Month: June 2021

TOM CRUISE BE COMING TO A STREET NEAR YOU?

COULD TOM CRUISE BE COMING TO A STREET NEAR YOU?

Our local authority chiefs will have been delighted recently when their efforts to promote the Vale as a fantastic location for TV and film makers came to fruition. Film crews arrived in Barry recently for the production of a new Channel Four drama and there are strong rumours of similar sightings in Wenvoe in recent days.

The Barry film crew set up in a car park near Whitmore Bay for a new series ‘The Undeclared War’ starring Mark Rylance and Simon Pegg. It’s a six-part drama series about cyber-conflict, apparently based at GCHQ. Filming took place on the Island, within Barry Rail Depot, using the promenade and even some of the Beach Huts. Film companies are obviously taking note of the Vale website which proudly claims we are ‘a county of contrasts; miles of dramatic coastline backed by rolling countryside, small quaint Welsh villages, bustling market towns and large civic centres brimming with character and personality.’ It’s nothing new of course. The Vale was used as far back as 1959 when John and Hayley Mills visited to film parts of ‘Tiger Bay.’ Gavin and Stacey, Dr Who, Torchwood and many others followed. More recently, the 2018 Netflix hit Sex Education starring Gillian Anderson, filmed at the Paget Rooms in Penarth.

What about renting your own house out and getting the opportunity to meet the stars?

It’s not just our coastline and civic buildings these film companies are after. Film companies rent private houses, apartments and gardens. So this could be your chance to mingle with the stars. Brenda Blethyn, Judi Dench and Benedict Cumberbatch have all filmed in the Vale in recent years. If you prefer international superstars, that is also possible. The film Criminal starring Kevin Costner, Tommy Lee Jones and new Wrexham FC owner Ryan Reynolds, was filmed at St Athan in 2015.

If you are very lucky you could be approached with a note through your door. To be sure to join the latest craze though, you will need to register with a location agency and get them to assess your house or apartment for suitability. Send in good quality images and details of your property and surrounds, ensuring there are no pets or children in the pictures. From there, the location agency will market your property to potential clients when it fits a particular photo shoot or film brief. The agent will vet the company and project for you, ensuring that public liability insurance is in place.

You can mostly stay in your home during filming, which may often only take a few days, unless the director wants total secrecy e.g. ahead of a high-budget movie when you are offered hotel accommodation. Other important factors in getting chosen are the availability of ample nearby parking for film crews and your willingness to being open to allowing the film crew to redecorate inside or outside your home. They will of course make good on any changes done.

So what do you think? You could well be in your home sharing a pot of tea with Tom Cruise or then again is this ‘Mission Impossible?

 

 

May  Letters

 

May  Letters

(The EditorPen+inks 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. )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I recently had to undergo surgery to one of my
eyes. I would like to thank my wonderful friends and
neighbours for all their help and support. I would be
absolutely lost without them, and count my blessings
each day.
Thank you,
Carol Wyllie

 

 

 

 

 

I would like to thank all my family and friends
for the kind wishes and cards on the occasion of my
recent 90th Birthday.
Thank you,
Mary Turner

 

 

 

 

 

Whoever was responsible for the loud fireworks
on Thursday evening the 20thMay, should consider
the effect they had on the elderly people and the
dogs and animals. Not a good idea.
(Name withheld)

 

 

 

Walking  Books

THE PAGE TURNERS

Walking  Books

As Welsh Government Covid restrictions meant the Page Turners could not meet inside, it was decided to have a meeting in the fresh air and walk ‘n’ talk. The Page Turners met over Cold Knap, starting off beneath the railway tunnel as the rain pelted down. The rain disappeared, the sun shone and after a short ramble around the lake, the Page Turners stopped to discuss their last book choice…from December 2020.

