1 coin. Lay the cookies on the trays and bake for about 5-6 mins. Cool on wire racks. THEY WON’T LAST LONG, YOU HAVE A SPARE IN THE FREEZER.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas,

Mr Greedy

 

 

Baileys Cheesecake

Baileys Cheesecake

With the flavours of a coffee liqueur, the creamy Baileys mixture topped with a thin intense layer of black coffee jelly, a must to finish a Christmas meal.

11g pack powdered gelatine, plus 1 tsp

175g shortcake biscuits, crushed to crumbs

85g butter, melted

250g tub quark

250 tub mascarpone

150ml Baileys cream liqueur

142ml pot double cream, lightly whipped

2 large eggs

140g caster sugar

FOR THE COFFEE JELLY

1 heaped tsp powdered gelatine

150ml strong black coffee,

sweetened with 2 tbsp caster sugar

Measure 5 tbsp cold water in a small bowl, sprinkle over the gelatine and leave to soak for 5 mins until spongy. Now stand the bowl of gelatine in a pan of gently simmering water and leave until it turns clear.

Mix the biscuit crumbs and butter together, then press onto the base of a buttered 20 cm loose bottomed cake tin. Use the bottom of a glass tumbler to flatten. Chill. Beat the quark, mascarpone and Baileys together, then stir in the gelatine and fold in the cream. Whisk the eggs and sugar in a large bowl until thick, pale and creamy, then fold in the cheese cake mixture and pour onto the biscuit base. Chill for 3 – 4 hours or until set. For the jelly, sprinkle the gelatine over the coffee, then put the bowl in a pan of gently simmering water until dissolved. Cool the mixture. When cold, carefully spoon the coffee mixture on top of the cheesecake to make a thin layer, DON’T POUR IT ON OR YOU WILL DISTURB THE CREAMY LAYER. Chill until set; will keep in the fridge for 2 days. To serve the cheesecake, wrap a hot tea towel around the outside of the tin, then gently ease out the cake. Serve in smaller wedges.

 

 

Chocolate and Cranberry Cookies

Chocolate and Cranberry Cookies

125g unsalted butter, softened

125g light muscovado sugar

2 med eggs, lightly beaten

2tsp vanilla extract

225g wholemeal SR Flour

25g cocoa

75g dried cranberries

12 pecan halves

100g bar white chocolate, roughly chopped

100g bar milk chocolate, roughly chopped

Heat the oven to180C fan. Put the butter and sugar into a mixer and beat together until soft and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs and vanilla extract. Remove bowl from mixer and sift in the flour and add the cranberries and chopped chocolate. Mix the dough together with your hands. Knead lightly, then wrap in cling film and chill for at least 30min. Cover 2 baking sheets with baking parchment. Divide mixture into 12 and roll into balls. Place on the parchment. Flatten with the heel of your hand and top with a pecan half. Bake for about 15 mins until just firm and leave on the tray to form and serve while still warm. Will keep in an airtight container

 

 

Celebrate Consciously

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WENVOE FORUM
Celebrate Consciously Today to Preserve Tomorrow

If each of us changes just one or two things to cut pollution, waste and carbon emissions during the Christmas celebrations and into the New Year, together, it adds up and makes a difference. Here, some of our members share their ideas.

Hello, I am Diane and I’ve joined the Wenvoe Forum as I feel that we can all help the cause. This Christmas I’m aiming to send Christmas cards that have the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) mark. This can be found on the back of the card and guarantees that the paper has been produced sustainably and ethically. After Christmas I will recycle my cards or pass them onto friends who will turn them into present tags or decorations for next year.

 

Gareth and Glenys Stone. We have lived in Wenvoe for almost 10 years now. We joined the Wenvoe Forum with a view to doing ‘our bit’ and working with others to build on the existing, strong community spirit. Our family have festive fun with the e-bay challenge. We set a price limit and a theme for family presents to be bought second hand on e-bay. We have a lot of fun buying the best present for £5 and in the past they have included Lego, headgear and even original works of art. As we open them together at Christmas we can also enjoy the stories and adventures of e-bay auctions won and lost, as well as the presents themselves. Reducing, reusing and recycling whilst having a fabulous time.

Hi. I am Heulwen and I shall be making my own Christmas present labels from handmade seed paper embedded with various flower seeds for recipients to plant. No waste card to deal with and I’m looking forward to a spring and summer full of flowers that will also encourage pollinators.

My name is Nicola Starke and I am the Headteacher at Gwenfo Church in Wales Primary School. My green festive tips include:

  • Donating old Christmas dressing up costumes to the school to loan to other children during our Christmas concerts.
  • Make a funny Christmas video to send friends and family instead of a card
  • Over the festive period swap your car for a lovely walk around the village to spot the advent windows
  • Shop locally and support small businesses when buying gifts and festive food.

