CAERWENT, CRICK, LLANFAIR DISCOED, ST BRIDES NETHERWENT Volume 43 Issue 2 February 2019
Caerwent Playing Fields Association February 2019
A er a quiet January for the Caerwent village hall commi ee we have decided to put on a kids Valen ne disco this month! There won’t be any ckets but will be a small charge of £1 per child (adults free) on the door to help cover the cost of the disco. We will be hold this on Friday 15th February 6pm-8pm for the disco however the bar will remain open un l 10pm. Every- one is more than welcome!
We will also be holding a fundraiser with Caerwent junior football club in March further details on next months newsle er.
ɎɎ This years show date has been confirmed, so date for the diary Saturday 17th August 2019 !!! ɎɎ
The commi ee is always looking for helpers for these events so if you are interested in ge ng involved please get in touch! We are always looking for new ideas and you can give as li le as a few hours a month. We wouldn’t be able to run the events without helpers.
NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE NOW DUE PLEASE SEE OVER Copy deadlines for March 2019 Newsletter submissions is Friday 15th February 2019 .
Caerwent Newsletter does not officially endorse any advertising material including in this publication. Opinions expressed by contributors or advertisers are not necessarily those of the editor and / or the publisher.
Magazine published by Caerwent Playing Fields Association Ltd and subsidised by Caerwent Community Council
What’s on at Caerwent Village Hall
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Morning Candy Fitmuma Zumba Candy 10am -11am 10am -11am Junior Zumba Football Club 10am —11am
Afternoon Parish Taekwondo Lines Coffee 5pm — Fitness Morning 5.45pm Class 11am -1pm 5:45 - 6:45 8th Feb & 22 Feb
Evening Short Family Fun Weight Slimming Green Church Friday 1st watchers World Love & Feb & 1st Bowls 6pm -8pm 4.15 — Light Mar 6pm 9.15pm 6:45 —9:30 7pm — 10pm Valentine Disco 15th Feb
Annual Newsletter Subscriptions are now due ! Subscriptions for the Caerwent Newsletter for 2019 are now due. The cost for the year is £5 for 11 editions (No issued in August due to the Village Show). Newsletter payments can be made either cash or cheques to your deliverer or via Angelique @ Caerwent Post Office. Please see attached form if paying at the Post Office. Please can I ask for your support, by making prompt payment. Any problems with regards to payments please contact: [email protected] I would like to thank all deliverers for their help, support and time with regards to the Newsletter.
Caerwent Newsletter Subscription for 2019
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There are 11 editions per year (No publication in August)
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Advertising costs
Full page advert or poster £50 per issue.
Half page £25 per issue. Yearly fee £250 or £140 for six months
Quarter Page £15 per issue. Yearly fee £150 or £80 for six months Caerwent Community Council Chairman's Report January 2019
We were informed at our January meeting that Council- We have had a good response to the information in last lor Glyn Cousins had resigned from the council due to month’s report regarding the Local Litter Picking Group personal reasons. Glyn had served as the councillor for which is being overseen by Councillor Harris. We have the Dinham ward for 6 years and had always engaged been in contact with Keep Wales Tidy who have provid- openly in all council business. We would like to thank ed some invaluable advice as well as local residents who Glyn for his service to the community during this time currently undertake this function on a voluntary basis at and wish him and his family well for the future. The coun- the moment. Councillor Harris will liaise with all parties to cil have informed MCC and the formal process of finding try and get the group up and running with all the right a replacement councillor has begun with the issue of The equipment and correct procedures. If you are interested Notice of Vacancy on 14 th January 2019. The notice ex- in getting involved please contact Councillor Harris di- plains that if 10 or more electors from the Dinham ward rectly [email protected]. request an election to be held before 1 st February 2019, then an election will be held otherwise the Community M4762 PLANNING Council can consider co -option of any interested parties. 2018/01973 7 Vernon Grove, Caerwent
We will update you next month on the progress. Second storey extension over existing de- tached garage and connecting back to the Further to the request last month on the public views main house regarding the railings at the cenotaph, an overwhelming This Council recommends Approval with response were in favour of retaining the railing as they observations: are. It was also agreed to retain the colour of the railing as black. Thank you to all those residents who took the Query if roof line is higher time to put their views forward. We are hoping work will Aesthetically unpleasing dormer window start on the renovations of the memorial later in the spring. 2018/02016 Hill View, Five Lanes, Llanfair Discoed The Caerwent Community Centre now have a defibrilla- Two storey side and rear extensions tor installed at the building. The Community Council This Council recommends Approval with were happy to support this by funding the cabinet for the observations: defibrillator which is installed on the exterior of the Com- munity Centre entrance. Training on the use of the defib- Query if MCC policy allows for balconies on rillator will be advertised shortly and all members of the stilts community interested in attending this training should Address incorrect on planning application contact the Community Centre directly.
