Month: August 2024
Successful Orchard Pruning
Wenvoe Wildlife Group
Successful Orchard Pruning
A successful Orchard Pruning course was organised by the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Nature Partnership group and held at the Community Orchard. Enabling this to happen was a great team effort. The Church Hall was hired for discussions and refreshments and Mike Tucker and members of the Environment Team turned out at the weekend to clear the footpath from Vennwood Close to the Playing Fields. The Council arranged for the Orchard to be cut and the Wildlife Group had the noticeboard repainted. Three members of the Wildlife Group attended the course which covered summer pruning techniques, tool usage and safety. We hope further courses will be organised in the future.
We were delighted to receive a donation of £200 from the new Care Home – Glenburnie Lodge. This followed a nomination by Mike and Glenys Tucker as their chosen local charity. We continue to receive occasional donations from local residents, and we would like to extend our thanks to them for their continued support.
The wildlife cameras are recording some fascinating wildlife including Tawny Owls, Weasels and Badgers
New Housing Proposal
NEW HOUSING PROPOSAL
A proposal to construct 30 dwellings consisting of 1 bedroom flats and 2, 3 and 4 bedroom houses on land between the Wenvoe garage and Pugh’s garden centre is under consideration. No formal planning application has been submitted at present.
A new access to the garden centre would be constructed directly off the present Port Road/St Andrews Road roundabout and the present access would become part of the development site. Burdonshill access would remain.
Full details of the proposal can be viewed at www.asbriplanning.co.uk and search in the consultations for statutory pre-statutory consultation
Firstly, A Big Thank You
WENVOE FORUM
Considering Tomorrow Today
“The one that didn’t get away”
Firstly, a BIG THANK YOU to those that donated unwanted garden equipment, tools and plant pots to our SWAPS table at Tucker’s Spring Plant Sale, earlier in May. Our table quickly became tables, as we were inundated with donations including lawn mowers, hedge trimmers and an industrial tile cutter. Thanks also to the volunteers that helped run the stall and make it such a success. Donations from satisfied “swappers” added significantly to the overall total, with all proceeds going to the Wenvoe Wildlife Group (WWG).
It was a fantastic day, and we chatted about re-using, re-purposing and re-homing ideas with many local visitors. I thought I would share one tale from the day.
The one that didn’t get away…Mrs Sybil Green and her late husband Colin were founder members of the WWG. Sybil met Colin at university. They married after completing their degrees and moved to Wenvoe where Colin advised local farmers. On finding that many of the agricultural queries concerned legal issues, Colin subsequently went on to take a second degree, this time in law, so graduated both as a BSc and an LLB).
Sybil mentioned that Colin had been a keen fisherman in his spare time. She was in the process of tidying her garage and had recently found Colin’s old fishing tackle. A relative had told her that one of the rods potentially had a value. Sybil had been mulling over what to do with Colin’s angling equipment and kindly offered to donate the rod to support the WWG.
Google helped identify it as a Richard Walker designed 10 ft, two-piece Mark IV Avon split cane rod made by B James & Son, Ealing, London. A visit to Garry Evans tackle shop on Whitchurch Rd confirmed this, and that the freshwater rod was in good condition. The helpful folk at the shop put us in touch with a local collector of vintage rods, who lived in Sully. We contacted the collector, Mr Victor Bonutto, who expressed an interest in acquiring the rod and agreed to help identify it further and to value it.
Victor checked the rod and thought it had been made in the late 1950s, early 1960s. Sybil confirmed details of its history and it seems Colin’s grandfather may have bought it new, in Barnstaple, c. 1957, as a gift for Colin’s A Level success prior to going up to university
Victor agreed a purchase price with Sybil and is looking forward to using it, in local ponds, as a member of Glamorgan Anglers. He agreed to help identify Colin’s other equipment and subsequently offered to purchase a 1960s centre pin fishing reel and various floats and accessories. Sybil then kindly donated the total proceeds of the sale to the WWG.
Photo: Courtesy of Mr Victor Bonutto – ttaster@outlook.com: Colin’s rod, reel and floats alongside Victor’s collection of fish exhibitions.
Victor also agreed to find new homes for the other usable rods and reels via his contacts at local game fairs; possibly youngsters just starting out on the hobby. The remainder of the equipment will be re-used / re-homed via the local ‘tidy tip’ at Barry.
