Month: July 2022

The Coronation – I Was There!

I WAS THERE!

As our village Jubilee Committee worked so hard putting together the programme of events for us, I felt I’d like to contribute towards the ‘50s exhibition by recording my memories of watching the Coronation procession in London when I was ten years of age.

We were living in Dinas Powis at that time, near the train station. I had an Aunty Connie with a good job in the offices of the GWR (Great Western Railway). She had been promoted from the Cardiff office to a higher paid job near Paddington Station, London. She was able to rent a first floor flat with a balcony in a Victorian building near the station, at a reduced rent because GWR owned many of the blocks. The back windows of her flat looked onto the main line.

She took my Welsh grandmother to live with her. My grandmother did all the cooking. She would hold up her walking stick to stop the traffic whenever she wanted to cross the road to the grocer’s shop; imagine that these days! Milk was delivered daily by a Welsh farmer who kept cows and had a dairy near Paddington; he was a Jones. My Nan would invite him in for tea and cake and they would enjoy a good chat in Welsh in the kitchen.

On the day before the Coronation, my mother, my best friend Edna, and I travelled by train to Paddington where we all squashed into the two-bedroom flat. A picnic was packed and the next day we all set off very early to walk to Hyde Park. It was still dark.

As we walked, more and more people joined us, plus many mounted police. I was fascinated by them having lights on the horses’ stirrups and on the policemen’s helmets. To me, the horses seemed enormous.

It was still just dawn when we arrived at my aunt’s chosen spot; there were already rows and rows of people in position. I think my aunt and my mother had little folding stools and we had blankets, as it was quite chilly. There were already soldiers in position lining the route. Everyone was very excited and happy. Toilet blocks had been set up and there was bunting everywhere.

As the time for the procession drew nearer, all the children were encouraged by the crowd to sit on the kerbside behind the soldiers. At one point, the soldiers were allowed to relax and eat the rations they had been issued. A couple of soldiers gave us their bars of chocolate. As time went on, we saw a few soldiers faint, as they had been standing to attention for many hours. They were whisked away very quickly on stretchers.

My mother and aunt were way back in the crowd; they passed us sandwiches and fruit across the happy people. We had to wait a very long time as we were positioned to see the procession once it was on its way back from the coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey. There were loudspeakers playing the whole time and relaying the service from the Abbey. Everyone was excited and expectant. It started to rain quite heavily but people had prepared, and we must have had waterproofs as I don’t remember being wet. We weren’t bored as there was so much to see and we had sweets and teddy bears. The crowd was very noisy.

It was raining very heavily by the time the actual procession began to arrive. We loved the colours of the uniforms and all the horses. I vividly remember the gold coach with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh passing us. The Queen was sitting up very straight, smiling and waving. They passed quite slowly, followed by a coach carrying the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret. Of the many carriages that followed, most with hoods up because it was raining heavily, the highlight for us was Queen Sālote of Tonga. She was standing up, waving and smiling at everyone. She was an enormous and very colourful lady. She just stood in the rain. The procession took a long time to pass. We then had to walk back to Paddington, weary and, probably, grumpy.

My grandmother watched the whole day on a little television set in the grocer’s shop. My father couldn’t be with us as there wasn’t enough room for him to stay in my aunt’s flat. I can only find one photo taken of the day; it’s taken on my aunt’s balcony, of me and my best friend Edna. My aunt and mother had been too far back in the crowd to take any photos of the procession. I had a mug from school and a miniature gold coach.

Sandra Jones

 

Bluebells at Wentwood and Brecon Beacons

 Bluebells

The appearance of the first spring flowers always has Wenvoe walkers thinking about the arrival of bluebells. Spring this year was cool and we enjoyed wood anemones, daffodils, primula etc. for longer than usual. Then the blue bells arrived. You can spot them in lots of places in Wenvoe but many of them are the Spanish variety which overrun the English variety and spread rapidly (in your garden keep them under control or they will take over). English bluebells are daintier than their Spanish relatives (which stand straighter) with arching stems and hanging bells. You can find English bluebells (which I will refer to simply as bluebells from here on) near Wenvoe, including Wenvoe woods and Coed Nant Bran. The woods between Castell Coch and Pentyrch were a glorious carpet of bluebells mixed with wild garlic. We have enjoyed them on several walks:

Wentwood

Wentwood is northeast of Newport and is the largest area of ancient woodland in Wales covering 1000 hectares. In its 1000-year history it has been a hunting preserve for Chepstow castle and there is evidence of charcoal hearths and the remains of a mill. The woodland is a haven for wildlife and a peaceful place to visit with many ancient trees. There are paths for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, which are well – marked and graded. It is also a great place to see bluebells.

