Thursday, July 30, 2009

FLY-AWAY TO PRINCE ALBERT


- Chantal Hounsom-Schoeman -

Prince Albert locals had their own air show recently when National Airways Corporation (NAC) organised a weekend fly-away to our beautiful town for 80 of their clients.

Eighteen planes, Beechcraft Bonanzas and Beechcraft Barons, landed on the town’s air strip on Saturday morning, 18 July – luckily not all at once! One larger Beechcraft Baron, flown by Chris Briers (not our local dominee!), did a spectacular low fly-past and later landed on Bergwater Wine Estate’s gravel runway.

The fly-away was a surprise destination and treat for NAC’s clients, organized by the company’s marketing team, Tracy Porter, Tanya Krause, Denys Potgieter and JP Fourie. The visitors stayed at the Swartberg Hotel and at guesthouses in Prince Albert.

The event was also in aid of charity and a wine auction was held to raise funds, as well as sponsor a hearty lunch prepared by the Swartberg Arms for all the residents of Huis Kweekvallei.

The owners of the Beechcraft planes and NAC were very generous with the bidding and a five litre Bergwater Merlot Reserve was sold for R12!

Bergwater’s Heimie Schoeman, who is a pilot himself, co-ordinated the weekend and arranged for the guests to be wined and dined on Saturday evening at the Bergwater wine cellar where our own singer/songwriter celeb, Brian Finch, provided the entertainment.

Lienkie Koorts, together with her able team of friends and family, saw to the delicious snacks, buffet catering and stylish decorating of the candle-lit tables. These were set in between the huge stainless steel wine tanks, much to the delight and astonishment of the guests.

After a hearty hotel breakfast the next morning, the aviators left in a whirl of engines and dust - taking with them delectable memories of this remarkable town and all it has to offer.

Prince Albert’s Hennis Swanepoel too will have his own story to tell his grandchildren one day about the weekend that the local air strip was abuzz with activity; and of how, on his own on a cold winter’s night, he stayed awake next to a wood fire and kept an eye on millions of Rands’ worth of aircraft.

Prince Alberter’s Silver Science Medal

- Abigail Modra -

When Joshua Fodor's biology teacher at the Cape Academy of Maths, Science and Technology asked him if he would like to enter the Science Expo in the Southern Peninsula in the second term, he accepted even though there were only three weeks left to prepare a project. The theme was about Thinking Green, and with our town in mind, he came up with the idea of a Township Geyser.

The actual model is effective, economic and easy to build. It consists of: an oil drum, a 5-litre water bucket, about one metre of 5-cm copper pipe and one connecting joint. The oil drum has a small opening cut at the bottom of one side for the fire place. Joshua and his friend Yaghia Mitchle were able to find all of the parts except the joint, which they had to buy.

The concept is simple: the cold water runs from the bucket through the pipe that coils inside the drum. The fire inside the drum then heats the water which is pushed up the pipe by convection (the movement of heat by a moving liquid or gas) and comes out at the end as hot water, which if not used, falls into the bucket and cycles again. This way less water is used and the geyser also serves as a heater.

After hours of hard work and planning, their project was ready! His headmaster was so impressed with the model that he told them to patent it the very day that he saw it! Joshua said that they did their poster at the last minute – the day before the Expo.

All of their work paid off, as they were awarded a Silver Medal, and narrowly missed a Gold! Apparently there was just one thing wrong with the poster! This paled into insignificance when Joshua and Yaghia were chosen to represent South Africa at a science expo in Tunisia. For personal reasons, Joshua was unable to attend.

Their success has inspired them to do even better at the National Science Expo in August. Some of the improvements that they wish to make include insulating the geyser, fitting a tap to the pipe and, of course, correcting that one mistake on the poster.

Good luck from Prince Albert, Joshua! Hopefully next time we see you it will be with that Gold Medal!

My Christian Perspective

- Keith Goudie -

I recently came across a book on evolution dedicated to a Christian who strongly believed that Charles Darwin was putting his soul in mortal peril because of his increasing agnosticism as he developed his theories about the origin and development of life. That Christian was close to Charles Darwin. In fact it was his wife, Emma Wedgwood Darwin, who was heiress to much of the Wedgwood pottery empire.

Without Emma he would not have been able to complete his life’s work. More importantly, they shared the tragic loss of a much-loved daughter Annie whose illness and subsequent death were probably caused by a genetic weakness. Not only was Charles often ill but he and Emma were first cousins.

Emma remains an example to other Christians. She supported her spouse with love and careful nursing and did her best to follow his supposition on the origin of the human species and to understand the Scripture in terms of the times in which it was written.

So should we.

Sake Floreer in ons Hoofstraat

Ten spyte van ‘n stram ekonomie, is daar vele opwindende verwikkelinge in Prince Albert se hoofstraat. Verlede maand het ons berig oor Die Wolskuur wat verhuis het na `n ruimer perseel oorkant die museum. Volgens die Van der Merwes was dit sommer `n slim skuif. Die dorp het behoorlik geborrel en gebruis tydens die skoolvakansie en besoekers kon sien Prince Albert is `n lewenskragtige plek waar mense wíl en kán.

Dit is opvallend hoeveel toeriste opmerk dat jy maar deur die land se platteland kan ry, nog ‘n juweel soos Prince Abert vind jy nie. Skoon, vriendelik, veilig - en: “Ai, die huise is almal so goed versorg.” Die wye keuse van interessante ware en goeie kos, is nog iets wat almal opval. Miskien is dit tyd dat ons weer ‘n slag met waardering kyk na alles wat ons dorp bied!

OK Grocer

Op 1 Junie het Colin Stockland sy Spar omskep in ‘n OK Grocer. Die ingangsportaal en sigarettoonbank is opgegradeer en Dave en Carol Wuth is uit Durban “ingevoer” as bestuurders. Die egpaar het jare lank hul eie Caltex Diensstasie bedryf, ‘n motorwassery hanteer, en Carol, wat nie net ‘n gekwalifiseerde rekenmeester is nie, was ook baas in haar eie naelboetiek. Hulle is die ouers van dogters Chantal en Jerro-Lee, daar is al ‘n kleinseun, en ‘n kleindogter is op pad. Vir hul twee worshondjies, wat pas ‘n werpsel van sewe tot die huishouding toegevoeg het, is hulle ook baie lief!

Die egpaar is energiek en vol entoesiasme om ‘n sukses te maak van die nuwe winkel en gaan konsentreer op goeie diens. Self is hulle verstom oor die goeie gehalte vleis, veral die maalvleis, wat die OK bied in vergelyking met waarmee hulle in KZN tevrede moes wees.

Colin, wat nou ook die eienaar is van die OK Grocer op Laingsburg, is vol vertroue dat hy ‘n beter en groter reeks produkte teen verlaagde pryse kan aanbied, al is hy afhanklik van voorraad wat direk by groothandelaars via George, Kaapstad en selfs Port Elizabeth bestel moet word. Prince Albert is afgeleë, en aflewerings uit die groot sentra is geen grap nie. Voorraad is dikwels nie beskikbaar nie, of leweransiers stel bloot nie belang om die lang afstand af te lê na ons dorpie nie. Maar die OK-wiele kom nou vinnig in rat en word gereeld geolie, terwyl ons eie TF Couriers goed ingespan word om die rakke vol te hou.

