Month: July 2025

August Letters

 

 

Dear Editor,

Having read the July edition of Saint Mary’s
Parish Church News I felt a response was needed. I
attended the public meeting mentioned which was
held approximately 8 years ago in the Community
Centre to discuss the extension to the Church and
the sale of the Church Hall.


My recollection was that the general feeling of
those attending it (and the centre was full) was NOT
positive towards these plans at all. There were some
comments from those in favour but there were many
more from those who were against it. Many of us
who have lived in Wenvoe for a long time remember
the Church Hall as the Reading Room and have a
great fondness for it.


I am very glad that this asset, which was gifted
to the parish by the Jenner family, is not going to be
sold and possibly demolished. It was stated in the
article that it was unfair that the Pebbles group
(Sunday school) had to cross the road to the Church
in all weathers. I could understand this argument if
the Church Hall was situated a long distance from
the Church but this is clearly not the case.


As I understand it there is no longer a Pebbles
group using the Church Hall on a Sunday so that is
no longer a concern anyway. It was also stated that
the general opinion of the meeting was that it was
the Church’s business to do as they wished with the
Church and Church Hall. That is also not correct.
There was one person at the meeting who said
something similar who was a church goer at the
time. The church is an outstandingly beautiful
building with many centuries of history which can be
appreciated by all residents, whether they are
members of the congregation or not. The Church
Hall is an asset that many churches would be
delighted to use and it is a shame that it has not had
the care it needed over the years. I am delighted that
its future is now secure.


Glenys Tucker

THE NEW REPAIR SHOP

I just wanted to say how pleased I am with the
new repair shop that runs every month in the
Community Centre.
If you haven’t visited yet and have something
needing repair, then that is the place to visit. It is
very welcoming, there are lots of people there to
help, plus refreshments.
My item was repaired and I was happy to give a
donation.


Sian Jones, Gwenfo Forum.

The Foraging Season Is Upon Us

THE VILLAGE GARDENER

The Foraging Season Is Upon Us

We are reminded again of the changing weather patterns, as we witnessed the third heatwave of the year in the UK by the 2nd week of July. The long dry spells and longer wet spells are becoming the norm as highs and lows take longer to shift across Europe. We won’t alter these patterns, so must do our best to garden as conditions dictate. It is very easy to forget about what’s best to plant when visiting garden centres with the immense choice and quality. The challenging conditions must dictate how much effort we are willing to put in to keeping the plants healthy and drought free.

Growing from seed is the best option, losses have less impact on our finances. Pelargoniums are difficult from seed, as they need special conditions to germinate. Buy as plugs and bring on before planting out, these plants need little water and will flower until the first frosts with a bit of feed and some deadheading.

Herbaceous geraniums are another good drought tolerant plant, that can be cut right back after flowering and will give another display before summer ends. Most shrubs once established are quite tolerant of dry conditions. Lavender is a very good choice and thrives in poor soil. Buddleia and holly will also serve you well when conditions are tough. This year the roses in the borders have flourished. The ones in pots and containers need more water and attention. Keeping plants watered during long dry times is a task. Irrigation systems for containers and soaker hoses for the flower beds can save up to 70% on water compared to a hosepipe.

The foraging season is upon us, with blackberries and damsons the first of the summer fruits that are free. Just look out for Barry Oliver; he knows the best places. He believes that eating fruit in season has kept him young at heart. Considering his age, it seems he’s telling the truth.

The allotment folk have had a busy time with the extra watering. This effort has paid off with a bumper harvest, the best of which may hopefully be entered into the village show. Some are a bit shy of showing off their produce while harvesting. Mike always asks Paula to hold up a sheet to protect his veg from prying eyes when digging up his produce. The allotments have been well tended this year according to the old folk, Colin & Bernard.

Twyn Yr Odyn leg end Gareth Lewis will leave no stone unturned in his quest to gain an advantage with his tomatoes. In July he took some seedlings to a Slayer concert to get them blessed by the band. Unfortunately they confiscated them at the security gate, believing them to be something that only grows in attics under strong lights. Please enter the village show on September 6th and show what can be produced, to encourage others to start growing.

Take care and happy gardening.

Pepper and Courgette Paella & Cherry and Almond Loaf Cake

Courgettes and peppers take centre stage now in the garden, allotment and the shops. Try this delicious paella….

