Month: July 2024

June Report

JUNE REPORT

 

At the recent Church Council (JCC) the Treasurer pointed out the current state of the church’s finances which is giving cause for some alarm. Expenses have increased for us in our homes and lives, and the church is no exception to inflationary hikes in utility bills.

One possible reason for this is that many of the congregation’s offerings have been converted into the Church in Wales Gift Direct scheme, which we have written about in previous newsletters. This results in no offering being made on the collection plate when it goes around, and it can give the impression to any visiting or casual member of the congregation that the collection plate can be passed by without any contribution made. It was the practice by the C in W Office to issue Stewardship Cards when the individual’s amount per month was set up, but because in so many churches now a collection is not made, the cards have not been made available. However we have arranged for a supply to be available in church, which can be taken to place on the collection plate to show to others that they are supporting the church in its mission to the world. It is the money given on the collection plate that helps to fund the contribution we have to make towards the Fair Share to the expenses of financing the Diocese. This fair share is under consideration for a change to what will be called the Common Fund and we being a ‘wealthy’ church will no doubt see an increase. So please, it is up to all who have an allegiance to St. Mary’s to review the amount we are now offering.

It is not easy to ask our people for extra cash week by week, but we have to face the fact that your church needs funding if we are to keep the building fit for purpose, in good repair, warm and welcoming. A Gift Day is planned to coincide with our Harvest Celebration in September.

On a lighter note, resulting from the council meeting we are opening the church on Saturday afternoons 2.00pm-4.00pm in July and August. A list has been provided for volunteers to offer their time during those hours, with others to show our lovely church. As a result of the Oxford Movement in the late 19th century we have a unique interior in this part of the diocese. Do please join us and encourage your friends and visitors to make a visit when we are open.

Bishop Mary’s report extracted from Llandaff Matters.

I had the privilege to spend last week in Richmond, Virginia at the first part of a training course for new Bishops called “Living our Vows”. I was with recently elected bishops from a range of churches including America, Mexico, Canada, and the UK. We spent the week praying, learning, and sharing together supported by some senior bishops, and by lay Christians with helpful experience in leadership, people-skills, and communications. The whole training focused upon the promises that bishops make at ordination, and there were frequent references made to the promises that all Christians make at our Baptism. At its heart the learning was all about how together we seek to realise our call to be Christ’s body here on earth, and about faithful leadership.

I was struck by the dedication, openness, and sense of mutual support that came from a group who were dedicated to mutual ongoing learning. I also received a

great welcome and much kindness, including from one of the bishops who kept supplying me with tea bags that she had brought from home to help me feel welcome!

The training was bilingual supporting the ministries of both English and Spanish-speaking bishops. The two-language dimension was helpful, mirroring for me something of our own bilingual culture. Working in more than one language is a great reminder of the gift of diversity. It also enables conversations, to be at a slightly slower pace, which can help everyone to be a little more reflective and perhaps to listen with greater care.

I will continue to meet with the same group of bishops over the next three years. Many of our meetings will be online, but it was great to have the opportunity to meet face-to-face last week.

The whole experience was a wonderful reminder of our connection with Christians across the world. I have come back encouraged in prayer and learning, and with a renewed sense of gratitude for the many gifts God has given to the Church in every place.

God who calls, thank you for the gifts of faith: For friends who pray for us, and with us, and who encourage us. Thank you for those who show us the variety of your gifts, those who speak to us in ways that are unfamiliar and new, as well as those who are easy for us to understand. Help us to be faithful to our calling, to keep on learning about your love and grace. Help us to support and encourage others so that your church may grow in love and service after the pattern of Jesus our guide. Amen

News from the Diocese is published online in Llandaff Matters every Tuesday afternoon. Please contact the Communications Team if you would like something included in a future edition: Nicola Bennet and Mary Mann (nicolabennett@cinw.org.uk and marymann@ cinw.org.uk).

Congratulations to Jude Billingham and her team for all their hard work with the Christian Aid Appeal and to those who gave so generously. (See page 4)

At the picnic by the Friends of St. Bleddian’s on Sunday June 9th, the breezy conditions brought families together in church for a short account of the church’s features which portray the changes made through the centuries. Lots of lovely cake and an excellent raffle brought the proceedings to a close. Well done and may we have more in the future.

Parry

 

Talk by Dr Natalie Hepburn

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

June Meeting of Wenvoe W.I.