Bestuur doen ‘n beroep op inwoners om te kom vra as spesifieke produkte nie beskikbaar is nie. Daar sal met aandag na elke versoek en voorstel gekyk word en hulle beplan ook ‘n voorstelkassie.
Colin en sy assistent Clinton Naudé sal hul tyd verdeel tussen Prince Albert en die Laingsburg OK, waar Colin nou ook ‘n huis huur.

True Karoo Gallery Shop

Kunstenaar Trudie Brain het saamgespan met David Blackie en Ana Maria Silva en True Karoo se deure is nou vier dae per week oop.

Trudie is bekend vir haar bewertjies en haar kreatiwiteit is bloot verstommend; Ana Maria het nie verniet haar tande geslyp op die Bryanstonse Kunsmark nie en sy werk graag met piouter en glas; David se trots is sy raamwerk en yskasmagnete. Houtengele, kranse van volstruiseierdop, gevlegte krale, draadfeetjies en sifharte kan jou asem letterlik wegslaan.

Pragtige ou glasware, inheemse plante uit Renu-Karoo se kwekery en skilderye wedywer om jou aandag – en daar is ‘n kas vol stylvolle klere uit vergane eras! Dis ‘n verassingparadys wat niemand moet misloop nie. Vir R20 kan jy sowaar ‘n pragtige geskenkie koop.

Henriette se Voorstoep

Henriette Liebenberg is ‘n joernalis geskool in die SAUK se nuuskantoor, ‘n obsessiewe diereliefhebber en ‘n planmaker. Sy kan nie net skryf en vir haar 6 honde en 45 katte sorg nie, maar ook plante in potte omtower in die mooiste geskenke.

Op haar Voorstoep oorkant die polisiekantoor verkoop sy snuisterye, houtrame en emaljeware... en ook kaste wat Eric van Rensburg herstel of volgens spesifikasie bou. Betree maar dié wonderlike spasie en word gul verwelkom deur die liefdevolle reus Diesel, Zoe, Sweetie Pie en Pinky Sue. Om nie te praat van `n kat of twee nie.

En as jy ‘n betroubare persoon soek om na jou diere om te sien, vra Henriette. Sy sal hulle loseer en vertroetel, of sy sal na jou huis kom en hulle daar perfek versorg. In die dertien jaar dat Henriette in Prince Albert bly, het sy bekend geword as die Dierevrou – honderde katte en honde het sy laat steriliseer, tientalle van ‘n gewisse dood gered en altyd ingetree in siekte en nood.

Sy het na twee jaar se ruskans weer op klein skaal diere begin red en in die afgelope maand twee katjies ingeneem en nog twee rondlopers laat steriliseer. Fondse is maar altyd skraps, so onthou, donasies is altyd welkom...

Prickly Pear

Gerry en Ria Thomas is die nuwe gesigte agter die toonbank by Prickly Pear, die kafee/restaurant wat laataand nog ‘n lekker wegneemete kan optower.

Gerry het Skotland in 1973 verlaat, Ria in Kaapstad ontmoet, getrou en hul kinders Juanita en Gerald is ook daar gebore voordat die gesin teruggekeer het Engeland toe. Vyf jaar later het hulle Amerika toe verhuis, waar hulle vyftien jaar lank gebly het.

Toe Juanita van ’n vakansie in Suid-Afrika terugkeer met die nuus dat sy die liefde van haar lewe ontmoet het in polisieman Ian Pieterse en dat sy permanent Prince Albert toe verhuis, het Gerry afgetree by Chrysler en hy en Ria het in George kom bly.

Tydens ‘n besoek aan Juanita, wat heel lekker in die PrinsKem apteek werk, het die Thomas’s verneem die Prickly Pear is in die mark – en besluit om dit te koop en `n nuwe lewe te begin.

En is dit nie ‘n wonderlike nuwe lewe nie - hulle sien uit na Juanita en Ian se troue op 14 November, wanneer hul seun uit Las Vegas ook gaan arriveer!

African Relish


By die restaurant/kookskool African Relish is Fase 1 van die bouprojek afgehandel: Die uitsonderlike kombuis en 25-sitplek restaurant is op dreef; die eerste drie kookklasse was ‘n reuse sukses. Ann Kerr se imponerende tuin met al sy eetbare plante is gevestig en sal ‘n inspirasie en besprekingspunt vir elke besoeker en kursusganger wees.

Eienaars Jeremy Freemantle en Philip Key hou duim vas dat Fase 2 afgehandel sal wees teen einde September. Dan sal die puik gerestoureerde Langhuis uit kantore, ‘n plaaskombuis, wynproe-lokaal, biblioteek en konverensiegeriewe bestaan.

Algemene Bestuurder Virna Gouws vertel met aansteeklike entoesiasme dat die guru Jaques Erasmus van Koncept Design verantwoordelik is vir die binneversiering, dat Oded Schwartz en Reza Mahammad se kursusse reeds propvol bespreek is en dat dit net ‘n wonderlike ervaring is om deel te wees van die sinergie van die opwinende projek.

Koggelmander

Na ‘n maand van opgradering het Kallie Erasmus en sy dogter Marushka die “kos- en kunshuis” se mooi dubbeldeure weer oop gemaak en daar word flink sake gedoen.

Die twee is vol inspirasie om mense op hul nuwe stoep te onthaal en die gewilde pampoenkoekies, geurige Karoodisse en lekker soet spyse aan te dra. Properse kerrieafval, hoenderpastei en stadig gebakte skaapnek word van tyd tot tyd as spesiale aanbiedings voorgesit terwyl die veelbesproke Koggelmander-wynlys steeds groter en beter raak.

Kallie werk tussendeur ook ywerig aan sy “ander lewe” in die omgewingsreg en verwante sake. Vir Marushka is dit nie net kook en bedien en ma Tilla se kuns uitstal nie, sy studeer ook verder in die sielkunde en gee twee keer per week balletklas.

Kallie en Tilla is die groot geeste agter die PA Filmklub wat al stewiger op sy twee bene staan. Vir ‘n skrale R35 kan jy ‘n voortreflike film sien en ‘n gawe bordjie kos voor of ná die tyd by Koggelmander geniet!

Charles Roux


So tussendeur vorder Charles Roux, eienaar van De Bergkant Lodge, ook fluks met sy beoogde antieke winkel, wassery en eiendomsagentskap daar langs die kookskool. Sy driekleurgebou laat mense se koppe al klaar draai en hy hoop om die pragtige houtdeure oop te swaai teen die einde van die jaar. Die waardevolle stukke wat hy oor vele jare bymekaargemaak het, gaan hul regmatige plek vind in die nuwe winkel – en dan gaan die antieke poppe behoorlik dans!

