Newsletter – November 2025

November 13th meeting:

    Main Speaker: Rhodri Hughes – A Day in the Life of a Community Ranger

Outings and events:

    A questionnaire is being drafted to invite the membership to express their preferences with regard to WI outings. This is expected to be ready in time for the December meeting.

Information
    Link to the Glamorgan Newsletters.

    MyWI site (registration and log in required)

Groups:

    Book Group: Wednesday 12th November / 11.00 am / La Cucina da Mara

    Tangle Art Group: Wednesday 19th November / 2 pm / 5 Court Close, Whitchurch

    Family History: 1st December / 2.00 pm / 113 Pantbach Road

    Sunday Lunch Group: 30th November / 12:30 pm / Llanishen Golf Club

    

    Poetry and Prose Group: Monday 24th November / 10.45 am
    The Ark coffee bar, Ararat / Topic: places

    Craft Group: this will start again in January

 

Following meeting:

    Next meeting: 8th December in Ararat Church Hall, Whitchurch Common, 2 pm.

    Children from Glantaf School will perform Christmas songs. We will not be able to have our usual Christmas party with food to share because the hall is being refurbished and we will be in the chapel. Please do not bring food to share.

Newsletter – October 2025

Many apologies for the late posting of this month's newsletter.

 October 13th meeting:

    Main Speaker: Keith Jones – The Taff from Source to Sea

    Short presentation of the GWFI Annual Meeting in Barry by committee member Gay Thomas.

Outings and events:

    Oakham Treasures, Bristol; 29th October; cost £18 which include travel and entrance fee. 
    Meet outside Ararat at 9.30 am for the minibus transport.

Information
    Link to the Glamorgan Newsletters.

    MyWI site (registration and log in required)

Groups:

    Book Group: Wednesday 15th October / 11.00 am / La Cucina da Mara

    Tangle Art Group: cancelled for October because Nor'dzin is away.

    Family History: 3rd November / 2.00 pm / 113 Pantbach Road

    Sunday Lunch Group: 26th October / 1 pm / The Toby Carvery

    

    Poetry and Prose Group: Monday 27th October / 11.00 am
    The Ark coffee bar, Ararat / Topic: animals

 

Following meeting:

    Next meeting: 10th November in Ararat Church Hall, Whitchurch Common, 2 pm.

    Speaker: Rhodri Hughes – ‘A Day in the Life of a Community Ranger’

September 2025 meeting – Life in Pantomime

Ceri Stennett, son of Stan Stennett, illustrated his talk about his father's career in pantomime with slides of the pantos' advertising posters. Stan was a Cardiff lad. He was an orphan but had a happy childhood, raised by relatives. He was an extrovert and happy to be a show off. Stan had wanted to join the RAF during WWII but his eyesight wasn't good enough, being almost blind in one eye after a childhood mishap. So he joined the artillery. After the war, he entered talent contests and won one. The prize was theatre work for the BBC, and so his love of theatre work began.  

In the early years of his career, Stan worked as a lorry driver during the day and as an entertainer in the evening. He was spotted by the comedian Ossie Morris which led to more opportunities. He appeared in the radio show, Welsh Rarebit, and became the compere, along with Harry Secombe. Stan worked with many people who became famous, such as Morecombe and Wise. Stan and Eric Morecombe shared a sense of humour, and used to play pranks on the crew with whoopee cushions. Ceri told the story of a pumpkin, being used as a prop in a show, being insured for £1,000,000 by Stan. One of the conditions of the insurance was that the pumkin never be taken on a bus. Stan took the pumpkin on to the top deck of a double-decker bus and dropped it out of the window. It smashed to bits. The insurance payment was settled at £50 and donated to charity. It was a good publicity stunt.

As well as a long career in pantomime and entertainment both in the UK and abroad, Stan appeared in the TV show, The Black and White Minstrels, and in the soap opera, Crossroads. For pantos in South Wales he wrote scripts that would be particularly relevant and funny for the locals. Ceri explained that 1974 - 79 was the pinnacle of Stan's career with five years of topping the bill in the pantomimes at The New Theatre in Cardiff, and receiving an MBE for his contribution to entertainment. Stan helped raised 1000s of pounds for charity, opening fetes and such like. For a long time Stan had a stuffed dog called Bonzo as a part of his act. Unfortunately Bonzo disappeared one night, believed stolen, and had to be substituted with another dog.