We have been reliably informed that work is to start Kevin Evans shortly on Caerwent House in the centre of the village. Chair Work is likely to commence with the installation of new [email protected] coverings on the roof, after this, work will continue to Laraine McKeon securing the structure of the building inside and out. Hopefully we will be able to see some significant pro- Clerk gress in the coming months. [email protected]
Daniel & Matthew Haines LLANVAIR LANDSCAPES Grass Cutting & Strimming, Hedge NPTC Approved Tree Surgery, Turfing, Landscaping, Seeding, Lawn Care, Spraying, Scarifying, Aerating, Fertilizing, Rough Areas Sprayed and Cleared, Rubbish Removal, Garden Fences, Patios & Agricultural Fencing
Fully Insured, Competitive Prices, Free Quotes Contact Daniel or Matthew Haines 01633 400548, 07930893680, 07930893678 Shirenewton Primary News
“Learning Together, Achieving for Life
"Dysgu Gyda'n Gilydd, Cyflawni am Oes"
February 2019
CHESS COMPETITION CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES
Congratulations to our Chess Team who recently came third in the inter Schools Chess Tournament in Cardiff City Stadium. The concentration needed was intense at this high profile event but not one of We had an action packed few weeks before the Shirenewton team faltered. Huge well done to Christmas with performances of 'Bethlehem The Frankie, Ben, Dylan H, Aemilia, George S, Peter, Musical' by Junior classes and 'The Little Red William D, Antony and Gordon. Robin' by Foundation Phase classes. We also held several events in local village churches including a BAE SYSTEMS KS2 Carol Concert and a FP Christingle service in Shirenewton Church and Y2 performed their nar- ration and songs in Itton Church.
The children also enjoyed a series of Christmas art and craft mornings, Christmas dinner, a whole school trip to see the Dick Whittington pantomime at The Savoy Theatre in Monmouth and even a visit from the big red man himself to the Foundation Phase classes!
It was a very profitable time too with classes rais- BAE Systems provided an informative and thrilling ing £780 from the sale of photographs, pro- interactive presentation to pupils in upper KS2 grammes and raffle tickets at the concerts and classes about maths all around us. The pupils the PTA raising a record amount of over £2000 at learned how maths, science and engineering can our Christmas Fayre. lead to exciting careers for girls as well as boys. They used mental maths to calculate how to balance HMS Elizabeth (the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier) deciding where to place all the fighter jets and hel- CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES icopters on deck and they used maths to help demonstrate a card trick. Some brave volunteers Foundation Phases classes have had two recent experienced the force exerted by a turbine engine. 'Delve & Discover' days to introduce and inspire It was hair-raising, thought provoking and very in- their topic learning ... a 'Winter Wonderland' one spiring for all! before Christmas and a 'Space & rocket' one last week ...
NEW SONG FOR CHRISTMAS Year 6 pupils enjoyed working with Upbeat Music, writing their own lyrics, composing their own mu- sic and recording a CD of a new Christmas song. Bendigedig blant!
Christmas Day 2018 at Caerwent Village Hall. For the fourth year running we have provided a Christmas meal in the village hall for those who, for what- ever reason, are either on their own or who would just like to come and celebrate Christmas Day with others. The numbers have increased year on year and this year our guests numbered 43, together with 12 volunteers. There was no charge for the meal as we have been fortunate to receive donations from Caerwent Community Council, Waitrose, Mead Farm in Redwick and various other private donors. Clarkes the Butchers in Caldicot made a substantial reduction on our turkey crowns. We thank them all for their generosity. This year Sally, our Curate in Charge, led a Carol Service in the hall at 11am which almost all of our guests attended, and this set the atmosphere for a very special day. Santa came along after the meal and gave every one a goody bag. A special thanks to those who volunteered for the event, either on Christmas Eve to prepare or on Christ- mas day itself, or both. We also had volunteers who just provided transport for the event. They were all fantastic and came with friendship, Christmas spirit and joy to ensure a great time was had by all. THIS IS CHRISTMAS!!