Mix – Koffie, Koek en Alles


By die ou Wolskuur staan dinge ook glad nie stil nie. Nicola Fellows, wat al ‘n ordinêre huis in ons hoofstraat omskep het in ‘n pragstuk reg vir enige glanstydskrif, en daarna ‘n eko-vriendelike sandsakhuis gebou het, is aan die woel by Mix. In die lieflike ou geboutjie met sy stutpilare van hout is ‘n winkel wat sy prentjiemooi ingerig het. Gaan drink maar koffie, bewonder die rakke vol tuisgemaakte produkte... en onderhandel met Nicola oor eenmalige oudhede – sy sê dit gaan haar hart breek om afstand te doen van die onvervangbare afleweringsfiets, die geblomde mat, oulike babawiegie en fraai teekoppies. Sy is trots op haar kussings, gebreide serpe, ou en nuwe katoenlinne, materiaal, waardevolle blikke... Gaan loer maar in!

Décor de St Géry

Some years ago, Yolande Singery ditched the corporate world for country life, moved to the Karoo and late last year settled in Prince Albert. Yolande, who has a keen eye for design, colour, texture and interior decoration, opened her charming shop, Décor de St Géry in the Seven Arches building in December. Those looking for upmarket bedroom and bathroom linen, out of the ordinary - but not wacky – home and garden décor accessories or a gift for a friend or loved one, would do well to pop in to this tranquil and inviting shop.

Nestled among the stylish, cotton bed linen are handmade angora wool Karoo teddies, classy cushion covers, enamel ware, quaint tea sets, unusual candelabra, picture frames, incense, greeting cards and scented soaps and creams. Décor de St Géry sells several sizes of cheese and bread boards, made from the staves of French oak wine barrels.

Yolande has also thought of the practical and in these times of power outages, she stocks rechargeable emergency lights. And she has provided several local ladies with an outlet for their interesting and useful handmade items such as mittens, table mats, aprons, and delightful woolly hats.

Yolande also manages the sale of Prince Albert’s unique AVOOVA ostrich eggshell products. The elegant showroom at the Seven Arches carries a range of items, designed and handcrafted at the AVOOVA workshop, which moved earlier this year to Skapieseinde. There is originality in every piece, whether a large mirror, a coffee table, an elegant, eggshell and sterling silver inlaid bowl or a bracelet.

Yolande is obviously happy in Prince Albert and enjoys being in the Seven Arches. It shows in her broad smile and warm welcome! She is proud that visitors linger in the shops and art gallery in the building and comment on the diversity of all that’s on offer.

La-di-dah Padstal

Yvette en Jonny Breedt het saam met ma Martie hul eerste verjaarsdag by La-di-dah gevier – en toe koppe bymekaar gesit om die koue te troef. `n Nuwe koffietoonbank is geprakseer, `n reuse gasverwarmer is staangemaak en die bougainvilleas is opgeoffer om `n sonnige eetplek in te rig vir die koue dae. Pas het hulle ook `n nuwe koekyskas aangekoop om die heerlike keuse van nuwe koeke te huisves. Gaan proe bietjie! En elke dag maak hulle moeite met `n spesiale warm spyskaart .

Romy Mathews


Romy has offered therapeutic foot and facial massages, pedicures and manicures for some time. During a recent trip to London to visit family there, she added extra strings to her bow, completing courses in Indian Head Massage and Seated Acupressure. The latter applied to the lower and upper back, shoulders and neck, is based on Shiatsu, a Japanese massage technique which uses finger and palm pressure, similar to acupuncture, but without needles. The advantage of both these forms of massages is that clients do not need to undress and they aim to de-stress and focus the client.

Romy also bought a special, folding chair in London, which means that she is mobile and can visit clients at guest houses, in their homes and at spas. This is a truly special experience.

Gallery Café

Brent Philips-White is back at the Gallery Café upstairs at the Seven Arches after recuperating from serious injuries sustained in a car crash earlier this year. He has new plans for his daily menu and has introduced hot-smoked, Scottish salmon, fresh sides of salmon and tuna steaks, amongst other things. He is also excited about the new kitchen equipment he has acquired and is now teaching his staff how to use them.

At Brent’s prompting, each member of the Café’s team has identified areas where he or she needs to acquire more cooking skills. Bokkie Botha of The Olive Branch fame is designing a course that will cover all that they want to learn, such as making sauces, terrines and different techniques for cooking meat. Prince Alberters and visitors to the town can look forward to many a delicious meal in a special atmosphere overlooking the magnificent Karoo.

Café Albert

William Mathews must be one of the hardest working restaurateurs in Prince Albert, paying great attention to detail and the satisfaction of his customers. The stoep of Café Albert was recently repainted to reflect the colours of the bark and leaves of the gum trees lining Church Street, bringing a touch of coolness on hot summer days. A weathered stable door propped against a tree now announces what’s on the menu. William regularly changes the daily specials and in winter, his corn chowder and homemade chicken pies and many other dishes are a real hit.

Baie Nice

What a novel idea! Colleen and William Penfold of the Prince Albert Country Store have created Baie Nice by filling part of the National Arts Centre with un-restored antiques and collectables. Clients simply fetch a key at the Country Store and browse on their own through a fabulous variety of items to please different tastes.

For example, there are pictures needing new glass and a kelim carpet that needs mending. There are a good many old pieces from the Karoo, including lovely wooden furniture from a convent that was recently closed down .

Once the purchase is made, clients can restore them at their leisure on their own or by professionals in the village or elsewhere.

Starry Splendour over Prince Albert

-Hans Daenhe-

In August the days will already become noticeably longer, having already started to lengthen by one minute in the morning and one minute in the evening from the 7th of July. This is the time for the rich winter constellation Sagittarius in the dense part of the Milky Way above our heads at night; but the Archer is difficult to recognize as a man’s trunk with bow and arrow and an under body of a horse. It is much easier to look for a teapot with lid, handle and spout under the Scorpion where the Milky Way seems to split. This is the direction of the centre of our Milky Way galaxy and in this area of the sky we can find at least 20 Messier objects i.e. open clusters, globular clusters, double stars and nebulae that are awesome through binoculars and telescope.

Near Sagittarius is a clear little arch of star, like a crown, hence its name: Corona Australis, the Southern Crown.

For a naked eye observation before sunrise the grouping of bright Venus, dim Mars and the Moon in a nearly straight line makes a beautiful attraction on the 17th of the month.

Venus will remain the striking Morning Star for the rest of the year .

Full Moon is on the 6th of August with a penumbral lunar eclipse between 01h00 and 04h00. You have to look carefully because the darkening of the moon is very slight.

New Moon is on the 20th with the Moon at its closest approach (360,000 km) to Earth (perigee), which is usually a more favourable configuration for rain in the north of South Africa.

Jupiter is very bright just after sunset (mag. - 2.8) and is visible the whole night. The imaginary line from the Sun through Saturn and Jupiter helps to indicate the Ecliptic, the plane that the planets and the Moon describe around the Sun.

Saturn can only be observed for a short while after sunset at the beginning of August thereafter it will get too close to the Sun on its way to its conjunction with the Sun on the 17th of September.

Looking north a configuration like a large cross can be seen. This is Cygnus, the swan, thus also called the Northern Cross.