Stan wanted to continue working even into his eighties, but sadly suffered a stroke during an operation to insert a heart stent. Ceri described how he sat by his father in hospital singing songs from the pantomimes. Although unable to speak, Stan moved his lips and clearly enjoyed joining in with the songs. Sadly, after three weeks in hospital, he died.

Ceri is himself something of a performer having appeared many times in pantomimes as a stand in. He also worked as a stage manager, and learned puppeteering while Sooty and Sweep were part of the cast of a pantomime. His professionalism was clear from the enjoyable, interesting and well-presented talk, which was enjoyed by all members.

Cyfarfod Medi 2025 – Bywyd mewn Pantomeim

Darluniodd Ceri Stennett, mab Stan Stennett, ei sgwrs am yrfa ei dad mewn pantomeim gyda sleidiau o bosteri hysbysebu’r pantos. Hogyn o Gaerdydd oedd Stan. Roedd yn amddifad ond cafodd blentyndod hapus, a fagwyd gan berthnasau. Roedd yn allblyg ac yn hapus i fod yn sioe off. Roedd Stan wedi bod eisiau ymuno â'r Awyrlu yn ystod yr Ail Ryfel Byd ond nid oedd ei olwg yn ddigon da, gan ei fod bron yn ddall mewn un llygad ar ôl damwain plentyndod. Felly ymunodd â'r magnelau. Ar ôl y rhyfel, aeth i mewn i gystadlaethau talent ac enillodd un. Gwaith theatr i’r BBC oedd y wobr, ac felly y dechreuodd ei gariad at waith theatr.   

Ym mlynyddoedd cynnar ei yrfa, bu Stan yn gweithio fel gyrrwr lori yn ystod y dydd ac fel diddanwr gyda'r nos. Cafodd ei weld gan y digrifwr Ossie Morris a arweiniodd at fwy o gyfleoedd. Ymddangosodd yn y rhaglen radio, Welsh Rarebit, a daeth yn arweinydd, ynghyd â Harry Secombe. Bu Stan yn gweithio gyda llawer o bobl a ddaeth yn enwog, fel Morecombe a Wise. Roedd Stan ac Eric Morecombe yn rhannu synnwyr digrifwch, ac yn arfer chwarae pranks ar y criw gyda chlustogau whoopee. Adroddodd Ceri hanes pwmpen, yn cael ei defnyddio fel prop mewn sioe, yn cael ei hyswirio am £1,000,000 gan Stan. Un o amodau'r yswiriant oedd na fyddai'r pwmpen byth yn cael ei gludo ar fws. Aeth Stan â'r bwmpen i ddec uchaf bws deulawr a'i ollwng allan o'r ffenest. Mae'n malu i ddarnau. Setlwyd y taliad yswiriant ar £50 a'i roi i elusen. Roedd yn stynt cyhoeddusrwydd da.

Yn ogystal â gyrfa hir mewn pantomeim ac adloniant yn y DU a thramor, ymddangosodd Stan yn y sioe deledu, The Black and White Minstrels, ac yn yr opera sebon, Crossroads. Ar gyfer pantos yn Ne Cymru ysgrifennodd sgriptiau a fyddai'n arbennig o berthnasol a doniol i'r bobl leol. Esboniodd Ceri mai 1974 - 79 oedd uchafbwynt gyrfa Stan gyda phum mlynedd o frig y rhaglen yn y pantomeimiau yn Y Theatr Newydd yng Nghaerdydd, a derbyn MBE am ei gyfraniad i adloniant. Helpodd Stan i godi 1000s o bunnoedd at elusen, gan agor ffeiriau ac ati. Am gyfnod hir roedd gan Stan gi wedi'i stwffio o'r enw Bonzo fel rhan o'i act. Yn anffodus, diflannodd Bonzo un noson, credir iddo gael ei ddwyn, a bu'n rhaid cael ci arall yn ei le.