Roasted Red Pepper and Courgette Paella

Ingredients

• 500g Courgette
• 2 Red Peppers
• 4 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1 Medium Onion
• 4 Clove Garlic
• 2 Teaspoon Paprika
• 1 Teaspoon Turmeric
• 2 Teaspoon Tomato Paste
• 1 Litre Vegetable Stock
• 15g Thyme
• 250g Paella Rice
• 70g Black Olives

Method

De-core and slice the red peppers into long 1 inch thick strips. Slice the courgette into rough 1 inch chunks. Place the peppers and courgette on a baking tray and cover with a tablespoon of the olive oil. Season well and then grill on high (250˚C) in the oven for 15 – 20 minutes until the peppers soften and start to blacken.
Finely chop the garlic and onions. Heat the remaining olive oil in a deep set pan over a medium heat, then add the onions and garlic and fry until the onion is soft. Spoon in the turmeric and paprika and cook for a further minute before adding the paella rice.
Prepare the stock and combine the tomato paste and chopped thyme into the stock, then pour the mixture over rice. Simmer the rice gently for about 20 minutes until the stock has been completely absorbed and the rice is al dente. Do not be tempted to stir the rice once the stock has been poured over!
Roughly chop the black olives. Once the rice is cooked, remove from the heat and toss in the olives, cooked red peppers and courgette and mix well.

Cherry and Almond Loaf Cake

Cherries are still in season and anything that spins off a Bakewell tart has got to be good. This loaf cake brings together a gorgeous combination of almonds and cherries in a much easier way to recreate those beloved Bakewell flavours!!

Ingredients

• 180g butter at room temp.
• 180g caster sugar
• 3 medium eggs
• 250g fresh or frozen cherries
• 2tsp almond extract
• 155g plain flour
• 1tsp baking powder

• 5tsp ground almonds
• 3tbsp milk

For the glaze

• 125g icing sugar
• 2tsp milk
• ½tsp almond extract

To decorate

• 3 tbsp flaked almonds
• Cherries on their stems

Method

Preheat oven to 200°C (180°fan) or gas mark 6 and line a 900g loaf tin with baking parchment.
In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs 1 at a time, mixing each time then add almond extract.
Combine the flour, baking powder and ground almonds in separate bowl and then add to the bowl along with the cherries and gently fold to combine. Add the milk to loosen and stir lightly.
Transfer the mixture into the lined tin, level it out and bake in the oven for 50mins, until golden brown and a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Leave to completely cool in tin.
Make the glaze in a small bowl by combining the icing sugar, milk and almond extract. It should be thick but pourable; adjust with more milk as required.
Turn out cake and pour glaze over it and scatter over the almonds and extra cherries.

Trees, All Is Not Well

Trees, All Is Not Well

 

Walk past the top of Walston Close and you will see, next to the pavement, this magnificent tree – a candidate for Wenvoe’s Favourite Tree – although you may well have your own nominations! It is Eucriphia Nymanensis and it is covered head to foot in blossom with an attendant army of bees taking in the pollen and nectar. We are fortunate in the village to have a range of interesting and mature trees. Those of us struggling in the hot spell will have appreciated our mature trees, not least in and around the Village Green. Trees, as we know, keep us cooler, absorb carbon and help our sense of well-being.

However, all is not well with the regular cutting down of trees which are seldom replaced. Examples of losses in the last couple of years include a Walnut in Station Road, Tulip Tree outside the Community Centre, Weeping Silver Lime in Gwenfo Drive, Loquat near the library and Balm of Gilead Poplar in the churchyard. There may be reasons for their removal but what reasons can there be for not planting a replacement?

Things look a bit brighter in Grange Park where the Vale Council have planted several trees to replace losses and on the Village Green and small patch of land outside the Church Hall there have been individual plantings and trees donated by residents. The Wildlife Group have planted around 150 fruit trees in the orchards and on the perimeter of the Upper Orchid Field around 30 native trees have been placed over the last 15 years.

How do you feel about our trees and is it now time, as some are suggesting, for residents, councils and businesses to take concerted action to reverse the trend? As Persian singer/songwriter Sina Shahbazi sings in his song, Protect The Trees

From the roots to the sky

Their spirit will rise

A beacon of hope

When nature cries

Let’s honour the trust

For the ones yet to be

A legacy green

As far as we see

Protect the trees

Protect our home

Together we stand

We’re not alone

Walking In Kyrgyzstan (Part 1 Of 2)


WALKING IN KYRGYZSTAN (Part 1 of 2)

Three of us, all no longer of working age, recently joined a group of 12 in total to trek in the Tian Shan mountains in Kyrgyzstan. Of the 12 in the group, we were the oldest (and slowest), most of the others being young people in their late 20s. By the end of the trip they were in fact in awe of us and insisted their parents would never have been able to undertake the trek!

