Talk 4 January 2018.compressed

10 Talk of the Town ADVERTISING / NEWSDESK: (046) 624 4356 Find us on Facebook January 4, 2018 ADVERTISING / NEWSDESK: (046) 624 4356 Find us on Facebook
Talk of the Town 11
N E I G H B O U R LY NOTES
A VERY happy New Year to you all. We hope
that the year ahead brings you success and
happiness and that you have enjoyed the
holiday season, whether you are a local or a
v i s i t o r.
FOR those who have already travelled back
home we hope you had a safe journey, and
to those yet to leave, may your travels be
without incident.
THE holiday season is always a hectic time
for the town with about 25 000 visitors
descending on the beaches having a holiday
while many of the businesses in town are
busy providing services to them. Yet this is
the way of many businesses, with a feast of
activity over the two holiday periods of
Christmas and Easter and famine for the rest
of the year. So, despite a few who might
criticise there be no parking available in
town and at the mall, or that there is too
much noise or that there are just too many
people, our visitors are the life blood of
many local economy. Just one thing is worth
mentioning: please guys, leave the beach as
you found it and take your litter home with
you or, at least, find one of the many rubbish
bins provided. And, once again, thank you
for visiting our beautiful town.
CRIME is a big factor over the holiday
season, with thieves taking the opportunity
of residents taking a holiday and leaving
their homes essentially unguarded. And our
visitors can also be targets for criminals so
please keep to safe places and do not walk
by yourself, particularly at night. Be safe,
keep you valuable under lock and key and
out of sight of potential robbers and
burglars. Be extra vigilant of suspicious
strangers. Report these things to the police
and allow them to make sure everything is
safe. Better to be safe than sorry and, if they
are genuine visitors and come from major
centres like Durban, Johannesburg, Cape
Town or any other city, they will understand
your caution..
ON to national news. After several house
were destroyed and lives were lost in recent
DIARISE THIS
Our diary entries are open for January, February and
March. Please e-mail houzetj@timesmedia.co.za or fax
(046) 624-2293 or drop in at 29 Miles Street from 8am to
4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Albany Vintage and Classic Motor Club Museum opens on
the last Saturday of each month – 9am-12 noon – H aw k i n s
Industrial Park, Alfred Road, Port Alfred.
Bathurst Farmers Market – Every Sunday rain or shine at
Yesterday Today and Tomorrow Nursery, Kowie Road from
9am-12.30pm.
Birdwatching Tours and Three Sisters Saunter. Book with
Anne (046) 675-1976 or 083-719-4950. w w w. a n n e s b i r d i n g . c o . z a
Bonsai Club meets once a month on a Saturday. For more
information please contact David Brewis on 076-457-3218. Or
e-mail d a v i d b re w i s 77 @ g m a i l . c o m . Bring your tools and layout in
and enjoy the creative atmosphere and free coffee at
Bcreative Scrapbooking, Shop 12, Rosehill Mall. Available
weekdays and Saturdays, groups welcome. Call Nicolene on
(046) 624-3096 to book.
Duck Pond Morning Market every Wednesday, Friday and
Saturday from 9am-2pm, between Buksies Coffee Shop and
Penny Farthing restaurant. Jams, pickles, second-hand books,
cakes, quiches, secondhand clothing, crochet knitting, plants.
All stallholders welcome. Contact Wendy 081-347-9562.
FAST (Forum for Astronomy, Science and Technology)
meets on the first Thursday of each month at the Port Alfred
Ski-boat Club at 2.30pm. Visitors welcome. Please contact
Shirley Marais at s h i r l e y @ t h e a n n o u n c e r. c o . z a or on 082-928-8671
for more information.
First Port Alfred Scout/Cub meetings. Every Friday at the
Girl Guide Hall, from 3pm-5pm. Visitors welcome. For more
information contact Dot Fethers on (046) 624-3192.
Graze by the River – Live music by Ant Kaplan – S at u r d ay s
from 12 noon to 3pm. Contact Nick: (046) 624-8095.
Kenton Pub Quiz – 6.30pm – first Sunday of each month at
Kenton Bowls Club. Cash bar available. Cash and other prizes.
Teams of four to six. All welcome. Enquiries: Walter Grisdale
(046) 648-2440.
Kleinemonde Morning Market on the first Saturday of every
month, from 8.30 to 10am. Kleinemonde Community Hall.
