24 Talk of the Town ADVERTISING / NEWSDESK: (046) 624 4356 Find us on Facebook <strong>April</strong> <strong>25</strong>, <strong>2019</strong> MARINA PRIZE WINNERS There was a good turnout of all ages for the Marina Mile on Saturday, one of the events of the Royal St Andrews Hotel Amanzi Challenge. Swimmers had a wet start at the entrance to the first marina canal after jumping in the water from the Halyards Hotel jetty. According to the rules, wetsuits were optional as the water temperature was between 18 and 20°C, but anyone using a wetsuit was not eligible for a prize. Prizes were awarded in various age categories, and there were also lucky draws. OLD MEN OF THE RIVER: Rod Allin, left, and Eddie Wepener were two of the oldest participants in the Marina Mile last Saturday, and both were bloodied for their efforts when they encountered some rocks Picture: JON HOUZET LIKE FISH IN WATER: The two top spots in the Marina Mile went to Hannah Counihan, who was the first woman finisher in 23:12, and Jordan Denyer, who was first overall in 23:01 Picture: JON HOUZET
<strong>April</strong> <strong>25</strong>, <strong>2019</strong> ADVERTISING / NEWSDESK: (046) 624 4356 Find us on Facebook Talk of the Town <strong>25</strong> NO MORE WATER FROM SETTLERS Brace yourselves, residents of Makhanda (Grahamstown). The latest information available to the Grahamstown Residents’ Association is that Settlers dam is now too empty to pump water from it. Neighbouring dam Howiesonspoort – much smaller than Settlers – still has water but is likely to be too empty to use by the end of <strong>April</strong>. The good news is that there has been some improvement to the infrastructure at James Kleynhans water works, and this will result in a continued flow of water into Makhanda. In the meantime, residents should reduce water usage as much as possible. There may have been jubilation in the wet streets of Makhanda following the Easter weekend rain, but much more is needed, particularly in the Settlers dam catchment area. Meanwhile, in a statement issued on Monday, residents of Makhanda West were earnestly requested by Makana Municipality to reduce water usage. The statement read, in part: “Instead of 50 litres per person per day, the municipality appeals to residents to reduce usage to <strong>25</strong> litres per person per day until Wednesday (<strong>April</strong> 24).” It appears that the pump at Howiesonspoort developed a fault and no water was being pumped to Waainek waterworks. The statement continued by saying the municipality was managing the supply of water through reducing outflow from the reservoirs. It was expected that service providers would attend to the second pump on Tuesday, and pumping would resume thereafter. BENTWOODS LEAVES CAWOOD I noticed last week that The Knock Shop, owned by Craig Fourie, has moved from premises in Cobden Street to 2A Cawood Street, home of Bentwoods Antiques up to now. A little bit of research later and I discovered that owner Sue Drake has decided to retire, and she closed Bentwoods mid-<strong>April</strong> after 15 years of trading. Regular customers were dismayed. Older Grahamstonians, and former Grahamstonians who have retired to the coast, may remember that back in the 1960s Reg Wesson operated Wesson’s Service Station from 2A Cawood Street. Thereafter Neville and Susan Koch owned Wesson’s at the same address before moving to 23/<strong>25</strong> Beaufort Street, and then to 39 High Street, adjacent to Commem Methodist Church where they continue to operate to this day. Readers may also remember that The Knock Shop traded in upper New Street for many years under the ownership of Knockie and Di Wakeford, before their retirement. GREEN, AMBER, RED BACK There was dismay among Makhanda (Grahamstown) citizens on Monday last week when the traffic lights in front of the Cathedral were switched on again, quite suddenly, it seems. For several months the lights were not in operation due to technical issues, and local motorists rejoiced at the newly found ‘freedom of movement’ at that busy intersection. “It used to be bliss until they switched the lights back on,” said one unhappy motorist. “Now, that is gone once again, and we are forced to wait several minutes for the lights to turn in our favour.” The past 10 days have seen much congestion on the western side of the Cathedral since the lights have been back in operation. Yes, the traffic situation without traffic lights appeared to work rather well, in my opinion. Only problem, I witnessed on occasion, were nervous pedestrians dodging traffic, and taxis not waiting their turn. MOVING The layout and design of the Makhanda (Grahamstown) column you are presently reading in Talk of the Town will be the last to be undertaken in the offices of Newspaper House at 19 Baakens Street in Port Elizabeth. It was announced last week that The Herald and Weekend Post newspapers would be moving their editorial functions from Baakens Street, where they have been for 66 years, to Greenacres this week. The move includes the group’s community newspapers, Talk of the Town included. One of the staff members