Netherwent & Llanvaches WI Programme 2019 Date Speaker Subject 8 January Isabela/Lawrence Hembrow Mead Farm 12 February Phil Hurst, Wastesavers How And Why We Recycle 12 March Susie White Good Mental Health 9 April Gill Prosser China Revisited 14 May AGM – Speaker Mike Skelton Newport Wetlands & the RSPB 11 June Dr Rhian Morgan The King’s DNA Richard III. From Car Park to Cathedral 9 July To Be Confirmed 13 August No Meeting – Summer Break 10 September Jonathan Jenkins Howick Farm 1306 – to present day 8 October Richard Jordan Glen Miller 1940’s Party 12 November Mary Watkins Volunteering with VSO in Rwanda 10 December Festive Chimes Handbell Ringers Festive tunes/carols
Why not come along with a friend or, neighbour? Or, visit us on your own you will be made most wel- come. Netherwent & Llanvaches WI meet in Llanvaches Village Hall on the second Tuesday of each month at 7.30 pm. If you would like more details please phone Kay James on 01633 400896 Curate in Charge Sally Ingle -Gillis Tel: 07813 264429 email: sallyinglegillis@wentwood.church
Parish Priest: Rev’d John S. Waters Tel: 01291 641449 email: [email protected]
200 Club winners in December: 1 st Emlyn Powell. 2 nd Lynn Waters, 3 rd Sally Ingle -Gillis Please note that subscriptions for the 200 Club 2019 are now due.
Mothers’ Union will meet on Wednesday 13 th February at the Burton Homes Hall. The Women’s World Day of Prayer service will be held in Caerwent Church on Friday March 1 st at 2.30 p.m. All are welcome to attend.
Village Lunch - Wednesday February 20 th 12 for 12.30 pm at the Coach & Horses. £6 For further details or to book, contact Patsy Lewis 01291 420602 or 07985926040.
Community Coffee Mornings in the Village Hall will be on Friday 8 th and Friday 22 nd February both at 11.00 till 1.00 p.m. Contact Kay (07832 642212) or Patsy (07985926040)
Celebrate St. David’s Day on March 1 st with a two course themed meal
at The Woodlands Tavern, Llanfair Discoed.
Tickets are £17.50 and are available from Suzanne Miller [email protected] or on 07887530566. There will be a Welsh themed raffle and fun quiz to test your Welsh knowledge!
Dear Friends, for I believe it is love that is responsible. Whilst human love can be fickle and sometimes tricky, as Love is in the air as we enter the month which includes Christians we can be confident that the love we receive St. Valentine’s Day. A quick search on google will tell from God is without fluctuation or any of the angsts of you that there is almost nothing reliably known about the human love. God tells us that he loves us unconditional- saint universally linked to love, except that he was mar- ly, and that we are his beloved children, with whom he is tyred and buried near Rome on 14 th February. Hence the well pleased. date of the festival. And whilst it wasn’t my intention to So no matter what is happening around you, be confi- spend time writing to you about the vagaries of St. Val- dent that you are deeply and perfectly loved for yourself entine, I can’t help but suggest you have a look online at by a God who knows you and wants the best for you. As some of the relics attributed to him. There’s an extraordi- the New Testament writer John says “perfect love drives nary flower -crowned skull in an elaborate glass casket, out fear” (1John 4:18). How comforting that is to hear that is reputedly his. Not something to put on the side- and know. Far more comforting than a flower crown on a board perhaps! skull, or contradictory stories about an ancient saint. Let So if St. Valentine, whilst real, is steeped in hearsay and us all try to love each other a little better, as God loves confusion about the details of his life, what about love? us, and perhaps we can together make our communities Love is something about which we can be far more cer- shine brightly as beacons of love and hope. tain. Whilst it might be difficult to define, it is most defi- nitely something we know we feel, or not, towards the With my love and prayers, people around us, and it is something that has a huge influence on the way we live, interact, and make deci- Sally Ingle -Gillis. Curate in Charge. sions. Love is very often the root cause of our moments of elation and deep despair, and although the saying is “money makes the world go around” I would dispute that; P.S. My husband wants that skull for his office!
Services to the community.
1. Bridges Community Car Scheme – Supporting people to get out and about in Monmouthshire.
This is a car scheme that offers friendly, flexible door to door transport for people who require additional support getting to local shops, social activities or appointments. Its more than just a taxi service and the drivers are there to offer support and companionship to their passengers - just like getting a lift from a friend! They charge 45p per mile. You need to register with them by contacting the Manager, Faye Mear on 07741 572922.