The book under discussion was “A Little Life”, a 2015 novel by American author, Hanya Yanagihara. The novel tells the story of four friends from college through to middle age, with a particular focus on Jude, who has a mysterious past which he is reluctant to discuss. It is a mammoth book about a difficult subject matter, yet achieved a ranking on the Guardian’s list of the 100 best books of the 21st century. Nicola described it as a challenging read and the Page Turners agreed it was a harrowing read as the abuse of Jude is described in great detail; although the novel is very well written, Babs summed up what people thought when she said she couldn’t wait to get to the end of the book. To be recommended if you want a rollercoaster ride through one man’s disturbing, traumatic and distressing past.

 

 

Native Variety Water Lilies

Native Variety Water Lilies

If you are tempted to include a water lily in your pond there is a wide range of colours and types to choose from in the Garden Centres. But what about our native varieties?

One is the White Water Lily which looks just as you would expect a water lily to be. This is a common plant of still or slow-moving ponds, streams and canals but you would need a big pond to accommodate one. The leaves or lily pads can be up to 30cms across and the flowers 20cms – this is the UK’s largest flower. It can grow in water up to 5 metres deep. It has been used medicinally for centuries, including by monks and nuns as an anaphrodisiac.

Then there is the Yellow Water Lily, looking more like a huge Buttercup, and also called Brandy Bottle. Bees enjoy it which is great but, again, you need a very large pond or slow-moving stream for it. A good place to see it is the Glamorganshire canal at Forest Farm, Cardiff

The Fringed Water Lily is another variety and is the plant that the Wildlife Group have included in their newest 750 litre pond. It is native to certain parts of England but not Wales although it is well-established in some ponds, particularly on Gower where you can find it in Broad Pool. It is suitable for smaller ponds but botanically is not actually a member of the water-lily family. It is one of the Bog -Beans which you will also find in the same pond. Available to purchase locally.

 

 

Wye Valley

Wye Valley

At last, we have freedom to travel for our walks and to meet in increasing numbers. Four of us travelled to Goodrich Castle (English Heritage) in Herefordshire for a walk beside the river Wye.

The beginning of the walk was along the road to Kerne bridge, a beautiful old stone bridge with several arches. Despite the traffic on the road this stretch was spectacular as, we could see the outline of Goodrich Castle on the hill, a country house set back from the road and bright yellow fields of oil seed rape all with a backdrop of dramatic purple, grey heavy clouds and even though we knew we were in for a soaking of a different sort we soaked it up.

The country house, whose buildings are Grade I listed, was originally the refectory of the Augustinian, Flanesford Priory. Weakened by the Black Death the priory was one of the first to succumb at the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

At Kerne Bridge we descended to the footpath alongside the Wye and from the start we were accompanied by canoeists on the river, increasing in number as the day wore on. We spotted lots of swans on the river (some nesting) as well as mallards and two mandarin ducks.

The footpath was blocked by a fallen tree whose root ball seemed to be about 10ft high. Others had passed before us, so we were able to get around it. Walking through open fields we saw the usual symbol of spring, lambs aplenty but mostly in ‘gangs’ away from their ewes. Cows grazed with calves and we were lucky to see a calf suckling.

At Welsh Bicknor there is a flamboyant High Victorian Church and the youth hostel, a former rectory. The land is owned by the YHA and we noticed a couple of stylish, camouflaged glamping pods were being installed. We stopped here for lunch. A quick look around the outside of the church shows an amazing amount of decoration, including 3 arches in the porch besides the one above the door

We came upon a new memorial to a group of scientists who died when their aircraft caught fire 15,000ft above the Forest of Dean and plummeted to earth. It was on a return journey to RAF Defford, near Worcester, from South Wales. Alan Dower Blumlein, a driving force in the development of airborne radar, was one of the dead, along with other colleagues from EMI, the RAF and the Telecommunications Research Establishment (TRE). They were working on H2S radar which was a cutting edge “Air to Surface” radar system that went on to help win WWII. The plane was carrying the highly secret cavity magnetron and Sir Bernard Lovell (who was later knighted for his work at Jodrell Bank and had given up his seat on the plane to another scientist) sifted through the wreckage on the night of the crash to retrieve it. He was affected by the tragedy for the rest of his life. Blumlein’s wife is quoted on the memorial ‘If you have to die, this is a beautiful place’. The sacrifice of the 11 men is also remembered by a memorial stained-glass window which was installed at Goodrich Castle chapel on the 50th anniversary of the crash.