Roedd Stan eisiau parhau i weithio hyd yn oed yn ei wythdegau, ond yn anffodus cafodd strôc yn ystod llawdriniaeth i osod stent calon. Disgrifiodd Ceri sut yr oedd yn eistedd wrth ei dad yn yr ysbyty yn canu caneuon o'r pantomeimiau. Er nad oedd yn gallu siarad, symudodd Stan ei wefusau ac yn amlwg wedi mwynhau ymuno â'r caneuon. Yn anffodus, ar ôl tair wythnos yn yr ysbyty, bu farw.

Mae Ceri ei hun yn dipyn o berfformiwr wedi ymddangos droeon mewn pantomeimiau fel stand mewn. Bu hefyd yn gweithio fel rheolwr llwyfan, a dysgodd bypedwr tra bod Sooty a Sweep yn rhan o gast pantomeim. Roedd ei broffesiynoldeb yn amlwg o'r sgwrs bleserus, ddiddorol ac wedi'i chyflwyno'n dda, a fwynhawyd gan yr holl aelodau.

Newsletter – September 2025

 September 8th meeting:

    Main Speaker: Ceri Stennett – Life in Pantomime, my father Stan Stennett

    Collection of Smartie tubes filled with cash as fundraising for our charity.

Outings and events:

    Llandaf Cathedral Guided Tour. Tuesday 16th September at 2pm. 

    If you want to travel together on the bus (No 24), meet on the Common at 1pm. 

    No charge, but a donation of £5 per head is requested.    

    Oakham Treasures, Bristol; 29th October; £9 entrance fee. 
    Meet outside Ararat at 9.30 am for minibus transport (£6). See notice board for more details.     Please note, the transport is a minibus – so limited numbers. Shared car transport could be

    available if more people wish to go.

Information
    Link to the Glamorgan Newsletters.

    MyWI site (registration and log in required)

Groups:

    Choir: the choir will not be meeting until further notice.

    Book Group: Wednesday 17th September / 11.00 am
    La Cucina da Mara, Whitchurch

    Craft Group: NB no meeting in September.

    Tangle Art Group: Wednesday 17th September / 2.00 pm

    5 Court Close, Whitchurch
    NB This group needs new members. Please ask Nor'dzin for more information. Relaxing, creative, no previous experience or artistic competency needed. A 'tangle' is a design created using patterns drawn in pen.

    Family History: 22nd September / 2.00 pm / 113 Pantbach Road

    Sunday Lunch Group: 21st September

    Ffynon Wen

 
    Poetry and Prose Group: Monday 22nd September / 11.00am
    The Ark coffee bar, Ararat / Topic: favourite poets

    

    St Mary's Gardens: Tuesday 9th September / 10–12

 

Following meeting:

    Next meeting: 13th October in Ararat Church Hall, Whitchurch Common, 2 pm.

    Speaker: Keith Jones – ‘The Taff from source to the sea’

July 2025 meeting

The meeting began with a short presentation by Dr Kristian Skoczek, Post-doctoral Research Associate for Cardiff University's REVAMP project. He talked to us about the eye condition glaucoma and how we could help with new research. They are aiming to find better ways to detect visual field loss and are looking for volunteers aged over 40 to help them. It was an interesting talk, and Kristian stayed till the end, seeming to enjoy hearing about musicals that would have been produced long before he was born, and the singing. Many members talked to him after the meeting and he was pleased with so many people offering to be involved in the project.

Christine Purkiss entertained us with the Story of Rodgers and Hammerstein – and with her wonderful singing. Not only does she have a beautiful voice, she animates the lyrics bringing the songs to life. Her presentation was highly professional and also informative, lighthearted and witty. She also included a few anecdotes about her singing career.

The original production of Oklahoma was in 1943. It featured the tensions between farmers and cattle drovers. The original production also included ballet. It appeared as a film in 1955, being the first wide screen production. Christine sang the title song.

Her next song came from Carousel which was produced in 1947. Christine sang 'June is Busting Out All Over.'

