Month: September 2026
Fireworks Season and Dogs
Small Request from a Fellow Villager
As we move towards autumn and the fireworks season, I’d like to ask our community to spare a thought for those who find unexpected fireworks difficult.
Many of us share our homes with dogs and other pets, and for them fireworks aren’t just a loud noise – they can be a source of genuine fear and distress. Owners often spend hours trying to comfort frightened animals, some of whom shake, hide, stop eating or even injure themselves trying to escape the noise. Fireworks can also affect local wildlife, livestock and some members of our community, including young children, older residents and those with conditions such as PTSD.
If you’re planning a celebration, would you consider whether fireworks are really necessary? Quieter fireworks are now available, and light shows or other forms of entertainment can be just as enjoyable without causing so much distress.
This isn’t about stopping people having fun. It’s simply a request to think about our neighbours – both human and animal – and to choose options that allow everyone to enjoy the season.
Thank you for considering this from one dog owner who knows just how much a little thoughtfulness can mean.
Liz Burnett and Jessie
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The Lost Turner Painting of Wenvoe Castle
ARTICLES of GENERAL INTEREST
THE LOST TURNER PAINTING OF WENVOE CASTLE
June 2024: Dyffryn Gardens Antiques Roadshow
Fiona Bruce introduced the show, saying “At the end of the show we have a fantastic surprise for you.”
Wenvoe Castle 1796
J.M.W. Turner had left Cardiff and was invited to stay in the Wenvoe Castle for a couple of days before heading off towards Mid and North Wales. The owner of the Castle hoped Mr Turner would paint the Castle for him and Mr Turner said he would do a watercolour. Over the next few days Mr Turner painted a picture of Wenvoe Castle from the front looking over the house and grounds but did not sign it. The picture was about 20 inches long and 15 inches wide and the painting hung in the Great Hall in the Castle until the great fire.
Wenvoe Castle 1910
Nobody knew how the fire started at the Castle. Once the fire got hold of the Castle there was no stopping it. Alice Wood and her husband Tom worked there, and together with other staff, risked their lives getting stuff out of the house to save for the family. Alice had run into the fire one last time to get the Turner painting off the wall.
Mrs Jenner, the lady who owned the Castle, gave away most of the burnt stuff to the staff who had risked their lives getting things out. Alice and Tom were given the Turner painting as they were going to be out of work for a long time. A letter of provenance was given to all the staff who had things from the house. The letter was stuffed down the back of the painting never to be thought about for a long time.
Wenvoe Village 2023
My name is Richard Clements. My grandmother died where she had lived, in Wenvoe, the village where our family had lived for over two hundred years. My mother had asked me to come back from London to clear my grandmother’s house and as I was clearing out the loft, I found an old painting of Wenvoe Castle. I showed it to my mother who said: “Your great grandparents worked at the Castle a long time ago.”
I took the picture back to London with me to show a friend in the art businesses. He told me to find a lawyer and get an expert to verify this picture as he was convinced it was a Turner painting.
Dyffryn Gardens Antiques Roadshow June 2024
Fiona Bruce: “And now we go over to our art expert with a find from a small village just down the road from here.”
“Well yes, it is a Turner painting,” said the expert.
“I would put a conservative estimate of around £2 million to £10 million on this painting.”
October 2024, Sutherby’s Auction House London.
The Lost Turner of Wenvoe Castle has just sold for £20 million.
Pumpkin Lasagne & Pumpkin and Ginger Cheesecake
September’s abundance of fresh produce helps to soothe any sadness surrounding the end of summer….
An easy tray bake and a creamy layer cake to follow which is complemented by bursts of blackberries for a real teatime treat or halve the recipe to make 12 fairy cakes.
Pumpkin Lasagne
Ingredients
90ml/3fl oz extra virgin olive oil
1kg/2lb 3oz pumpkin, peeled, seeds removed, cubed
paprika, to taste
freshly grated nutmeg, to taste
salt and freshly ground black pepper
250g/9oz fresh ricotta cheese250g/8¾oz green lasagne pasta sheets
150ml/5¼fl oz milk
25g/1oz grated parmesan cheese, or vegetarian parmesan-style grating cheese
For the béchamel sauce
55g/2oz butter
55g/2oz plain flour
350ml/10½fl oz milk
Method
Preheat the oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas 4.
Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-based pan. Add the pumpkin and cook, covered, stirring gently from time to time, until the pumpkin is tender, up to one hour.