Wenvoe WI met last Thursday and enjoyed a talk given by Dr Natalie Hepburn, who is a local shepherdess. Natalie keeps and rears several animals including Llamas, sheep and goats in her small holdings near Creigiau. Also, her extensive knowledge of chemistry has enabled her to produce all manner of soaps and skin balms, as well as fleeces and rugs from her animals. Recently, she visited Brazil where she studied different methods of producing similar biproducts. During her talk Natalie demonstrated her basic method of soap production, and afterwards members were able to purchase her products.

Our next meeting is on Thursday 4th July at 7.00pm in the Church Hall, when Viv Turan (a local expert in antiques) will evaluate and assess any pieces members possess which they deem as being an antique.

Tasters and potential new members are welcome.

Jan Young (President)

 

The Humble Hoe Is Your Best Friend

THE VILLAGE GARDENER

The Humble Hoe Is Your Best Friend 

The humble hoe is your best friend when it comes to keeping weeds under control during the Summer. On dry days just run the hoe between your flowers or veg beds. Not doing this at least a couple of times a week will leave you wondering where all the plants have gone. As we soon realise, weeds grow at a phenomenal pace at this time of year.

Another important task is dead heading, this is so important to keep the flowers producing new blooms. Not doing this will make the plant think its task is done and it will stop flowering. Pick as many sweet peas as you can for the house, the more you pick the more they flower. Cut back hardy geraniums now and they will produce another display before the season ends. Sunflowers definitely produce bigger blooms with a bit of tomato fertiliser fed to them. Wisteria can be cut back to within 8 inches of the main stems.

If you’re cleaning the weed from your pond, leave it on the side for a while, to allow any life form to return to the water.

There are some lovely gardens in and around the village. The way they keep them so nice is an absolute credit to them. Lyn and Sid Cottle always put on a good display even when people try to prevent them. The Warrior and his wife in Greave Close love their garden and it shows. Heather and Charlie put a lot of effort into their outdoor space which reflects their personality.

Allotments and veg gardens are bursting with produce. Strawberries, raspberries, peas, potatoes etc are all ready for harvesting. Be prepared to share your produce with the wildlife if you haven’t put in measures to prevent their invasion. Time now to fill empty spaces by planting Kale, carrots and some potatoes and these will be ready for Christmas.

A big problem will be with potatoes. If we have damp weather, there will almost certainly be blight which can ruin your crop. There will be dark blotches on the leaves starting at the tips, if you see this then immediately remove the foliage and put in your green bags for the council to dispose of. Do not compost it because, unlike the council you will not be able to get the heap hot enough to destroy the organism. The potatoes can then be used but will not store well. Do clear any debris up thoroughly. There are some things you can do to minimise the problem. Firstly, plant as early as you can so that harvesting can be done before blight hits. Secondly, when planting, space out the tubers to give the foliage more room which will allow air to flow between the plants. If you need to water the potatoes, try to keep the foliage dry. These methods work well in your back garden but on an allotment, you need everyone singing off the same hymn sheet.

The Village Show is on 7th September so please enter some produce to show off your prowess.

Take care and happy gardening

 

THE VILLAGE GARDENER

 

Dillwyn Davies Memorial

VILLAGE ENVIRONMENT GROUP

Dillwyn Davies Memorial

 

The team met on the village green to keep weeds and thorns at bay. This time of year, it’s a game of catch up. What with hospital and doctors’ appointments, the visits from carers and podiatrists and their outings with the Silver Foxes, it’s a wonder they can find the time, but the lads are always willing to give an hour or so to help keep the village tidy. Our lead singer Edwardsville Gareth told everyone who would listen which party they needed to vote for on July 4th. It seemed we didn’t have a choice.

The boys decided to remember the bravery of those who were there on D Day, by putting up a stone and plaque in memory of Dillwyn Davies from Wenvoe. He came through the horror of that day to tell his story. The stone is in a quiet corner of the village green. Those of us who knew Dillwyn, will remember a quiet peaceful man

Our team will meet next on 8th July. The destination is secret at present, as we don’t want fans bothering our lead singer.