2. Home Delivery from Monmouthshire Libraries. – Are you housebound? Do you find it difficult to visit your local library because of mobility issues, ill -health or frailty? This service delivers books to customers in their own homes and is free and available to anyone living in Monmouthshire. The books come in all formats, (ordinary print, large print and audio). They deliver every 4 weeks and is completely free! For more information contact Chepstow HUB on 01291 635730 or email [email protected]
CAERWENT POETRY GROUP
As Valentine's Day falls in February I thought I'd pick a love poem. Here's John Cooper Clarke 's - I Wanna Be Yours...
I wanna be your vacuum cleaner, Breathing in your dust I wanna be your Ford Cortina, I will never rust If you like your coffee hot, Let me be your coffee pot You call the shots, I wanna be yours
I wanna be your raincoat, For those frequent rainy days I wanna be your dreamboat, When you want to sail away Let me be your teddy bear, Take me with you anywhere I don’t care, I wanna be yours I wanna be your electric meter, I will not run out I wanna be the electric heater, You’ll get cold without I wanna be your setting lotion, Hold your hair in deep devotion Deep as the deep Atlantic ocean, That’s how deep is my devotion
As an aside... for anyone who enjoys 's Poetry - a bit of advance notice. He's coming to the Savoy Theatre, Monmouth on Sunday 17th April.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Maureen, Hayley, Tim, Phillip, Bethan & Megan wish to convey their most sincere thanks to all relatives, friends and neighbours for the kindness, sympathy and support shown during their recent sad loss of Fred.
Also to those who attended the Funeral Service and for the many letters, cards, kind messages of condolence and donations received.
Special thanks to Rev John Waters for his support during this time and the comforting Funeral Service. Caerwent www.caerwentbaptist.com Evangelical Baptist Chapel
February Facts
“physical and the temporal”. February is the second and shortest month of the year
(knew that). 28 days in the common year (365 days) and 29 God’s word (The Bible) which is spiritual and eternal, days in the quadrennial leap year (366 days). Where did this gives us a more important, much better and higher outlook. all originate? We have our ancient village founders (The Ro- The book of Isaiah (Ch 64 v 6) states that our righteousness mans) to thank for this complexity of time calculation, and what (i.e. the very best that we can ever possibly be) compared to we have now is “very simple” compared with what they God’s perfect holiness are as “muddy or filthy rags”. 1 Peter 1 (Romulus and Numa Pompilius 753 bc respectively) were up to v 24 compares our very short lives with flowers that grow in ancient Rome. Other months like January were often named amongst the grass. Our glory (all we can attain to) eventually after Roman gods (Janus for January) and you would think falls and the grass withers away, but the Word of the Lord re- mains forever. The word “Gospel” literally means “Good that February was named after Februus, but alas no, February News”. The good news is given to us; see what the book of comes from the Roman festival of purification called Februa (of Corinthians has to say (1 Corinthians 15 v 3). Paul the apostle course), during which people were ritually washed. If we move was talking to the people of Corinth (ancient Greece) and ex- plained to them (and also to us) that Jesus died for our sins, forward in time a little bit more, the name for February in Ye He was buried, He was raised on the third day. In his second Olde Englishe was “Solmonath” meaning “Mud letter to the same people (2 Corinthians 6 v 2) he said ” Now is the accepted time, Now is the day of salvation”. This February Month” (nice). So in February it would seem that you have a consider what Jesus has done for you, consider this Good choice, either to be purified or wallow in the mud (I’m thinking) News: our spiritual hearts can be made whole, we can be whilst contemplating the passing of the winter months. Right made clean, and we can live forever with Jesus, if we put our up to date now: a fairly recent tradition in the USA (where trust in Him. else); no it’s a very good one, is “American Heart Month” which February as I see it would seem to present us (past and pre- is when there is an emphasis placed upon looking after your sent) with an opportunity to be clean or not, stay healthy or heart. To quote what I recently read: “ The good news? Heart not, within the finite amount of time the calendar is giving us. disease can often be prevented when people make healthy All these choices are limited, as they only relate to the choices and manage their health condition”. “physical and the temporal”.
