Recent Events
Go Ape- 27th May 2023.
On 27th May, 2023, Lucy Higgins, Annie Williams and Diane Bluck, three members of Bont Faen WI set off together to attempt the Federation Chairperson’s Extreme Centenary Challenge, namely the Go Ape Course at Margam Park.
The weather was kind and sunny as they met up with 14 other WI members from different groups in the Glamorgan Federation. There was a sense of excitement and anticipation in the air as the ladies discussed the high tree trekking course ahead of them, but after a lot of banter and a group photo call, a silence descended on the group as the Go Ape Instructor fitted everyone with safety harnesses and demonstrated how to tackle the course by travelling through the trees using the karabeenas. The ladies were shown how to click these onto the overhead wires and were told that it was each individual’s responsibility to look after their own safety and to stay attached at all times!! Although the instructors would watch from the ground none were up in the trees to help!
The Go Ape Course entailed tackling 5 different sections which became higher and increasingly more difficult and included climbing rope ladders, navigating around the girths of large trees on a tiny ridge, walking across ropes and rope bridges, zooming down zip wires and stepping off a precariously high platform into thin air and swinging free style into a large cargo net which looked terrifying. It was appropriately called the “leap of faith”!
The course ended with an extremely long zip wire from a great height at the end of which the girls were greeted with congratulatory claps and a medal and certificate to show that they had completed the course.
Glad to be back on terra firma, a well deserved coffee was an essential and all the ladies went home with a great sense of achievement having completed the Federation Chairman’s extreme Centenary Challenge, 2023.
(Diane Bluck)
Centenary Garden Party Margam Party 12th July 2023
Glamorgan Federation celebrated its centenary with a lavish tea party and picnic at Margam Park Orangery. Y Bont Faen WI Committee organised their decorations, table and chairs plus buffet and tizz - complete with their own chauffeur and set off for a delightful afternoon !
Tables were set inside the Orangery and picnics placed around the gardens on a bright sunny afternoon on 12th July 2023.
Tables were adorned with candelabras and ladies dressed up in their finery for the occasion. A wonderful day our for all!
SUMMER SOCIAL JULY 2023
Bont Faen Summer Social-July 20th,2023.
The sun shone on the day of Bont Faen's Summer Social which took place at the home of one of the WI Committee. The ladies enjoyed swimming, croquet and boules before the business meeting, followed by a scrumptious shared supper. To celebrate the Glamorgan Federation's Centenary, some members dressed up as notable or significant women from the last 100 years. Virginia Wade, Mary Peters, Margaret Thatcher and two land girls won applause from the WI members present and received a bottle of Prosecco to share, donated by one of the members.
(D. Bluck)
Mystery Trip August 2023
Our annual mystery trip which takes place every August, was organised this year by Jean Downing and Margaret Price.
Setting off on a sunny morning from the Town Hall at 0830hrs, members settled into a comfortable journey which took us to Gloucester, where we boarded the Queen Boadicea II for a trip down the Gloucester and Sharpness canal. Our skipper was very witty and informative. Members then had 2 hours to wander and visit either Gloucester cathedral or stroll around the buzzing Quayside shopping area.
Back on the coach by 1400hrs and off to our next mystery venue - the Rococo Gardens, Painswick.
The gardens were elaborately designed with beautifully designed flower beds, winding paths and elegant garden buildings and follies. Painswick House sat above the main gardens but was still privately owned and not for viewing on the inside but an impressive sight non the less.
After enjoying afternoon tea and cakes and a last minute look around the garden shop it was time to return to our coach for the trip home.
Thank you Jean and Margaret for such a wonderful day out!
River Ogmore Estuary Clean Up 29th August 2023
In support of the NFWI's resolutions for Clean Rivers for People and Wildlife, three of our members took part in an organised event on Tuesday 29th August 2023 at the mouth of the River Ogmore. Over 50 national and local companies and clubs, including Welsh Water, Keep Wales Tidy and Natural Resources Wales took part.
Over 2000 tyres were removed from the river bed along with a fridge, arm chair plus traffic cones and mountain of rubbish from the surrounding banks.
We met ladies from Merthyr Mawr WI who were manning the refreshments tent and had provided a number of delicious cakes for the volunteers!
Cardiff Bay Boat Trip 12th September 2023
On September 12th, a dozen ladies enjoyed bouncing over the waves in a rib to Flat Holm with an interesting commentary on the history and wildlife from the young man from Bay Voyages .
A fast zip around Cardiff Bay completed the boat trip and the group then retired to Bill’s restaurant for a delicious supper.
Gin Tasting and Tour of Hensol Distillery 14th November 2023
A group of members were treated to an entertaining guided tour of Hensol Gin Distillery which is located in the stunning grounds of Hensol Castle.
We learned of the history of the castle and its owners right through to its present owner Gerald Leeke of the Leeke corporation -he outbid the actress Catherine Zeta Jones who also wanted to purchase the castle.
After an interesting and informative tour of the distillery which is situated in the dungeons of the castle we settled into the Gin Bar to sample a choice of gin! We were able to purchase various gins and a variety of beverages that Hensol bottle and produce for other companies in the UK and as far as Japan!
A really enjoyable evening was had by all!
Donations to Atal y Fro - Domestic Violence and Abuse Services
After a moving presentation from Atal y Fro case workers in May this year, it was decided to ask our members if they wished to donate toiletries to the Womens Refuge in Barry in time for Christmas.
The response was outstanding as you can see from the picture below!
The staff we met were so grateful for our efforts and clearly touched by our generosity.
Cowbridge Christmas Parade and Holy Cross Angel Display
Y Bont Faen WI were represented at the annual Cowbridge Christmas Parade held on 26th November - by a host of angels! The theme linked in to our angel display, which was created by a group of our talented craft ladies. The angels sit alongside other entries created by various members of the community, in the Holy Cross Church, Cowbridge. The display can be visited up until Christmas.
All things Christmassy and Toiletries for “Atal Y Fro”.
Following a very interesting and eye opening talk by Lana Gould from the Vale’s Domestic Violence and Abuse Services, Barry , members of Bont Faen WI thought it would be a good idea to fill toilet bags with various toiletries which would be given to the women at the refuge in Barry as Christmas presents. Lana was thrilled when she was presented with 40 toilet bags for the ladies as she said that many of the women have to leave their homes very quickly and often take nothing with them.
Annual Christmas Meal
Bont Faen got into the Christmas mood at their Christmas party in December and at a Christmas meal” at The Bear Hotel, Cowbridge where Secret Santas were exchanged.