The Sun is our most observed star with six unmanned solar telescopes spread over the Earth, studying the Sun continuously. One of these automatic telescopes is at Sutherland where it tracks the Sun automatically and measures the oscillation of the Sun caused by the gravitational pull of the passing planets. There are also eight dedicated satellites keeping the Sun in their focus to measure solar flares, sun spots and the ejection of solar energetic particles that cause beautiful Auroras in the Polar Regions but that are dangerous to earthlings and especially astronauts. Never look at the Sun with unprotected eyes or through unsuitable equipment!

The beloved Southern Cross is now positioned on its side with the pointers above it, all of them soon to disappear behind the Swartberg until January; but the outstanding Magellan Clouds high in the sky will make up for this.

Keep the stars in your eyes!

Brett the Vet - When Swine Flew

The PANdemIC of swine flu is infiltrating all areas of the globe. Thousands of new cases go reported and unreported every day. The number of recorded deaths is increasing in compromised individuals and the healthy. Experts have been offering potential epidemiological scenarios, but nobody really knows what will happen as the virus continues to change.

The swine flu virus originally came from birds living close to pigs, infecting them and changing slightly. Intensive factory farming created conditions that allowed the virus to spread rapidly and mutate.

The first cases in humans were contracted from infected pigs. Now the virus has adapted, and altered sufficiently to be transmitted from person to person. Measures to restrict the spread of the disease have been ineffective because it is highly contagious in a world where global and local mobility facilitate transmission. The H1N1 virus has already been introduced into more than 70 countries from people travelling abroad, initially from Mexico where the outbreak began. Specific examples illustrate how rapidly the virus can spread. In hospitals, infected medical staff transferred it to their families, communities and beyond. An infected British medical student on a tour of hospitals in Kenya effectively spread the disease all around the country.

Bizarrely, in Egypt, although only the human population has been affected, all 10 000 of the nation's pigs, that belonged almost exclusively to the Coptic community responsible for cities' waste removal, have been unceremoniously slaughtered. In South Africa the virus has officially been documented in all nine provinces.

The domestic pig has always been closely associated with man and has functioned symbiotically over the centuries in recycling human waste and excess, in return for food. The life cycle of other organisms has adapted to this association, the best example being the human tapeworm where the cyst part of its lifecycle lodges in the muscle meat of swine.

The obvious similarities and differences between man and pig are evident on many levels. The remarkably human like cadavers of pigs hanging in an abattoir eerily evoke the horrors of mass slaughter. With skins removed, humans resemble pigs even more. Anatomically the meat is virtually indistinguishable. The nerves and blood vessels are practically identical. Hearts and livers, lungs and kidneys, stomach, intestines and spleen are the same in form and function. The eyes of a pig are sensitive, delicate, and knowing. Ears, nose, lips, tongue manifest the senses, creating the reality of living in this world.

Then there is the brain. Two human brains may look the same but none is quite alike in function. The brain of a genius looks exactly like that of someone less gifted, and this variance exists amongst pigs as well.

Naturally, pigs are intelligent creatures. Omnivores like us. They form family groups, enjoy communicating and eating, lazing about, and intercourse. They care deeply for their young, nurturing and protecting them. They take pride in their homes, and play games. Once upon a time they could fly, given the freedom to behave normally with right to a life without pain and suffering.

The swine flu virus does not distinguish between man and pig. In isolated, natural populations of pigs or humans the disease would be self-limiting. There is no stigma attached to this virus only because of its passive transmission. Currently there is a debate about the hype created by journalism that is muddying the issue, but an infected person passing through Prince Albert need only sneeze once at the crowded local market to potentially infect the entire town.

Modern farming methods continue to create conditions conducive to the development and spread of disease the likes of which we have never seen before. With the moral and ethical issues aside, human health is threatened on a massive scale by ignoring the threat of the vast breeding grounds for disease.

Briewe / Letters

Windows of the Catholic Chapel

I was delighted to learn from Zelia Mullins' piece in your June 2009 issue that the new owner of the previous Catholic Church has decided to return its stained glass windows to Prince Albert's catholic community.

Having been the donor of the Face of Christ window I hope that it remains in Prince Albert where the public can view it. only was it made by the well known stained glass artist, Leo Theron, son of an Oudtshoorn DRC minister, but I donated it to the Catholic community in memory of two local residents, Piet and Lenie Olivier.

Father Kevin Reynolds

Prince Albert Kieliebeentjies se Duitsland-toer

- Marlene Willemse -

Bodo Toelstede en ek, die twee lede van Die Prince Albert Kieliebeentjies, het op 30 Junie Duitsland toe vertrek op uitnodiging van die Hemslinger Blaasorkes – die orkes wat op 18 Oktober 2008 tydens Hoërskool Zwartberg se 7de Duitse Oktoberfest hier opgetree het.

In November al het ons begin oefen aan ons program en Bodo het vir my ‘n paspoort en visum gereël en my ook ‘n bietjie Duits geleer.

Toe ek verlede maand saam met Bodo na Duitsland vertrek het, was ek maar erg senuweeagtig. Dit was die eerste keer dat ek in 'n vliegtuig gery het! Maar wie nie waag nie sal nie wen nie...

Die tyd in Duitsland was wonderlik. Almal was so vriendelik: ek is bederf, elke dag. Ek het by vriende van die Toelstedes gebly en die kos was wel vreemd vir my, maar tog baie lekker.
Veral die ontbyt van verskillende broodjies, konfyt, heuning, wors, kaas, eiers, joghurt en vrugte was vir my heel anders. Ook die feit dat die somerson 23h00 nog steeds geskyn het, was baie snaaks!

In Bremen is ek herinner aan die sprokie van die Musikante van Bremen en in Hamelin aan die sprokie van die rotvanger. In Hamburg het ek twee keer op 'n bootrit gegaan! In die Barkasse het ek saam met ander toeriste deur die hawe gery en 'n groot "Sasol" advertensiebord ontdek. Sasol vervaardig daar was uit olie wat papier-verpakking dig hou.

Op 4 Julie het ons saam met die Hemslingers partytjie gehou. Die weersiens was vreugdevol. Gerda en Jürgen Klein van Prince Albert was ook daar - en vriende uit Koblenz en Augsburg het ook gekom om Die Kieliebeentjies te hoor. Ek en Bodo het ons Afrikaanse Volksliedjies gesing en 'n groot handeklap gekry. Later, toe ons Afrikaanse “treffers" gesing het, het die mense opgestaan en geskree en gedans en hard geroep: "Nog een! Nog een!" Ongelooflik vir mense wat nie eens Afrikaans verstaan nie!

Twee keer moes ons nog Meisie, Meisie en Rooirok Bokkie sing voordat ons uiteindelik totsiens kon sê! Ons het die ondersteuning baie geniet. Hulle het van die begin af saam met ons hande geklap en hulle was so begeester dat hulle spontaan begin het om geld in te samdel vir ons hoërskool. Die Kieliebeentjies is baie trots daarop dat ons 'n bedrag van R 4,000 aan ons skool kon oorhandig! Ek dra ook groete oor aan die Prince Alberters wat huisvesting aan die Hemslinger-musikante gebied het tydens ons Oktoberfest 2008. Op Sondag 5 Julie was ek 'n eregas op die private partytjie van die "Schützenkönig” van Schneverdingen. Ja, wie sou kon raai dat ek met 'n “koning” langs my sou staan! Dit was ook 'n lekker fees en ek het dit baie geniet.