Kyrgyzstan, officially the Kyrgyz Republic is a small landlocked country in central Asia. It is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the south and China to the east. Kyrgyzstan was formerly part of the Soviet Union and declared independence from the USSR in 1991. It is farther from the sea than any other individual country and is an endorheic basin in which all its rivers flow into closed drainage systems which do not reach the sea.

The country is approximately the size of Great Britain without Northern Ireland, 91% of which is over 1,000m high. Peak Jengish Chokusu, at 7,439 metres is the highest point and is considered by geologists to be the northernmost peak over 7,000m. Although geographically isolated by its high mountainous terrain, Kyrgyzstan has been at the crossroads of several great civilisations as part of the Silk Road.

 

Tourism is slowly developing in the country with skiing and trekking in the mountains being the main attractions. It was obvious that the government is developing substantial infrastructure in readiness for the country to further open up with major road building taking place.

We underwent a long drive from Bishkek, the capital, to Karakol in the east which is the stepping stone for both hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter. Hence we feel able to comment first hand as to the state of the roads as our minibus was not only lacking in leg room but also shared with us every bump and pothole in the road!

The first 2 days were walking through, around and among incredible enormous fluted red sandstone rock formations (Molasse) set in large meadows where the Kyrgyz people still take their large flocks of fat-bottomed sheep, cattle and horses up to the summer pastures, staying in yurts.

We stayed our first night trekking in a small settlement of yurts alongside a river where we were fortunate to be able to have a banya, (a traditional Russian steam bathhouse), and then spent the following 4 nights under canvas. There was an expectation that we put up and packed up our own tents and it was interesting to see that this was a skill not commonly known among the whole group! All of the campsites were alongside the river or a lake and despite the ever-decreasing temperature as we climbed, there were a couple in the group who continued to enjoy cold water plunges until the water temperature apparently dropped to 4 degrees! (For those interested, ablutions were in the freezing meltwater river or lakes and the use of long-drops.) As well as the 12 of us, we had a guide, 2 assistant guides and 2 horsemen who were responsible for our 8 pack horses which carried our bags, the tents, enough food for us all for the trek and our rubbish! Packing the horses in the morning was a tremendous skill.

After the first 2 days, we left the molasse rocks behind us as we joined the Silk Road and climbed steadily along the Gulcha River through a very wide glacial valley with great meadows fringed by strange, pointed conifers with round bases and black kites soaring overhead, glimpses of snow-capped mountains ahead. The valley got steadily less wide as we climbed but there were still large herds of livestock and their attendants on horseback with the obligatory shepherd dog.

A highlight was stopping at a yurt alongside a river crossing one lunchtime where we were treated to an enormous freshly made fluffy naan bread and a tub of fresh buttermilk which we passed around tearing off a chunk of bread and dipping it into the buttermilk. Delicious! It made a nice change from potato and cabbage stew or plov – a local version of paella.

Our second to last campsite was in a buttercup festooned meadow alongside a lake accessed by crossing the river on horseback. Unfortunately, the weather on the last day was typically Welsh requiring full waterproofs and was made more miserable as we were walking up over the pass on a very shaley path. Sadly, that meant that the incredible views were not for us. I was fortunate enough to look sufficiently exhausted, very much feeling the lack of oxygen, and was offered one of the pack horses to carry me over the pass! I was not about to refuse (what I considered) a gift horse in the mouth.

 

The Kymin and Kenfig

The Kymin and Kenfig

The Kymin

We parked in a layby, on a hill east of Monmouth and the river Wye and walked along the road a short distance to take a footpath into woodland. It was hot, humid and sunny, but walking on a wide track in the woodland shade was very pleasant.

Soon we were passing one of the impressive houses which abound in Monmouthshire. We came into the open and had a trek up a stony track. A farmer and young child passed on an off-road vehicle and we probably all thought how good it would be to get a lift. A flock of sheep still wearing their woollen fleeces gained our sympathy as they grazed a dry field in full sunshine. A little later we came across shorn sheep, lying in the shadow of a hedge, and looking more comfortable.

