L(a)RGA  News
Events:  Since our last contribution to the Newsletter members have enjoyed several excursions and events. Back in February we began our 2007 programme with a Poems and Pints evening, following on from a very successful first run last year. The evening proved even more enjoyable than last year with readings in English, Welsh, French and Wenglish, both serious and light hearted. The programme started by a musical presentation performed with panache and great feeling. The evening was completed by a excellent banquet supplied once again by ‘Roger’s’ Takeaway in Cowbridge!!  Rumour has it that some members are already practicing for next year’s event.

Earlier this month (May) a number of members enjoyed a short historical bus trip around the Vale of Glamorgan organised by the Village Association through Mrs Diane Bluck and Mr David Edwards. The day out proved most enjoyable providing a bus tour around the Border Vale accompanied by a most interesting commentary by local historian David Francis and culminating in an excellent lunch at the Bear Inn Llanharry. Members of L(a)RGA would like to express a sincere thank you to Diane and David for organising the outing (Chairman (Trips and Visits) was very impressed) and to our Village Association for subsidising the trip.

Wine 2007: Arrangements are now being made for our Midsummer Dinner, to be held on the 28th July, the Keeper of the Corkscrew is already in a state of panic concerning our supply of Siberian Semillon, since the March tasting session got a little out of hand. His instructions to serve the wine in chilled glasses resulted in some of the glassware being left in the refrigerator too long causing minor frostbite to the fingers of some members who were reluctant to let go of their drinks. As a consequence a greater quantity of wine was consumed than originally programmed thus creating a strain on remaining stocks. However, all is not lost the Keeper of the Corkscrew is sourcing an exciting new find from Somalia which we can, hopefully, report on in the coming months.

L(a)RGA extends best wishes to the new tenants of the Carne Arms, Luke and James – welcome to Llysworney, we hope you enjoy every success and look forward to many a happy session in the months ahead.

Hatches & Matches: A wedding for the Village – congratulations and best wishes to Katie Ball (Llysworney Garage) and Adam Richards who are to be married in St Tydfils Llysworney on the 23rd June 2007.

Congratulations are offered to Jo Hiscock and Paul (7 Pen-yr-heol) on the birth of their daughter Lily Grace born at 4 o’clock on the 4th May 2007.

Also belated congratulations to Alex Marples and Liz on the birth of their daughter Lauren Elizabeth on 26th February 2007.

L(a)RGA  News
Members and partners celebrated the end of 2006 with the annual dinner. The evening was a great success and the bus driver was very impressed with the singing, it was even better on the way home! The outing was an excellent start to the Christmas and New Year celebrations despite severely depleting the Keeper of the Corkscrew’s cellar. However, the new shipment of wine for 2007 has now arrived and is ready for our first tasting.

At our first meeting of the New Year two new members were welcomed in L(a)RGA and are already contributing fully to the business of the Association.

Events: The Chairman (Trips and Visits) presented his proposed programme for 2007, which included Poems & Pints (Feb), Visit to the Races (April/May), Midsummer Dinner (July), Penderyn Distillery & Lunch (Sept-eagerly awaited!!!), visit and meal at local vineyard (Oct). The progamme was unanimously approved by members.

New Wine: The Keeper of the Corkscrew has now received the first shipment of our new wine (much to his relief!!) It’s a brave, little known, Siberian Semillon, straight off the Steppes. Early tastings have confirmed this wine is best drunk well chilled in a cold glass, being blended with a Sauvignon produces an unusually dry wine with light overtones of antifreeze, probably the result of storing the wine in old fuel cans and water containers. The Keeper of the Corkscrew is arranging a more concentrated tasting for the next meeting.

L(a)RGA  News
Congratulations to Paul Booth and the members of the Village Association Committee on staging an outstanding and successful ‘Fun Day’ on Saturday 16th September. There is no doubt that everyone enjoyed themselves immensely and this can only be due to all the hard work which went into the organisation of the event.