This was followed by fascinating information about South Pacific, which won the Pullizer Prize. Mary Martin was a favourite singer of Rodgers and Hammerstein, but often stars were given the leading roles in the film productions of their musicals with Mary's voice dubbed. Christine sang 'Some Enchanted Evening'.

Next we heard about The King and I, with Christine singing 'Getting to Know You'. From Flower Drum Song we were had a delightful performance of 'I Enjoy Being a Girl'. Then the last musical described was the famous Sound of Music, in which everyone sang their own songs we were told. Christine entertained us with the title song and 'Climb Every Mountain'.

What a wonderful way to round up the first half of the year and break for the summer. The speakers were followed by tasty cakes with our beverages. Have a lovely summer.

Gorffennaf 2025 cyfarfod

Dechreuodd y cyfarfod gyda chyflwyniad byr gan Dr Kristian Skoczek, Cydymaith Ymchwil Ôl-ddoethurol ar gyfer prosiect REVAMP Prifysgol Caerdydd. Siaradodd â ni am y glawcoma cyflwr llygaid a sut y gallem helpu gydag ymchwil newydd. Maent yn anelu at ddod o hyd i ffyrdd gwell o ganfod colled maes gweledol ac yn chwilio am wirfoddolwyr dros 40 oed i'w helpu. Roedd yn sgwrs ddifyr, ac arhosodd Kristian tan y diwedd, fel petai’n mwynhau clywed am sioeau cerdd a fyddai wedi’u cynhyrchu ymhell cyn iddo gael ei eni, a’r canu. Siaradodd llawer o'r aelodau ag ef ar ôl y cyfarfod ac roedd yn falch bod cymaint o bobl wedi cynnig bod yn rhan o'r prosiect.

Stori Rodgers a Hammerstein: Bu Christine Purkiss yn ein diddanu gyda manylion sioeau cerdd Rodgers a Hammerstein – a gyda'i chanu bendigedig. Nid yn unig y mae ganddi lais hardd, mae hi'n animeiddio'r geiriau gan ddod â'r caneuon yn fyw. Roedd ei chyflwyniad yn hynod broffesiynol a hefyd yn addysgiadol, ysgafn a ffraeth. Cynhwysodd hefyd ychydig o hanesion am ei gyrfa canu.

Cynhyrchwyd y cynhyrchiad gwreiddiol o Oklahoma yn 1943. Roedd yn cynnwys y tensiynau rhwng ffermwyr a phorthmyn. Roedd y cynhyrchiad gwreiddiol hefyd yn cynnwys bale. Ymddangosodd fel ffilm yn 1955, sef y cynhyrchiad sgrin lydan cyntaf. Canodd Christine y gân deitl.

Daeth ei chân nesaf o Carousel a gynhyrchwyd yn 1947. Canodd Christine 'June is Busting Out All Over.'

Dilynwyd hyn gan wybodaeth hynod ddiddorol am South Pacific, a enillodd y Pullizer Prize. Roedd Mary Martin yn hoff gantores i Rodgers a Hammerstein, ond yn aml roedd sêr yn cael y prif rannau yng nghynyrchiadau ffilm eu sioeau cerdd gyda llais Mary yn cael ei drosleisio. Canodd Christine 'Some Enchanted Evening'.

Nesaf clywsom am The King and I, gyda Christine yn canu 'Getting to Know You'. O Flower Drum Song cawsom berfformiad hyfryd o 'I Enjoy Being a Girl'. 

Yna y sioe gerdd olaf a ddisgrifiwyd oedd y Sound of Music enwog, lle canodd pawb eu caneuon eu hunain dywedwyd wrthym. Diddanwyd ni gan Christine gyda'r gân deitl a 'Climb Every Mountain'.

Newsletter – July 2025

 July 14th meeting:

    Main Speaker and Singer: Christine Purkiss – The Story of Rodgers and Hammerstein

   Additional Speaker: Dr Kristian Skoczek, Post Doctoral Research Associate for the                   REVAMP Study on Glaucoma.

    As it is the last meeting before the summer break we will also be enjoying cake!

Outings and events:

    A trip is proposed to Oakham Treasures, Bristol in October. This will discussed again with         more information about the centre.