Soon we were back in woodland and following part of the Offa’s Dyke path before climbing up to the Kymin at 800ft. The Kymin and its nine acres is a National Trust property, overlooking the Wye valley and Monmouth. As it was clear, we could see the Brecon Beacons and Malvern hills. Everyone had a look at the Naval temple and then decided to eat lunch, some choosing benches in full sun with panoramic views and others finding shade, near sweet chestnut trees and an uneven ‘bowling green’.

Over 200 years ago, a group of local gentlemen formed a picnic group and visited the Kymin every Tuesday. This led to the building of the round house, for shelter when the weather was inclement. It is a quirky building, small, circular and with a castellated roof and has now been converted into a holiday cottage. There is also the Naval temple, which was built by public subscription in 1800 and commemorates 16 of Britain’s famous admirals and their victories in the Seven Years War and the war against France. It is Grade II listed and has undergone three restorations; the last two by the National Trust in 1987 and 2012 because of storm damage. Nelson commented ‘It was one of the most beautiful places he had ever seen’.

Resuming our walk, we descended a path through gnarled tree roots and rocks, where it was noticeably cooler (and had been the planned location for lunch). We avoided the nearby road by walking parallel to it through the woods, negotiating a large ditch and a fallen tree. At last, we had to emerge from the wood to cross the road in full sun, following a track littered with signs from the local Staunton council, warning most vehicles off, but not walkers. We entered a final stretch of woodland, then a tunnel with creeping plants hanging down over its entrance and a ceiling covered in bricks and were soon back at the cars.

The day was hot and humid, with a cooling breeze. Our leader did us proud, managing to devise a route that stayed in woodland most of the time, with short spells in the open. At the end of the walk, we drove to Redbook to visit the Boat Inn for thirst quenching drinks. Walk 6.2m 1000ft Map OL14

Kenfig

It was hard to believe that our last walk had been rained off as we set out on the hottest day of the year so far. We left Wenvoe earlier than usual to head for Kenfig. The first part of the walk meandered across the dunes, occasionally finding shade under a small copse of trees and taking drink breaks. The areas that are normally waterlogged in winter and spring had dried out and were springy underfoot.

 

There were fabulous flowers, some being viper’s bugloss, evening primrose, sea holly, and a low growing shrub with small dark, berries (a rose?).

As the morning progressed it got hotter, and Lawrence of Arabia came to mind. Then we broke through the dunes to the beach to be met by a sea breeze which immediately made us feel comfortable. Several of us took off our boots to paddle in the sea, along the beach. Wonderful! After crossing the main part of the beach, half of us ate our lunch whilst the other half went for a swim – the sea was not cold!

A shorter route back to the car park took us to Sker house, reputably one of the most haunted houses in Wales. R. D. Blackmore, (author of Lorna Doone) wrote a novel called ‘the maid of Sker’ which was inspired by Sker house and a Welsh ballad of the same name.

We crossed the golf course several times, where a surprising number of people were playing. Arriving back at the car park we enjoyed delicious ice-creams and cake, in the shade. Looking at photos I said, ‘It looks like the Med’ my friend replied, ‘It felt like the Med’. Walk 6.6m Map OS151

“Orbital” by Samantha Harvey

 

“Orbital” by Samantha Harvey

Orbital by English author Samantha Harvey was winner of the Booker Prize 2024. The novel is beautifully written with distinctive and poetic prose. It covers a 24 hour period in the International Space Station as six astronauts and cosmonauts from America, UK, Japan, Italy and Russia hurtle through 16 sunrises and sunsets at over 17,000 miles per hour, 250 miles above Earth.

Their day is filled with individual tasks carried out with dedication and precision as they pass over and see the ever changing vistas of oceans, mountains, deserts and glaciers, a world without borders. They watch as a gigantic typhoon builds over the Pacific.

They have a daily exercise programme to offset the negative effects of the lack of gravity and at night they sleep floating about in their small claustrophobic cabins. We are given brief insights into the lives, histories and thoughts and learn how the cycle of daily orbits result in the loss of their natural sense of time.

This novel initiated a lively discussion and some very different reviews from the Page Turners. All agreed it was well written and thought provoking. Some were fascinated by the narrative and were of the opinion that any elaboration of the characters would have changed the whole tenor of the book. More negative responses described how they found it tedious and boring with no plot or character development, not enough human drama and too many lists and repetitive descriptions of scenes of Earth from space. Scores ranged from 4 to 10 and the overall score was 8.5.