A special thank you to David and Diane Bluck for making the venue available and for providing such excellent facilities.

L(a)RGA would also like to thank and congratulate everyone who provided exhibits for the art and craft exhibition. Many comments were received expressing appreciation of the high standards achieved by the exhibitors and the diversity of talent available in the Village.

A total of ten entries were received in the children’s Art Competition which once again presented work of a very high standard. In fact the task of selecting a winner in each category was so difficult that it was decided to award a prize to all entrants.

Members of L(a)RGA would like to place on record our thanks and appreciation for a great day.

L(a)RGA  News
At a much depleted August meeting, with large numbers of members unavailable through holidays, alternative entertaining of visitors and baby sitting ‘mam’ (to mention just a few of the apologies for absence);  those in attendance enjoyed a robust discussion on current affairs and the merits of this years’ wine, the Grozny Grenache. Unfortunately, this was carried out in reverse order so no one could remember what was discussed under current affairs.

It was reported that L(a)RGA had received a communication from a representative of the Vale of Glamorgan County Council listing a number of new courses which they felt would be particularly suitable. Out of a total of some fourteen courses the two listed below were thought to offer greatest value for members of L(a)RGA.

Course Title - The Toilet Roll - does it replace itself?
Methodology - Round Table discussion, duration 2 weeks.

Course Title - Health Watch - bringing her flowers is not harmful to your health.
Methodology - Graphics and Audio tapes, duration 3 weeks.

Congratulations - more new grandparent congratulations to Melanie and Martyn Hurst whose daughter Catherine and son-in-law Ian celebrated the birth of daughter Madeliene Rose and to the Rev Peter and Tyann Leonard whose son Oliver and daughter-in-law Jo celebrated the birth of daughter Amy Joy.

Honorary Military Attaché - L(a)RGA.s Honorary Military Attaché Guardsman Musician Bedwyr Morgan who joined the band of the Welsh Guards earlier this year has been kept extremely busy engaged on Royal duties through June and July. Some of the highlights have been performing at Horse Guards Parade for Beating the Retreat and Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour) where the Welsh Guards presented their flag colours to the Queen. The Band also supported several garden parties at Buckingham Palace and provided the music for the Ceremony of the Order of the Garter at St George’s Chapel Windsor. Although this is Bedwyr's first year with the Band, with its consequently high profile public performances, he has settled well to his new responsibilities and is enjoying himself immensely.

Forthcoming Events - As a result of our contact through our Military Attaché (Honorary) L(a)RGA are delighted to announce that the Band of the Welsh Guards accompanied by Cowbridge Male Voice Choir will be performing in concert at Cowbridge Leisure Centre on Wednesday 18th October 2006. Tickets are £6.00 and available from Mervyn Sheldon L(a)RGA HQ c/o Little Paddock, Llysworney. Proceeds from the concert will be shared between the Welsh Guards charities (this year is the 25th anniversary of the Falklands campaign) and the Welsh charity Bobath Cymru.

Street Names Llysworney - There has been an abortive effort by some members to undertake a programme of physical exercise through walking circuits about the Village. As a result those foolishly engaged upon this rather dangerous past time have had need to rename some of the more difficult routes on their exercise course as follows:

Hill from pond to Church Street (front of Church) named - Cardiac Climb.

Incline from pond to Old Chapel (rear of Church) named – Coronary Crescent.

Hill from pond to Main Road (Heol Cawl) renamed - Pulmonary Pull.

Hill from pond to Wolf House Main Road renamed Angina Avenue.

All these new names have been approved by Paddy the Post. A number are now definitely having second thoughts about the dangers of excess exercise!

Village Floral Displays - L(a)RGA would like to say a big thank you to the following people for helping to make our Village a more attractive place. First of all many thanks to Len Wilkinson (Quince Cottage) who for many years has planted and tended the two large flower pots at the junction of the main road and Heol Cawl always a superb display of busy lizzies. Secondly to Marilyn (Llysworney Garage) whose small corner garden alongside the Garage (junction of main road and Church Street) is a great oasis of colour in a busy working environment. Our third nomination is Sarah (Carne Arms) for her colourful flower baskets and floral display around the Pub. The baskets and other plants were a real pleasure.