Information
    Link to the Glamorgan Newsletters.

    MyWI site (registration and log in required)

    Art Exhibition 11–18 July at Ararat Centre for the Community 
    Paintings created by people living with Alzheimer's
    Cards and paintings available for sale.

    St Mary's Gardens Open Day 12th July / 10 am to 3 pm
    stalls and plants for sale

Groups:

    Choir: the choir will not be meeting again until September.

    Book Group: Wednesday 16th July / 11.00 am
    La Cucina da Mara, Whitchurch

    Craft Group: Monday 21st July / 10.30 am
    41 Cherry Orchard Road, Lisvane

    Tangle Art Group: Wednesday 16th July / 2.00 pm
    5 Court Close, Whitchurch

    Family History: 28th July / 2.00 pm / 113 Pantbach Road

    Sunday Lunch Group: 27th July

    Llanishen Golf Club

 
    Poetry and Prose Group: Monday 21st July / 11.00am
    The Ark coffee bar, Ararat / Topic: bodies

    

    St Mary's Gardens: Tuesday 8th July / 10–12

 

Following meeting:

    No meeting in August!    

    Next meeting: 8th September in Ararat Church Hall, Whitchurch Common, 2 pm.
    Speaker/singer: Cwei Stennett – Life in Pantomime, my father Stan Stennet

June 2025 meeting

Sheena Crossley gave a presentation on The Gardens of Wales. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed Sheena’s humorous talk, with slides of beautifully colourful gardens, from Cardiff to Anglesey. Each slide was accompanied by an anecdote describing her visits over a long period of time.

(Unfortunately we do not have any photographs from this presentation.)

The presentation was followed by a talk from Emma, the fundraising co-ordinator from Velindre, our charity for 2025. She explained how support through donations, events, fundraising and overseas challenges allows them to fund projects over and above those provided by the NHS, which improves the experience and outcomes of patients receiving treatment and care at the hospital. She explained that donations help to fund an entire team of clinical psychologists and counsellors, including a dedicated staff psychologist, providing essential one-to-one care for patients and staff; plus resources for children and families, such as specialist education books, lion teddies, toiletries, new pyjamas and digital devices to keep in touch with loved ones.

Members were reminded about Whitchurch Fete on 5th July, with a call for helpers and donations. 

The meeting closed with a poem to commemorate VE Day read by Jenny Andrews.

Chris and Glenys

The May meeting of Whitchurch WI is the AGM when the new committee is created. Two committee members, Chris Soughton and Glenys Care, decided to stand down from the committee at this time. They were both founder members of Whitchurch WI. Chris had been a committee member for 20 years and Glenys had been president for 9 years.

Unfortunately both Chris and Glenys were not well enough to attend the May meeting. The membership wished to express their gratitude and appreciation of Chris and Glenys's years of dedication to Whitchurch WI. As they could not be at the meeting, a bouquet was taken to their home and presented to them there.

 

 

💐Happy retirement Chris and Glenys! 💐

 

Newsletter – June 2025

 

 June meeting:

    Main Speaker: Sheena Crossley – Gardens of Wales.
    Members will be wearing red, white and blue in memory of VE Day.

Outings and events:

    A trip is proposed to Oakham Treasures, Bristol in early October. There will        be a request for a show of hand of those who are interested in order to judge     whether plans for the trip should go ahead.

Information
    Link to the Glamorgan Newsletters.

    MyWI site (registration and log in required)

Groups:

    Choir: Wednesdays at 11.30 am
    Memorial Hall, Rhiwbina

    Book Group: Wednesday 11th June / 11.00 am
    La Cucina da Mara, Whitchurch

    Craft Group: Monday 16th June / 10.30 am
    41 Cherry Orchard Road, Lisvane

    Tangle Art Group: Wednesday 19th June / 2.00 pm
    5 Court Close, Whitchurch

    Family History: 16th June / 2.00 pm / 113 Pantbach Road

    Sunday Lunch Group: date and venue to be confirmed
 
    Poetry and Prose Group: Monday 30th June / 11.00am
    The Ark coffee bar, Ararat / Topic: weather

    

    St Mary's Gardens: Tuesday 10th June / anytime between 10 am & 1 pm, for     any length of time

 

Following meeting:

    14th July in Ararat Church Hall, Whitchurch Common, 2 pm.
    Speaker/singer: Christine Purkiss – The Story of Rogers & Hammerstein
    Plus a short talk on Glaucoma.