Wat ek alles beleef het, kan ek nooit vergeet nie. Dinge wat ek op TV gesien het, het ek nou persoonlik ervaar. Ek het mense op sneeu sien ski, toegekyk hoe Bodo met 'n Go-cart van Ralf Schumacher ry, en die vreemdste voëls in ‘n voëlpark besigtig. Daar het so baie dinge met my gebeur, ek glo nie ek het al alles verwerk nie - alles was baie nuut vir my.

Heel eerste wil ek vir my Hemelse Vader dankie sê dat Hy my gespaar het dat my droom kon waar word. Dankie ook aan Bodo, wat alles so mooi georganiseer het, en die mense van Lazy Lizard, wat ons op 27 Junie die geleetheidheid gegee het om ons Duits-land-program te oefen.

Vir die Prince Albert Advieskantoor, wat my so goed aan die hand gevat het, vir die Donderdagklub se donasies en die ASG-gemeente wat hul kollektes uit die aand- en oggenddiens geskenk het, bedank ek hartlik.

Baie dankie ook aan my man Karel wat my dit gegun het om my droom te kon uitleef. Ek is baie dankbaar en sal die ervaring nooit vergeet nie. God se rykste seën wens ek toe op julle almal se lewens.

Toi Toi Toi Reinwald!

- Linda Jaquet -

Prince Albert’s Reinwald Dedekind is making a good recovery after quintuple coronary artery bypass surgery at Groote Schuur Hospital in mid-June. Reinwald, a retired farmer originally from the Msinga area of KwaZulu-Natal, has tended the Fransie Pienaar Museum’s indigenous garden for a number of years, while his photographs of Prince Albert’s natural beauty taken on his solitary walks in the veld, often in search of fossils and interesting rock formations, have earned him high praise.

Reinwald is fortunate to have many good friends in Prince Albert, who rallied to assist him: Suzelle and Pieter Koorts, who drove him to and from Cape Town and with whom (at the home of a relative) he spent time convalescing immediately after his surgery; Judy Maguire and her daughter, Jessie Goller, who nursed him and cared for him after he returned to Prince Albert and Mary Sandrock, Ione Auerswald and Gudrun Toelstede, who cooked for Reinwald and with the support of the ladies of the Thursday Group, ensured that he had regular meals and that his shopping and errands were always done.

Reinwald, we look forward to seeing you back in the Museum garden and caring for your beloved succulents very soon!

Die 1979 Matrieks hou 30 jaar Reünie

- Mari du Toit -

Dertig jaar gelede het Hoërskool Zwartberg twintig matrikulante gehad wat op 19 September 1979 matriekafskeid gehou en toe die eindeksamen geskryf het. Almal het geslaag en elkeen het sy grootmenslewe tege-moetgegaan.

Tydens die Olyffeesnaweek van 1 en 2 Mei 2009, het vyftien van die oorblywende agtien teruggekeer na Hoërskool Zwartberg en weer ‘n “klasfoto” geneem. Dit was een groot fees!

‘n Jaar gelede het die hoofseun van 1979, Kobus van Zyl, begin om vir ons “onthou jul nog” stories per e-pos te stuur. Hoe meer ons onthou het, hoe meer opgewonde het ons geraak. Sommige van ons het mekaar letterlik dertig jaar laas gesien.

Die Vrydagmiddag het die groep begin arriveer vanuit alle hoeke van die land. ‘n Groot groep het in Kroonhof koshuis geslaap. Die Vrydagaand het Marike Heyns ‘n baie lekker ete in die eetsaal voorgesit en daar is tot laataand gekuier, gelag, stories vertel en Stoffel se duisende foto’s teen die muur het al die herrinneringe opgediep.

Saterdagoggend het diegene wat betyds kon opstaan, saam by La-di-dah ‘n kuier-ontbyt geniet. Natuurlik is die plek op horings geneem, net soos dit ons gewoonte dertig jaar gelede ook was om ons stempel op ons dorp af te druk. Daarna het elkeen sy wederhelf op ‘n “memory-lane trip” geneem en die plekke gaan opsoek waarvan ons in Kobus se “onthou jul nog” stories gelees het.
Die aand vergader ons toe weer almal by die skoolsaal waar ‘n aangename verrassing op die groep gewag het. Vier van ons onderwysers was teenwoordig en sowaar ook ons Sub-A juffrou van 42 jaar gelede! Ons het weer deur die skool gestap en ons verwonder aan ‘n lieflike rekenaarlokaal (destyds was daar glad nie so iets soos rekenaars nie). Ai, die bankie voor die kantoor was nog presies dieselfde. Die manne het weer gaan sit en toe agtergekom: die gevoel is nog dieselfde, maar die lywe is nou heelwat breër. Daar pas nie meer so baie langs mekaar in nie!
Ons het die lekker “steaks” uit Upington gebraai en gekuier om die vure. Dawid Rossouw, ons Afrikaanse onnie en die organiseerder van die kadette in die skool, pas vandag sowaar nog in sy weermagbaadjie van destyds! Pieter Viljoen moes hoor hoe baie hy die manne gelooi het oor hul houtwerkpunte... maar hy was ‘n baie lekker st.5 klasonnie.

Nadat ons heerlik geëet het, het ons die bankies nader getrek tot voor die verhoog. Die matriekfoto is mooi bestudeer en ons het weer op dieselfde plekke gaan staan vir 2009 se foto. Selfs die onnies moes kom sit en na middernag het ons nog steeds gekuier.

Sondagoggend is elkeen weer terug na sy bestemming. Die naweek was absoluut te kort. Die geleentheid om lank met elkeen te gesels, was net nie daar nie. Ons moes tog immers nog uitvind wat die afgelope dertig jaar met elkeen gebeur het.

Ons het opnuut besef dat Prince Albert ons fondamente verstewig het en dat ons onbewustelik impak op mekaar se lewens gemaak het. Ons het destyds saam gegroei om te kon word wat ons vandag is.

Ons het die Saterdagaand tussen ons reüniegangers fondse ingesamel waarmee 35 olyfbome aangekoop is om in die pastorietuin te plant. Twee van die olyfbome is spesiaal geplant ter nagedagtenis aan Veronica van Vuuren en Jannie Nel wat reeds oorlede is en nie in ons vieringe kon deel nie.

Die 1979-matrieks wil met die olyfboompies dankie sê vir alles wat ons ontvang het van Prince Albert.

In Kobus se woorde: “Ons haal ons hoede af en sê dankie vir elkeen wat met liefde gedien het en die pad saam met ons geloop het - alle eer aan ons Skepper”.

Merweville Outing

- Barbara Gorniak –

A hardy group left early on a very cold, wet and drizzly morning for the usually hot and dusty Merweville. Seven steamed-up cars full of well-wrapped people on this unlikely Karoo expedition snaked out of town and made a first stop at Prins Albertwegstasie, where Outa Lappies currently lives. He welcomed the unexpected visit, an old man full of beans and wisdom as ever. Making "iets uit niets", his fascinating, recognisable pieces of art were quickly exchanged for some of our cash.

