Month: March 2022

Short walks around Wenvoe

 

Short walks around Wenvoe

5km (3 miles)

1 Starting at the Church gate. Go up Walston Road and into Clos Llanfair to the end and pass through the kissing gate. Keep straight ahead and turn right when you reach the road. Follow the road around to a footpath between 50 and 51 Burdons Close. The path leads to a stile into a field. Cross the field diagonally heading for the electricity pylon to pass it on your right to a stile beyond and you are now on Burdonshill.

2 Turn right to reach a stony track at the top of the hill. Pass through the kissing gate ahead. You are now on the golf course, keep close to the righthand hedge to reach a footpath post; descend right to a kissing gate (can be muddy here if wet) Turn left to reach a stony track.

3 Turn left going downhill through a gate past the Goldsland Farm Orchard to reach Goldsland Farm. (This is a working farm cattle and machinery are moving around at times, keep to the public path)

4 Turn right and left to pass around the barns and continue along the drive to the junction. Turn left. Follow this road passing through the golf course and the entrance to the club. Continue past the Walled Garden and the Bothy houses to reach the main road. (The road opposite the Bothy will take you back to the top of Burdonshill).

5 Go left past the garage and Style garden centre and either continue to Old Port Road and go left back to the church or take the first turn left into Goldsland Walk and take the footpath in front of No 18 to re-join your outward path at the kissing gate.

 

 

Huge Cycling Challenge

 

RIDE FOR JAYNE

We are taking on the huge challenge of cycling the length of Wales, 220 miles from Holyhead to the Vale of Glamorgan, to raise money for Cancer Research Wales in memory of our mum Jayne Fallas. Our mum was a kind, caring and warm person whose smile lit up every room she entered. She was a devoted mother and wife and a friend to all who met her.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017. She was very scared and nervous but she overcame this and beat the disease and we saw a level of strength, determination, courage and bravery which made us see our mum in a completely different light. We saw a side of mum which we didn’t realise she had. She was an absolute warrior taking all of the treatment they offered her and fighting through the hard days for the good days which were to follow. We cannot put into words how proud of our mum we are. That was undoubtedly the hardest thing she had ever faced and we as a family were there with her every step of the way but she had to walk the journey and goodness me she didn’t just walk the journey she flew through it showing the bravery and courage in her heart each and every day.

Sadly, after 4 years the cancer returned and our mum lost her battle with cancer. She passed away on the 6th of December 2021. This was and still is devastating for us as a family. However, as we know our mum would have wanted, we decided to celebrate her life and raise money in her name. We hope to carry on her legacy and ensure that this money will help and support individuals and their families with a similar story to ours.

There is a team of 20 of us taking part in this ‘Ride for Jayne’ We plan to have an event on the 31st of July at the finish line of our cycle. There will be raf-fles, food & drink as well as some more opportunities to donate to Cancer Research Wales. The finish line will be at St Cyres School in Penarth, we hope to see as many of you there as possible!

Thank you so much for your support!!

To donate visit: https://www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/rideforjayne

You can follow our journey on instagram – @RideforJayne

The Ride For Jayne Team

 

 

February Walk Reports

 

LIVING WITH CANCER
STROLLERS

Time to Talk day is February 3rd and coincided with the Living with Cancer Strollers at Cosmeston. It’s a day when people are encouraged to talk and to share….the strollers did not need much encouragement. Indeed, as ever, they were cajoled to keep walking, whilst doing all the talking! And what did people talk about: the mud , the start of radiotherapy sessions, the abundance of robins, painful migraines….and the sheer joy of being outside walking ‘n’ talking with good companions. Join us!!

 

STRESS BUSTERS STROLLERS

Five new walkers joined the first Stress Buster stroll of 2022. The newbies were welcomed into the group and soon found themselves chatting and sharing stories with the oldies…no disrespect meant!! It was a very still, calm sea that the walkers by passed and nobody was tempted to join the cold, very cold, water swimmers at Watchtower Bay…maybe next month!??

 

 

Dull, dark, dismal skies

.