The tale(s) continue…Victor shared further interesting personal stories. He had caught his first fish in the Regents Canal, North London, in 1966, the same week as England won the World Cup at Wembley just a few miles away.
He became interested in collecting vintage fishing tackle as a youngster and it had become something of an obsession. He is one of the longest-running ‘fixtures’ of The Game Fair, at Blenheim Palace, having exhibited at the event for over 30 consecutive years.
Victor also collects late Victorian and early 20th century signs, typically produced using enamel on steel creating colourful and hardwearing forms of advertising, with some dating back more than 100 years. He has signs from all around the UK, advertising products including soap, chocolate and whisky. One of the signs in his collection was being used as a manhole cover and another as part of a garden fence. In June 2017, Victor curated an exhibition entitled “Sign of the Times” at the Penarth Pier Pavilion. He also remembers the Fry’s sign that used to be on the side wall of the old shop on Old Port Road. Sybil was able to tell him that this sign is still on exhibition locally in Wenvoe
Victor and his wife are both former Redcoats and met at the Barry Butlin’s resort. They’ve been together ever since.
Sources: Thanks to Sybil and Victor for their input and kind permission to relate their stories. Also, please remember the existing Facebook pages that already support the idea of reusing existing resources in the Village – the Wenvoe Recycling & Reuse Group @ https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870475136410648 and the Wenvoe Buy and Sell pages, @ https://www.facebook.com/groups/3019469164839088.Finally, a reminder that Wenvoe Forum members are focusing on ideas around the REUSE (including REPURPOSING and RE-HOMING) of various resources. Please keep an eye out for future activities, and join us or send messages on: Facebook: Gwen Fo @ https://www.facebook.com/gwen.fo.1/ and Wenvoe Forum @ https://www.facebook.com/groups/635369267864402twitter @ForumGwenfo
Brecon Beacons / Bannau Brycheiniog
Brecon Beacons / Bannau Brycheiniog
Brecon Beacons / Bannau Brycheiniog
Some were a little concerned about the length of this walk as it was billed as 8 miles. A reminder that we had been here before was reassuring.
Seed heads of coltsfoot decorated the side of the path. On the edge of a wood, we spotted a tiny blue-purple flower, Butterwort, it is carnivorous and grows in bogs, moors, damp heath and wet rocks. It was believed that it protected cattle from elves’ arrows and newborn babies from thieving fairies. The leaves were used to curdle/thicken milk.
Ears pricked as we heard a cuckoo – a rare sound these days but, given our ages, one we are all familiar with. ‘Cuckoo’ seemed to follow us as we walked the perimeter of the woodland and out into the open.
A steep descent invited the fittest of us to visit a cave. Others walked around a gully to meet ‘the intrepid cavers’ as they climbed back up to join us. Now we crossed moorland, it was uphill and difficult as we tried to follow tracks made by animals, hopefully avoiding the largest holes, clumps and water. At one point we saw a ‘frog in a bog’.
Lunch was at the highest point of the moor. What a delight, as well as decent views, there was the continuous song of skylarks, two flying close to the ground near us. Dark clouds gathered and there was even a clap of thunder but apart from a few raindrops, they disappeared, and rain descended on the hills around us.
We entered woodland and took a track through Penmoelallt forest where Ley’s whitebeam grows. There are only 10 of these trees growing wild in the world and they are all in this area. Towards the end, we found a clearing with a large natural table, and various sculptures – badgers, a woman and a hare with the moon.
A slightly longer walk than usual but an enjoyable day of wide vistas and a sense of accomplishment. Walk 9.2miles, 1600ft. Map OL12
Clodock – We parked outside the church in Clodock, a village with few houses in Herefordshire. A large plastic shark on a wall reminded us we were here 10 years ago. We headed east, a steep climb to start, and then rolling countryside. Turning north, Skirrid (where we had walked a week earlier) came into view in the distance.
We reached the highest point of the walk where there was a trig point, hidden as it was enclosed by a hedge. We passed Oldcourt farm, a Grade II listed, 14th century stone house and barn with mullioned windows and a huge chimney. Agents’ details show it was on the market for close to £1million. A stand-alone wall was fascinating with triangular holes through it and pennywort growing between stones. We saw several longhouses in the area.