Next stop was the fossil site at Jakkalsfontein where the road had been washed away and couldn’t be navigated, a bit of a disappointment, but there was a lot more on the day’s agenda.

Net buite Merweville lê die Engelsman in sy graf wat perfek onderhou word deur die inwoners van die dorp. Hy was ene Walter Oliphant Arnot, 'n tragiese figuur wat teen die einde van die Boere Oorlog in 1902 om onverklaarbare motiewe sy eie lewe geneem het, in omstandighede wat tot vandag toe nog almal se verbeelding en simpatie aangryp.
Die indrukwekkende donkergrysklip Merweville NG Kerk wat in 1914-16 gebou is, oorheers sonder enige twyfel die dorpie. Die skuins teatervloer met 1500 sitplekke, en baie houtwerk is voorwaar iets om te sien.

Tee en warm tuisgebakte skons het vir al die vekluimde besoekers by Merwe Villa ons deeglik gelawe, saam met die warm gasvryheid van Hetta de Villiers. Ons moet seker nog ‘n hele ent draf om daardie lekker dik room en konfyt af te oefen.

Die CreaKoupprojek is die 'baba' van 'n boervrou, Krissie Esterhuyse, uit die distrik. Sy staan een week per maand af om agt jong ongetroude ma's naald-werk, kralewerk en die bemarking daarvan te leer om hulle so te bemagtig. Die omset het `n lekker hupstootjie gekry tydens ons besoek.

Gardening is only attempted by the very brave and dedicated in this extreme arid and hot climate, but that is exactly what is to be found at the 'fantasy garden'. Succulents, wood, stones and painted rocks were something to behold in a most unusual of gardens. A massive ancient fig tree and huge tortoises were a total surprise to most of us. Then, just a stones throw away is a building called 'The Smallest Gallery on Earth', decorated with squashed and rusted jam tins and a gate to match.
After this, we drove out to Ongeluksfontein to see one of only a very few corbelled houses that have been built on the vlaktes of the Koup. These, all-stone dwellings, and ‘chaff-houses’ (kafhokke) are normally a feature of the Nuweveld around Loxton, Fraserburg, Williston and Carnarvon.

Back on the stoeps of Merwe Villa the picnics came out and we had a lot to talk about before returning home, through a once drought- stricken Karoo which is thankfully slowly reviving after the rains of the last months.

Of Bees and Baboons from the memoirs of Terence Basil Baillie

Telling stories about the village leads to Ailsa Tudhope meeting the most interesting people. In May Lin Davies got in touch with her. Lin’s Ouma was a daughter of the van der Hoven clan of Prince Albert. Her grandfather, John Henry Baillie is buried in the cemetery on the corner of the Weltevrede road and Christina de Wit Street. In his latter years, Lin asked her father to write down his memories of his boyhood, some of which was spent in Prince Albert after his father's death. Terence’s stories give a fascinating insight into life here in the 1920's. Lin reckons Terence was an excellent storyteller, one who wove magic around the accounts of his boyhood. Here is one of his tales:

Early summer mornings walking through the orchard with the first white loose pipped peaches ripened and wet with morning dew, ready for picking. You hold the peach upside down and take hold of the pointed tip and unwind the skin off the peach and pop the cool succulent fruit into your mouth, where it simply melts away. Or pick a ripe pear, also wet with dew, which also melts in your mouth. Truly the fruit of the gods!

When the fruit and mielies were ripening, we boys regularly went on baboon patrols, as these critters created havoc with crops which my uncle could ill afford to lose. When the baboons came into the fields there was always a sentry on look-out duty and if he spotted anybody, he would warn the troop with a sharp bark and they would run for safety. We discovered that the baboons could count up to three people, the sentry barking if he saw that number come into the field. When three left, the baboons would come back. We would wait a while and then yell, scream and bang on empty tins, making as much noise as we could. The baboons would run all the way to the top of the mountain ridge and tackle the sentry for not keeping proper watch. If any of the troop had been hurt or killed, they would tear him apart. Their social code of behaviour was very strict and each one had their place on the totem pole, so to speak.
My farm cousins told me many tales about their adventures with the baboons. I always loved the saga of the three boys and the wild fig tree with a hollowed out branch which rested on an outcrop of rock. One day they were on the slope of the mountain, about thirty metres above the stream which flowed through the poplar forest, searching for ripe wild figs.

The boys and a small troop of baboons arrived at the tree at the same time, each party scrambling to get to the figs first. In the general melee one of the baboons jumped onto the hollowed out branch, which snapped, being rotten inside, and out came a swarm of very angry bees, attacking everybody in sight!

Boys and baboons ran for a large pool in the stream, with the bees in hot pursuit. My cousins were surrounded by baboons, who covered their snouts and sat dead still, while the boys tried to stay underwater and come up, just for a second, for air. Some of the baboons did not make it to the water, and sat, hunched up, covering their snouts with their paws and keeping their hairless, large bottoms flat on the ground so that the bees couldn’t sting their rears!

Baboons were barking, my cousins were yelling, the bees were buzzing and stinging, a terrific noise was made. Every now and then one of the baboons on the ground would lift his rump and try to make a run for it, but before he could move the bees would strike! Up went the baboon’s hind legs as it dragged itself forward with its front legs, roaring in pain from the stings. Eventually the baboons made a break, splitting up, each one for himself, surrounded by bees!

My cousins looked a sight, all puffed up from the stings they had received and each sopping wet. Despite the pain, they said the sight of the baboons dragging their butts on the ground was the funniest thing they had ever seen. Even my uncles had a good laugh when they were told about it!

Our Community is a Priority

- Linda Jaquet -

"As a policeman, I feel proud when the community my team and I serve are satisfied, residents feel safe and crime is down. Then I know we are doing our job and are all interacting well with each other.” Your reporter was impressed by this frank response to the Friend’s question to Captain David Claassen, the new Station Commander at Prince Albert’s Police Station.

These were not just pretty words rehearsed for a news interview. A businesslike determination to work closely was a common thread during the Friend’s open conversation with Captain Claassen. In fact, in the next few months, he plans to hold an Imbizo together with the Municipality and residents so that all can get to know each other, express their concerns and learn more about the local police and their priorities. He also plans to encourage the community to join the police reservists and to set up a neighbourhood watch system.

Promoted to Station Commander in May this year, Captain Claassen has been in Prince Albert since 2006 when he was appointed Head of Visible Policing. Prior to that, he was attached to the SAPS in Dysselsdorp for ten years and in Cape Town for five years after completing his training.
He agrees that policing is a tough profession in South Africa and that the adaptation from a semi-military organisation to a more people-oriented one after 1996 was not particularly easy.

However, he says, that it was good for him, that it changed his perspectives and that he now enjoys the greater emphasis on having people skills recognised and on building community relations. He noted that criminals today use sophisticated technology that keeps improving and changing which means that the police too need ongoing training and upgrading of their skills.

