Month: June 2026

July 2025 Letters

 

 

Walston Road / Tarrws Lane in Wenvoe

I understand some drivers driving up Tarrws Lane (linking Old Port Road to Walston Road near the Beefeater) have been intimidated into reversing back and around the blind bend at the bottom near Old Port Road. This is disconcerting not only in being forced to break one of the fundamental safety-first rules in the highway code but that reversing into a blind bend is inherently dangerous (highway code rules 200 to 203). In the case of that part of Tarrws Lane it is normally accepted that vehicles going downhill usually give way to vehicles going uphill as vehicles facing downhill should reverse because it’s easier, but the overriding consideration is the fact that any vehicle risks major safety hazards by reversing around a blind curve. Whilst legally no one has absolute right of way if a collision occurs while reversing, the reversing driver is almost always held at fault because the Highway Code places a strict responsibility on them to ensure their path is clear before and during the manoeuvre.
I find it hard to believe that such drivers are putting other road users at risk like this.
Stephen K. Jones

 

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS
The Editors are not responsible for opinions expressed, although
every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information.
The editors reserve the right to protect the anonymity of anyone
who wishes to contribute articles or letters for the magazine
provided they are aware of the identity of any such person.

What Did May Do

LIVING WITH CANCER STROLLERS

What Did May Do

 

 

On a stormy Cosmeston stroll, the walkers were treated to beautiful orchids scattered throughout a field on both sides of a path. So….what did May do to end up looking so sad and pensive in the stocks? You will have to join the walking group to find out!

June Events

 

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

June Events

On June 4th we were pleased to be joined by members of the Wenvoe community and other local WIs at our meeting.

We were entertained by a fast moving, amusing and educational presentation on “Enjoying the Power of Plants” from Roger Crookes in conjunction with Pugh’s Garden Centres who provided seeds and 3 plants from the nursery for our raffle. Following a brief introduction on how he started in gardening Roger illustrated the many benefits plants bring to our lives including food, energy, enjoyment and exercise. He emphasised the importance of plants in combatting climate change and how garden centres were adjusting to the challenges it poses for us as gardeners.

Our next meeting is on July 2nd when we will be joined by members of the Stay Steady team.

Visitors are always welcome to our meetings. Please ring 07881 853032 for further details.

Carol Charlson (President)

The Queen of Foraging Plants

THE QUEEN OF FORAGING PLANTS

So, once upon a time, the Vale of Glamorgan was pink. These days the predominant colour in the fields is yellow with Oil Seed Rape. But before tractors arrived and up to the 1950s you could expect to see acres of a pink, reddish crop. It is estimated that one in seven fields was planted with it. This was Sainfoin and is seldom seen these days. However, it is a great fodder crop and was known as the queen of foraging plants. Here are some of its benefits:

Sainfoin is a high-yielding, drought-resistant plant which needs no nitrogen fertiliser and little phosphate. It won’t cause bloat, is a natural anthelmintic and, with rumen protected protein, produces top quality meat and milk. Sainfoin has deep penetrating roots making it highly suitable for the dry, alkaline soils. Sainfoin has many positive characteristics as a forage. In ruminants, these are the result of its content of high levels of chemicals called condensed tannins.

However, Sainfoin has another great benefit – it is very attractive to bees and other insects and is great for beekeepers because of the quality of the honey it produces. For this reason, the Wildlife Group is planting it in different locations, including the Upper Orchid Field, Bee Loud Glade, Goldsland Orchard and Cae Ysbyty.

Two Entrepreneurs Who Made Penarth Their Home (Part 2)

ARTICLES of GENERAL INTEREST

TWO ENTREPRENEURS WHO MADE PENARTH THEIR HOME (Part 2)

In Part 1, I presented a biography of John Kyte Collett (1836 – 1933). He was originally from Shepton Mallett and had established his first business at the age of 17 with his widowed mother as a grocer in Bute Town. He was to become a millionaire, philanthropist and general ideas man. Also in Part 1, his cousin (also from Shepton Mallet) was introduced. Under JKC’s patronage he developed a number of notable edifices in and around Penarth.

By the time JKC was in his late 70s, and having largely retired from business, he turned his energies to addressing issues of the day and bringing his views to the great and the good. Thankfully the Cathays Heritage Library has a treasure trove of his legacy which he had reproduced mostly octavo size pamphlets with tiny print, price one penny from all good booksellers, stationers, etc!

