Month: February 2023
What An Outing
VILLAGE ENVIRONMENT GROUP
What an outing on our first meeting of the year!
Before we got going a concerned citizen reported that suspicious activity was afoot at the church. We voted for Ian to go and investigate, as he was nearest. All ok though as the gentleman was investigating a problem with the roof. Neighbourhood Watch proved its worth.
The team then found a series of small holes on the village green. We thought at first folk had been metal detecting but as it turned out Brenig Davies and Gareth Sing Song had been settling their differences after the Christmas carol service and lost an earring in the melee. To make amends for his behaviour, Gareth collected litter all along Old Port Road.
We did plant three gifted trees, a couple of roses and some bulbs before departing. It was heart-warming to see a daffodil out on a lovely morning.
Our next meeting will be on 13th February at 9.30am by the Community Centre.
February Letters
Dear Community Council,
Upon reading January’s CC News, your article
mentioned the brief update regarding the planned
scheme for a Solar Farm at Parc Worlton. (name
spelt incorrectly by CC).
This is just an observation but having lived in
this area for over 40 years I can say that I didn’t
know and wouldn’t have known its location from
your news update. I appreciate this is not the first
mention; however, as articles/meetings can be
missed clarity on location should be paramount.
There are concerns that many residents will
overlook the scale and size of such a proposal
because they are not aware of where it is to be
positioned eg in a Special Landscape Area right on
their doorstep. Parc Worlton is a historic name
which is being used as a development name and
does not reflect that it is in Dyffryn and is far
reaching towards Barry. Not only that but when
cumulatively added to other proposed Solar Farms it
covers more than 700 acres of used farmland
between St. Nicholas, Dyffryn & Barry and will
totally change the landscape for the next 40 years.
Whilst I accept the CC may wish to remain
neutral on this subject I would like to think that they
have a duty to the community to be as informative as
they can about projects of this scale, size and
location. If topics such as this cannot be
communicated through your platform do you have
any suggestions where it can?
You are more than welcome to circulate or print
these observations.
Kind regards,
Wendy
(For information here is a plan of the proposed development
and further information can be found here:-
Parc Worlton Solar Farm, Dyffryn (parcworlton-pac.co.uk)
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
“The Island of Missing Trees” by Elif Shafak
A rich magical tale of belonging and identity, love and trauma, nature and renewal. This was a book that the whole group enjoyed and more than one person scored it as 10 out of 10 – a rarity indeed! The book is narrated from an unusual viewpoint, which some people found difficult at first! But all were in agreement that Elif Shafak uses exquisite language in her writing and intend to read more of her books.
An interesting discussion was generated re: truth and reconciliation and the potential impact on all involved – victims, perpetrators and innocent family members. We discussed the effects on soldiers of fighting during WW1 and the resultant unimagined effects on people. At that time, there was no psychological support offered to veterans. In contrast, people are encouraged to talk about their experiences in today’s world. However, first and foremost the book is a love story! Well worth reading!
Pilgrimage On The Holy Mount Athos
A DAY OF PILGRIMAGE ON THE HOLY MOUNT ATHOS IN GREECE
I woke to the sound of a wooden semantron being beaten with a mallet, it was three in the morning and I was in a small dormitory in a Greek Orthodox monastery on Mount Athos. This was the call to prayer and as a pilgrim, I quickly dressed in warm clothes, as it was chilly before dawn, and made my way silently to the large church where the service of Orthros was soon to begin. As I left my room and entered the great cloister all was dark and silent, only moonlight guided my path. Historically this main service is held in the quietest time of the night as the monks then feel closer to God.
At the door of the church hung a great thick curtain, more like a rug or carpet. I moved it aside and it was just as dark on the other side. As my eyes became accustomed to the darkness, I could make out a faint glow and this guided me onwards. I knew that as a non-Orthodox Christian I was not allowed into the inner nave but could hear and join the service from the narthex to the rear. I took my place in one of the rows of stacidia or chairs and lowered the seat so I could sit before the service began. The light turned out to be coming from a small lamp fuelled with olive oil and soon a monk began with a general blessing and then a reading of one or more of the psalms. As he read so dark shapes appeared from left and right and moved slowly and silently in different directions. This was rather ghostly, but I later learnt that these were monks in their black flowing cassocks joining the service, and as they arrive they venerate or kiss, the icons and holy relics which are all around the church.