Newsletter – May 2025

May meeting:

    Annual General Meeting with Amanda Powell, the Glamorganshire Federation Adviser.
    Bring and Buy sale.

Information
    Link to the Glamorgan Newsletters.

    MyWI site (registration and log in required)

Groups:

    Choir: Wednesdays at 11.30 am
    Memorial Hall, Rhiwbina

    Book Group: Wednesday 14th May / 11.00 am
    La Cucina da Mara, Whitchurch

    Craft Group: Monday 19th May / 10.30 am
    41 Cherry Orchard Road, Lisvane

    Tangle Art Group: Wednesday 21st May / 2.00 pm
    5 Court Close, Whitchurch

    Family History: 19th May / 2.00 pm / 113 Pantbach Road

    Sunday Lunch Group: Sunday 25th May / 1.00 pm / Radyr Golf club
 
    Poetry and Prose Group: Monday 2nd June / 11.00am
    The Ark coffee bar, Ararat / Topic: spring

    

    St Mary's Gardens: Tuesday 17th June / 10 – 12

 

Following meeting:

    9th June in Ararat Church Hall, Whitchurch Common, 2 pm.
    Subject: Gardens of Wales
    Speaker: Sheena Crossley

    In celebration of VE Day, members are invited to dress in red, white and blue.

   

 

Meeting – April 2025

 The main speaker at the April meeting was Nor'dzin Pamo, talking about pilgrimages to Nepal and Bhutan – please separate post.

Lynette Chappin talked to the group about making small blankets from the squares knitted by WI members. These were originally being sent to help African babies, then to a residential home, but now they are going to Ukraine. She said that she did not receive as many squares as she had in previous years. So this is a call to our members to get knitting! Lynette asks for 6" squares of any colour and design. She then crochets them together to form the blankets. Thank you Lynette for your long-standing commitment to this project and skilled crochet work

The photograph is of a representative receiving a number of the finished blankets to transport to Ukraine.

Also at the April meeting we had an Easter bonnet competition. The entries were judged by Nor'dzin and the winner received an Easter egg. Angela was the winner, third from the left.

Pilgrimages to Nepal and Bhutan – April 2025

One of our members was the speaker at the April meeting. Nor'dzin Pamo showed slides about her trips to Nepal and Bhutan. As a practising Buddhist these trips were pilgrimages rather than just tourist holidays.

Nor'dzin explained that there were three main reasons why she, her husband, and other members of her Buddhist lineage made these pilgrimages. The first reason was to visit Tibetan and Bhutanese teachers with whom they had connections, and to make new contacts with other teachers. 

The second reason for embarking on pilgrimage was to experience 'Buddhism as ordinary'. Nor'dzin said that this was important for people brought up in a country where Buddhism was not the religion of the culture. It was important to establish that one's interest in Buddhism and Buddhist practice was real and not just a fantasy because it felt unusual and exotic. One way in which pilgrims experience everyday practice in Kathmandu, Nepal, is to join the local people and other practitioners for kora. Kora is the circumambulation of a sacred place. Boudanath is a small town which used to be surrounded by fields up until the late 1970s, but has now been subsumed by the city of Kathmandu. The Great Chörten (Stupa), built in the 6th century is the focus for kora in Boudanath.

Nor'dzin then described a long hike to a nunnery called Nagi Gompa, in the Himalayan foothills (3,200m), and visits to monasteries. 

She explained a particular personal interest in an image that is usually painted on the outside wall of a place of practice. This image is called 'The Wheel of Life' and pictorially exemplifies the fundamental teachings of Buddhism. Eventually she commissioned her own thangka (painting on cloth) of this image and used it to illustrate her book 'Travelling at the Speed of Mind' about this teaching. 