Season the pumpkin with plenty of paprika, a grating of nutmeg, freshly ground black pepper and a little salt, to taste.
Add the ricotta cheese while it’s still on the heat. Stir well, then remove from the heat. Cover and allow mixture to stand.
For the béchamel sauce, melt the butter in a small saucepan without letting it brown. Add the flour little by little, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
When the flour has evenly absorbed the butter, continue to cook, stirring, for 4-5 minutes. Add the 350ml/10½fl oz milk a little at a time, stirring constantly to make a smooth, thick and creamy sauce. Season.
Arrange a layer of lasagne pasta sheets in the bottom of a large ovenproof dish. Spoon over a third of the pumpkin mixture. Lay more pasta sheets over the top, followed by another layer of pumpkin and another layer of pasta, followed by a final layer of the pumpkin mixture. Finish with a layer of lasagne pasta sheets.
Pour the 150ml/5¼fl oz milk over the top and allow it to drain through to all pasta layers.
Bake for ten minutes in the preheated oven, remove and spread the béchamel sauce on top.
Bake for a further 15-20 minutes or until all the milk has been absorbed by the pasta and the lasagne looks cooked and is beginning to go crisp. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with parmesan and place back in the oven for a few minutes.
Pumpkin and Ginger Cheesecake
Ingredients For the filling
300g/10½oz pumpkin, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces
25g/1oz butter, cubed
2 tbsp caster sugar
3 tbsp ginger syrup (from a jar of stem ginger)
200ml/7fl oz double cream, whipped
200g/7oz cream cheese
100g/3½oz thick Greek yoghurt
3 pieces stem ginger, finely chopped, plus extra for garnish
For the base
10 gingernut biscuits
50g/1¾oz melted butter
Method
Preheat the oven 200C/400F/Gas 6.
For the filling, place the chopped pumpkin on a baking tray. Dot with butter, sprinkle over the caster sugar and drizzle with the ginger syrup. Bake in the oven for 30–35 minutes, or until the pumpkin is soft.
For the base, crush the gingernuts until they resemble breadcrumbs. Place the crushed biscuits in a bowl and stir in the melted butter until well combined.
Line a baking tray with baking parchment. Place four metal chef rings on the tray to make individual cheesecakes or use lined loose bottom cake tin. Divide the gingernut mixture between the bases (or put in one base) and, using the back of a spoon, press the mixture down to form a smooth base.
For the filling, put the roasted pumpkin and any cooking juices in a food processor. Pulse until you have a smooth purée. Taste and add more sugar if required.
Mix the whipped cream, cream cheese and yoghurt together in a bowl. Add the stem ginger and mix well. Swirl the pumpkin purée through the cream mixture, then spoon it on the biscuit base/s. Smooth over the tops and place in the fridge for 1-2 hours, or until set.
The Role of a Funeral Celebrant – Sally Milliner
ARTICLES of GENERAL INTEREST
THE ROLE OF A FUNERAL CELEBRANT – SALLY MILLINER
When I say I am a funeral celebrant, there are still a few people who say, “what does that mean?”
When a person dies, a funeral ceremony is the final gift a family can offer their loved one. The type of ceremony, the venue, and the person who leads it all depend on what the family feels is right and having regard to whether the person who has died held particular religious beliefs or would have wanted certain rituals included.
Traditional funerals are usually led by religious figures -priests, ministers, vicars, imams, rabbis – who follow the customs and structure of their faith while offering spiritual guidance. For someone who was active in their faith community, this is often the most natural and comforting choice by the family, as it honours their loved one’s beliefs and the way they lived.
Alternatively, a humanist celebrant, whilst creating very personal and story-led ceremonies, will not incorporate religious language, hymns, prayers or rituals under any circumstances.
A funeral celebrant, on the other hand, is a trained professional who creates bespoke, warm ceremonies tailored to the family’s wishes, regardless of their beliefs. As such, the focus of a funeral celebrant is on the individual – their life, personality, values, and the legacy they leave behind which can be either non-religious or gently spiritual.
Families have complete freedom to shape the ceremony, and religious elements such as hymns or prayers can be included if they feel right. This makes a celebrant-led funeral ideal for someone who wasn’t religious, or for families who want a blend of personal storytelling with a gentle sense of spiritual belief. For many families, this can feel especially comforting when their loved one held spiritual beliefs, but their connection to formal religion had become quieter or more private over time.
The heart of a celebrant-led funeral, therefore, is creating a farewell that truly reflects the person who has died. It’s not just a formal goodbye, but a celebration of life.