CARERS WALK

Dull, dark, dismal skies did not dampen the enthusiasm of the walkers on the Carers stroll. 3 new walkers joined the group, and although views across the Channel were lacking, conversation and bonhomie were in plentiful supply!! Italian ice creams at the end of the walk seemed to revive any weary limbs!

 

Women’s Institute Back In Action

 

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

We’re back!

At last, Wenvoe WI members were able to meet as normal in the Church Hall on Thursday Feb 3rd. Many thanks to Carol Wylie for her prompt action and advice.
It was a well-attended occasion, and we held our ‘rummage’ / unwanted Christmas presents sale. One member even brought a ‘simulated’ fur coat along and it was duly auctioned!
On Valentine,s Day afternoon, an informal meeting was held for members in the Wenvoe Arms, and we would like to express our thanks to Jenny and the staff for their welcome and willingness to provide us with a venue during the pandemic.
Our next meeting is on March 3rd, at 7pm in the Church hall, when Debra John from Swansea will address us as ‘an Edwardian maid’, describing the duties and difficulties of such a task.
All new members are ensured of a warm welcome.
Janet Young ( President)

 

 

Coffee Corner is Up and Running

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

We are pleased to announce that our  and already welcoming the community for a warm drink and a chat on cold winter days.

New opening hours

Mondays 11-5

Tuesdays 10-1

Wednesdays 10-4

Saturdays 9-1

We have extended our opening hours to accommodate the new groups who have chosen to hold their weekly meetings in the Hub. During these times the library and the coffee area remain open to all

Clwb Clonc is going from strength to strength, Silver Foxes is already a big success, and the Stitches meeting is the place to create and learn new skills from experienced hand crafters.

Watch this space for upcoming activities to include Storytime and Sing and Rhyme for pre-schoolers, after-school craft sessions while mums relax over a coffee, free training on how to use your electronic devices and so on….

We are pleased to welcome our new volunteers and thank our existing volunteers without whom our library would not exist. With the help of more volunteers, we can increase our hours and offer more activities to the community. If you would like to join us, please contact wenvoelibrary@outlook.com

Important dates

Official opening of the Library Hub building -Saturday May 21st, at 2 pm

Village show- Saturday 10th September, Wenvoe Community Centre

Limerick competition

National Limerick Day is set on 12th May to mark the birthday of Edward Lear, the English writer known for his works of nonsensical prose and poetry. To mark this occasion, we are holding a competition for the best Limerick on the theme of the new Library Hub. The winner will receive a bottle of Prosecco.

 

 

Surprised to See Big John

VILLAGE ENVIRONMENT GROUP

On our February outing we were all quite surprised to see big John joining us. It is well known in Wenvoe that John doesn’t come out until Spring has sprung. He said the early daffodils had tricked him. Some of the team can be seen cutting overgrowth off the old wall on Walston Road; the other members are clearing up the waste which filled our trailer. There will be very little cutting back of any hedges from March as birds will be nesting. The team will be assisting in any way it can leading up to the Jubilee celebrations in June.

The next meeting will be on Monday 14th March at 9.30am outside the Community Centre

 

Gardening Tips for March 2022

THE VILLAGE GARDENER

Must Do Gardening Tips for March

St Mary’s Church florist Sandra Jones tips for the month

1. Start feeding shrubs with slow-release fertiliser.

2. Trim winter flowering heathers.

3. Clean up paths and patios.

4. Put supports in place before plants start to grow.

5. Dead head daffodils but don’t touch leaves

Ray of Church Rise and the perfect lawn.

1. Always brush away worm casts or weed seeds will find a home.

2. Cut as often as needed but not too low.

3. Spend time on edging as finish is everything.

4. Clear thatch annually.

5. In dry weather don’t attempt to water the lawn unless you have enough time to do it properly.

Here we go then, Spring is here, and we look forward to the growing season. We will see what plants have survived the Winter in the greenhouse and shed. What we can be sure of is that hundreds of slugs and snails will be gearing up to eat anything tender that pokes it head above the soil. After listening to gardeners over the years slug pellets were always the favourite form of eradication but the most popular now is a margarine tub sat in the soil with some beer in it. The little blighters can’t resist it. You must empty it often because they will stink if you leave them. As slugs and snails are mainly nocturnal, you can catch them in the act by taking a torch and removing them as they forage. For pots on a path or patio a ring of salt around the base of container will sort them out.