 

I am Sian Jones and live in the village. I am a member of the Gwenfo Forum because I want our Wenvoe Village to be a cleaner safer environment in which to live. I think it would be good for us to embrace the New Year 2022 by thinking of ways to help our carbon footprint, less pollution in the village. For example think about ways to dispose of our Christmas wrappings and cards. Look at buying gift wrapping paper that can be recycled. Christmas cards being bought without glitter and buy from charities to support their cause. My goal for 2022 is for all of us to think and act now before it is too late!

 

 

 

More environmentally friendly ideas on our blog see below.

The Forum is always open to fresh suggestions, creative ideas and especially to new members and contributors.

Twitter @ForumGwenfo, Facebook: Gwen Fo @ https://www.facebook.com/gwen.fo.1/ and Wenvoe Forum @ https://www.facebook.com/groups/635369267864402

Blog site https://wenvoeforum.wordpress.com/

Any Wenvoe community member is welcome to join the Forum meetings, via Zoom, held at 19.00 on the second Thursday of each month. E-mail gwenfo.forum@gmail.com if you wish to come along.

 

 

Playgroup News And Events

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WENVOE PLAYGROUP NEWS AND EVENTS

Oh my days, how time is flying! By the time you are reading this our Committee will be holding their Dickensian Fayre to raise much needed funds, in hope to improve our garden space. We hope that you will all pop along and support! Father Christmas will be there sipping his mulled wine – sorry, I meant cup of tea – alongside many stall holders who will be selling their wares. It’s sure to be a fun filled few hours. Doors open at 1pm. Please wear a face mask, unless of course you are exempt. You may remove your face mask when you are sitting down to eat and drink. Refreshments available.

Information on our Committee’s next fundraiser on 18th December, ‘Santa’s Fun Run’ is here and will also be on display at the Fayre. For more information contact Louise on 07912 781497.

We hope you can support the above two fundraising events to help raise much needed funds. Thank you on behalf of the Committee.

Our Playgroup is now full until September 2022. We have waiting lists for September 2022 and September 2023 started, so please don’t think it’s too early to put your child’s name down. Do it soon! Please email wenvoeplaygroup@btinternet.com as our waiting list is based on date of enquiry not where you live. If you would like to view some of our photos or find further information then please visit our website www.wenvoeplaygroup.co.uk where you will find everything you need to know.

We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and hope that you all have a lovely time celebrating with family and loved ones this year

 

 

 

Back Up And Running

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WENVOE VILLAGE HALL

Hall Now Back Up And Running

The hall is now back up and running, with many classes returning along with children’s parties and adult events. It is lovely to see everyone living life a little more ‘normal’ with the added masks and sanitisers still in place for some.

During the COVID period we noticed a high rate of vandalism in and around the hall. Our booking secretary highlighted this by writing an article in the What’s On. The owner of Concept Fire & Security read of our troubles via the What’s On and offered to help, by installing CCTV free of charge. We would like to show our appreciation to our resident Steve whose company Concept Fire & Safety Solutions Ltd saved us thousands of pounds to protect our hall. Your member of staff pictured, was very knowledgeable, helpful and efficient. Thank you so much for your generosity from everyone at the hall. Should anyone need security or fire support, we would highly recommend: Concept Fire & Security Solutions Ltd, for a most professional, efficient service Telephone: 0800 458 2757. Thank you again Steve and staff.

During the pandemic and with classes closed, we took a financial hit. Although supported with a grant from the Vale, it is the residents and the regular classes who keep the hall alive. Without the fantastic Management Committee and roles that people take in the community, the hall would be handed back to the Landlords and maybe a block of flats or a couple of houses would be built in its place! That would mean no more Playgroup, Dancing, Badminton, Wheelers, parties etc.

The Village Hall is situated on land owned by the Wenvoe Estate, to whom we pay a ‘peppercorn rent’. This came about in 1918 after World War I had ended, as a gesture of goodwill to those who lost loved ones. The estate allowed the residents to build a hall for their community events with the condition that they take care of its upkeep and manage its costs. The hall as you see it today was rebuilt in 1974 with the Landlords extending the lease. A group of 12 residents adhere to the constitution written by the Landowners and keep the Village Hall operating as a Charitable Management Committee.

All rents paid by hirers pay for the up-keep of the hall along with any fundraising and donations. It’s thanks to the community that we are still able to keep the hall today. If you are interested in helping on the Management Committee then please contact us at wenvoevillagehall@yahoo.co.uk. We have many new residents in the village who we hope will think of continuing the good work that people started over 100 years ago.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from us all at the hall.

 

 

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