Month: August 2022
Shuggie Bain By Douglas Stuart
OFF THE SHELF
Shuggie Bain By Douglas Stuart- The 2020 Booker Prize Winner
Douglas Stuart’s avowedly autobiographical first novel is a story about poverty, addiction and abuse and therefore was seen by members of the group as a grim experience. However, Stuart portrays such an understanding of the relationship between a child and a substance abusing parent that the book was held in esteem by most of the book club members. Stuart definitely has the ability to combine love and deep sadness, giving equal weight to both. The book is set in the 1980’s in Glasgow’s filthy tenements and progresses to the exploration of life in a mining village just outside the City.
Shuggie’s mother, Agnes descends through the degrading stages of alcoholism, ever more vulnerable to ever more predatory men. Her only constant relationships are with her children, whose knowledge of her disintegration is therefore intimate and private. The oldest, Catherine, marries in her late teens to get away from her mother and moves to South Africa. Alexander, “Leek”, is a gifted artist who carries around with him a two-year-old letter offering him a university place, stays to try to teach Shuggie how to “act normal” – i.e., appear to conform to the norms of working-class Glaswegian masculinity, which does not come naturally. Leek also stays in faltering hope of saving Agnes, until one day she throws him out, leaving the young teenage Shuggie as her sole carer.
Stuart’s depiction of women is very harsh and as one member said it is a book that is ‘heavy on lines, with colloquial dialect and language’. The work shares a picture of a roller- coaster life with immense highs and lows. As the book draws ever nearer to the ending, we are left reeling with many emotions but there was no doubt in our minds how wonderful Shuggie is and how we all shone the light for his future.
The group scored the book 8 out of 10
Isobel Davies
Place Name History -Y BARRI
3. THE MEANING AND DERIVATION OF PLACE-NAMES
Y BARRI / BARRY
We know that the name Barri was in existence before the Twelfth Century because the de Barri family, the family of the well-known historian and Archdeacon of Brecon, Gerallt Gymro – Giraldus Cambrensis, Gerald the Welshman – who was born in 1146 – took its name from that of the area. Scholars believe that the name Barri is derived from the name of a stream, Barren, which flowed from the Buttrills area down to the sea. It’s possible that the element ‘bar’ – which means ‘hilltop’ or ‘summit’ – is part of the word ‘Barren’. (Interestingly, this Celtic – or even Brythonic word ‘bar’ can also be seen in the name Berkshire – which is, as you know, a particularly hilly county.) The name given to the stretch of water between the island and the mainland was Aber Barri – ‘aber’ meaning ‘estuary’ in this instance. In Welsh, the definite article (‘y’) is used with the name – ‘Y Barri’ – and this could be a contraction of ‘aber’ as in Aber Barri – or it was adopted because many other place-names in Wales, which begin with the consonant ‘b’, are preceded by the definite article – y Bala, y Borth, y Bermo etc. (By the way, this use of the definite article with place -names is not only a Welsh phenomenon as it is common in many other languages – The Hague, Las Vegas, El Salvador, die Schweiz, der Iran and so on.) The spelling ‘Barry’ with a ‘y’ is merely the anglicisation of the Welsh name.
COLD KNAP
This name derives from two Old English words. The first element ‘cold’ developed from the word ‘col’ which has given us ‘coal’ today. In the name Cold Knap it refers to coal works or pits in the area. But the reference isn’t to coal – but to charcoal – which was used extensively in the ironwork and smelting processes. The second element, ‘knap’ is derived from the word ‘knaepp’ which means ‘hill’. So, ‘Cold Knap’ therefore means something like ‘the hill near the charcoal pits’ or ‘the charcoal pits near/on the hill’.
COLCOT
There are two elements to this word also – both derived from Old English words. The first element is ‘Col’, which refers once again to charcoal works in the area. The second element ‘cot’ is derived from the Old English word meaning ‘a building for creating or storing craft items’. Where that building was situated is lost in the sands of time, but we know that it was somewhere near charcoal pits.
Next month – Highlight and Brynhill
Ann. M. Jones
Wave Goodbye To an Old Friend
Wave Goodbye To an Old Friend
Another old friend who we will soon have to wave goodbye to. This great specimen on the village green is an elm tree which has failed to stir itself from last winter’s cold and no doubt will soon be set for removal by the Community Council. It is still popular with the pigeons, doves and Jackdaws so enjoy its wonderful form while it is still with us.
Brian Jones
Jubilee Treasure Hunt
FAMILY JUBILEE TREASURE HUNT
Available from The Hub
There is still plenty of time to take part in the great Jubilee Treasure Hunt; especially with the summer holidays at hand. The closing date is not until the August Bank Holiday. You can collect an entry from The Community Hub. Just pop in and ask for a Jubilee question sheet; the opening times of the Community Hub are shown on page 2.
All the answers can be found within our community area which stretches from the village to Culverhouse Cross and out to Dyffryn. All answers are within walking distance for most people but if using the car please park with consideration to others.
What does the quiz consist of?
It comes in four parts:
Part 1 is to locate a series of house names and then discover which letters will help to form a word.
Part 2 is devised with children in mind and requires a visit to some of the community orchards and nature sites, identify a picture of an animal to help find another one.
Part 3 is a collection of photographs; some are within local communities and others require a stroll along local footpaths into the surrounding countryside to identify the picture.
Finally part 4 is questions on local items.
If you have any difficulty locating places or footpath routes etc the staff at The Hub will be only too willing to assist you or will know somebody who can assist. The Hub is located behind the Community Centre in the centre of the village.
ENJOY THE HUNT!