We often have some inclement weather in March, so don’t be tempted to put tender plants out. Once the warmer days come things will soon catch up. Going by last year’s weather when there were roses blooming in the garden on Christmas Day and daffodils in flower on the village green by mid-January, I will be staggering the sowing of seed to have a longer season. The one plant that does well by planting now is the snowdrop. Buy them in the green just after they’ve flowered, and you will be guaranteed a good display next year. If you just plant the dried bulbs they don’t often multiply. With Spring bulbs such as daffodils, take the flower head off as soon as it starts to go over so the plant can put its energy back into the bulb for a good display next year. Remember to make a photographic diary of your garden as it comes into life so you can make adjustments for the following season and not put the spade through dormant bulbs later in the year. You need to give the roses a prune now if you haven’t already done so. We are trained to cut them back to an out facing bud like rose experts Mr & Mrs Cottle of Gwenfo Drive but don’t worry as they are tough plants and can take a lot of misplaced secateurs. Clematis is another plant that needs cutting back before growth starts. There are so many varieties that flower at different times of the year, so you should check before you cut into it. If you have a problem with this plant, then Mrs Clare Ellis is the lady you need to speak to as she is very knowledgeable on these plants. You can usually find Clare working in the library on a Saturday.

There will be a plant sale on Saturday 30th April in Vennwood Close, where local growers will have stalls showing off their wares. There will of course be loads of free gardening advice, a few local crafters, cakes and a raffle with proceeds going to the Wildlife Group.

Take care and happy gardening.

 

 

Planning Updates March 2022

Planning Updates March 2022

.  Planning Permission

  • Whitegate, Old Port Road. Proposed two storey rear extension has been approved with conditions.

 

The following applications have been refused planning permission.

  • Vishwell Farmhouse, St. Andrews Road. Dormer addition. Extension on top of single storey aspect on rear. New addition of three door garage with annex addition for office and bathroom space. The scale and design of the dormer was considered disproportionately large in relation to the dwelling. The siting of the garage would impact the open setting of the area
  • Land adjacent to Station Terrace, Station Road East. Proposed construction of Berm house was refused once again on its location, TPO protected trees, failure to fully appraise the biodiversity of the site, failure to make a contribution to off site affordable housing, failure to address the fact of a water main crossing the site.

 

Other Items

The Council were shown the design for the new traffic light controlled crossing of Port Road near the Walston Castle Beefeater Restaurant. This will give the long sought after safe crossing for the public and cyclists.

The Council have discussed with their neighbour about the overgrown hedge alongside the car park which is encroaching on the footpath. A reduction in the growth has been promised.

The recommendations of the finance committee were accepted. Charges for the hire of the Community Centre and burial fees will remain unaltered except that regular and irregular local hirer of the hall will be charged the same rate.

The 106 funding for the library costs were agreed to be signed off. This will release the remaining 106 monies for other projects. Any new costs associated with the library will be borne by the Council.

Celebrations for the Queen’s Jubilee were discussed. A site for planting 7 trees, one for each decade, has not yet been agreed. A suggested development of the unused area grass adjacent to the ramp into the park for Jubilee roses and other plants was supported. The idea of a toposcope is now to be designed. Other plans by local groups are being discussed.

Anti-vandal paint has now been applied to all access points to the roofs of the Community Centre and library, warning notices have been posted. Anti-vandal paint is a thick non-drying oily based coating to deter intruders by making surfaces virtually unclimbable whilst making hands and staining clothing.

Proposals to make changes to the footpaths in the area of Whitehall Farm have been drawn up by the Vale’s public rights of way section and will be presented before the end of February. If accepted, the proposals will be subject to public consultation before any changes are made. The Council have expressed their opposition to the proposal to change the status of the footpath 56 between Walston Road and Whitehall Farm, alongside the quarry, to a bridleway.

Work on installing the new benches around the area has commenced. It is anticipated that the outstanding notice boards at St Lythans Park and Station Road will be erected shortly

 

 

1 2 3 4