February as I see it would seem to present us (past and pre- sent) with an opportunity to be clean or not, stay healthy or not, within the finite amount of time the calendar is giving us. All these choices are limited, as they only relate to the Andrew Meates (Deacon)
LADIES COFFEE MORNING
10.30 at The Chapel 1st Thursday of the month 7th February 7th March It would be great to see you. A warm welcome awaits
Caerwent Historic Trust open Day • The fluvial floods of 1947 • The ‘Great Storm’ of 1703 The Trust will be holding an Open Day on Saturday 4th • Place names and personal names from surveys and May from 10.00am – 1.00pm maps • Who lived where on the Gwent Levels in 1881 We are very lucky to have two speakers at the event: • The Rumney Bridge incident of 1846 • The improvement of Windmill Reen, 1883 Dr Mark Lewis, Senior Curator: Roman Archaeology at the National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon will give There will also be opportunities for volunteers to extend a talk on local history; and their own existing research projects. In terms of commit- ment, we are looking for as much or as little time as you Mr Peter Bonvoison will speak on “House histories: would like to dedicate and don’t be daunted – you will Court House, Llanvair Discoed” be fully supervised and supported throughout the re- search and writing -up process! We will be answering enquiries on local history, display- ing the layout of the church graveyard plots and assist- If you want the opportunity to study what is recognised ing with family history. We will also be displaying local as one of the most outstanding historic landscapes in maps of the area including tithe maps showing the own- Wales, then please contact Alison Boyes at Ali- ership of local land back to 1841. [email protected] .
Please look out for further details in the next Newsletter. Life on the Levels – Stories from the Gwent Levels his- torian
The Living Levels Partnership 'Stories from the Levels' is a new oral history project recording the rich heritage and social history of the fas- Two very exciting heritage projects that readers may be cinating Gwent Levels landscape from Chepstow to interested in getting involved with is the Gwent Levels Cardiff and the people who live here. Living Levels partnership Historical Research and Tran- scription Service – or ‘Sewer’s RATS’ and our ‘Life on the Levels’ oral history projects. The Living Levels Partnership is looking for people to help collect and record the stories, memories and expe- Historical Research Group – Gwent Levels ‘Sewers riences from the communities and people who live in RATS (Research and Transcription Service) and around the Gwent Levels area. You will play a role in creating a historical body of work and a touring exhi- The Living Levels Partnership is looking for volunteers bition inspired by the interviews. They will equip you to explore the story of the Gwent Levels through the with the right skills to do this through training sessions records of the Monmouthshire Court of Sewers as part that will be accessible to all levels of experience. These of the 'Recapturing the Historic Landscape' project. The will include: oral history interviewing skills, reminiscence records reveal the impact of tidal and fluvial flooding, session work, using digital media, transcribing, video the continuity of land tenure, settlement patterns, local filming and editing techniques; and collating, designing government in action, and much, much more. Perhaps and organising displays and exhibitions. when you saw the word 'sewers' you thought of rats! Sewers in this instance are watercourses, either natural For more information, contact Marsha O’Mahony or manmade, and commissioners of sewers throughout [email protected] England and Wales held jurisdiction over drainage and 07989 733870 sea defence in low -lying coastal lands including the Gwent, Somerset and Gloucestershire Levels beside Chairman, the Severn Estuary. Rob Jones The research undertaken by the RATS will form part of the Recapturing the Historic Landscape project which has several other strands. These include field surveys, Tel No 01291 431 043 mob 07855 49 5509 archaeological investigations and GIS mapping. The following research topics have therefore been carefully chosen to enhance not only these aspects, but also aid the creation of interpretation boards and oral histories.
• The Gwent Levels 100 years ago • The Gwent Levels 200 years ago • The impact of the railways on land drainage and land- scape • The tidal flood of 1883 Caerwent Community Centre www.caerwentcommunitycentre.co.uk
No room for our calendar this month because we want the space to thank those who made it possible for us to obtain a defibrillator which is now in place on the outside wall at the Centre’s front door, in case of need. Firstly, we must thank the British Heart Foundation who supplied the defibrillator and a CPR (Call -Push -Rescue) kit at a much subsidised cost, then Chepstow & Caldicot Lions who provided a grant for their purchase, and Caerwent Community Council who paid for the cabinet to house the defib- rillator. The machine and CPR kits are of course intended for the benefit of the whole community, and we hope that plenty of people will come forward to receive the simple training that is required. Remem- ber – you may be able to save the life of someone near and dear to you. Details of training will follow soon. Our photograph shows the President of the Lions handing over the defibrillator to us, watched by other members of the Lions, the Community Council and our committee.
CAERWENT YOUTH CLUB.
Tuesday evenings (during school term times) at the Caerwent Community Centre , Lawrence Crescent, Caerwent. Subscriptions £1.00. Tuck available. 9yrs -- 13 years .………………..5.30pm – 7.00pm 14 years++……..…………....6.30pm – 8.00pm Youth Leader Mr. Alex Harris. Indoor football, dodge ball, pool, table football, table tennis, air hockey, basketball, handicrafts, cookery, indoor hockey and tennis, and much more….. Everyone Welcome. The Club is run by Monmouthshire Youth Services.