July 2022 Book Choice
“The Songbirds” By Christy Lefteri
Nisha is from Sri Lanka. She is a nanny/domestic help in Nicosia, sending money home to support her daughter. Nisha has disappeared and her story is written through the eyes of her lover Yannis, and her employer Petra. Petra struggles being a mother to Aliki with whom Nisha has a strong loving bond. Yannis adores Nisha, but we uncover his secret life of hunting and trapping of songbirds, a delicacy at wealthy tables.
This beautiful book provoked a lively discussion, particularly about modern day slavery. All of us would recommend it even though the subject matter was quite harrowing. It was written in compassionate and eloquent language and this compelling novel scored a unanimous 9.
Our meeting concluded with delicious homemade strawberry ice cream. Thank you, Helen
Stem Ginger and Treacle Tart
Stem Ginger and Treacle Tart
375g pack sweet shortcrust pastry
a little flour for dusting
750g golden syrup
225g breadcrumbs
zest and juice of 1 lemon
11/2 tsp ground ginger
3 large eggs
6 – 8 balls stem ginger, thinly sliced
Roll out the pastry and line a prepared 23cm x 3cm deep loose bottom fluted tart case. Line the tin with the pastry and fold the overhang over the sides of the tin. Chill for about 30 mins. Heat the oven 180C. Line the tin with baking paper and baking beans. Blind bake for about 20 mins. Remove the beans and paper and bake for 10 mins more until the pastry is pale golden and sandy, [see Mr Greedy’s note below]. Mix the golden syrup, breadcrumbs, lemon zest and juice, ground ginger and eggs together in a large bowl. Once the pastry is ready lower the oven to 140C. Using a small sharp serrated knife, carefully trim the over hanging edges, then tip in the treacle mixture and bake for 55 mins to 1 hour until the filling is golden and crisp and feels set to touch. Once cooled slightly, arrange the sliced ginger over the top, with a drizzle of syrup from the ginger jar. Lift from the tin and leave to cool and serve with vanilla ice cream or fresh double cream.
Mr Greedy’s note.
If you haven’t got any baking beans use rice as an alternative; it works just as well, Keep the rice for future use; don’t cook with it.
Veggie Bolognese (V)
Veggie Bolognese (V)
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 onions, finely chopped
400g can chickpeas, drained, rinsed and roughly chopped
15g dried sliced porcini mushrooms
300g coarsely grated pumpkin or squash
200g coarsely grated courgette
1 tbsp chopped oregano leaves
2 large garlic cloves, crushed
680ml tomato passata
400g can cherry tomatoes, [or fresh sliced in half]
1tbsp balsamic vinegar
400g dried wholemeal pasta
basil leaves and finely grated parmesan or vegetarian alternative, to serve
Heat a large deep sided pan over a medium heat. Add the oil, onion and chickpeas and cook for about 10 mins, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is a deep golden colour. While the chickpeas are cooking put the porcini in a med bowl and cover with 250ml of boiling water. Leave to soak for 15 mins or until softened. While the mushrooms are soaking, add the pumpkin, courgette, oregano and garlic to the pan and cook, stirring, for 5 mins. Drain the mushrooms, reserving the soaking liquid, finely chop and add to the pan. Add the reserved liquid, passata and tomatoes. Leave to simmer for 10 mins or until the mixture has thickened. Add the vinegar and some seasoning and stir to combine. While the sauce is simmering cook the pasta as per packet instructions until al dente. Drain well and serve on warm plates. Top with the sauce and sprinkle with the basil and parmesan.
Seven Green Flag Awards
Wenvoe Wildlife Group
Seven Green Flag Awards for 2022!!
This is a tribute to all involved with the community sites. The landowners – The Reader family and Vale of Glamorgan Council – make it possible. Without the land we would not have the orchards and meadows for everyone to enjoy.
Our thanks also to Wildlife Group members who help with the conservation and others who either as individuals or groups cut the grass, strim the vegetation and cut down unwanted bushes and trees, To the Scouts who plant the hedgerows and individuals who fundraise for us – a big THANK YOU.
This year promises to be our biggest crop of fruit so far. Why not visit the orchards and sample over 50 different varieties of apple, pear, plum, cherry, medlar, damson and filbert? The photo shows a Nant Gwrtheryn apple all the way from the Llyn in North Wales. This is in the Welsh Orchard. See if you can find another in any of the other local orchards at Dyffryn, Porthkerry, Peterston etc
Andrew R.T. Davies’ Column
ANDREW R.T. DAVIES’ COLUMN
People in Wenvoe, like anybody in the Vale or in Wales as a whole, are entitled to quality healthcare.
And I think I speak for most if not all residents when I say that our NHS staff are doing the best they can, and then some.
I have nothing but gratitude for those staff who are doing so much to help people in Wenvoe when they use our health service.
Unfortunately, those staff, and patients, are suffering. Our NHS performance is not where it should be in a modern, wealthy country.
One area which is of particular concern to me and many people I speak to in the community is A&E waiting times.
People who have to attend A&E are often in a lot of pain and stress, and it is vital that they can be seen promptly so they can move forward with their treatment.
In Cardiff and the Vale Health Board, the health board that serves the community of Wenvoe, in the month of May this year, 1 in 10 A&E patients were waiting more than 12 hours in an emergency department.
Five years ago, in May 2017, only 0.5% of patients were waiting that long.
I know lots of people will agree that we don’t want to see anybody waiting 12 hours in an emergency department.
But to go from 1 in 200 people waiting for 12 hours to 1 in 10 in just 5 years is a serious cause for concern.
These long waits are putting pressure on people’s lives.
It’s not good enough.
It is truly unacceptable that 1 in every 10 A&E attendees are having to wait at least 12 hours to be seen.
We need to see action on this.
I continue to raise this in my capacity in the Senedd, and I will stay on top of this issue, because it has an impact on everybody in our communities.