who will be moving a few kilometres up the road is Helen Claassens, who is responsible for the editorial layout of Talk of the Town, who has been with the group for 21 years. Helen has been designing the Grahamstown/Makhanda page for the past six or seven years, and I am pleased to say she has been doing a jolly fine job. We may have been working together for so long, as it were, but we have not met each other face-to-face yet – just phone calls and e-mails. Helen told me this week she’s “looking forward to the move”. All the newspapers in the group will continue to be printed at its plant at Hunters Retreat. BLIND LIBRARY CELEBRATES The Makhanda-based (Grahamstown) SA Library for the Blind, which celebrates its centenary this year, will showcase the work of blind and visually impaired artists in a unique exhibition during this year’s National Arts Festival. Interested artists are invited to submit photos or CELEBRATING: Last Saturday saw the 50th staging of the Two Oceans ultra-marathon over 56 kilometres in Cape Town, and special medals were handed to finishers to mark the occasion. Displaying their medals at the finish on the University of Cape Town campus are Stephen Penney (Kowie Striders) and Terri-Lynn Penney (Nedbank Athletics Club). Between them they have 42 Two Oceans ultra-marathon medals, Stephen 27 and Terri-Lynn 15 videos of their work, along with personal details, to Natasha.agnew@salb.org.za by May 15. In the book “Grahamstown Reflected” published in 1995, author Emily O’Meara wrote of the library’s founder, Miss Josie Wood: “In 1962 she became the first Freeman of the City of Grahamstown. Nearing 90, frail and beautiful, at the civic ceremony she sat beneath the portrait of her father, who had been first mayor of the city exactly one hundred years before.” O’Meara also wrote of the library buildings: “Even the lift – a rarity in low-rise Grahamstown – has a set of braille buttons.” FINISHING TOGETHER A ‘local’ feature of this year’s Old Mutual Two Oceans ultra-marathon and half-marathon in Cape Town on Saturday is that one Makhanda (Grahamstown) couple finished together in the ultra-marathon and another couple finished together in the half-marathon. Stephen Penney (Kowie Striders) and Terri-Lynn Penney (Nedbank Athletics Club) finished the 56km ultra together, Stephen credited with the time of 5 hours 17 minutes <strong>25</strong> seconds and Terri-Lynn one second later. They completed their 27th and 15th Two Oceans ultras respectively. Richard Foss of Albany Saints & Sinners Multi-Sport Club completed his 14th Two Oceans ultra in 6 hrs 50 mins 18 secs, while clubmate Ryan Bruton was clocked in at 5 hrs 59 mins 50 secs. Colin and Karen Meyer of Albany finished the Two Oceans half-marathon (21km) together in 2 hrs 33 mins 41 secs and 2 hrs 33 mins 43 secs respectively. Karen Meyer completed her ninth Two Oceans half on the day and Colin Meyer his fifth. Clubmate Colin Price-Smith finished his 14th Two Oceans half-marathon in 2 hrs 20 mins 16 secs. AWARDS AT VG Victoria Girls’ High School has awarded cultural Half-Colours to Onke Sentile, Hlonela Yamiso, Bathandwa Mgquba, Catherine Frost and Sixolile Mafani, while tennis Half-Colours have been awarded to Nthabiseng Mohapi. Meanwhile, the swimming victrix trophy winners are Ellie Amner (U19), Catherine Frost (U16) and Alyson van der Merwe (U14). RESULTS FROM FESTIVALS … The First XVs of Graeme College, Kingswood College and St Andrew’s College spent the Easter weekend taking part in rugby tournaments up north, Gauteng to be exact. At the St John’s College rugby festival, Graeme was defeated by Windhoek Gym 24-37, went on to beat St Charles College 19-10, and lost 7-15 to Daniel Pienaar Technical High on the final day. Kingswood lost 10-20 to SACS at the St Stithian’s Easter festival, and lost 7-28 to Maritzburg College. At the same festival, St Andrew’s went down 10-17 to Rondebosch Boys’ High, beat Michaelhouse College SWIMMING STARS: Among the sports and cultural awards made recently to pupils by Victoria Girls’ High School (VGHS) were the trophies to the swimming victrix winners. They are, from left, Alyson van der Merwe (U14), Catherine Frost (U16) and Ellie Amner (U19) THE BEAT: Aswyn Classen (above) is a member of the Graeme College steelband, and he is seen playing the pan at the Rhodes University graduation garden party, with the clock tower looming in the background. He and the other members of the band are currently preparing for the Port Rex Lions Eisteddfod in East London at the beginning of May Picture: SID PENNEY 40-19, and beat Parktown Boys’ High 68-5. ON THE RANGE Entries close on Friday, <strong>April</strong> 26 for the Eastern Province Small-Bore Rifle Association championships to be shot on the Rhodes University rifle range on Saturday May 4 (from 9am). The prone championships will be shot in A, B, C and F classes. Entry details and further info can be obtained from Gerrit Vlok at 082 362 2916 or via e-mail at gerritvlok@hotmail.com IN THE ROUGH Makhanda (Grahamstown) road runner Jene Banfield went off-road last Friday and was third lady at the 8km trail run held as