Enjoy breakfast and browse the stalls selling wholesome farm
chickens and home produce, including quality meats,
vegetables, pancakes, frozen meals, quiches, bread, rusks,
gingerbread houses, home baked cakes, doggy treats,
candles, gifts and more.
Kowie Auctioneers - monthly auction every last Thursday of
the month at 35 North Street. Entries for the auction need to
be in on the Tuesday before the auction. Viewing day prior
from 2pm. For more information call Colin Maclachlan 083-
-521-3623 or Peter Charter on 082-569-3478.
Kowie History Museum, at The Old Railway Station, Pascoe
Crescent. Open 9.30am-12.30pm Tuesday-Saturday. Closed
Sunday/Monday and public holidays.
Lower Albany Historical Society ,meets 3rd Thursday of the
month – some meetings in Don Powis Hall, Settlers Park,
others, outside trips. Call Suzette on 083-581-5777 for details.
Lower Albany Woodworkers’ Guild, meets first Tuesday of
each month. Call Brian Edwards on (046) 624-2945, or John
Moss on 082-829-5484 for more information.
Memory Book Scrapbook Club meets twice a month on a
Thursday afternoon. All welcome. Contact Cheryl (046)
624-2733 / 083-556-7562.
M OT H S - Old soldiers never die – Calling all ex-servicemen
“Ou Manne” and their ladies for a get-together on the first
Sunday of every month at 12 noon and the MOTH Hall (behind
the Ski-boat Club) for a light lunch and some memories.
RSVP MOTHS at 082-537-9033 or 084-983-8550 for catering
purposes.
ENGAGED IN LIFE: Travis Dell and his fiancé Rene Chan from Canada were
engaged recently. We wish the young couple every happiness for their future
together
high winds in Johannesburg, metro mayor
Herman Mashaba has threatened to come
down heavily on builders if the construct
houses of inferior quality and/or use inferior
materials. This all sounds fine except for one
thing; who was responsible for approving
the building for occupation? You see, most
(if not all) municipalities have a building
inspectorate whose job is to inspect building
work from the initially approval of the plans
to signing off occupational certificates.
OUR ENTRIES ARE OPEN FOR JANUARY, FEBRUARY and MARCH
E-mail houzetj@tisoblackstar.co.za or fax (046) 624-2293 or drop in at 29 Miles Street from 8am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday
BOATING PLEASURE: Nothing beats a tranquil cruise up the Kowie River Picture: LOUISE CARTER
National Sea Rescue Institute practices every Wednesday
at 5pm. To join the NSRI visit the base in person to undergo
an evaluation.
Night Scrapbooking classes every fortnight at BCreative
Scrapbooking Supplies at Shop 12, Rosehill Mall. Wednesdays
from 6.30pm-10pm. Call Nicolene on (046) 624-3096 to book
your spot for the next class or for more information. Saturday
morning and weekday scrapbooking classes also available.
Bookings are required.
Port Alfred Art Club welcomes new members, both
experienced or wanting to learn. We meet weekly offering a
monthly DVD from leading artists, giving excellent tips and
guidance on how to draw and paint. Contact Jenny
(083-292-2650) or Netty (084-584-6629).
Port Alfred Bowling and Croquet Club invites you to try
your hand at lawn bowls. Free coaching and bowls available.
Situated next to the Nico Malan Bridge. Enquiries: Rod Wilson
at: 082-375-2968 or (046) 624-5671. See our website at:
w w w. p a b c c . c o . z a
Port Alfred Bridge Club – Now at the Lodge on Albany Road
(the Old Vic Hotel). Meets every Monday and Thursday –
1.15pm for 1.30pm start.
Port Alfred Community Police Forum meets on the third
Tuesday of each month at the Port Alfred Police Station at
2.30pm.
Port Alfred Floral Art Group (PAFAG) meets on the 3rd
Saturday of the month at Settlers Park hall at 2.30pm. For
more information please phone 082-464-4606 (Hennie de
Bruin). All welcome.