His writing style was flowery, obsequious when addressing his “betters”, cross referenced to the Scriptures on many occasions and never using one word when three would suffice. Here is selection of some of his missives and ideas.

“A Suggested Transfiguration of (Cardiff’s) Temperance Town and Another Site for the Town Hall” In late 1890 a hotly debated topic at that time was a suitable location for a new town hall. In March 1897 the “Western Mail” suggested reusing part of the area then occupied by Temperance Town. This was a densely packed urbanisation of 6 streets of 280 houses where the new BBC building now stands. Collett’s scheme was to clear all and as well as the town hall there would be public gardens, an art school and gallery.

“Solving the Land Problem by doing Justly to One and All thus that Whole Community will be Greatly Enriched” An Open Letter to Prime Minister David Lloyd George with a Christian and non-partisan solution. The “land problem” had been around since the Enclosures of the 1750s and in view of the housing crisis is still relevant today. When D Ll G was dismissive of his views he followed up with missives to Walter Long MP, who had long been at odds with D Ll G, and A Bonar Law MP the leader of the Opposition. (5,000 words + 3 pages of calculations).

When all of that failed to get him any credence, he then wrote an open letter to His Majesty the King on the subject of “An Empire without taxes but at the same time paying for the War and paying off the National Debt without expense to anyone” (9.200 words + 5 pages of calculations).

“Supplement to Solving the Land Problem etc and Abolish all Taxes etc thus wisely generating an Income of £137,493, 576” (18 pages of Calculations)

“Duke Street, Cardiff. How to Widen it at Little or no Cost” An Open Letter to the City Engineer and Aldermen. At that time there was a row of buildings on the north side of Duke Street abutting the castle walls. (2,500 Words 1-5-1914)

“An Unwritten Chapter of Cardiff’s History”

Addressed to The Lord Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors. The Unwritten History was about schemes being considered by the Great Western and Taff Vale Railway Companies to raise the level of their respective Permanent Ways by “several feet” to avoid the dips in the highways under their bridges. 21-04-1914 (6,400 Words)

“What Shall we Drink and Under What Conditions? An appeal to distillers, brewers, hotel proprietors, licensed victuallers, restaurant-keepers, etc and to moderate drinkers and teetotallers. With a view to the protection of the liberty of the individual to consume where, when, and what he chooses. Subject to the due regard being paid to the rights, happiness, and prosperity of the community as a whole”(4,000)

The foregoing words are the title of a pamphlet (price 1 penny) published in May 1915, but drawing on JKC’s observations over many decades railing against alcohol, he being a lifelong teetotaller. In the event strict controls on its consumption were introduced soon afterwards as a war time measure.

“An Appeal to Parliament, the Pulpit and the People: How housing and land problems can be solved coupled with replacement of deprecated currency notes by others of more value as money tokens than gold sovereigns”. In essence, his scheme involved borrowing money at 3.25% interest and then loaning it out at 4%, such that by the year 2000 the government would have accrued a profit of £137,493,576.

And now more about his nephew Fredrick Speed. He was also a native of Shepton Mallett; born in 1846. In Part 1 we read that he lived in Cardiff in the early 1870s but in the mid 1880s JKC enticed him back to exploit the potential for Penarth’s development after its connection to the Taff Vale Railway.

FS was to be the driving force behind the development of some of Penarth’s most notable buildings, his first ambitious project being Beach Cliff on the sea front. Those that survive include the “terrace” 2 to 10 Plymouth Road; The Royal Buildings corner of Stanwell Road and Victoria Road; former British Legion on Station Approach. And on a lesser scale he built many private houses around Penarth.

2 to 10, Plymouth Road, Penarth

The 1911 census records the 65 year old “builder and house agent” FS living at 10 Plymouth Road. The Western Mail, 2nd January 1920, announced his death at the age of 73.

Tony Hodge

Wenvoe Village Show

WENVOE VILLAGE SHOW

Saturday 29th August, Wenvoe Community Centre

This is Wenvoe’s own local show and offers an excellent opportunity for some friendly, fun competition. Will your fruit and veg be the talk of the village? Is your baking a triumph? You don’t have to be an expert; you just need to enter.

The show is limited to entries from people who live in the Wenvoe community (Wenvoe, Twyn-yr-Odyn, St Lythans and Dyffryn) and children who are residents of Wenvoe or attend the village school. Entries to be registered at Wenvoe Community Centre (PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF VENUE) between 8.30am and 11am on Saturday morning (for those who have other commitments on Saturday morning there will be a limited time slot to register entries from 6 00pm – 7.30pm on Friday evening 28 August, but this will NOT include culinary entries). The large hall will then be closed between 11.00am and 1.30pm. for the judging to take place.