Fun Day 16th September 2006 - Don’t forget the L(a)RGA sponsored Art and Crafts Exhibition and Children’s Painting competition, which is part of the Llysworney Fun Day. All entries for painting competition should be delivered to Mervyn Sheldon at Little Paddock on the 14th or 15th September for judging. Each entry should be clearly marked with entrants name and age. Remember the title is ‘A scene from my Village’. A prize will be awarded for the best entry in each age group.

L(a)RGA  News
The long awaited Groszny Grenache has arrived and been eagerly checked and cellared by the Keeper of the Corkscrew. Full details of its journey have yet to be revealed, once our intrepid delivery crews have been properly debriefed. Full report to follow in later newsletters.

Quote of the Month: the answer to last months quote was Harold Macmillan. No winners I’m afraid!

New Members: at the June meeting three new members were received into L(a)RGA and welcomed by the Chairman and members.

Congratulations: L(a)RGA would like to extend congratulations and best wishes to the following:

Steve and Jayne Robson (Tresaith) on the birth of their son Jacob.

Peter and Colette Evans (Brocton House) who have become grandparents for the first time with the birth of twin boys, Noah and Finn to son Simon and daughter-in-law Nellie.

Stewart and Marian Murton (Pantiles) who now have six grandchildren following the birth of a son Joshua to daughter Sally and Son-in-Law Gareth.

Congratulations are also extended to Matt Walters (School House) who has gained a BA Hons degree.

ell done once again to Owen Sedgebeer who, following his success last season with the Welsh schoolboys, has been selected for the Welsh under 18’s squad for next season.

Fun Day/Arts and Crafts Exhibition and Competition: this event has now been postponed following a clash of dates. The exhibition will still take place together with the art competition to coincide with the new fun day date. More details in the next newsletter.

L(a)RGA News
At the last meeting of L(a)RGA provisional arrangements were made for a visit to the Penderyn Distillery and Brewery in Hirwaun. This has now been put on hold for the moment. The distillery is having a new Visitors Centre built which will open over the Whitsun Bank Holiday. The Keeper of the Corkscrew has been charged with maintaining contact with Penderyn and arranging a new date for our visit.

Groszny Grenache-several people have questioned the origin of our wine of the season since the grape is originally a native of Spain with migration into France.  Members are also mystified by its appearance in Groszny, further enquiries will be made as soon as we receive our first delivery, which will, hopefully, be soon.  Unfortunately, our two vehicles were ambushed en route by some very unsavory characters and held for sometime.  The day was saved by one of the delivery team (an ex fire engine driver from Hartlepool) who managed to hot wire both vehicles and then led a mad dash for the border, hopefully, with little damage to the cargo. Members are agog with anticipation!

Quote of the month - who said “Lets be frank about it, most of our people have never had it so good”. Please send your answers to L(a)RGA Headquarters c/o Little Paddock.

Congratulations-L(a)RGA extends congratulations to the following young people from the Village: Vicky Marples recently became a Member of the Royal College of General Practitioners; Claire Stead gained a BA in Natural Sciences from Trinity Hall College, Cambridge; Jessica Churchman gained an MPhys (Master of Physics) from Keble College Oxford.  Well done.

Arts and Crafts Exhibition-L(a)RGA is sponsoring an exhibition of Paintings, sketches and other art subjects from resident artists in Llysworney, to be held on 8th July as part of the family fun day.  A number of artists have already agreed to exhibit but there is an open invitation to anyone who would like to take part. It is hoped the exhibition will also feature other crafts and talents held and created by village residents.  These can include needlework, quilting, furniture repair and restoration. 

Painting/Drawing Competition: children and young people are invited to take an active part in the exhibition by entering our art competition. There are to be three categories based on age, up to 7 years, 8 - 12 years and 13 -16 years.  The subject of the competition is “A scene from my Village”.  This may be a painting or drawing in any medium.