Probus Club of the Kowie meets on the second Tuesday of
More, the National Home Builders
Registration Council, NHBRC, has an
obligation to ensure that those who build
homes conform to its strict code of practice
and have passed its examinations. Like the
municipal building inspectors they are
expected to sign-off the build at each stage
(including roof, structure, plumbing and
electrical work). Why is Mashaba therefore
looking at the builders and not those who
were supposed to inspect these buildings
E-mail Rob Knowles at knowlesr@tisoblackstar.co.za or fax (046) 624-2293
or drop in at 29 Miles Street from 8am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday
from the outset in his own municipality?
A N D, as a parting shot to his presidency of
the ANC, Jacob Zuma announced free
university admission to the poor and, with
an upper limit of in excess of R350 000 per
annum for a family’s gross income, the not
so poor. Now government needs to sort out
this problem as universities around the
country are claiming foul that they were not
consulted. Zuma’s latest cabinet reshuffle
saw the replacement of South African
Communist Party chairman Blade Mzimande
with relative newcomer to the cabinet
Hlengiwe Mkhize as Higher Education
minister who insists that all university
bursars were informed and in agreement
with the new no-paying system. Mkhize is
either wrong or not experienced enough for
the post or the universities are not telling
the truth. Watch out for more fireworks in he
coming month or so.
H A P PY birthday greetings and best wishes
to everyone celebrating this special
occasion in the week ahead, especially
Willem Horn, Glenda Huxtable, Bradley van
Zyl, Sophie Bessinger, Ryan Vermaak, Chris
Shaddock, Jacques van Wyk, Justine Hulley,
Devon Coetzee, Tony Tarr, Angela Fourie, Ian
Hattingh, Audrey Barnard, Averil Oosthuizen,
Daniel Paterson, Maxi Mclellan, Tracey Butt,
John Butt, Ross & Clayton Lloyd, Kelly Avis,
Shaun Botha, Gift Wallace, Jurie Wessels,
Michael Gardner, Debbi Reed, Michelle
Jones-Phillipson, Myrtle Flemming, Margie
Siegers, James Charter, Dominicue
Averbuch, Ivy Gulliford, Jo Wilmot, Vanessa
Hilton-Barber, Russell Shelton, Anina Blouw.
ANOTHER business anniversary and our
congratulations and wishes for more future
success to Winston Vermaak’s Colin’s
Garden Service, The Wharf Street Tab,
Historic Pig & Whistle.
AS the western stock exchanges close for
some period over the CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS
(including the FTSE, the NYSE and others),
trading has been slow since December 22.
However, following the election of Cyril
each month at 10am at the Port Alfred River and Ski-boat
Club.
Richmond House Museum. Open to the public 10am – 12
noon on Saturdays December 23, 30, January 6. Otherwise by
appointment only: 082-456-7437. Donations gratefully
accepted. Private non-profit museum which traces over 175
years of owners and alterations at Richmond House. The
museum is a 1948 replica of The Castle, preserves salvaged
artefacts of the original 1840 building and records the
specialised history of the property, the harbour and the family
of 1820 settler Hon Wm Cock.
Rocky Ridge Farm Market opens every Saturday and Sunday
from 9am with a variety of home made delights, “egg-cellent”
free-range eggs, honey, biltong, droewors as well as its very
popular morning breakfast. Contact Desia Holmes on
083-589-0765 for more information.
Rosehill Mall Art and Crafters Market, the first Saturday of
every month, from 9am-4pm. A true art and craft market.
Only handmade items available by our local crafters. Large
selection of goods.
Scottish Country Dancing at Don Powis Hall, Settlers Park,
every Wednesday from 5.30pm-7pm. For more information
please phone (046) 604-0478.
Sunshine Coast Women’s Forum meets every fourth
Tuesday in the Don Powis Hall, Settlers Park at 2.30pm. Come
and join us. Visitors welcome. For more information contact
Muriel MacGregor on (046) 624-1963.
The Riverside Ramble:a new self-guided tour (map R10 from
Sunshine Coast Tourism or Kowie History Museum) of historic
Wharf Street and Van der Riet Streets.
U3A – Port Alfred Branch meets on the fourth Thursday of
every month at 10am at the Don Powis Hall, Settlers Park
village. All welcome.
Saturday January 6
Victory Cup Golf Day at the Royal Port Alfred Golf Club.
Presented by 43 Air School in support of SA Air Force
Association benevolence. R190 per person.
Crazy Clock Workshop by Clare Rothwell from Khanyi
Designs at Red Leaf Nursery, from 10am until 12 noon Cost
R200 which includes all material needed to create a working
clock. Suitable for kids nine years and older. Booking
essential. Contact Adele at Red Leaf Nursery on (046)
624-8530.