The public will be welcome to come and view the exhibits between 1.30pm and 4.00pm. From 3.00pm – 4.00pm there will be a chance to sample the culinary entries for yourself. There will be a good quality raffle, and this will be drawn at 3.30pm. If you have a prize that you could give we should be very grateful.

If you wish to reclaim your entries they should be collected between 4 and 4.30pm but please note that items entered in the culinary categories will be offered for public tasting and will not be eligible for collection unless there is any left at 4pm. Entry fee – £1 for the first entry and 50p for all subsequent entries per person. You may enter as many sections as you wish but the maximum number of entries per person in any one section of a category is two. Items entered in previous Wenvoe Village Shows are acceptable but only if they have previously failed to win a prize. If you would like to help on the day or have any queries, please speak to Mike or Glenys Tucker.

There will be refreshments available all day.

There will be a good quality raffle, and this will be drawn at 3.30pm. If you have a prize that you could give we should be very grateful. The proceeds from the raffle and the show will go to our charity of choice, the Wenvoe Wildlife Group to enable them to continue their brilliant work in and around the village.

The 50 categories are listed below as a reminder of the range of opportunities for getting involved.

 

VILLAGE SHOW CATEGORIES 2026

Fruit and Vegetables
1 Apples Cookers Best 3 Examples
2 Apples Eaters Best 3 Examples
3 Tomatoes Standard 3 of same type
4 Tomatoes Cherry 3 of same type
5 Other Fruit Any variety Minimum of 5 same type
6 Beetroot 3 of same type
7 Carrots 3 of same type
8 Onions 3 of same type
9 Potatoes 3 of same type
10 Runner beans 3 of same type
11 Chillies 3 of same type
12 Any other vegetable 3 of same type if small or 1 large one
Whopper Vegetables
13 Runner bean Any Variety Longest bean
14 Marrow Any Variety Largest
15 Onions Any Variety Largest
16 Potato Any Variety Largest
17 Any other whopper Any Variety Largest
Misshapen Vegetables
18 Any Any Variety Funniest

 

 

Culinary
19 Scones Sweet or savoury 6 the same
20 Welsh cakes Traditional 6 the same
21 Short bread Fingers 6 the same
22 Victoria Jam Sponge 8″ or 10″ round Sandwiched with raspberry jam only
23 Lemon drizzle cake Round or loaf
24 Fruit cake Round/fingers/loaf
Any other cake
25 Any variety Round/fingers/loaf
Bread
26 Bread Hand made Any variety
27 Bread Home machine made Any variety
Biscuits
28 Sweet or savoury Any variety 6 the same
Culinary Miscellaneous
29 Sweet preserve Jam or marmalade Any flavour
30 Savoury Preserve/chutney /relish Any flavour
Eggs
31 Home produced 3 matched
Drink
32 Soft drink Any flavour 1 bottle
33 Alcoholic drink Any flavour 1 bottle


Crafts Adult
34 Tied bunch of flowers From your garden 1 bunch
35 Fabric/needlecraft Any item
36 Wool work Knitted / crochet etc
37 Painting Any media
38 Drawing Any media
Any Other Craft Adult
39 Photograph Unmounted 7″ x 5″ Subject – Wenvoe
40 Photograph Unmounted 7″ x 5″ Subject – Red
41 Photograph Unmounted 7″ x 5″ Subject – Wildlife
Craft Children 2 categories: 7 and under; 8-13 All items to be produced by the child
42 Cake Any variety Home baked
43 Biscuits / cookies Any variety 4 the same flavour
44 Drawing Any medium Any media
45 Painting Any medium
46 Handwriting Extract from fav. book
47 Craft item Any medium
48 Photograph Unmounted 7″ x 5″ My best photo of 2026
Pre-school child
49 Painting/drawing/picture Any medium Any subject
Limerick
50 All ages First line must be “I walked around Wenvoe one day….”

Cheese Bruschetta & Summer Berry Clafoutis

July brings us broad beans also known as fava beans and touted as a superfood with a range of health benefits. And berries galore….