 

It was The Great Escape

The Stress Buster Strollers

 

It was The Great Escape…for the Stress Buster strollers this month, as they escaped the rain that had fallen in torrents up until the moment they started the walk…The escapees were duly rewarded with fabulously clear views across the Bristol Channel

Christian Aid Week

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK
12th-18th May, 2024
Pushing Back Against Poverty

This year we heard about Aline from Berundi. Aline told her story of becoming homeless and losing the care of her children through no fault of her own. Following a course funded by Christian Aid she gained confidence and the knowledge and skills to slowly build up a wholesale food business and gradually increasing her income. She has now built her own home, has had her children returned to her, started a saving scheme with others, and has shared the knowledge and skills she has learnt with others in her village.

Aline’s example gave us the impetus for this year’s campaign, and as a result we are really pleased with the total for the week of £3,118.12. This includes a collection from St John’s Church in Sully, and gift aid on some of the donations. We had a very enthusiastic group of volunteers and I would like to thank all who counted envelopes, made and stuck up posters, hung bunting and flags, delivered envelopes throughout the village, decorated the church hall, made cakes, ate cakes, served coffee and tea and sold cakes, kept quiet for a day’s sponsored silence, took part in a non-uniform day at Gwenfo school, emptied the post boxes for donations, took part in the counting team emptying all the envelopes and counting each donation, to those who banked the donations, and those who validated the work of the counting team.

We are very grateful to all of you who donated throughout the week. We couldn’t have reached our grand total without you.

False Alarms In Barry Island

False Alarms In Barry Island

On Saturday May 18th the media reported that hundreds of beachgoers on Barry Island were advised by a tannoy announcement to ‘get out of the sea’ due to concerns over water quality. Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water confirmed that an announcement was made but it was a false alarm. No doubt the newspaper and TV reports will have put some people off a visit to our local beach.

There is a precedent for this sort of thing. In the Summer of 1964 rival gangs of Mods and Rockers descended on seaside towns causing the media to create a national panic over what was happening to society. Many curtailed their visits to the seaside as a result. But was it just another false alarm?

Mods and Rockers were not really about violence. The Rocker subculture was all about motorcycles, with members decked out in black leather jackets and motorcycle boots or winkle pickers. This style took cues from Marlon Brando’s iconic look in the 1953 film “The Wild One.” Rockers typically sported a pompadour hairstyle and grooved to 1950s rock and roll and R&B tunes, favouring artists like Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, and Bo Diddley, as well as British rock and roll stars such as Billy Fury and Johnny Kidd.

On the other hand, the Mod subculture focused on fashion and music, with many opting to ride scooters. Mods were known for their sharp attire, often wearing suits and other neat outfits. They listened to a variety of music genres, including modern jazz, soul, Motown, ska, and British blues-rooted bands like the Yardbirds, the Small Faces, and the Who. Amen Corner’s Andy Fairweather Low, guitarist, songwriter and producer remembered the time. ‘I used to ‘mitch’ off school to go to Barretts music shop in Cardiff. There were lots of mods around, certainly in the cafes around the city. I loved the style, the mohair suits, button-down shirts, the smell of Brut aftershave.’ In the Valleys, the Italian cafes proved popular meeting places for mods to park up their ever impressive scooters and discuss the latest in mod fashion and music. You can read more in ‘Welsh Mod: Our Story’ by Claire Mahoney, which documents the roots and Mod revival in Wales.

The Summer of 1964 saw the clash of cultures turn to violence in the coastal towns of the south east of England. Things really kicked off on Whitsun weekend, with newspaper headlines reporting the ‘Battle of Brighton’, and ‘Wild Ones ‘Beat Up’ Margate’ accompanied with detailed reports of violent clashes. In fact, only c1000 people congregated at Brighton Beach that day and the police made just 76 arrests. The country burst into what sociologist Stanley Cohen called a moral panic. Newspapers started warning about Mods and Rockers, calling them “vermin” and ‘mutated locusts wreaking untold havoc on the land.’

Welsh youth made their own Bank Holiday pilgrimages to Barry Island and Porthcawl. The South Wales Echo joined in the media frenzy, reporting what went on in England, but finding little to sensationalise about in Wales. Here it was all about fashion and transport. Mods and Rockers made their way to the seaside to show off their outfits, scooters and motor cycles. The local police kept a watchful eye; but there were few reports of violence. One weekend, The Echo, no doubt hoping for some attention grabbing headlines, was reduced to reporting on the heavy rain, which dampened the enthusiasm of Mods and Rockers at Welsh seaside resorts. This was hardly the stuff reported by a Birmingham Post editorial in May 1964, which warned that Mods and Rockers were ‘internal enemies’ who would bring about disintegration of a nation’s character

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