As the liturgy progressed so the numbers of monks and pilgrims grew, many candles were lit in massive candelabra and the volume of chanting and singing rose. It was very pleasant and restful, so much so that some of the older monks were dozing away and failed to stand at the appropriate times. This service is the last of the four-night offices or services, which also include vespers, compline, and midnight office. It begins at three and continues until dawn at about seven o’clock. This four-hour service is generally extended on Saint’s days and Sundays.
On leaving the church at the end of the service the monks and many pilgrims move to the refectory or trapeza where the main meal of the day is being served. This will be a substantial vegetarian meal. The table will be laid with mounds of fresh bread, salad, fruit and bottles of olive oil and vinegar. The platters of hot food soon arrive. There is water on the table as well as wine, though wine is not served on a fasting day. Feast days, on the other hand, see fish, octopus and even snails served as a treat. For those pilgrims who fail to get up for the service and wander down for breakfast, it is always a bit of a shock for them to find snails and wine on the table where they had ideas of eggs, bacon, toast and coffee.
After breakfast, the monks move off to their allotted tasks. Some may sit down to paint Icons, others will take to the fields as they aim to cultivate all their produce, while a few return to the kitchen to prepare the next meal. There may be fifty monks with an equal number of pilgrims. There are many mouths to feed.
Everyone comes together again for Vespers at about five in the afternoon. Unlike the Anglican church, there is some flexibility over the arrival time for services, but it is expected that one arrives before the censor comes around with his incense. Vespers is a relatively short service and as it ends everyone troops into the trapeza for the evening meal. This is eaten in strict silence as the duty monk reads from the book of the saints. When he shuts the book the meal ends, a bell is rung, and a prayer is said as thanks for the meal. As we leave the cooks are there to be acknowledged and the bell is ringing to call us to Compline the last service of the day. This too is a short service and when it is over everyone returns to their cells or dormitories, and movement in the cloisters is discouraged. As the sun sets the great wooden doors of the monastery are closed in a tradition that goes back a thousand years which was then to keep out any marauding Saracens. Exactly at sunset, which could be six or seven o’clock, the clocks are set to midnight as the monastery runs on Byzantine time. For the pilgrims whose watches are on European time, this can be confusing. It means that getting up at three in the morning is actually eight or nine o’clock monastery time which is why the “breakfast” served at twelve midday is a lunch meal rather than a breakfast! As I retire to write my diary, I dig out my bottle of ouzo and pour myself a generous helping, add the tap water, which is surprisingly cold, and settle down for the night..
Alun Davies
Blue Cheese Pasta (V) & Fruit & Nut Squares
Blue Cheese Pasta (V)
400g penne pasta
25g butter
1 onion, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tbsp fresh chopped sage, or 1 tsp dried
100g stilton cubed
handful of walnuts, chopped
Boil the pasta according to pack instructions. In a saucepan, melt the butter, then gently fry the onion until golden. Add the garlic and sage, fry for a further 2 mins, then remove the pan from the heat. Drain the pasta and reserve some cooking water. Stir through the onion, garlic, stilton and 2 tbsp cooking water, then sprinkle with toasted walnuts and serve.
Fruit & Nut Squares with Chocolate Dip
200g porridge oats
25g desiccated coconut
140g butter
50g light muscovado sugar
5 tbsp golden syrup
175g mixed nuts, pistachio, unsalted cashews, chunkily chopped
50g dried cranberries or cherries
100g bar milk or dark chocolate
Heat the oven to 180C fan. Butter an 18 x 28 cm cake tin and line base with baking parchment. Mix the oats and coconut together in a large bowl. Melt the butter in a pan over a med heat with the sugar and syrup. Give it an occasional stir until the sugar has dissolved and the butter has melted. Take the
pan off the heat and stir in the oat mix, nuts and dried fruit. Leave to get cold. Cut or break two thirds of the chocolate into chunks and stir into the oat mix. Tip and spread the mixture into the tin. Bake for 25 – 30 mins until pale and golden. When completely cold, melt the remaining chocolate, drizzle over the top and cut into bars
Wenvoe Advent Windows 2022
WENVOE ADVENT WINDOWS 2022
We hope that you all enjoyed visiting the Wenvoe Advent Windows in 2022. We were delighted with the mix of people who generously provided a display for everyone to enjoy, some of whom were included for the first time, others came back after taking a year out. However, the majority displayed a window for the third time.
