June 2022 News Update

June 2022 News Update

H.M. The Queen’s 70th Jubilee, called the Platinum Jubilee was celebrated in great style in Wenvoe, with the streets and houses decorated with bunting and flags; the only jarring note was the piles of green bags of garden waste littering the streets as the local authority had failed to collect the previous weekend.

The four day programme of events kicked off with the lighting of the Jubilee Beacon and the unveiling of the Toposcope at the Quarryman’s Tribute at Twyn yr Odyn on the Thursday evening. Friday saw many coming to the informal service of thanksgiving followed by a picnic in the church grounds, with fun and games for the children. Saturday the Community Centre was packed almost to capacity with a Bake a Cake and Eat party, with an exhibition of “Old Wenvoe Memorabilia” with many Oh’s and Ah’s. On Sunday many street parties took place in spite of a down turn in the weather All the arrangements were spearheaded by Glenys and Mike Tucker and a great show of thanks is due to them for doggedly making sure that all went so smoothly. So well done everybody who helped with setting up the various crowns on the post boxes and telephone box, the planting of the flower beds in red, white and blue at the War Memorial, the Wenvoe Community Council for the setting up of the beacon, toposcope and allowing use of the Community Centre. Some people were asking can we do this next year. There will never be another celebration such as this in our lifetime, but the next coronation of Charles III could be such an occasion.

At long last the work on the exterior of the church has started with the porch looking very good with the lime mortar applied to the joints between the stones. The tower is a much bigger job and the scaffolding will be in place until the Autumn while raking out of the old cement mortar. Fresh stone has been brought in to replace that which has degraded over the years, and hopefully the work will be completed before our new priest arrives.

The new interior lighting scheme was also completed and how different the church looks. We have a range of nine different scenes for use at normal and alternative services. The system is all LED and colour coded to bring out the colours of the frontals and vestments and has been provided by the generous bequest of the late Mr Ron Thomas who was a faithful worshipper at St. Mary’s when he lived in Walston Rd. Thank you Ron; your bequest has been well spent.

The earliest we can expect to see our new priest take up his position as Vicar in Wenvoe, St. Lythan’s and Sully, will be in September. The delay has been in due part to the confirmation of a sponsor and the necessary application of a visa. These things take time and we have been patiently awaiting the release of his name etc. In the meantime the Rev. Kevin Barry will be leaving us with his last joint Eucharist service for our three churches at St. John’s church in Sully on July 24th, when he will join the East Vale Ministry Area and serve his time at Llancarfan and other churches. Plans are in hand for a farewell get together at Sully following the service on that day. We wish Kevin every blessing on his work, having been with us as an Ordinand some three years ago.

PEBBLES for young children

Alyson who has run this group on Sunday mornings for many years has decided that she wants to work in other areas of the church in becoming a Reader, so is stepping down and we are looking for a replacement in September to keep this little group of young children and their parents together. This is important work in the life of the church, when stories from the Bible and craft work can do so much to bring the words to life. Also singing is a means of children working together and growing together, so please think about this and if you are able to help please talk to the churchwardens.

JOINT CHURCH COUNCIL

Mr Ken Mathews has also decided that it is time for him to relinquish the post of Secretary to the council and Mrs Jennifer Ford has agreed to be our new secretary. We wish to thank Ken for the time he has given to St. Mary’s over the years and he will continue to lay out the weekly newsletter, and keep an eye on the heating system in church. At the same time we wish to welcome Jen to our deliberations on the JCC and will be watching her grow into the job.

CHRISTIAN AID APPEAL

The grand total raised from the appeal this year came to £2,597.67 including gift aid, with contributions from the “Coffee, Cakes and Books,” Gwenfo School and St. Bleddians and St John‘s churches and the house envelope appeal in Wenvoe. We must thank Jude Billinham and her team for the work entailed in presenting this appeal, to raise funds for those in Africa who are not as fortunate as we are.

LLANDAFF UNLOCKED CHURCHES FESTIVAL.

St Mary’s church was opened for visiting on Saturdays the 18th and 25th in support of the festival and an opportunity to see our new lighting scheme.

Thank you for reading the News of St. Mary’s. The church door is open on Sunday for our morning worship at 9.30am; a warm welcome to all.

Parry Edwards