Valeways Newsletter Spring 2016
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Valeways Newsletter Spring 2016 Despite the extreme weather conditions Valeways was again able to provide a full and varied Winter walking programme. As the signs of Spring are all around us we look forward to another fine array of walks in our latest Guided Walks Programme, which includes the seventh Vale of Glamorgan Walking Festival! The featured painting in oil and acrylic, entitled ‘Lavernock Point, Steep Holm, Flat Holm’ is the work of the young artist Peter Kettle from Llysworney. Peter had his first solo exhibition at the Albany Gallery, Cardiff in March. Reproduced with kind permission of The Albany Gallery (www.albanygallery.com) and the artist …. and talking about Lavernock … since our last Newsletter, the Vale has certainly made the headlines with the discovery of the remains of a 200 million year old dinosaur, at Lavernock. The dinosaur, believed to be a distant cousin of the famous Tyrannosaurus Rex was named ‘dracoraptor hanigani’after the brothers, Nick and Rob Hanigan who discovered it. Artist’s impression of ‘dracoraptor hanigani’ – National Museum of Wales Although various dinosaur bones and teeth have been found around the coast in the past, this is the first example of a theropod to be discovered in Wales. Maybe there are more lurking in the undergrowth… valewaysaretops: rumours of its extinction are greatly exaggerated! We are happily still here and once again our Walk Leaders offer a variety of walks in our Spring Programme. Amongst some old favourites there are a few thought provoking additions – we are invited to go ‘Around the Bay’ before venturing ‘Over the Hills and Far Away’. We can have a gentle stroll around Cosmeston Lakes or embark on a 7 -8 mile trek ‘Around the World in 30 stiles’ - and from Tinkinswood to see ‘Moll Flanders!’ That sounds like something for everyone! trusteesRus: recently in danger of becoming an endangered species, this small multi-talented group has been thriving as a result of a successful conservation programme Our last Newsletter referred to some changes at Valeways with the introduction of ‘new blood’. We were pleased to welcome new co-opted Trustees who have taken on a number of duties to ease the burden on the office workload. Marion Eynon Chairs the Walking Festival Committee, Colin Dunford has undertaken the duties of Treasurer, Penny Fell is responsible for Publicity and PR and Xavier Quayzin has taken charge of our IT and website requirements. gladufundus: friendly and supportive - acts as a guardian in times of stress and danger – in other words, ‘keeps the wolf from the door!’ Valeways’ concerted effort to seek funding this year has reaped rewards. We are very grateful for continued donations from individuals, groups and organisations and have started to attract new funding from Big Fund Trust for Wales and the Welsh Churches Act. Thank you all! Valeways also endeavours to make as many financial cuts as possible and continues to look at ways to save money without affecting its services. Sending the Walks Programmes and this Newsletter by e mail is one effective way and we appreciate your co-operation. If you enjoy our walks, have enjoyed volunteering with Valeways or appreciate the services Valeways provides throughout the Vale of Glamorgan and wish to make a donation you can do so online at:- https:/mydonate.bt.com/charities/Valeways festivaluponus: since its birth seven years ago, it has gradually developed into a bonny specimen – seen throughout the Vale and beyond during May. Travels in groups of up to 30 strong. Always friendly. Often heard making distinctive ‘Ooh’ and ‘Aahhhh’ sounds when observing the wonderful Vale scenery on its travels. The Spring Programme incorporates the Seventh Vale of Glamorgan Walking Festival commencing on Thursday 19 May until Sunday 21 May. This year’s Walking Festival has again linked up with the Vale of Glamorgan Music Festival allowing people the opportunity to combine their love of music and walking in a unique way. Thursday 19th May, 2.15pm – 4.15pm - Penarth Scenic Walk starting at Penarth Pier Join us after the illustrated talk with Ian Skelly at Penarth Pier Pavilion at 1pm. Saturday 21st May, 3pm – 5pm - Round the Bay starting at the Norwegian Church Join us in advance of the concert by BBC National Orchestra of Wales at BBC Hoddinott Hall. The Festival launch will take place on Thursday 19 May at 11am at the Tourist Information Centre, Barry Island. The launch will follow a walk around the Barry Island, starting at 9.30 from The Smugglers’ Cove Crazy Golf. Amongst other interesting walks are ‘Ancient Deserts and Warm Seas’ (look out for dinosaurs!) and a fascinating