We began on 1st December with a display of Santa’s Workshop, and went on to include, Reindeers in every shape and form, a Christmas Boutique, Crinoline Ladies, Pokemon and friends, Stars of every size, Animals in the snow, Charlie Brown at Christmas, Shepherds (with musical accompaniment), a Christmas train, Robins of all sizes, the Grinch, Christmas Trees displayed in many forms, Village winter scenes, Christmas hearths waiting for Santa, the Dove of Peace, Nativities in different forms and displays, and Gwenfo School incorporating their window with the School’s open air concerts and the service on Christmas Eve.
There were many ways in which displays were provided. Unusually there was a nativity made completely from recycled materials (no paint or embellishments), characters made with silhouettes, transparencies, many different styles of crafting
which must have taken a great deal of time and effort, and some displays extending outside the window.
Some windows were made by the house holders and others helped by children, grandchildren and neighbours. One in particular has kept part of her window display by her grandchild up throughout the three years! Our granddaughter in particular enjoyed this throughout the summer always checking when she is passing that it is still there.
A new idea this year included a story behind the display originating from a Ukrainian folk tale, that could be downloaded from a QR code in either English or Welsh. This Window was lit on 18th December and had 38 hits before Christmas Eve.
Indeed, as usual all the Windows were different, portraying the build up to Christmas and providing us all with an excuse to wander around the village, meeting others and enjoying everyone’s work and expressions of Advent and Christmas.
We are very grateful to all who provided a window and to all who have supported us in a variety of ways including planning, developing the map, promoting the event and encouraging one another.
What An Outing !
VILLAGE ENVIRONMENT TEAM
What an outing on our first meeting of the year!
Before we got going a concerned citizen reported that suspicious activity was afoot at the church. We voted for Ian to go and investigate, as he was nearest. All ok though as the gentleman was investigating a problem with the roof. Neighbourhood Watch proved its worth.
The team then found a series of small holes on the village green. We thought at first folk had been metal detecting but as it turned out Brenig Davies and Gareth Sing Song had been settling their differences after the Christmas carol service and lost an earring in the melee. To make amends for his behaviour, Gareth collected litter all along Old Port Road.
We did plant three gifted trees, a couple of roses and some bulbs before departing. It was heart-warming to see a daffodil out on a lovely morning.
Our next meeting will be on 13th February at 9.30am by the Community Centre.
“Taste” by Stanley Tucci
OFF THE SHELF
“Taste” by Stanley Tucci
From award-winning actor and food obsessive, Stanley Tucci, comes an intimate and charming memoir of life in and out of the kitchen.
Before Stanley Tucci became a household name with The Devil Wears Prada, The Hunger Games, and the perfect Negroni, he grew up in an Italian American family that spent every night around the table. Taste is a reflection on the intersection of food and life, filled with anecdotes about growing up in Westchester, New York. Stanley Tucci writes about his treasured memories and stories in a very readable way. The impact his mother’s cooking had on him is very clear and his love for food is contagious.
Stanley writes in a very open and honest way and as a group we felt that sharing his experiences about his family during lockdown was refreshing, demonstrating that we all have the same challenges in life. His cancer diagnosis resonated greatly with some in the group because of the impact this had on his ability to eat and his great love of food; fortunately he has made a full recovery. There were some authentic Italian recipes in the book too which added something extra, and we felt that whether you are a foodie or not, this book had great appeal. We scored the book 8/10
Hedge Laying Course
Wenvoe Wildlife Group
Three members of the Group attended the hedge laying course organised by the Vale Local Partnership team and found it very valuable. It was originally scheduled to take place in our Community Orchard but this was flooded so the venue was switched to Cosmeston. It is still planned to layer the hedge by our Community Orchard but this will depend on the floodwater receding.