The wood is gradually being restored to native broad -leaved trees which were replaced by fast growing conifers for timber in the 20th C. Nature has a way though and as the conifers are removed seedlings of the original woodland are taking advantage of the light and growing.

We were a larger group than usual and were soon catching up with each other. The air was clear and the sun shining so that the newly opened leaves on trees were bright green. The trees sheltered us from the heat of the sun and walking was fairly easy

Occasionally we reached a clearing in the wood where we could see the hills – Sugarloaf and Skirrid.

But the stars of the day were the trees and flowers. The purply-blue of bluebells highlighted by stitchwort and the trunks of silver birches but mostly contrasting with the lime green of newly emerged tree leaves. And as if this wasn’t enough the air was full of the sweet scent which is unmistakably bluebell. (Some people find it difficult to smell bluebells – I recently learnt that it is easier to smell them if you draw air in lightly through your nostrils; if you take great gulps the scent can elude you.).

Passing through an area where a large swathe of trees had been cleared, we were able to see the Severn estuary and the Prince of Wales bridge. Soon we were back in the woodland and came to the ‘Curley Oak’. The oldest tree in Wales’s largest and oldest forest. There is something truly primeval about this hollow ancient tree, said to be over 900 years old. Yet, until the Woodland Trust launched an ambitious campaign to purchase over 350 ha of Wentwood Forest in 2005, few people even knew of its existence. The Woodland Trust has thinned the trees which tightly surrounded the Curley Oak to allow in more light and give it a better chance of survival. [Walk 7m 900ft Map 152]

Brecon Beacons

A couple of weeks later we went to the Brecon Beacons, parking above Pontiscill reservoir to walk in the Taf Fechan forest and above Pentwyn reservoir. Another fine day and a smashing walk. As soon as we stepped over a stile into open countryside a sea of bluebells was laid out before us. We travelled up the east side of the Taf Fechan to Torpantau station, stopping for long periods to watch the Brecon Railway steam train. Then we crossed the river at the bottom of the Taf Fechan reservoir which is being returned to nature with some excellent footpaths but no proper link to the east. We stopped for lunch alongside the reservoir and chatted to some people who had started at 8 a.m. and walked a long distance but were still springing down the path. As we descended on the western side of river, the ground was boggy for a while. Then we found more bluebells in the open, in an area where trees had been cleared. There were new buds on the various conifers and a huge area of trees which had tumbled down, partly felled and partly due to wind damage.

We were close to the Barn tea rooms and most of us went to get refreshments whilst our hero drivers walked another mile to retrieve the cars and came back to join us. [Walk 6.5m 850ft Map OL12]

In June I spotted a single bluebell on a walk from Merthyr Mawr – the last one for another year.

 

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Mango Muffins

Mango Muffins

300g plain flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp bicarb- of soda

100g caster sugar

1 medium ripe mango

150ml bottle Benecol Fruit & Dairy Smoothie

1 egg

3fl oz vegetable oil

Heat oven to 180C. Line a muffin tin with 12 paper muffin cases. Sieve the flour, baking powder and bi-carb into a bowl and stir in the sugar. Halve the mango, remove the stone and peel. Mash one half with a fork, then chop the other half into small cubes. Mix the Benecol Fruit and Dairy Smoothie, egg and oil, then pour into the mix and stir well. Stir in the mashed mango, then fold in the chopped mango. Spoon between the muffin cases and bake for about 20 mins until well risen and golden

 

Chicken, Red Pepper & Almond Tray Bake

Chicken, Red Pepper & Almond Tray Bake

500g boneless chicken thighs

3 medium red onions, cut into thick wedges

500g small baby new potatoes, cut into thick slices

2 red peppers, deseeded and cut into slices

2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped

1 tsp each ground cumin, smoked paprika and fennel (seeds slightly crushed)

3 tbsp olive oil

zest and juice 1 lemon

50g whole blanched almonds, roughly chopped

170g tub of Greek yogurt to serve

Small handful of coriander, chopped, to serve

Heat oven to 180C. Place the chicken, onions, potatoes and peppers in a large bowl and ground salt and fresh black pepper. In another bowl, mix the garlic, spices, oil and lemon zest and juice. Mix and pour over everything, mix well and spread the mixture between two baking trays. Roast for about 40 mins, turning the chicken until cooked through. Add the almonds for the final 8 mins of cooking. Serve on plates with a Greek style salad and a dollop of Greek yogurt. and a scatter of the chopped coriander. Use fresh crusty bread to mop up any juices.