Closing date for entries is the 5th July and should be delivered to L(a)RGA Headquarters c/o Little Paddock, by that date. There will be a prize for the best entry in each age group

Everyone who wishes to take part in the exhibition and/or the painting competition please contact Mervyn Sheldon at Little Paddock telephone number 773063 as soon as possible.

L(a)RGA News
At the October meeting members enjoyed an informative discourse on the situation in the east of the old Soviet Union with many expressing considerable concern at the apparent lack of law and order in many areas. This constitutional crisis is now, of course, being addressed, but it would seem it remains a volatile area of the world at this time.

Pre-Christmas events were discussed and the programme for members and guests agreed, this includes: October - wine tasting evening Heronstone Hotel; November - Annual Dinner; December - Social Evening with music and entertainment.

Zimbabwean Zinfandel - the saga concludes: We last left our precious cargo of Zimbabwean Zinfandel, cunningly concealed amid an oxcart full of buffalo dung, crossing the border from Zimbabwe to South Africa. Unfortunately, the South African authorities are a few bananas to the pound more awake than their Zim colleagues and immediately got suspicious of the organic cargo and wondered what else it might contain.

One of our intrepid smugglers was able to distract them with the “spot-the-white-eared-elephant” trick for a few minutes while the wine cases were extracted from the mound of dung.

As luck would have it, a certain newly-renovated classic car was on its test drive and just happened to have reached the SA-Zim border. Both car and wine were quickly concealed in a lock up garage and a plan was hatched.

The SA Customs folk would be bound to search the boot and interior of the car…but such a vehicle has many more hiding places! The petrol tank was drained of its last remaining half pint of four star and fully replenished with 15 gallons of best Zimbabwean Red. Radiator drained: another four gallons of storage space. Windscreen washer: one gallon. Hmmm…but there’s still five cases, 12 bottles a case to hide!  Eureka! Let all the air out of the tyres and through a system of valves and air pressure, force the wine into the inner tubes! Brilliant!

Next day, the car was ready to move (but not under its own power, of course) It was trailered by the AAA (African Automobile Association, not Alcoholics Anonymous, Anyone?) all the way to Cape Town and loaded onto the ship ready for transportation to Great Britain.

Arriving in Felixstowe, a rather over-zealous docker decided to start the car up and drive it from ship to low loader, ready for transportation to Llysworney. It started first time and had a fine burst of speed; roadholding was a touch eccentric as it’s hard to judge the air/ wine pressure in the tyres. Safely delivered to its destination after successfully clearing customs, recovery of the wine was supervised by the ever vigilant Keeper of the Corkscrew; carefully bottled and allowed to settle.

The result has been a wine of interesting character with a slight hint of anti freeze and a rather compelling aftertaste faintly reminiscent of four star petrol. In any event the L(a)RGA cellars are now replenished although smoking and naked lights are prohibited when bottles are being opened.

Quote of the Month

An excellent response to last months quote with more than one correct answer. Because there is some inconsistency in the delivery dates of the newsletter to various parts of the village all correct answers are placed in a hat and the winner drawn. This month the winner is Monty Hiscock who correctly identified the poet as Rudyard Kipling and his subject as Gunga Din. Well done Monty.

The quote this time: “Though I sit down now, the time will come when you will hear me.”

Clive - Politician (Ex Prime Minister)

Answers in writing to: Chairman (Competitions) L(a)RGA Headquarters c/o Little Paddock.

[Home] [About Us] [Events] [Quiz] [Constitution] [100 Club] [Village History] [Village Newsletters] [The Parish Church of St Tydfil] [Little Fish Fun Club] [The Carne Arms] [Hazlecourt Pond] [L(a)RGA] [Local Schools] [Bus Timetable] [Refuse and Recycling] [Brownies] [Kids Corner] [Computing Tips] [Photo Gallery] [Contact Us] [Links]