Now we were headed towards Longtown but stopped for lunch next to a dry brook as the views were extensive. A downhill stretch took us to Escley Brook whose refreshing water gave the dogs a chance for a deep drink.
Longtown castle, 12th and 13th century, has a keep which can be seen from a distance even though it is crumbling. The castle was founded by Walter De Lacy, one of the Marcher lords, to defend England’s border with Wales and the adjacent town of Ewias Lacy (now Longtown). By 1403 the castle had become dilapidated, but Henry IV ordered it to be refortified to defend against Owain Glyn Dwr.
Near the castle is the Old School House which has several stone plaques displayed. The school was originally financed through subscriptions of £66 2s raised from 34 people. Broome’s garden, next to the school is owned by English Heritage and maintained by volunteers. Mr Broome was a volunteer who taught boys vegetable gardening whilst girls were learning domestic skills.
We headed to Longtown and saw ‘The New Inn Spiritous Liquors Sold Here’ now a private house. A friendly farmer helped us avoid a difficult stile by inviting us to walk through his farm – chainsaw in hand he said, ‘Come with me’; we gladly followed!
Back at Clodock, we were impressed by the church, dedicated to a British king Clydawc and founded in 6th century, enlarged during 12th century and restored 1919.
A day of historic buildings, rolling hills, meadows, kites and buzzards and probably the worst stiles we have had to negotiate in a very long time. We decided that we had chosen the best time of year for this walk – not much mud or too overgrown. The pub in Clodock has the smallest bar I have ever seen with a delightful garden. Walk 7.3miles, 1000ft. Map OL13.
“The Guest List ” by Lucy Foley
“The Guest List ” by Lucy Foley
Old Friends. Past grudges.
Happy families. Hidden jealousies.
Thirteen guests. One body.
The wedding cake has barely been cut when one of the guests is found dead. And as a storm unleashes its fury on the island, everyone is trapped. All have a secret. All have a motive. One guest won’t leave this wedding alive…
A dream wedding off the windswept Irish coast becomes a living nightmare for its trapped and terrified guests in this nerve jangling thriller.
For many of us it was not our usual choice of reading material and therefore presented a welcome challenge. The book was written in short paragraphs devoted to an individual character in the story. The setting was very dramatic, made more so by the description of the imminent storm. It was agreed that the subject matter and characters perhaps gave an interesting reflection on an area of British society.
We all agreed that the characters came from an unfamiliar part of society to us and did not share our values. As a result, none of us felt able to empathise with any of the characters who were described as shallow, boring, cardboard cutouts, wishy washy and dysfunctional.
However, this did not detract from the suspense of the story that left all of us unable to guess the surprise ending. Overall, the book received a score of 4 out of .10.
The Vale Foodbank
THE VALE FOODBANK
As people continue to suffer with the cost of living many continue to turn to the Foodbank for help. This help is for those who find themselves in emergencies whether they are working or in receipt of benefits. As time progresses and numbers of these seeking help has increased the donations now are stretched to fulfil what is needed. Below are examples of what can help. Alternatively, money can be donated which is used to buy items that run out. As the school holidays begin the demands are expected to rise as children will not have access to school meals
Here in Wenvoe I feel privileged to deliver our donations each Thursday to the Warehouse in Barry, who in turn services all Foodbank outlets in the Vale. I am pleased to take a car boot full each week and also money people have donated. However, I am aware each week of the depleted stock, and hear the volunteers concerns about the difficulties they are now experiencing.
If you would like to donate there is a box in the church porch which is emptied regularly to ensure the security of the goods. Alternatively if you have any queries please contact me Jude Billingham on 07516112897.
Ideas for donations:
Tinned meat for hot meals or sandwiches
Tinned vegetables and potatoes
Fruit juice or squash
Tinned fruit
Breakfast cereals
Long life milk
Pasta sauce
Tinned tomatoes
Treats: eg. crisps or biscuits
Toiletries including women’s essentials
Coffee, tea
A Bright, Breezy Day
The Cape Horners Of Copperopolis
THE CAPE HORNERS OF COPPEROPOLIS
For many years on the approach to Swansea along Fabian Way, there stood a dilapidated pub with a sign depicting a square rigged sailing ship and the name “The Cape Horner”. The name links to Cape Horn being the tip of south America (Tierra del Fuego) that juts into the south Atlantic and surely some of the most mountainous and stormy seas on the planet.