 

Cheese, Ham & Pea Risotto

Cheese, Ham & Pea Risotto

1tbsp olive oil

1 onion chopped

2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped

300g risotto rice

1.25 litres chicken or veg stock [2 cubes]

150g frozen peas

180g gammon ham, diced and precooked

2 tsp English mustard

3 tbsp mascarpone

100g mature cheddar, grated, plus extra to serve

Heat oil in a large pan and cook the onion for about 5 mins until softened. Stir in the garlic and risotto rice and cook for about 30secs to 1min. Pour in the stock and bring to the boil, then cover and cook on a medium heat for about 15 mins, stirring every so often. The rice should be almost done. Add the peas, gammon and cheeses to the pan and cook for about 5 – 10 mins until the rice is just right and the cheeses melted, serve with a little extra cheese if you like it.

 

 

 

June 2022 Book Choice

 

“The Lake of Dreams” by Kim Edwards

This book tells the story of Lucy’s homecoming to New York State a decade after her father’s unresolved death. Family secrets are uncovered, past passions rekindled and an heirloom tapestry and fascinating stained glass designs all contribute to a reconfiguring of her family history.

We Page Turners made widely varying comments about this novel. Some said it did nothing for them whilst others enjoyed the unfolding mystery and interesting characters. More negatives included “storyline too coincidental”, “superficial”, “ boring”. Positives included “ an easy read” “believable” “ a pleasant leisure time read”.

We universally agreed that the subjects of glass-blowing and stained glass design were very well researched and described as were the insights into the American suffrage movement.

We scored between three and nine out of ten, and agreed to differ!

 

Seventy Years Of Wenvoe In Transit

FORWARD OR BACK?: SEVENTY YEARS OF WENVOE IN TRANSIT

Recent weeks have seen the celebration of the Queen’s platinum jubilee, including a great display of local memorabilia organised by Mike and Glenys Tucker, which together with the Barry Festival of Transport gave me food for thought on the changes in transport and communications in and around Wenvoe during the years from 1952 to 2022. There were major achievements. For example, in 1952 Wenvoe was on the map with the television mast first broadcasting on 15 August 1952 (in plenty of time for broadcasting the coronation the following year) and on the same scale Rhoose airport, now Cardiff International Airport, was formally opened in October. Incidentally a private airstrip had operated in the 1930s near the TV mast site at St. Lythans Down. Formerly a RAF airfield, Rhoose opened with Aer Lingus flights to Dublin. There were some concerns at the time that the TV mast could be a hazard to aircraft but on 1 April 1954 all civilian flights were transferred from the old Cardiff Municipal Airport and by 1971 transatlantic flights were flying in and out of Rhoose.

At a local level what transport options were there? In 1952 17% of all passenger mileage was by rail and you could still travel from Wenvoe station, although local passenger services had been reduced to two trains on weekdays with all passenger services being withdrawn in 1962. In WWII Wenvoe tunnel had been used by Royal trains visiting the Cardiff area as it provided safe cover during air raids. In 1952 less than 30% of any distance travelled was by car, van or taxi but private car ownership was growing and whilst a new road bypassed the village in 1931 the Barry MP;; Sir Raymond Gower, was arguing for the Port Road to be given ‘A’ road status due to the high level of accidents in 1968. Serving the motorist was a local petrol station, Wenvoe garage, which still exists as a tyre centre today. By 1970 the figure of passenger mileage by private vehicles was at 75%, increasing to 85% by the late 1980s where it roughly remains today.

