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Newsletter Autumn 2017

October's bellowing anger breaks and cleaves The bronzed battalions of the stricken wood In whose lament I hear a voice that grieves For battle’s fruitless harvest, and the feud Of outraged men. Their lives are like the leaves Scattered in flocks of ruin, tossed and blown Along the westering furnace flaring red. O martyred youth and manhood overthrown, The burden of your wrongs is on my head.

Siegfried Sassoon’s ‘Autumn’ seems a far cry from the quintessential ‘season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’ but during the year we have been constantly reminded of the Welsh loss of life on Flanders Fields, a century ago.

During the 1917 National Eisteddfod Chairing Ceremony held on 6 September the announcement that the winning bard, Ellis

Humphreys Evans (Hedd Wyn) had been killed in the battle at Passchendaele a few weeks previously reverberated around the

country and still echoes to this day. Following the renovation and restoration, Yr Ysgwrn, his former home in North Wales was

officially opened to the public – a century to the day since that ceremony. In the barn next to the house is a memorial to 30 young

men from the area who also lost their lives in the war.

This however is not a story confined to a particular locality. The destructive nature of war and its devastating effect on individuals,

communities and even the landscape should make us even more appreciative of the beauty around us and Valeways has a positive

contribution to make in promoting our wellbeing.

O ur featured painting, entitled ‘Picking Figs’ is by Dorothea Renzi and was recently seen at the Summer Open Show at

Travellers Gallery. This simple act of picking the fruit is not only a timely reminder of the changing seasons but also the fig provides

reference across a broad vista of cultures and beliefs including Christianity, Judaism and Buddhism. United States President

George Washington, writing in 1790, extended the metaphor to denote the equality of all Americans regardless of faith.

Celebrating Twenty-One Years of Walking in the Vale

VALEWAYS Yn dathlu un mlynedd a’r hugain o gerdded yn y Fro

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U nder a threatening sky a large number of walking enthusiasts gathered for the inaugural walk of Friends of Valeways. Led by

our President, TV personality Derek Brockway (no mention of the weather please!) The Friends of Valeways was launched at The

Old Hall, Cowbridge on Saturday 15 July. Over fifty people turned out for a walk around Cowbridge and the surrounding area, vis-

iting St Quentin’s Castle before returning to The Old Hall through Llanblethian for some well- earned refreshments – indeed a

hearty ‘feast’, fit for the Leader of the Welsh Assembly, the Secretary of State for Wales and other civic dignitaries and supporters.

Friends of Valeways is established to support Valeways and to allow us to continue to deliver our benefits to the local commu-

nity and countryside. You can become a Member, Patron, or Corporate Member with the associated benefits detailed on our web-

site - www.friendsofvaleways.com

Our Honorary President Derek Brockway and Alun Cairns MP ‘soaking’ in the atmosphere!

Derek said that he was delighted to be a friend of Valeways. He added that, “Valeways is at the very heart of the Vale of Glamor-

gan, keeping open the arteries of this beautiful landscape - such an important part of our heritage. With community volunteers,

they work to give access to over 400 miles of pathways a year; their walks are always fascinating and a pleasure for everyone of all

ages and abilities. I hope you will join us.”

The first Members’ ‘Special Interest Walk’ will take place on Saturday 14 October at Llancarfan.

Jane Hutt AM, committing to be the first Valeways Patron in the company of Phil Gibbins, Chairman and Derek

Brockway, Valeways Honorary President.

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R heinfelden in Germany, Fecamp in France and particularly Mouscron in Belgium have long been twinned with the town of

Barry. Anyone driving past Parade Gardens towards the Island is greeted by a beautiful scene of the flags of each town fluttering

in the breeze above colourful flower beds. Mouscron has an increased significance this year because of its close proximity to the

battlefields of Ypres and Passchendaele. Parade Gardens provided a focal point for at least two Valeways walks during the last

programme. The short walk along the coast from The Knap is a well-trodden route of the Romilly Coffee Shop Strollers, while the

‘Crwydro’ Group who normally walk on Barry Island, ventured along the newly built causeway path to visit the site. All were

impressed with this little known part of Barry and its connection with Europe.

‘One small step, one giant leap…” Romilly Coffee Shop Strollers pause to admire the view.

F rom forest to fancy dress and from horse racing to hidden gems, Monknash to Morocco and from exotic garden fountains to

… sewage works! our volunteer Walk Leaders have excelled themselves this time with walks to suit us all in our Autumn/Winter

Programme. If you fancy a ‘Mystery Walk’, or ‘The long way round’ there’s a walk for you. If however you prefer to be less adven-

turous then why not join the walk on 30 November, because “We know where we are going”! The changing seasons is also

reflected during the programme, starting with Halloween, before easing us gently into the Christmas period. The Programme

would never be complete without Dave’s Annual New Year’s Day Walk! When is it Dave?

R ebecca has her say! Volunteer Co-ordinator’s Report.

I have now been working as the Volunteer Co-ordinator for three years and during that time I am happy to say that I have made

many good friends amongst the volunteers, walkers and Trustees. I am always aware that when we are out walking and/or

clearing footpaths there is a team spirit with everyone looking after each other and helping with problems whatever they might

be – confusion over path routes, retrieving stuck boots, suggestions for walks etc. etc.

Conversations are wide ranging and often result in having to look something up.