A funeral celebrant will spend time with the family, listening to memories, discussing music, readings, and the tone they want to set, such as whether some gentle humour is welcome during the service. Families can discuss such things as a dress code or colour, a photographic tribute to be played, placing flowers on the coffin during reflection time – nothing is off limits to chat through.
No family wants a cookie cutter approach to the ceremony, so a skilled funeral celebrant will craft something unique – warm, dignified, and personal to the loved one. For example, at my mum’s funeral, everyone wore pearls or a touch of sparkle – a small detail that felt beautifully personal to her.
Some funeral celebrants have an additional talent to offer writing a bespoke poem to capture the essence of the person being honoured, if this is something the family may find a comfort.
A common misconception is that funeral celebrants only work in crematoriums, but they also lead graveside services, interments, and memorial ceremonies held at any location the family chooses to share memories of their loved one. These can take place after a direct cremation or on meaningful dates such as anniversaries.
It is also important to know that you are not obliged to use the celebrant recommended by your funeral director. If you have someone in mind – perhaps someone you already know or who led a funeral you have attended – you are free to choose them if you wish. Whoever you select will work closely with your funeral director to ensure everything runs smoothly, allowing you to focus on remembering your loved one.
A funeral is one of the most meaningful moments a family will ever plan, and the person who leads it plays a vital role. Whether you choose a religious leader, a humanist celebrant, or a funeral celebrant, what matters most is finding someone who will honour your loved one’s wishes and their story with sincerity, compassion, and respect, providing you with support at a difficult and emotional time.
A well-crafted funeral ceremony becomes a lasting memory – one that reflects not just a life that has ended but is a celebration of life for someone that was deeply loved.
Valeways Walks October 2026
Five Orchards To Visit
FIVE ORCHARDS TO VISIT
With 5 orchards to visit, the Wildlife Group is often asked which varieties can be found. A list follows below. Many of the varieties are duplicated so the total number of trees are well in excess of this.
| COMMUNITY ORCHARD | GOLDSLAND FARM ORCHARD | WELSH ORCHARD | ELIZABETHAN ORCHARD |
| Bardsey apple | Pen Caled apple | Bardsey apple | Dr Hervey apple |
| Bakers Delicious apple | Kenneth apple | Afal Wern apple | Worcester Pearmain apple |
| Morgan Sweet apple | Gabalva apple | St Cecilia apple | Catshead apple |
| Ribston Pippin apple | Cadwallader apple | Pig Aderyn apple | Jargonelle pear |
| Ashmeads Kernel apple | Blakeney Red perry pear | Channel Beauty apple | Black Worcester pear |
| Grenadier apple | Ashmeads Kernel apple | Morgan Sweet apple | Morello cherry |
| Claygate Pearmain apple | Holstein apple | Cissy apple | Early Transparent greengage |
| Tom Putt apple | Gwehelog perry pear | Nant Gwrtheryn apple | Medlar |
| Victoria plum | Gwehelog Red perry pear | Machen apple | Quince |
| Mirabelle plum | Quince – Meechams Prolific | Leathercoat apple | Walnut |
| Greengage | Medlar – Nottingham | Laxtons Superb apple | Filbert |
| Cambridge gage | St Cecilia apple | Herefordshire Russet apple | Crabapple |
| Conference pear | Cummy Norman apple | Afal Prenglas apple | Fig – Brown Turkey |
| Doyenne Du Comice pear | Perthyre apple | Afal Coch Cynnar | WILD ORCHARD |
| Winter Nells pear | Twyn y Sherrif apple | Talgarth apple | Bullace |
| Morello cherry | Breakwells Seedling apple | Penrhyn pear | Crabapple |
| Mulberry – King James 1st | Adams Pearmain apple | Snowdon Queen pear | Wild Pear (Pyrus pyraster) |
| Quince | Pig Aderyn Apple | Denbigh plum | Wild Cherry |
| Medlar | Victoria Plum | Victoria Plum | Bird Cherry |
| Crabapple | Denbigh Plum | Abergwyngregyn damson | Hazel |
| Filbert | Damsons various (inc. Farleigh) | Crabapple | Cherry Plum |
 |
Shepherds Bullace | Quince – Meechams Prolific | Checkers Tree |
| Cherry Sunburst | Medlar – Nottingham | Wild Plum | |
| Cherry Cariad | Hazel | ||
| Bullace Yellow Apricot |
Several trees already have ripe fruit so are worth sampling. You can help yourself but please follow the simple rule of not taking more than half the fruit on any one tree
Gregynog Hall and the Davies Sisters
ARTICLES of GENERAL INTEREST
GREGYNOG HALL AND THE DAVIES SISTERS
In the heart of the Montgomeryshire countryside some 4 miles north of Newtown stands an impressive Hall set within its own 750-acre grounds. There has been a substantial mansion on the site since the 1400s, with the latest iteration being constructed as a brick building in 1840. The building that we see today may appear to be a Montgomeryshire vernacular half-timbered structure, but this belies the fact that in the late 1890s it was stuccoed with concrete and painted black and white to resemble such a style.