part of the Royal St Andrew’s Hotel Amanzi Challenge in Port Alfred. Banfield was 17th overall in 38 minutes 45 seconds. Other Makhanda athletes to finish were Jeanne du Toit (57th in 50 mins 47 secs), Paul Caiger (59th in 51 mins 12 secs) and Peter du Toit (60th in 51 mins 50 secs). Oh, and very well done to Talk of the Town staffers Jon Houzet and Adele Steck who entered as walkers. Houzet was first walker to finish. STABLEFORDS AT BELMONT Scoring 34 points, Paul Davies won last Friday’s individual stableford at Belmont Golf Club, with Gulio Marabini runner-up on 33. Two-clubs were recorded by John Williamson (11th) and Gavin Dugmore (15th), while Sean McCallum was nearest the pin on the 8th. Then, on Saturday, Cyril Tarr won the individual stableford with 35 points, with Pieter Oosthuizen second on 33. EASTER IN THE GARDENS With many of the usual participants away for the long weekend, 105 runners, joggers and walkers took to Makana botanical gardens for the Easter Saturday edition of parkrun. First finisher Jonathan Benjamin completed the 5km course in 18 minutes 48 seconds, with Cee-Jay Porthen second in 20 mins 56 secs and Rodney Westgate third in 21 mins 33 secs. Benjamin’s time is a new course record set by a registered parkrun participant. In the ladies’ division, Elisa Kirigin was first in 27 mins 22 secs, Tosca Stoloff was second in 27 mins 56 secs and Tamzin Griffith third in 28 mins 28 secs. Well done to Erika Human on completing her 50th parkrun. Parkruns are held at 8am each Saturday from the entrance to the botanical gardens in Lucas Avenue. G LO W I N G A ‘Glow in the Dark’ fun run and walk (2km or 5km), convened and organised by Grahamstown SPCA, takes to local streets on Tuesday, May 7, and convenors are encouraging participants to dress as brightly as they can. The fund-raising event starts at the Grahamstown Bowling Club in African Street at 5.30pm. Entry fee is R20 for adults, R10 for children under-12 and R10 for dogs. For more info e-mail glowingmay@gmail.com FESTIVAL ON ANOTHER SQUARE What a jolly fine idea the convenors have come up with. They’re going to block off parts of Cross Street and Bartholomew Street from 1pm to 6pm on Wednesday, May 1 to hold the ‘Sunnyside Street Fe st i va l ’ in the area of Artificers Square. The event, aimed at creating a festival atmosphere and community building, will have live music, food stalls, various performances, plus arts and crafts st a l l s . GOWNING GLORY Well, that’s another graduation ceremony done and dusted, and a year’s wait for the next one, an annual ‘pomp and ceremony’ event that turns the 1820 Settlers National Monument into a sea of colour (mainly red, it seems), much like arts festival shows in the same auditorium. In the coffee-table book “Grahamstown Reflected” published in 1995, author Emily O’Meara describes Rhodes University’s graduation ceremonies in her inimitable, flowery style. She wrote, way back in the 1990s, when most of this year’s graduates were babes in arms, or not born yet: “The gowning glory of the Rhodes graduation ceremonies every <strong>April</strong> – an unforgettable experience for everyone from the blushing BA to the greying dignitary receiving an honorary doctorate in recognition of a lifetime’s work. “The weekend when the university unites to see its ongoing purpose fulfilled by different degrees in an all-pervading glow of success. “The young batting about in basic black; the professors hardly recognisable in the medieval richness of their robes, some sporting mortar boards and floppy velvet bonnets at rather rakish angles. “Education is Grahamstown’s main industry and Rhodes the main producer. Not assembly line think-alikes but individuals encouraged to shine in their own special way.” MUSICAL NOTES The Grahamstown Cathedral welcomed its new Director of Music, Cameron Luke, at the Good Friday service. Luke served as Director of Music at All Saints Church in Cheltenham, UK from 2007 to 2018. MUSIC, WRITING AND WORKSHOPS A full programme of events awaits visitors to the National English Literary Museum (NELM) when it celebrates Freedom Day on Friday, <strong>April</strong> 26. The programme includes: story reading and writing for children (9am, 11am and 3.30pm); instrument making workshops (9.30am and 2.30pm); exhibition tours (10am and 1pm); garden tours (10.30am and 1.30pm); writing workshop for children (10am); and writing workshop for adults (1pm). The lunch hour concert at 1pm will feature Indian music, Kora music, Uhadi music and Chinese zither music. QUINTET PERFORMS The Grahamstown Music Society welcomes pianist Joanna Wicherek back to Makhanda (Grahamstown) when she performs with Dariusz Dinh Thieu Quang (French horn), David Bester (violin), Anmari van der Westhuizen (cello) and Piotr Thieu Quang (clarinet). The “Quintessence” concert takes place at the National English Literary Museum (NELM) at <strong>25</strong> Worcester Street on Tuesday, <strong>April</strong> 30. Ticket prices are R90, R70 (pensioners) and R50 (students). There is no charge for society members and school pupils.
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