Also we all have different interests so learn from each other. The Coffee Shop

Strollers walks encourage friendships as well and I am aware of participants taking

part in other activities together outside Valeways. Recently, at the end of a walk and

clear session, I was very touched when the volunteers headed off to have a cup of

coffee together.

‘Natalie and I are very good friends’ - from the horse’s mouth!

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I nspired by the artistic talents of many of our walkers (as witnessed in the last Newsletter) Valeways contacted the exhibition

officers at Travellers Gallery, Barry who have agreed to provide a slot in their 2018 Exhibitions Programme for a special exhibition

by the Valeways Group of Artists! If you are interested in finding out more about this venture please contact Valeways Office or

cenwilliams@aol.com for more details.

E very cloud has a silver lining - is a saying that was so true at the Vale of Glamorgan Show this year. The unpredictable weather

did not deter the thousands of visitors from experiencing a great day out. The Valeways stand was as popular as ever. Each year,

the staff and volunteers are greeted with positive responses from the passing public, many commending Valeways on its work.

This year however, it was so encouraging to see the visitors’ form full of new names together with contact details of people eager

to learn more, to support Valeways or to participate in our activities. So if you are reading the Valeways Newsletter for the first

time – Welcome / Croeso! We hope to see you on our walks soon.

A very big ‘Thank you’ to all who helped at the stall, staffing it throughout the day and to the volunteers who were responsible for

erecting and dismantling our stall under the guidance of Rebecca.

Standing room only! Jane Hutt AM and friends at our stand at The Vale Show.

N ewsbites ….

Amongst all the food and gift stalls, dog show, bouncy castle, face painting, music and dance and a few animals at this year’s Ame-

lia Trust Farm’s Harvest Festival were Valeways volunteers! Prominently placed at the entrance to the large barn the Valeways

stall was in an ideal spot. Many thanks to the volunteers who were at hand to answer questions about our work and to provide

information about forthcoming events.

Many thanks to all who shop at TESCO and chose to drop their blue discs in the Valeways box. As a result we were awarded

£5,000!

On Wednesday 6 September Carolyn (Valeways Admin. Officer) and Marion (Valeways Trustee) travelled to Llandrindod Wells for

a Let’s Walk Cymru Coordinator’s meeting which took place to give an update on the latest funding position and proposed direc-

tion for October 2017 onwards for the guided walking programme. They reported back to the Valeways Trustees that, regretfully,

there will be no further funding from Welsh Assembly after 30 September 2017! As a result Valeways will have to look for ways to

sustain the walking programme in the future. The Trustees would like to reassure Valeways walkers that the current walking

programme will keep going for as long as possible.

Further information will be provided at the AGM on Tuesday 14 November at the Forest Lodge, Porthkerry Country Park at

3 pm. RSVP by Monday 6 November.

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Cancer, in its many guises, is the all too common enemy affecting almost every family in different ways. Raising essential funds for

research work to help conquer this cruel disease continues. On Sunday 8 October, Cancer Now Cardiff and the Vale Group is or-

ganising its annual fundraising walk at Porthkerry Park, Barry. Registration costs for either the 2K walk or the 5K walk are £5 for

adults and £3 for children and the walks start at 2pm.

Look out also for the newly formed ‘Secondary Breast Cancer Strollers’, a special band of walkers

who meet at Cosmeston on the first Thursday of each month. Lynne Frugtniet leads the group and

invites cancer patients, their friends and families to come for a short stroll, have a chat and finish

with a coffee!

Lynne and friends having a well-earned break following an earlier Breast Cancer Walk.

Another highly respected group of people who “come together to make a positive, lasting change in

communities at home and abroad” is the Rotary Club. Congratulations to Jill Osbourne on becoming

The Rotary Club of Barry’s new president, the first female president in its history. Jill has been a

faithful supporter of Valeways for many years. Let’s hope that even with her additional workload

she still finds time to put on her walking boots.

Jill Osbourne

At a ceremony in the Hilton, Cardiff on 21 September, Gareth Simpson, Development Manager for RCMA was awarded the

‘Leading Wales Award’ in the Social Enterprise Category. The awards seek to recognise and celebrate personal achievement in out-

standing leadership in Wales. Gareth was the Chief Officer for Valeways before he embarked on his current post.

Llongyfarchiadau Gareth!

Gareth proudly displaying his award

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D id you know that, according to a recent Public Health England report, a brisk ten minute daily walk can help prevent cancer,

heart disease and poor mental health? The report however continues, “Over 6.3 million adults aged 40-60 don’t manage to

achieve 10 minutes of continuous, fast-paced walking over the course of a month!” Experts have urged members of the public to

stop and make time, for the sake of their health. It sites that physical inactivity among adults contributes to one in six deaths in the

UK and is costing the NHS over £0.9 billion per year.

As part of its campaign, PHE has created an app called ‘Active 10’ which monitors how much walking a person is doing each day.

Dr Zoe Williams, a GP from the Royal College of General Practitioners adds that “Every GP should talk to their patients about the

benefits of brisk walking and recommend the Active 10 app. It’s the first free app of its kind and an easy, accessible way to make

brisk walking a daily habit.”

Friends of Valeways happily demonstrating the benefits of walking!

S een on the notice board outside the barn at Amelia Trust Farm was this quote which emphasises the importance given to

volunteers in many walks of life – the life blood of many organisations.

“Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they are worthless but because they are priceless.”

… and finally