Recent Events
St Fagan's Castle Ghost Tour 9th October 2024
Twenty of of members enjoyed an exclusive evening partaking in a guided Ghost Tour of St. Fagan's Castle and gardens.
The tour commenced with a torchlit walk through the paths and gardens of the 16th Century Manor House. Our guides reported on the strange things seen and heard by visitors, staff and security guards over the years.
Once inside the manor house we were guided through the darkened ground floor rooms and again heard the stories of ghostly figures that reportedly haunt the house.
Our guides were very entertaining and informative, especially regarding the history of the house and gardens.
A very pleasant and spooky evening was had by all!
Clean Rivers for People and Wildlife - 20th August
As part of our commitment and support for the NFWI campaign for 'Clean Rivers for People and Wildlife' - a group of members took part in the Community Clean Up of the estuary at Ogmore by Sea. Litter pickers, high viz vests and safety gloves were provided. Volunteers walked along the bank of the river collecting rubbish which was then sorted and recycled appropriately. We were well looked after with refreshments and home made cakes served by a team of ladies from Merthyr Mawr WI.
There will be a larger event held in May 2025 which includes dredging the river and it is hoped that up to 13000 tyres will be removed from the water!!!
We have offered our support on the day to Merthyr Mawr WI and hope to donate Bont Faen WI cakes and send a team of ladies to help organise the refreshments tent next year - and do our bit for the environment!
August Mystery Trip 2024- Narbeth and Picton Castle
Summer Social 25th July 2024
A fun filled afternoon and evening was enjoyed by members at our annual Summer Social event, held at Diane Bluck's. Many thanks Diane for your wonderful hospitality and efforts to make sure everything was in place for us to take over your house and gardens for our summer get together.
Glamorgan Federation WI Show 6th July 2024
Julie Harris reported back from a visit to the annual Glamorgan Federation Show - held at the Aberavon Beach Hotel, Port Talbot.
Tour and Afternoon Tea at Gileston Manor 18th June 2024
Thrill Seeker Zip Wire Ride - Rhigos Mountain 15th June 2024
Two of our most fearless members Margaret Price and Jean Downing took part in the Federation Social event - to ride the infamous Rhigos Mountain Zip Wire ride. Well done ladies - respect!!!
Cowbridge Spring Fayre 6th May 2024
Members set up a Tombola Stall alongside a number of other community tents and stations as part of the Cowbridge Spring Fayre, held on a sunny May day!
We sold out very quickly, due to the wonderful array of items donated by our members. A display of our WI group was put together by Miranda Davis in order to Make ourselves known and promote the WI to the community.
Glamorgan Federation Walk/Treasure Hunt Penarth 11th May 2024
On a warm, sunny morning a small group of us enjoyed a fun filled, relaxing walk starting from the clifftop above Penarth. We strolled along the beautiful seafront and pier; gathering clues at the same time, to solve our 'murder mystery'! We walked inland through pretty parklands, ancient churchyards, passing numerous restored Victorian houses and public buildings. After a coffee stop in the town centre we headed back to our Federation organisers Margaret and Sally with mystery solved!. Group photo taken and we headed back to the seafront for a late lunch and a catch up with members of other the other WI's taking part. A most enjoyable day out!
Atlantic College, St Donats Tour April 2024
Annual Council Meeting Port Talbot 18th March 2024
Our president, Diane Bluck attended the Federation Annual Council meeting at The Princess Theatre, Port Talbot. 386 members from 71 WIs attended and the main speaker was the inspirational Sue Kent from Gardener's World who told us about her life.
Nantgarw Porcelain China Works
Our visit to Nantgarw China workson 17th February 2024 was a very enjoyable one. After tea and Welsh cakes on arrival we were given a very informative talk on the history of Porcelain and the China Works.
It was started by William Billinsley, who devised the secret recipe for Nantgarw Porcelain but who was unfortunately a dreadful business man and always in debt!
Tours of the Works and the Porcelain process before and after a delicious lunch followed and the afternoon ended with tea and cake. A great day out!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