In 1952 the highest percentage of passenger mileage was by bus or coach at 42%. The excellent transport festival featured many heritage buses including those operated by Western Welsh and I’m sure many can remember the 303 service from Wenvoe, which in the 1961-62 timetable is a twenty minute service starting at 7:49 am up to 7:29 pm then half-hourly until 11:04 pm. Also passing through Wenvoe was the 305 bus to RAF St Athan and Llantwit Major

What service is available today? The bus stop sign at the Barry end of the village, Old Port Road (N) gives an interesting reminder of bus services in recent years; the 86 and 87 (to and from Dinas Powys) the 90 (to Culverhouse Cross), the 96A (Cardiff to Barry) and the X91 (Cardiff to Llantwit Major). Available before COVID at the Wallston Castle bus stop was the T9 Cardiff Airport Express (always usually empty and referred to as the ‘empty 9’).

Cycling is one mode of transport, popular for commuting in the 1950s and 60s, that has seen a revival. Whilst telephone usage has greatly increased and we have witnessed the birth of mobile phones and the internet in this period – how many have learnt to ‘zoom’ during the Covid lockdown? – we still need to travel, for commuting, shopping and pleasure. But we need to reduce our carbon footprint and cut down the use of the car – when compared to a single occupancy car journey, the local bus (carrying between 30 and 100 passengers) produces half the greenhouse gases – we have only one public bus service, the 96A.

Stephen K. Jones

For further details see Wenvoe Online http:// wenvoe.org.uk/?m=201710 and the Wenvoe History Group ‘Gwenfo Gynt’ series

 

 

 

Must Do Gardening Tips for July

THE VILLAGE GARDENER

Must Do Gardening Tips for July

Jobs for July from Susan Bowen MBE

  1. Cut back growth in hanging baskets and feed to encourage new growth.
  2. Prune wisteria now. Just remove the whippy side shoots to about five leaves from the main stem.
  3. Cut spent stems of lupins to promote new growth.
  4. Dead head bedding plants to keep displays going.
  5. Don’t let dandelions go to seed.

Sylvia Davies of that lovely garden opposite the Walston Castle

  1. High potash feed will give you brilliant blooms on many flowers especially sunflowers.
  2. Use grass clippings to cover potato tubers that are near the surface to stop them going green.
  3. Keep up the hoeing of weeds to give your plants a better chance.
  4. Keep greenhouse clear of disease by clearing up any fallen or dying leaves.
  5. Check your pots for vine weevil if your plants are wilting for no obvious reason.

Watering consistently is so important as plants can wilt, become stressed or stunted. Large leafed plants need a lot more water than small leafed ones. Newly planted trees and shrubs will be in particular need of watering in dry spells. Check plants in pots, even after rain, and terracotta pots should be lined with polythene to prevent moisture loss through the sides. For plants in the garden you should water generously but less frequently to encourage roots to grow deeper and overtime become more tolerant of dry conditions. Bark or gravel around the base of plants will help retain moisture. Lawns are very tolerant of dry conditions and will recover well; on cricket pitches they cut the grass down to virtually the roots and it recovers. If you really must water, then do it thoroughly as just a sprinkle will do more harm than good.

We need to give our plants proper attention during the summer months as a lot of work went into getting them to this stage, so feeding, deadheading, and watering will prolong the display. Herbaceous geraniums need to be cut down to the floor after flowering to give a 2nd flush. Roses need constant dead heading but the results are worth it. Sid & Linda Cottle of Gwenfo Drive have a lovely garden full of roses which are always in good fettle.

July is the best time of year to sow foxgloves and wallflowers for a display next year, if you have doubts about whether you can be bothered just remember what Dick Turpin is selling them for in the garden centre. You will need to sow delphiniums now as this is the latest time to be certain of blooms next year.

At 85 years young Herbie is proof that working the soil is good for you and on his allotment at Twyn-yr-Odin he dishes out advice whether you ask for it or not. I caught him on a ladder trying to pick his broad beans and asked him for some tips to put in the gardening column. Ever obliging he said water daily and not just a splash, hoe weeds on dry days and they are guaranteed to die, always remove dying leaves from plants to prevent disease, check for aphids on the runner beans and rub them off with your hands and take the tops off broad beans to deter black fly.

The panel at gardeners question time in the library hub on the 27th May want to mention through this column that they were made to feel most welcome and enjoyed a pleasant evening. The knowledge displayed by the audience left them in no doubt that gardens in Wenvoe are in safe hands.

Take care and happy gardening

 

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