 The third reason for her pilgrimages was to 'address an historical prejudice'.  Nor'dzin talked a little about the history of Buddhism in Tibet to introduce this topic. The 'first spread' of Buddhism occurred in the 8th century instigated by King Trisong Détsen. Two streams of Buddhism were established: Padmasambhava's Red Sangha (monastic community) and Shantarakshita's White Sangha (non-monastic, yogic community) and they were considered equal at that time. The Red Sangha are monks and nuns, wear red skirts and shave their heads as a symbol of renunciation. The White Sangha are non-monastic yogis and yoginis, wear white skirts and never cut their scalp hair as a symbol of embracing everyday life as practice.

 Then about 100 years later a king suppressed Buddhist practices, destroying monasteries and persecuting practitioners. This led to practitioners retreating to the outer regions of the Tibetan Empire, which at that time included areas of Nepal, Bhutan and northern India. Buddhism returned to royal favour in the 11th century and two new schools were established, but with an emphasis on monasticism as the preferred style. This was the 'second spread' of Buddhism in Tibet. The original form of Buddhism became known as the 'Nyingma', meaning 'Ancient Ones'. The trend toward favouring monasticism was compounded in the 14th century with the creation of a new, entirely monastic school of Buddhism, and with both spiritual and political power and wealth becoming invested in this school. The White Sangha came to be regarded as disreputable and undesirable by those favouring the dominant monastic school, but nevertheless continued to the present day. 

In Bhutan, Buddhism was never suppressed, and the wholly-monastic school never arose, so the religion practised in Bhutan is still from the 'first spread' where the Red and White Sanghas are regarded of equal value. Nor'dzin explained that her lineage is Nyingma, and White Sangha, so it is most valuable to go to a country and experience Buddhism without the historical prejudice against the White Sangha that developed in Tibet.

Nor'dzin talked about her two trips to Bhutan. On the first trip they flew to central Bhutan and then drove back to Paro in the west, visiting many places on the way. On the second pilgrimage they flew to eastern Bhutan and stayed there for a few days at Chador Lhakang before returning to Paro. A lhakang is a place of practice for Red and White sanghas.

She highlighted two other places of particular interest near Paro: a 15th century suspension bridge created by 'the Da Vinci of the East', Thantong Gyalpo; and a steep climb to Taksang (Tiger's Nest).

She finished with a few whimsical photographs of interesting hats available to purchase in Kathmandu!

Newsletter – April 2025

 April meeting:

    Main Speaker: Nor'dzin Pamo – Pilgrimages to Nepal and Bhutan.
    A demonstration of Tai Chi Shibashi by Corina Walker.
    Remember to wear your Easter Bonnet! A prize for the best one.

Outings and events:

    20th Anniversary meal, April 10th
    1 pm at the Clayton Hotel, Cardiff (which is near the bus station in central Cardiff)
    Please arrive at 12:45.

Information
    Link to the Glamorgan Newsletters.

    MyWI site (registration and log in required)

Groups:

    Choir: Wednesdays at 11.30 am
    Memorial Hall, Rhiwbina

    Book Group: Wednesday 16th April / 11.00 am
    La Cucina da Mara, Whitchurch

    Craft Group: Monday 21st April / 10.30 am
    41 Cherry Orchard Road, Lisvane

    Tangle Art Group: Wednesday 16th April / 2.00 pm
    5 Court Close, Whitchurch

    Family History: 21st April / 2.00 pm / 113 Pantbach Road

    Sunday Lunch Group: 27th April / 1.00 pm / venue to be confirmed
 
    Poetry and Prose Group: Monday 28th April / 11.00am
    The Ark coffee bar, Ararat / Topic: spring

    

    St Mary's Gardens: Tuesday 15th April / bulb planting / anytime between 10 am & 1 pm, for any length of time

 

Following meeting:

    12th May in Ararat Church Hall, Whitchurch Common, 2 pm.
    Annual meeting
    There will be a Bring and Buy sale during the meeting, so please bring good quality items for sale.

A trip to the Royal Mint

 On March 20th, 25 members enjoyed an afternoon trip to the Royal Mint in Llantrisant.