The Prince Albert Police Station’s responsibilities cover a large area, extending from the town of Prince Albert and its surrounding rural areas to Prince Albert Road, and to Klaarstroom and surrounding rural areas.

To do the job, Captain Claassen has 36 police and clerical staff to look after this area. He recognised that the socio-economic problems are a very real in the region and impact on the nature and levels of crime. “The police can’t fight crime alone,” he said, “and especially because we are a tourist attraction and it’s important that visitors know that they are safe.”

Claassen appealed to the community to be proactive and to inform the police if their houses would be standing empty for any length of time. In fact, any activities or behaviour that gave an uneasy feeling should be reported. At the same time, he said that Prince Alberters should continue to be as friendly and generous as always.

Residents can contact either Inspector Hannes van der Westhuizen, responsible for Visible Policing, or the Station’s Charge Office, on 023 541 8000.

Asked about what he does for rest and recreation, Captain Claassen chuckled and remarked that a station commander, particularly in a rural area, didn’t have much time for himself.

However, his favourite pastime is spending time with his family in Dysselsdorp. His wife, Katherine, nurses at the Klein-Karoo Medi-Clinic in Oudtshoorn and their three children, a daughter and two sons, study there too.

The Snake Charmer

- Athol Loppnow -

Snakes! For most of us, the very word conjures up nightmare images in the mind’s eye. Yet in reality, these highly evolved gentle creatures wish to avoid coming into contact with us as far as possible. Inevitably, contact with humans happens all too often, with snakes coming off second best most of the time.

Over the last two and a half years, I have captured and relocated about 75 snakes back to the veld with grateful thanks to those concerned folk who called me. Of the snakes relocated, more than 43% were Cape Cobra. This extremely dangerous species possesses a very potent neurotoxin and is responsible for a high number of human fatalities if bitten. Coloration of this snake is variable, ranging from sandy brown, to yellow or reddish brown or black. If you encounter a snake and are unable to positively identify the species, always regard it as venomous and consequently treat it with the utmost respect.

I have captured most of the snakes (around 69%) after midday and into late evening. Snakes, unlike humans, cannot maintain their body temperature but instead use their surroundings and/or the environment in an attempt to maintain an even body temperature. During the heat of summer, they may well seek out a cool spot in a garden or garage or even your house.

The data of snakes captured and relocated is recorded and submitted to Western Cape Nature Conservation annually. To this end, WCNC have granted me a permit to perform this function.

Next time you see or hear a snake, please give me a call on 082-8216984.

Garden Club News

- Jeanette de Lange -

“It was like a three-dimensional painting; the only difference, it was instant!”- Ann Kerr

The July meeting of the Prince Albert Garden Club was held on a sunny, warm winter’s afternoon on the patio of African Relish, the new recreational cooking school on Church Street.
African Relish’s Jeremy Freemantle welcomed the twenty-five Club members and guests to the school and told them of his and his partner’s dreams and plans for the school. African Relish, he said, is part of a vision, not only for the developers but also for Prince Albert.

Ons hoofspreker vir die middag – Ann Kerr – dit is ook haar openingswoorde wat aangehaal is. Ann wat sonder ophou sê sy is nie `n tuinboukundige, `n landskapontwerper . MAAR – Ann is a true gardener, she works, speaks from the heart. Take a slow stroll through the garden – still very much in the process of unfolding. To see is to enjoy, to enjoy is to be part of a picture story slowly happening.

Jeremy and his team are creating a “stop-in-your-tracks-and-LOOK experience”. The building housing the kitchen and restaurant is a glossy magazine spread come to life. Top Billing and De Kat take note!

The next Garden Club meeting is an outing to the Leeu-Gamka Nursery and Farm Stall on 5 August. We will meet at the Fransie Pienaar Museum – cars will leave from there at 14h00. The Nursery will provide refreshments at a cost of R15 per person; please inform Dawn Viljoen (reachable at 023 5411 832) whether you plan to attend (for catering purposes) and whether you need transport. Please also be prepared possibly to contribute R20 towards petrol costs. As always, guests and friends are welcome to join us.

Neill Meyer

21 September 1975 – 9 July 2009

- Henriette Liebenberg -

Tragedy struck last month when the manager of the local Landmark, Neill Meyer, passed away. Thirty-three year old Neill died in the early hours of Thursday morning, 9 July, at his home.

Neill se dood laat ‘n groot leemte in die dorp. Hy sal onthou word veral vir sy gewilligheid om te help sover hy kon in ‘n mens se soeke na iets in die Ko-operasie.

Het jy iets nodig gehad wat nie in voorraad was, kon jy maar weet hy sou alles moontlik doen om dit te kry. Hy sal ook onthou word vir sy lewensvreugde – daardie diep-uit-die-maag-lag, vir sy liefdevolheid, vriendskap en hulpvaardigheid.

Neill started his career at the then Co-op in Oudtshoorn in February 2001 and moved to Prince Albert in November 2002 where he became manager in February 2003. He married local girl, Nadia, daughter of Dina and Nicky van der Walt, early in 2008. Neill was the youngest of two brothers and matriculated at Oudtshoorn High School. His parents still live in Oudtshoorn.

‘n Roudiens vir Neill is op 14 Julie in die NG Kerk gehou. Die diens is gelei deur ds Chris Briers.

Nadia en haar ouers het almal bedank vir die onderskraging en liefde in hulle tyd van rou.

Another First for Prince Albert Gallery

- Linda Jaquet -

For the first time ever three Zulu artists exhibited at the Prince Albert Gallery during July and did so with aplomb and warm Zulu charm. On opening night guests were invited to come along, sip some umqombothi [Zulu beer] and chat to artists, Welcome Danca, Bheki Khambule and Lalelani Mbhele at a joint exhibition of their work. Their company, Vulindlela Art and Design is the first fully-fledged BEE art and design initiative in South Africa.

Both Danca and Khambule are recipients of the START: Nivea Art Award which funds and mentors young, emerging artists. The award is restricted to KwaZulu-Natal.

Much of the art on show was done during their stay in Prince Albert and depicted their interpretation of familiar local scenes and favourite Karoo icons in oils, watercolours and acrylics. A slideshow gave guests an idea of the extraordinary body of work produced by Vulindlela Art and Design and the artists each gave a short talk on what motivates and inspires them.

Danca, Khambule and Mbhele had been in Prince Albert for some weeks working on a mural at Villa Kruger, the home of international art consultant Hennie Boshoff. The mural -- Ezulwini Nasesihogweni [Heaven and Hell] -- covers the entire western façade of the house. Seeming to burst from the arid khaki veld it shines out from amongst aloes, cacti and Karoo fynbos taking on a surreal hue.

Boshoff is also the curator of the Azazel Institute, a non-profit arts foundation sponsoring, developing and showcasing exceptional creativity. In July he hosted his first Full Moon Art Tour of Villa Kruger. Prince Albert resident, Barbara Castle-Farmer, who joined the Tour, told the Friend: “Anyone with a zest for life, a love of nature and an enjoyment of the extraordinary will love the Tour, which Hennie is going to conduct every month.” She went on to say that Boshoff’s Villa Kruger rivalled that of Helen Martins’ Owl House in Graaff Reinet and that Prince Alberters could be proud to be part of this new Karoo icon.