In 1920 Gregynog Hall was purchased by the fabulously wealthy and unmarried sisters Gwendoline and Margaret Davies. The sisters had come by their wealth via the “family business” of coal, railways and of course Barry Docks founded by their grandfather David Davies of Llandinam whose life and times has been covered in many previous issues of “What’s On”.
When they came of age, the sisters devoted their lives and wealth to charity, philanthropy and culture. Examples (by no means exhaustive) include health and welfare facilities in the coal mining valleys, contributions to the building of chapels and educational establishments, funding and hands on running of rest and recuperation facilities for soldiers (of all nationalities) in France during the First World War and perhaps what they are best remembered for: the purchase of many notable works of art – all of which were gifted to the people of Wales.
After it was purchased by the sisters, the Hall became the most visible symbol of the sisters’ cultural interests and the venue for Welsh cultural and academic life for many decades. They supported traditional skills, arts and craftsmanship to improve the house and grounds. The estate became associated with music, literature, gardening and intellectual life. The sisters encouraged artists, musicians and scholars and helped create an atmosphere in which Welsh culture could flourish.
Their support for music was particularly significant. They established the Gregynog Festival, which became an important event in the Welsh cultural calendar and over the years many of the important musicians of the day such as Elgar, Holst, Williams, Wood and Boult played. In addition, a choir of between 28 and 40 voices, many being the Hall’s staff, gave many a concert. Their interest in music reflected their broader understanding of culture: art was not simply something to be collected and displayed, but something to be experienced, shared and developed. Through Gregynog, the sisters helped create a lasting cultural legacy that continued after their deaths.
The sisters were deeply attached to Wales and to the Welsh landscape. Although their wealth was derived from industrial enterprise, they increasingly devoted themselves to preserving and enriching the cultural and natural environment of their home country
Gwendoline died in 1951 and Margaret in 1963. By the time of their deaths, they had donated or promised substantial parts of their art collection to public institutions and had supported numerous charitable and cultural causes. Their legacy remains particularly visible in the collections of the National Museum Cardiff and in the continuing cultural associations of Gregynog.
In 1922 the Gregynog Press was founded by the sisters helped by Dr Thomas Jones (“TJ”) at the Hall. It had a succession of resident printers and artists, and a bindery. The output was of limited edition superbly produced volumes devoted to the arts and poetry many of which may be inspected at the Cardiff University Special Collections library. Incidentally “TJ” was to become a most influential man in his own right, he was Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet under four Prime Ministers.
Margaret Davies gifted Gregynog Hall to the University of Wales in 1960. Thereafter the Hall hosted conferences, seminars and summer schools from every academic discipline.
The story of the Davies sisters is therefore not simply one of extraordinary wealth. It is a story about how private fortune can be transformed into a public legacy. Through their philanthropy, art collecting and support for education, music and Welsh culture, Gwendoline and Margaret Davies helped shape the cultural landscape of twentieth-century Wales. Gregynog remains closely associated with their memory, while the artworks and institutions they supported continue to benefit generations of people. Their lives demonstrate the lasting influence that determined and generous patrons can have on the cultural identity of a nation.
In 2010, the University’s responsibility for Gregynog was passed to the Gregynog Charitable Trust and it continues to be a centre for learning and education, hosting conferences and events and celebrating nature and the arts. The extensive grounds make for a good day out for those seeking the calm and sanctuary of nature, and there’s a very classy café but surprisingly no gift shop through which to exit!
Tony Hodge
Talgarth, Mynydd Troed
Talgarth, Mynydd Troed
We have had some great walks this summer with the weather being so reliable we have roamed far and wide and had no rain whatsoever.