walk around Merthyr Dyfan Cemetery. This will provide an excellent opportunity to view the latest plans for the area accessing the cemetery which was earmarked for housing but is to be transformed into a verdant avenue and a community centre. The final resting place of World Featherweight Boxing Champion, Jimmy Wilde will feature on the Cemetery Walk around Merthyr Dyfan Cemetery. Full details of all our walks can be found on our Festival website – www.valeofglamorganwalkingfestival.org.uk. Full details of this year’s Music Festival can be found on www.valeofglamorganfestival.org.uk brackenorus: usually seen in groups throughout the Vale, perfectly built to adapt to any weather conditions and any terrain. Has a voracious appetite for any undergrowth, overhanging branches and any obstacles restricting its progress. News from Rebecca – Valeways Volunteer Co-ordinator ‘WET, WET, WET’ just about describes our winter activities. One of the walk and clear volunteers even fell in a new river flowing over a footpath, when we were checking out a blocked culvert. But we try to have fun most of the time. The last walk and clear outing before Christmas led us in search of a dumped Ford Anglia one volunteer remembered from his childhood. We were just about to give up when we stumbled across a wrecked car chassis and to our delight a number plate, although it was too new to be the Ford Anglia. With the help of another volunteer’s smart phone we were able to identify the car as none other than a Ford Fiesta! (surely a Triumph??) Other memorable outings include reinstating the audiopost found at the side of the road at St Lythans Burial Chamber, helping ‘Keep Wales Tidy’ near Cowbridge and helping Andy, from the Public Rights of Way section of the Council install a new kissing gate. The team involved were so good that Andy has asked us to undertake this type of work on a monthly basis. In March we attended the GVS Volunteer Star Awards Ceremony, when 10 Valeways Volunteers gained certificates, each for over 50 hours work with us. We also spent a day at the National Trust’s Dyffryn Gardens helping to plant snowdrops in the gardens. Throughout March Valeways utilised the display cabinet in Cowbridge Library to promote all the different services offered. If your local library offers a similar scheme please let me know. Don’t forget to let us know if you encounter a problem on a footpath. I am indebted to all who volunteer and believe we all gain enrichment from the experience. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing that glint in someone’s eye when they have spent time with a friendly group undertaking some meaningful work. Contact: [email protected] strollersaretops: can be seen at various venues throughout the Vale – renowned for their keen sense of smell as they amble towards favourite watering holes Despite a grim weather forecast for St David’s Day blue skies appeared over Llantwit Major for the relaunch of the Llantwit Coffee Shop Strollers. Newly trained walk leader Chloe Smith has volunteered to lead the walks on a fortnightly basis and thanks to the efforts of Chloe’s posters and Carolyn’s emails to former walkers a group of 5 turned up for the pond walk. We were saddened to learn that a mink has found the pond and has eaten all the fish. Only Jemima the duck remains, but we were pleased to hear that there are plans to clean and restock the pond. All are invited to join this friendly group and a volunteer to act as a backmarker is even more welcome! Things are also looking up for the ‘Crwydro’ Groups with the launch of a new ‘stroll’ at Penarth and the relaunch of the one at Cowbridge! Please note that the meeting point for Barry Island ‘Crwydro’ has changed to Barry Island Railway Station. (meet first Tuesday in the month at 10am) Coffee Shop Strollers at Cosmeston Country Park itsthemorus- rex! If any of you have wondered why Valeways has always had a ‘No dogs’ policy on all its walks, a recent study at Liverpool University revealed that out of 54 cattle attacks reported in the UK between 1993 and 2013, dog walkers made up more than two-thirds of victims. It added that cows are more likely to attack humans if they are walking with a dog. The report adds that as there is no official system to record attacks it is likely that there are more incidents than is known. twodecadesofus: shows remarkable stamina as it has been walking, strolling or trekking for 20 years non-stop! Plans are afoot to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the creation of Valeways with Anniversary Walking Events in July or August. The walks will all end at Porthkerry Park and will be followed by refreshments in the Forest Lodge. Watch this space! …and finally .