Continuing our walk one of us looked back and spotted a deer where we had just been. As we stopped and watched lots more followed and began to graze. Later as we passed woodland, we saw another herd of deer. How lucky was that two herds of fallow deer in one day?

As we approached Symonds Yat, we passed the grave of a child in his 16th year who drowned while bathing in the river. At an outcrop of rock, we could see two separate birds sat on nests but so far away it was difficult to identify them. Symonds Yat Rock viewpoint is well known as one of the best places in the country to watch peregrine falcons, so maybe we saw one.

We left the river on a path to Coppet Hill, climbing back to Goodrich village and then up to the castle.

What a fabulous walk, apart from one (very heavy) shower the sun shone all day, the area is beautiful with lots of interest, both historic and natural. This stretch of the River Wye, from Kerne Bridge to Coppet Hill, is shaped a bit like an upside-down heart. Goodrich Castle is red sandstone, dates mainly from 13th century and is worth exploring but the café was still open for refreshment, so we had tea and cake in the spring sunshine whilst wondering what the traffic on the M4 was going to be like on a bank holiday Friday.

Walk 9 miles, level walk apart from the climb back to Goodrich Castle at the end.

 

 

Dark & Squidgy Chocolate Torte

Dark & Squidgy Chocolate Torte

200g unsalted butter

200g bar dark chocolate, 70% cocoa, chopped

4 large eggs

200g golden caster sugar

50g plain flour

50g ground almonds

cocoa powder, for dusting

Heat oven to 180C fan. Butter and line base and sides of a 23cm spring form tin. Put the butter and chocolate into a pan and gently melt together until smooth. Meanwhile, using an electric whisk, beat the eggs and sugar together for 5 mins until billowy and about the thickness of old fashioned custard. Pour the chocolate and butter mix into the whisked eggs and sugar, then fold it in with a large metal spoon. Mix the flour, almonds and 1/4 tsp of salt together, then fold into the mix until even. Spoon into the tin and bake for about 35-40mins until evenly set with a slight crust all over the top. Leave the cake to cool until warm, then release from the tin. Dust with cocoa, then cut into wedges.

Serve with a good quality vanilla ice cream and fresh raspberries.

 

 

Chicken Nacho Grills

Chicken Nacho Grills

40g bag tortilla chips

4 skinless chicken breasts

200g tub fresh spicy tomato salsa

142ml pot soured cream

handful grated mature cheese

Heat oven to 180C. Crush the tortilla chips. Put the chicken breasts on a non-stick baking tray, season, then slash each 3 times with a sharp knife. Spoon 1 tbsp of salsa on top of each, then 1 tbsp soured cream. Sprinkle the chips over the chicken, then the cheese. Roast for 15 – 20 mins until the topping is golden and melting. Serve with warm garlic bread.

While the oven is on, why not make ‘Schwartz Garlic and Herb’ potato wedges. Follow the instructions on the packet for a perfect side addition to your chicken and garlic bread.

 

 

Haiku Competition Result

Wenvoe Wildlife Group

 

Red Kite flies blue skies 

Brown rabbit runs green meadows

Colours of Springtime

This was the winner of our Haiku competition and the creator was Paul Thomas. Thanks to all of you who responded.

Many of you visited the Tuckers plant sale which raised over £1,000 for the Wildlife Group. Our thanks to everyone who donated raffle prizes, bought plants and other items on the day and donated their change. Particular thanks to Gordon and Elizabeth Jones, Eric White, Mary Lucas, Bethan Darwin, Joyce Hoy, Judy McDonald, Michelle Morgan, Leslie Sherard and Justine who

manned stalls gave donations or donated items for sale on the stalls. And not forgetting the two without whom none of this would have happened – Mike and Glenys Tucker. Watch this space for updates on how the money is being spent.

And a final thank you to Ann Daniel who donated a bench. This has been refurbished and repainted by Mervyn Greenwood and now sits in the Goldsland Orchard which is rapidly becoming a very popular spot to sit and take in the views.