Celebrating Twenty-One Years of Walking in the Vale VALEWAYS Yn dathlu un mlynedd a’r hugain o gerdded yn y Fro Newsletter Summer 2017 “I'm gonna give you a reason Why you should clap your hands and jump for joy There's something we can believe in Now that the rain is gone we're gonna dance on a rainbow It's time to celebrate Come on and celebrate” The song, "Celebrate" was the soundtrack to the 2012 musical drama film Sparkle and is the last song recorded by Whitney Houston before she died on 11 February 2012. This time last year we were celebrating Valeways’ 20th anniversary, and as this current Newsletter is compiled, we are reminded that the Wales Coast Path, the world’s first uninterrupted path along a national coast, celebrates its fifth birthday! Emyr Roberts, Chief Executive of Natural Resources Wales, said that the Wales Coast Path makes the most of the fantastic natural resource. “It boosts our rural and urban economies through tourism, improves health and wellbeing by getting people out walking, and connects people to the fantastic nature that lives along our magnificent coastline. The first five years have given us a great start, and there is a lot more that we can do and we’ll be working hard to try and get even more people to take advantage of this wonderful natural resource.” We, in Valeways know very well about the beauty of the Vale and have been actively promoting the same sentiments for the last 21 years! The beauty of the Coast Path is celebrated in this very appealing painting by Brian Jones from the Baruc Art Group, exhibited at Travellers Gallery, Broad Street, Barry, depicting Barry Island at the height of the summer season. It seems to encourage us, if not to venture into the sea at least to make the most of what this part of the Vale has to offer. 1 We also hope that our new Summer Walks Programme provides many tempting coastal walks for us to enjoy. Look out for walks at Llantwit, (Coffee Shop Strollers) Coast and Country (11 July), Seven Counties View (30 July). Those of us who choose an inland walk such as a visit to ‘Ancient Burial Chambers (19 September) or a ‘Walk with dinosaurs’ (16 July) the coast, its beauty, geology, myths and history is never far away. The words displayed on the front of the Wales Millennium Centre ‘IN THESE STONES HORIZONS SING’ penned by the poet, Gwyneth Lewis, seem so appropriate when we discuss the virtues of the Vale coastline. In 2012 Gwyneth Lewis was the crowned bard at the National Eisteddfod held in the Vale of Glamorgan. Gwyneth has a further connection with the Vale as she was successful when the Urdd National Eisteddfod visited Barry. She also received her doctorate for her work on Iolo Morganwg. The Vale of Glamorgan Walking Festival is firmly established on the Vale calendar and its success is reflected in the extension of this year’s festival to almost a week of walking! This year, for the first time the Walking Festival ran for six days, giving everyone ample opportunities to engage with the Vale’s rich history while enjoying the countryside. Just over 400 walkers took part over 6 days and 28 walks. Many thanks to all who attended, from places as far afield as Bristol, Shropshire and even Australia! Also a huge ‘Thank you’ to our Walk Leaders for providing such an interesting and varied selection of walks. Valeways is very grateful also to the Vale of Glamorgan Council and Barry Town Council for their generous donations. Val Warlow receiving cheque from Barry Town Mayor Cllr. Nic Hodges Barry featured prominently in the Walking Festival Programme, from a stroll through History taking in Barry Castle and the Roman settlement at the Knap to a family walk through the Millwood. Barry Island hosted the launch of the Festival followed by a circular walk around some of the Island’s features. The Island also provided the backdrop to the ‘Sundowners Walk’ (Walk 28) to bring the six day celebration to a fitting end. The walk through Merthyr Dyfan Cemetery (Walk 24) had a special significance as it was led by the newly elected Barry Town Mayor, Councillor Nic Hodges, complete with his wealth of knowledge and anecdotes – and his mayoral chain of office! At the end of the walk refreshments were laid on at the Merthyr Dyfan Chapel. 