Readers can learn more about Vulindlela Art and Design on ww.vulakznarts.co.za while information on Hennie Boshoff’s Full Moon Art tours is available on www.azazel.com

Albert College at the Grahamstown Festival

- Joshua & Caleb Swanepoel, Abigail Modra and Matthew van Heerden -

On the 2nd of July the Albert College senior pupils left for the Grahamstown National Arts Festival. The trip was eight hours long and when four students plus teacher try and fit into a small car everyone can get a bit rattled. A lunch break helped and we arrived to find comfortable accommodation at “Die Kerkhuis” where our host was Schalk van Niekerk.

Our first show, First Light Movies, was a presentation of several short films made by British teenagers. The show started half an hour late and was appallingly disorganised, so we were a bit disappointed, but some of the films were very good. Abigail’s favourite was Molly Moplegs, a story about a girl who refused to help her mother clean the house. In the end her legs turned into mops.
From then on the Festival improved, we rested at night and did a tremendous amount during the days.

Thursday morning saw us on our way to NELM (National English Literature Museum) where we were privileged to have a personal tour with Lynne Grant, one of the librarians. Their collection includes material by more than 8000 Southern African authors who have written in English. Their large collection of books published before 1910, which are kept under lock and key, includes a copy of The Great Boer War by Arthur Conan Doyle and London to Ladysmith via Pretoria by Winston Churchill. The Museum has a map of the world in the tea-room into which pins are stuck to show where people have come from to do research. Most came from Europe and the first South American researchers visited earlier this year.

The absolute highlight of the Festival for all of us was The Strange Case of Hester Cilliers, a two and a half hour long dinner theatre murder mystery at the Monument Restaurant. The cast consisted of only two people, who played four characters each. Our group was able to follow the clues and work out who the murderer had been and why she did the dastardly deed. It was terrific!

That evening we went to Vumelani Dance, where three traditional African dance groups from the Eastern Cape performed a programme they have prepared for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. The rhythm, energy and intensity were incredible. The youngest dancer was around eight years old and the oldest were a group of Bhaca women who believe their young people will be empowered if they stay close to their tribal traditions and values.

Saturday was our busiest day. We went on the Saints, Sinners and Students walking tour, where our guide was dressed in Victorian clothes and was very knowledgeable about the history of Grahamstown. We dashed from there to Previously Owned, a comedy which was unnecessarily vulgar, however the set, lighting and sound were good. We grabbed a quick street lunch and went to A Teacher in the Bushveld, a one man show. David Butler was Herman Charles Bosman talking about his years as a teacher in the Groot Marico. With only a few props and a table and chairs he wove some magical tales.

Later we made tracks for PJ Olivier School where we watched Stilted, directed by Andrew Buckland, which gave us insight into exploring the boundaries of theatre. Josh found this his best show: “Two guys lit up the stage with humour and different kinds of acrobatics in a sold-out production. One, the “performer” was on stilts and the other the “actor” wasn’t. The “performer” did a one-man comedy show, entertaining the crowd, and eventually inspiring and encouraging the “actor” to take part and express himself. They used a trampoline, a very high bed and other equipment. It was great!”

To end the day Abigail, Josh and Matthew went to hear the “very noisy” Awesome Big Band, made up of famous jazz artistes from all over the world, a once in a lifetime experience. Ailsa accompanied Caleb to his favourite show, a side-splitting performance by stand-up comic David Newton.

Sunday morning and the crew headed into the bowels of the Settler’s Monument to the Rehearsal Room for a student workshop production: Suitcase Stories. Wonderful music from a young guitarist, but a very confusing production. We left for the village green where we saw Osadia, a group from Barcelona who picked members of the audience to transform them with wild hairstyles and make-up, all to quirky, classical music.

As Matthew noted: “After watching a lady being turned into a Picasso and a young man converted into a mobile shrubbery with an army camouflage department lurking within, we left, partially through fear of being selected, partially because we were hungry and partially because we did not want to look like idiots at the Gala Concert.”

The Gala Concert featured the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra and Standard Bank Young Artist Prize-winner Jacques Imbrailo a baritone with a golden voice. After a standing ovation they played Land of Hope and Glory, much to Ailsa’s delight. We headed back to “Die Kerkhuis” for tea and scones with Schalk, who trained as a butler. He served tea in his Royal Albert egg shell tea cups. Luckily there were no breakages as each tea cup and saucer was worth a fortune!

The last show was Sleight of Mind. Two men performed various unbelievable sleight of hand and mind tricks. We still have no idea how they did them.

We managed to fit in a visit to the Johan Carinus Art Centre before leaving on Monday morning. Sally Scott’s Red Shoe exhibition fascinated everyone. As Caleb said: “It’s amazing what people can do with their hands.” Then it was into the car and a seven hour journey home, how wonderful it is to be back in our quiet little town.

The Circus Comes to Town!

- Linda Jaquet -

For a week in July the VGK hall (almost) became the Big Top as thirty enthusiastic Prince Albert youngsters learned, practised and worked very hard at an array of circus skills. Thanks to the patience and firm guidance of Marlin, Jason, Andiswa and Yonela of the South African National Circus School, by the week’s end, they dazzled a packed hall. They performed juggling, acrobatics on the ground and in the air, contortions under flaming bars and diving through hoops of fire. The three clowns stole the show and had the mainly young audience in stitches and shouting for more.

The Circus School enjoyed performing in Prince Albert during this year’s Olive Festival and were determined to return as part of their outreach programme to underprivileged youth. The co-founder of the school, Dimitri Slaverse, hails from Hanover on the Cape Flats and spent 17 years travelling the world as a highly-acclaimed trapeze artist. He nursed the dream of one day returning home to Cape Town and passing on circus skills to young people from similar backgrounds to his own. He and his wife, Nicky, who is also a trapeze artist, realised their dream when they set up the school thirteen years ago. While it has largely has been a battle to keep the Circus School afloat, recent funding from the Lotto has meant that Dimitri and Nicky can expand the Circus’s training projects and do more shows in underprivileged areas.

Nicky told the Friend that their Prince Albert experience had been positive and rewarding. “The children were eager, lovely and well-behaved, which is essential if you’re going to master difficult moves and not get hurt,” she said. She pointed out that circus training was not just about a life in the circus: “It teaches dedication and discipline, boosts self-confidence and encourages a work ethic and team building.”

Jason Tarentaal, one of the three popular clowns, enjoyed making the audience laugh, while Marné Jaftha told the Friend that causing oohs and aahs while dancing with hula-hoops and under flaming bars had been the most fun she had had for ages. Jason Jonkers had imagined he was in a movie while building a human pyramid with his friends; and Heizaan Jacobs appreciated learning about self-discipline, teamwork and stamina.

The week-long training programme was funded by the Children’s Welfare Stamps of the Netherlands. Dimitri and Nicky thanked the Prince Albert Municipality for sponsoring the children’s meals everyday and Di and Jeremy Freemantle of African Relish for making the week possible.