Broad Bean and Goats’ Cheese Bruschetta

Ingredients

400g/14oz fresh broad beans, (about 300g/10½oz when podded)

1 whole red chilli

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 spring onion, thinly sliced

1 lemon, zest and juice only

1 tbsp dried oregano or 2 tbsp fresh chopped oregano

½ loaf sourdough bread, sliced

4 tbsp olive oil

200g/7oz soft goats’ cheese

Method

  • Heat a large saucepan filled with boiling water. Blanch the beans very briefly (just to soften, not to cook them through). Drain and set aside to cool.
  • Roast the chilli over a direct flame on the hob until blackened a little, but not completely charred. Or, char them under a hot grill. Slice open and remove the seeds. Cut the flesh into thin ribbons.
  • Mix the chilli, garlic, spring onion, lemon zest and juice together. Add the oregano and broad beans and lightly crush them as you mix. You don’t want a smooth purée, but it needs to hold together.
  • Heat a large griddle pan and drizzle the sliced sourdough with a little olive oil. Place on the griddle and cook on both sides for 1-2 minutes, or until the bar marks appear.
  • Remove from the heat and spread with the goats’ cheese. Top with the broad bean mixture and serve.

Summer Berry Clafoutis

Ingredients

50g softened butter

400g mixed berries strawberries, raspberries, blueberries

For the Batter:

100g ground almonds

10g marzipan

2 tbsp plain flour

100g caster sugar

2 eggs

2 egg yolks

250ml double cream

Vanilla essence

Method

  • Heat oven to 190C/170C fan. Gas mark 5.
  • Butter a 23cm flan dish or tin and scatter the berries over the base.
  • Whizz all the batter ingredients in a blender until smooth then pour it over the fruits. Transfer to the oven and bake for 20-25 mins until risen and golden brown.
  • Serve warm. Dust with Icing Sugar and pour over some double cream or serve with some ice cream.

 

 

 

The Last Train From Wenvoe

ARTICLES of GENERAL INTEREST

THE LAST TRAIN FROM WENVOE

I left my house in Wenvoe with my golden retriever, Blue, to walk towards the old train station. It was around 8.30pm on a warm autumn day. As I got to the bridge overlooking the old station, the sky began to turn dark, and a fog started to creep in from the hills which led to Dinas Powys.

I was feeling very good; I had reached sixty today and my daughters had brought me presents earlier on in the day. Blue had done his business near the bridge, and I got a bag out and placed the contents in the bin on the bridge. The fog seemed to roll past us both then cleared while it was travelling towards Wenvoe.

As I looked down towards the station, I could see people on the platform. It was then I heard the whistle and a green steam train pulled up at the station. I could hear the sound of somebody shouting “Last train to Cardiff. This is the last train leaving Wenvoe for Cardiff.”

I heard two cars pull up behind me. The first one looked like an old-fashioned Jag and the second one looked like an Austin 11. The Jag was a green colour and the Austin was white. A man got out of the Jag and started to walk towards me. He had a white gabardine mac on. He reached into his coat pocket and produced a packet of cigarettes, took one out and put it into his mouth. With his other hand, he hit a zippo lighter and lit his cigarette. Crushing the cigarette packet, he threw it into the bin near me.

I could see the cigarette packed was a packet of Woodbines with a green stripe going down and a red stripe going across. The man said to me “It’s the last train to Cardiff tonight. I’m going to have to get the bus back in the morning”. The Austin car opened and a young girl of twenty something got out. She appeared to be wearing a nurse’s uniform from an old Carry On movie. The man said to me “That’s Ms Thomas or should I say Nurse Thomas.” The man turned away and followed the young nurse down to the Station Terrace to get onto the platform. Five minutes later I saw the man and nurse heading along the platform to get on the train. The man looked up and waved to me.

I heard the platform conductor blow his whistle and the train started to move off. A billow of smoke came from the train and covered the area; you could smell the acrid stench from fuel being burned. I could hear a whistle as the train must have approached the Wenvoe Tunnel. When the smoke cleared, everything had turned to normal.

I walked back towards the village and decided to go for a pint in the Wenvoe Arms. One of the lads in the pub worked for the railways and said, “Happy Birthday, Frank.” I was going to tell him what happened but thought better of it. Tommy who bought me a pint looked at his phone and said, “Looking at the internet it says the last train from Wenvoe was today, the 10th of September 1962 and it’s your birthday – how strange.”