In nautical history, Cape Horners were sailing ships that plied their trade through those waters to carry copper ore from the Chilean port of Valparasio to the smelting furnaces of Copperopolis (after having first taken a cargo of Welsh coal to South America). Such vessels and their intrepid crews would have taken more than a year to make the journey from Swansea to Chile and back.
What follows is based on an article from the Swansea Museum entitled “The Dangers of Sailing”
At the other end of the world to us, Cape Horn is a desolate and fearsome place, the most dangerous part of a voyage to bring Copper ore to Swansea. Bitter winds blow ceaselessly from west to east, and massive green waves up to thirty metres high roll across the ocean, so strong they can smash a ship to pieces, in storms that rage all winter long. The men who sailed those seas were the toughest and most skilled seamen. Their life was hard, but their pride and fellowship were great. It was the Copper trade with Chile – the terrible journey round Cape Horn, and the perils of the voyage home – which made Swansea’s ships and sailors famous. To be called a Cape Horner was the highest accolade a seaman could earn. Few ports had more Cape Horners than Swansea in those days
It was a dangerous, harsh and harrowing life. Men who survived it were tough, rugged, and brave. It could take many weeks to sail round the Horn as the trepid sailors incrementally tacked their vessels into the face of raging stormy seas to make westward progress. The whole voyage, from Swansea to Chile and back again typically took a year or more. Crammed into the dark, dank forecastle, or crews’ quarters aboard ship, fifteen or more men slept in wooden bunks with mattresses filled with straw. In rough weather everything got wet and it was a place for
A long hard battle with the elements. As the copper trade ships drew near to Cape Horn from the Atlantic Ocean the crew prepared for the battle ahead. The ship had to be in prime condition to survive the vicious wind and waves. They would check the sails for tears and damage, and the rigging for frayed or broken ropes.
Round the Horn with icy sails and rigging. Sailors, working high in the rigging, would have clung for their very lives to ice-covered sails and ropes with frozen hands, battered by wind and waves. Terrible accidents happened. Men fell into the sea, or onto the deck far below, and massive waves could wash them overboard, and snap ships’ masts like matchsticks. Other hazards lurked, such as thick fogs that came drifting off the land and blocked out sight and sound. The rocks around that wild coastline, and worse still, icebergs, could sink a ship and drown its crew. Winter was the worst time to make the voyage. Summer weather was not so bad, with lighter, warmer wind, more gentle waves, and then the sailors could see the wild beauty of the Cape Horn coastline.
The living was rough. Fresh food did not last long. For most of the voyage, all the men could eat was salted meat, ships biscuits, dried beans, potatoes, onions and maybe fish, if they had time – or luck – to catch some. Rats nibbled the stores, and sea water soaked the ship, sometimes putting the galley fire out and then nothing could be cooked. Sailors needed a sense of humour and a strong stomach to be able to eat the food, even the “hard tack” biscuits had maggots or weevils in and were best eaten with eyes closed.
Homeward Bound – eventually. If they survived – and many did not – then as the homeward bound ship, passing the Falkland Islands, would run before westerly winds and waves that carried them unhindered for thousands of miles … and home.
Tony Hodge
A Cruise On The Famous Yacht Eclipse 2
WOMEN’S INSTITUTE
June Meeting of Wenvoe W.I.
Wenvoe WI meet on 4th July for the final session before the Summer recess.
The Speaker was Viv Turan who gave a thoroughly entertaining talk about her cruise on the famous Yacht Eclipse 2 from Portugal across the Atlantic to the USA. Also several members had brought some of their own ‘antiques’ ranging from an early Art Deco vase, two plates dating c 1930’s, a Folkestone button hook, a cameo brooch, an early gas lamp glass and a piece of an 1890’s doll’s tea set, as well as a few other artefacts. Viv, an antique collector and expert, examined them and then explained the value of each piece, with members describing their history and background.
Our next formal meeting with be in the Church Hall at 7pm on Thursday 5th Sept, when Lynn Hull will speak about the work of the charity Ty Hafan. Prior to that Wenvoe WI is holding an informal coffee morning in the Church Hall on Friday 2nd Aug at 10,30am.
All ‘tasters’ and prospective members are always welcome.
Jan Young (President)