August Church News

August Church News

Greetings to you all from the congregation at St. Mary’s Church.

A warm welcome awaits you at our service on a Sunday morning at 9.30 am, but if you cannot make it log on to our website https://www.ipcamlive.com/stmaryschurch. We know many far and wide do log on, including our friends in the Glenburnie Care Home, and we consider this as a part of our mission to spread the Good News of Jesus in the world. Give it a try. You will be pleasantly surprised.

July has been a relatively quiet time in church with many enjoying their holiday at home or abroad. That does not mean our door is closed. We have hosted three funerals during the month. Each one was different to the other in many ways, but the same message is preached, that of hope. For Christians death is not the ending of a life but a beginning to a new life in the glorious heavenly kingdom that Jesus told us all about. It is natural to grieve for the departed, but a new day dawns and life goes on. Think on the words of this well-known Easter hymn

The strife is o’er, the battle done;

the victory of life is won;

the song of triumph has begun.

Alleluia!

The powers of death have done their worst,

but Christ their legions has dispersed.

Let shouts of holy joy outburst.

Alleluia!

Our dearly departed are not forgotten. Week by week we remember their passing a year after the event. We understand that a formal church funeral is not for everyone, and that Direct Cremation is gaining in popularity. Vicar Lyndon is only too ready to advise during difficult times when decisions have to be made to say farewell to a loved one.

The month may have been a quiet one, but there are always housekeeping jobs to be carried out. We have a very large safe in the Tower vestry that holds all our records. These comprise Registers of baptism, marriage and burials for Wenvoe and St. Lythans, service registers, and other misc. documents relating to church activities over the years. Many are facsimile copies of original registers deposited at Glamorgan Archives, and copies provided for use in the parishes. They have now been listed giving the years they cover dating from the 16th century. Parish registers are fascinating records of events many years ago and were authorised by Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII’s chief minister in 1535; there was a great deal of suspicion that Cromwell was bringing in a tax for his master on the sacraments of the church.

Registers began to be compiled for every “wedding, christening and burying” as the Act states. At the beginning the priest or churchwarden obtained a sheet of paper and ruled it into three columns for the three records to be written up. In 1597 a scheme for a “more careful keeping of parish registers” was introduced with entries now made on parchment, and copies were to be made of the old register previously written on paper. Our Wenvoe register appears to have been copied at this time. These loose sheets were then folded and placed in the parish chest, where over the years they were often attacked by mice and damp. Soon these loose sheets were bound into books and later legislation saw the introduction of preprinted register books which are much easier to read. For family history buffs they are an excellent source of historical facts.

Visitors to the church often ask when it was built, and who built it. The stock reply is we do not know, but we can safely say that there was a church on this site back in the 13th cent. Which means that the people of Wenvoe have worshipped here for 800 years and that the ancient Yew Tree possibly predates the building. At some point in time the church was financed by the introduction of a Church Rate levied on the landowners, on individual cottages or fields, the ale house and every farm in the Parish. The actual rate was fixed at the annual Easter vestry meeting and in Wenvoe we have records from 1829 -1870 when the amount of a penny farthing – 5d was levied. The amount raised was used to pay the parish clerk, see to the purchase of candles and coals for the stove, washing the surplice and the purchase of bottles of wine for the communion. Even the killing of polecats appears in the expenditure items. White liming of the interior was a regular feature, as were repairs and cleaning of the churchyard. The amount on the collection plate was not used for the church but went to supporting the poor and aged of the parish. The priest’s stipend came from the Tythe also levied on the parish or from his private means. The church Rate was finally abolished by an act of parliament in 1868, to the great satisfaction of the non-conformists who objected to paying a tax when their own chapels were self-financed by their own membership.

From the Wenvoe record of church rates, one year of 1860 stands out when the amount collected was increased by subscriptions from the wealthier parishioners to £64, 16 shillings, 10d and a farthing. Was that the year that the soaring Gothic chancel arch was raised, to replace the old crude low arch similar to the entrance to the tower?

More news next month of solar panels, alternative means of heating the church and renovations in the Church Hall.

Parry

 

A Very Windy Friars Point

A Very Windy Friars Point

 

High winds and grey skies at Barry Island—and not to forget the sore knees and ankles, did not put off the strollers today…and all were rewarded with an enjoyable walk around Nell’s Point…and of course, ice cream, chat and coffee at the end

 

 

 

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