Report from the Hub July 2026

WENVOE COMMUNITY HUB

Tel: 02920 594176 – during opening hours or wenvoelibrary@outlook.com

Like and follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/WenvoeCommunityLibrary

For general enquiries you can email us at wenvoelibrary@outlook.com

Report from the Hub July 2026

OPENING HOURS

We are now open Monday, Tuesday and Wednes-day 10 am – 4 pm and Saturday 9 am – 1 pm.

Have you joined our new Facebook page?

You can follow us on: Wenvoe Library Hub. This is where we will also be advertising new books, up and coming events, talks, etc.

What to do if a child would like to take part in the Summer Reading Challenge 2026:

The children are required to read six books over the summer holidays. We register two books at a time, so the children have at least three visits to the Library over the holidays. Those who have not done so are encouraged to join the library and are issued with their own ticket.

  • 1st visit: Children sign up with registration form and choose their books
  • 2nd visit: Once the children have read their first 2 books they receive their Read to the Beat Folder, their first two character stickers and a bookmark
  • 3rd visit: When the children have read 4 books, they are given a POP badge and the next two character stickers
  • 4th visit: When the children have read all 6 books, they are given a medal on a lanyard and the final two character stickers

 

It is very important that all the books read are registered on the form. Last year one or two children who had completed the challenge did not receive their certificates and in two instances their prizes for being Super readers because the books they had read had not been registered.

Certificates for completion will be presented after the Challenge has officially closed. Children who have read more than six books are considered to be Super Readers and are given a book voucher to the value of £10. Prizes and certificates are presented during a school assembly making it a suitably important occasion.

A Wonderful Day at the Hay Festival

Our recent trip to the Hay Festival was a great success, with a coach full of enthusiastic festival goers enjoying a day of books, ideas, and entertainment in the beautiful Hay-on-Wye.

The weather was kind, and everyone had the opportunity to explore the festival site, browse the many bookshops and exhibitor stalls, enjoy the excellent food and drink on offer, and attend a wide variety of talks and events.

Many passengers commented on the friendly atmosphere and the quality of the speakers; several have already expressed an interest in joining future trips.

A big thank you to everyone who supported the outing and helped make it such an enjoyable day. We look forward to organising more community trips in the future.

Events in July

As well as our regular weekly activities throughout July, we have several special and monthly events taking place at the Hub.

Tuesday 7th at 1:30pm – Gardening Group Our friendly monthly gardening group meets on the first Tuesday of each month. Share tips, ideas, successes, and seasonal inspiration with fellow gardening enthusiasts.

Wednesday 8th at 3:00pm – Special Cuppa with a Coppa: Cybercrime Awareness. Cybercrime affects us all and can have a particularly devastating impact on older and more vulnerable members of our community. Criminals use emails, text messages, phone calls, social media and websites to steal money, personal information, and identities.

Common scams include phishing emails and texts, romance scams, investment fraud, fake bank communications, and account hacking. The good news is that a few simple online safety habits can dramatically reduce your risk of becoming a victim. This is an informative and practical session explaining how cybercriminals operate, the warning signs to look out for, and the simple steps you can take to protect yourself, your family, and your finances.

If you have received a suspicious email, text message, or phone call, or are concerned about something that has appeared on your computer, tablet, or mobile phone, please bring your device along. Owen, our cybercrime officer, will be happy to offer advice and guidance. Join us for some valuable advice that could help keep you safe online.

Tuesday 21st at 1:30pm – Readers’ Circle Held on the third Tuesday of each month, our Readers’ Circle is perfect for anyone who enjoys books and conversation. No set book – just bring along something you’ve read recently and share recommendations with others.

Telecare Service at Wenvoe Community Library Hub

Telecare is a service provided by the Vale of Glamorgan that helps people live independently and safely in their own homes. For a monthly fee, users are provided with an alarm system and a personal alarm, worn either as a pendant on a neck cord or as a wristwatch. In the event of a fall, illness, or emergency, the user can press the alarm button to speak directly with a Telecare operator through the home unit. The operator can then contact a family member, carer, or emergency services if required.

Wenvoe Community Library Hub is now able to provide replacement Telecare watch straps and neck cords. No personal details are required to obtain these replacement items. The Hub can also accept the return of Telecare equipment. This may be necessary if a user has moved into long-term residential care or has passed away. Returned equipment should be placed in a bag clearly labelled with the name and address of the person to whom it belonged and handed to a Hub volunteer.

Please ensure that Telecare has been informed that the equipment is being returned and that Wenvoe Community Library Hub has been nominated as the return location.

 

 

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