Tuesday January 9
NOTE: Due to the proximity to the festive season, there will be
NO monthly Probus Club meeting in January.
Saturday January 13
Port Alfred Round Table 177 AGM –6pm–Round Table
clubhouse. Community of Port Alfred is invited. If anyone
wishes to attend please rsvp to d o m i n i c u e @ s e re n e i t . c o . z a b e fo r e
January 10.
Saturday January 20
Ramaphosa as president of the African
National Congress the markets that are open
have reacted favourably to the news,
assuming Ramaphosa will become the next
president of South Africa. While that is not
necessarily the case, Ramaphosa’s must
first focus on reuniting the ANC and its
alliance partners before contesting the 2019
general elections. His task will not be easy
while Jacob Zuma still holds the position of
President of South Africa but, with almost
400 criminal charges against him pending,
he might not be in that position for very
mush longer. At the time of going to press
the Rand was and trading at R12.37 to the
Dollar (R13.74), R16.78 to the Pound (R16.83)
and R14.87 to the Euro (R14.31).
Commodities such as Gold at $1 316.00 ($1
162.01) per fine ounce and Platinum at
$933.70 ($904.50) with only Brent Crude Oil
at $67.04 per barrel ($55.89). Despite an
alarming increase in the price of Brent
Crude, the stronger rand means that petrol
prices are due to decrease next Wednesday
by around R0.70 per litre.
SPECIAL thoughts and prayers are with all
those folk who are not well, who are having
or have already had tests, operations and
treatments. "Sterkte" to Roy Potter, Andrew
de Vries, Dot Fetherstonhaugh, Howard
Dredge.
WISHING all couples celebrating wedding
anniversaries congratulations and continued
happiness for many happy times ahead.
Good luck to Lou and Annette Coetzee,
Willem and Marlene van Rensburg, Alan and
Brenda Hulley, Phil and Pam Hopper, Chris
and Cindy de Wet Steyn, Tom and Liz Webb
and Grant and Tricia Campbell.
THOUGHT for the week: “As we start the
year, be kinder than necessary. Everyone
you meet is fighting some kind of battle and
you never know when a moment and a few
sincere words can have an impact on a life”.
BEST regards as always,
The Team.
Port Alfred Floral Art Group monthly meeting – 2.30pm –
Settlers Park Hall. Demonstration – “Love is in the air” by
committee members. Homework: Any design of your choice,
“Working with tortured willow” as demonstrated by Jean
Page and Hennie de Bruin at the October meeting. Inquiries:
Hennie de Bruin 082-464-4606 All welcome.
Pupils
recognised by
their schools for
their excellent
results in the IEB
matric exams
last year.
St Andrew’s College matric James Ridley of
Johannesburg got six distinctions
Kingswood College matric Georgia Cadle from East
London got four distinctions
Kingswood College matric Caitlin Stoltz from
Grahamstown got four distinctions
DSG matric Caitlin Bailey of Knysna got seven
d i st i n c t i o n s
St Andrew’s College matric Alex Holmes of
Grahamstown got six distinctions
St Andrew’s College matric Murray Breetzke of
Johannesburg got six distinctions
Kingswood College matric Kate Von Holdt from
Grahamstown got four distinctions
Kingswood College matric Thomas Stott from
Grahamstown obtained five distinctions
DSG matric Claire Squires of Kimberley got seven
d i st i n c t i o n s
St Andrew’s College matric Dillan Sievwright of
Kenya got six distinctions
St Andrew’s College matric Rorke Wilson of
Johannesburg got six distinctions
Kingswood College matric Alexander Griplas from
Tanzania obtained five distinctions
DSG matric Abigail Wood of Johannesburg got
seven distinctions
DSG matric Julie Jevon of East London got seven
d i st i n c t i o n s
St Andrew’s College matric Jamie MacGregor of
White River got six distinctions
St Andrew’s College matric Nicholas Poole of Port
Elizabeth got six distinctions
Kingswood College matric Sarah-Jane Klopstra
from Somerset West got four distinctions
DSG matric Annabelle Schaeffer of Johannesburg
got seven distinctions
DSG matric Tamia Mfazi of East London got seven
d i st i n c t i o n s