Talgarth, Mynydd Troed
Another beautiful day with the temperature ideal for walking. As we arrived at the car park in Talgarth we could not miss the kites swirling in the sky above us, up to 6 at a time and their call had a double whistle. What a way to start the day
Early in the walk we saw running water, still a rarity after the hot summer, (we had noted that 2 of the 3 reservoirs on the A470 were almost empty on our drive up). We walked past the barn of college farm where the huge wooden beams were so low the farmer can hit his head on them.
College farm is in Trefecca, where Howell Harris (Hywel Harris) one of the leaders of the Welsh Methodist Revival was born in 1752. He lived in the family home which was in a neo-Gothic Architectural style. A Christian community was established (the Trefecca family). Trefecca College, a theological seminary was established by the Countess of Huntington in 1768. It coincided with six students being excluded from an Oxford college because of their Methodism and formed the first student body. John Wesley preached here in 1769.
We walked along lanes into more open countryside through brown fields and dry looking trees. At a reservoir on farmland the spaniel with us could not resist jumping into the murky water and swimming for a while before trying to find a way out.
The surrounding hills started to come into view and Pen y Fan was one of the first we spotted. We were all a bit surprised when, as we approached Mynydd Troed, we were suddenly faced by a long line of familiar hills: The Dragon’s Back, Lord Hereford’s Knob and Hay Bluff to name a few. It was quite disorientating to realise that Crickhowell was just over those hills. We could see Llangorse lake and chose to relax and look towards it during a lunch break, even though we could not really see the activities there.
Now we headed directly towards Mynydd Troed and skirted along its lower levels on good paths. The hills we had spotted earlier now loomed large. We returned to lanes and passed through a hamlet called Trewalkin – which seemed quite apt.
As we got closer to Talgarth the Pen y Fan range came back into view and crossing a large field we stopped to gaze at a large mound with a big oak tree.
The mound at Penyrwrlodd is a stone-built Neolithic chambered long cairn which dates to 3-4000 years BC, one of the earliest tombs in the region. It was discovered by a local farmer in 1972 when he accidentally uncovered human remains when quarrying for stone. Cadw manages the site which is stabilised by earth-filled geotextile sacks. It would be easy to pass it by, as it is situated in pastures above Talgarth but luckily for us one of us had done their research and pointed it out. Further human remains were found when it was excavated as well as a sheep’s femur with 3 holes in it, possibly the oldest (6,000 years old) surviving musical instrument found in Great Britain.
Returning via Trefecca we found a small chapel which we all entered, it was carpeted throughout with cushioned seats on three sides. A small lectern and prayer books were on the stone wall at the end. Just down the road was a row of small, terraced houses, all identical conjuring memories of similar buildings associated with schools, religious institutions or even the Tower of London. There was even a Victorian post box still in use.
On the final stretch to Talgarth we spotted hops growing in a hedge, a horse with her foal in an orchard and some large fungi.
Entering Talgarth there is plenty of evidence of a strong community, even the visitor centre is still open and run by volunteers. As we walked through the town a group of horse riders were passing. Talgarth mill is the only working watermill in Bannau Brycheiniog National Park and one of only 4 remaining in Wales. Drinks were supped in the garden alongside the river Ennig where a couple of us were lucky enough to see a kingfisher flash past.
Walk 8 miles 1042ft Map OL13
“Johnson at 10: The Inside Story” by by Anthony Seldon and Raymond Newell
“Johnson at 10: The Inside Story” by by Anthony Seldon and Raymond Newell
The authors of this book are both historians who also collaborated on the book May at 10. However, Sir Anthony Seldon has written many other political biographies of British Prime Ministers.
This book is well researched and written and gives a scathing and full account of the decisions, character flaws and personnel that dictated the course of Boris Johnson’s chaotic Premiership, based on over 200 interviews with his allies, aides and co-workers. It is an in-depth report of the 3 years of his Premiership from July 2019 until September 2022, which covered a series of crises including the upheaval of Brexit, Covid 19, Afghanistan and supporting Ukraine following the Russian invasion. The ultimate revelation of the Partygate Scandal as a result of social gatherings at 10 Downing Street which took place during the Covid Lockdown, led to the final demise of his government.
The majority of the group did not enjoy the book and many only skip read in part. In fact, only a few actually read the whole book but one of the group described it as “brilliant”. It was suggested that the book would be welcomed and appreciated by anyone with strong political interests. However, it generated a lively discussion about Boris Johnson, igniting very passionate views from the Page Turners. Most agreed that Boris Johnson was egotistical and driven purely by his own agenda for wealth, power and personal gain.
The scores ranged from 2 to 8 out of 10 with a final score of 5.