2 The ‘Stroll Through History’ (Walk 12), came to an abrupt end at the Old Harbour when watching a car being slowly engulfed by the relentless tide became a spectator sport! Thanks to Rebecca for this photo. This is a timely reminder of the centennial events in 2012 commemorating the sinking of the Titanic. We also note that in 2012 the television drama, ‘Casualty’ came to Cardiff! Additional horsepower photographed by Patrick Davies on the Millennium Heritage Trail Walk. The well-known professional darts player John Thomas "Jocky" Wilson died in 2012. Volunteer Co-ordinator’s Report The Spring months seem to have flown by with Valeways Volunteers working hard to plan and check the 28 walks for the Walking Festival and clear the routes where required. One minute the festival seemed to be a long way off and then it was upon us.We made use of one of the Barry Beach Huts to promote the festival plus advertising. Thank you to Carolyn, who is still dealing with the paperwork, all our volunteers and finally to Derek Brockway who seemed to be able to organise some great weather for us! During April we had help from several groups of volunteers from Cardiff and the Vale College, the Princes Trust, Cowbridge Scouts and staff from a Cardiff Call Centre who helped with various projects including a litter pick on Sully Island, and repairing a section of the coast path at Lavernock Point. We also had a few outings with additional excitement including encountering a man who had lit a fire within the Tinkinswood burial chamber and a sighting of Immigration Control in action in Sully. We have forthcoming events to prepare for and look forward to including the Friends and supporters of Valeways Launch Walk on Saturday July 15th, the Vale Show on Wednesday 9 August and the Amelia Trust Harvest Festival on Saturday 9th September. 3 “Looking forward to this year’s Vale Show?” Photo by Patrick Davies In 2012 Russia eventually lifts the ban on the imports of British beef and lamb following concerns over the BSE outbreak. Thursday 13th July sees the launch of the first of a series of a new Coffee Shop Strollers walks to support people and their families with secondary breast cancer. This is a gentle walk with ample opportunities to chat, to stroll, to have a drink, to meet people and to share experiences. This walk is offered as part of the Valeways Walking Programme. For further information contact the Valeways office or email the walk leader Lynne at [email protected] Rebecca Exley—Volunteer Coordinator Lynne and Jenny enjoying the sun at Cosmeston during their Walk Leader training course. Rebecca could have done with the services of the Jamaican athletes on her Walk and Clear programme as they, with some help from Usain Bolt, succeeded in a ‘clean sweep’ of the sprints at the 2012 London Olympics. “Winter, spring, summer or fall All you have to do is call And I'll be there”… “Ain’t it good to know you’ve got a friend” was recorded by many artists including Andy Williams, who died 25 September 2012. 4 Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity FAMILY FUN WALK 2017 Sunday 17th September 11am from the Norwegian Church, Cardiff Bay Help support children and families at the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales by entering our 3k or 10k walk along Cardiff Bay Barrage. Fancy dress is optional and the route is suitable for buggies, wheelchairs and dogs. Join Team Noah’s Ark and help sup- port the 73,000 children needing specialist and life-saving treatment at the Children’s Hospital for Wales each year. Registration costs £5 per person and includes a free t-shirt and bottle of water. Minimum sponsorship: £40 per person. Visit www.noahsarkcharity.org/familyfunwalk or call 029 2184 7310 to book your place. Appropriately enough, according to statistics from the Met Office, 2012 was recorded as the second wettest year on record in the UK! The total rainfall during the year was 1,330.7mm (52.4in), just 6.6mm short of the record set in 2000. “ One small step for man, one giant leap…” * John Treby has organised a special walk in Symonds Yat on Thursday 27th July. The walk starts at 10:00am. Meet at kiosk at Yat Rock car park GL16 7NZ. Fee payable. For directions please contact John on 07791 138002 or by email – [email protected] Lunch will be taken at the White Horse Inn, Staunton, half way round. This lovely 9 mile walk starts at Yat Rock and then drops down into the Wye Valley before climbing again through open countryside to the village of Staunton. After lunch it is an easy walk through broad leaf woodland to return to the starting point. *Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon, died 5th August 2012. At the recent Sully Painting Group Summer Exhibition two ardent supporters of Valeways exhibited their artistic talents. Kathryn Vinnicombe is a Barry Coffee Shop Stroller while John Treby is a Walk Leader and leads many walks to places further afield (see above).