The Mint's website states:  

"With a history spanning more than 1,100 years, The Royal Mint is a British maker of thoughtfully designed products and services. We make original coin collections and gifts to celebrate special moments, and offer eye-opening experiences, investment opportunities and produce currency for the UK."

Tom, the young man who guided us on the tour, was extremely knowledgeable and a most pleasant and friendly host. Understandably, photography was not permitted inside the Mint, but we were shown the various machines used in the minting process and given fascinating details about the history of the Mint.

In the foyer was a mini and a model of Grommet embossed with coins.

The tour ended with a small museum area, and a shop.

A purser's bag, rescued from a sunken ship and renovated. 

Everyone agreed that it was an enjoyable and interesting visit.

Meeting – March 2025

The March meeting had the theme of 'Celebrating Wales'. There were winners for craft, limericks, photography and bakery, and a demonstration of choral speaking. All entries had been submitted under a pseudonym and were judged externally.

The meeting began with everyone singing 'Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau'.

Cake & photography judges, Chris & Bryn

Gill won the limerick competition, judged by Janet who wasn't able to attend the meeting. 

    "A lady in a Welsh WI
    Met James Bond – that incredible spy.
    But in place of sin
    They drank loads of gin
    And so, tipsy, she went home to Dai."

Jenny came 2nd and Gay 3rd. Sheila A. and Carole received commendations for their entries.

There were only two craft entries for 'an item of clothing for a Welsh costume doll'. Nor'dzin was awarded first for her skirt. The judge was Muriel Hewitt.

The photography category attracted quite a few entries. Sheila E. won the 'daffodils' section, and Glenys the 'two of a kind' section.

Two of a kind – peppers

Winner top centre

There were also a good number of entries for baking Welsh cakes and chocolate cakes. Gay's Welsh cakes came first, and Glenys won with her chocolate cake.

Six members of the Book Group gave a choral speaking performance: Glenys, Diana, Linda, Jenny, Gay and Nor'dzin. 

It was a most enjoyable meeting with a joyful atmosphere.

Newsletter – March 2025

 March meeting:

    10th March in Ararat Church Hall, Whitchurch Common, 2 pm.
     'Celebrating Wales' – competitions for members:
        – cooking: Welsh cakes and chocolate cake
        – craft: clothing for a Welsh costume doll
        – photography: 'daffodils' / 'two of a kind' 
        – poetry: a limerick
        – choral speaking

Outings and events:
    Royal Mint, Thursday 20th March – departure from Whitchurch Common at 1:30 pm

    20th Anniversary meal, April 10th
    1 pm at the Clayton Hotel, Cardiff (which is near the bus station in central Cardiff)
 

    IT TRAINING with AbilityNet – Thursday 6th February
    Room 1 at Ararat, 2pm. £5 charge to cover the cost of room hire.

Information
    Link to the Glamorgan Newsletters.

    MyWI site (registration and log in required)

Groups:

    Choir: Wednesdays at 11.30 am
    Memorial Hall, Rhiwbina

    Book Group: Wednesday 12th March / 11.00 am
    La Cucina da Mara, Whitchurch

    Craft Group: Monday 17th March / 10.30 am
    41 Cherry Orchard Road, Lisvane

    Tangle Art Group: Wednesday 19th March / 2.00 pm
    5 Court Close, Whitchurch

    Family History: Monday 31st March / 2.00 pm / 113 Pantbach Road

    Sunday Lunch Group: 23rd March / 1.00 pm / Llanishen Golf Club
 
    Poetry and Prose Group: Monday 31st March / 11.00am
    The Ark coffee bar, Ararat / Topic: Wales

    

    St Mary's Gardens: Tuesday 18th March / bulb planting / anytime between 9 am & 1 pm

 

Following meeting:

    14th April in Ararat Church Hall, Whitchurch Common, 2 pm.
    Speaker: Nor'dzin Pamo – Pilgrimages to Nepal and Bhutan
    Plus: a Tai Chi demonstration
    Plus: Easter bonnet competition

Advance notice:

    Bring and Buy sale at the May meeting, so please gather together your saleable items.