7
www.thevillagenews.co.za
25 March 2020
LET'S TALK Healthy and robust debate are crucial for democracy. The Village NEWS firmly believes in freedom of the press as well as the right of individuals to freely express themselves, as long as they don’t infringe upon the rights of others. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors therefore do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of The Village NEWS. Letters may be shortened and/or edited for clarity and style. Enjoy our paper. Send your letters to dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za.
David Leppan
02.01.1948 – 22.03.2020
Loving husband to Lynda; devoted father to Peter, Richard, John and Julie; grandfather to Christopher, Stephanie, Matthew, Ethan, Richard, James, Grace, Megan, Tash and Aimeé. You are forever in our hearts and memories until we meet again.
Another poisoned owl dies but all rodenticides are potentially poisonous to our pets, as well as the rodents, so care should be taken in the application and placing of these poisons in special containers.
A very sick, adult Spotted Eagle Owl, brought in to the Eastcliff Village Vet Clinic by a concerned resident in Kwaaiwater last week died of secondary poisoning before it could be treated. This follows the tragic death last year of the popular mother owl and her young chicks on the Golf Course, also reportedly killed by poison. Residents and pest controllers need to be warned of the dangers of secondary poisoning to our pets and raptors from rodents that have ingested anti- coagulant rodenticide. Anina Lee’s excellent article recently on the Year of the Rat highlighted the positive role of fynbos rodents in our unique ecosystem. However, some rodents have for centuries been a pest to man, spreading disease e.g. Bubonic Plague carried by fleas on the Black Rat (Rattus norvegicus) while the Brown Rat (Rattus rattus) and House Mouse (Mus musculus) are destructive to man’s property and
One of the Meyers’ beautiful adult Spotted Eagle Owls in their garden. food and spread undesirable bacteria around our homes and food establishments. There is a need to apply pest control methods in the form of available rodenticides, which have an active ingredient which will not cause secondary poisoning. However, we need to minimise the risk by ensuring the only SAFE Rodenticides like Racumin or Efecto Eco Rat are used. Numerous products are available off the shelf,
We love you. From Lynda, family, & Hermanus Property Sales Team
I have had the opportunity with our resident Spotted Eagle Owls to study the regurgitated pellets of undigested food that the owls reject. One can see predominantly the bones and hair of rats, mice, moles and other small invertebrates, so owls are undoubtedly nature’s best pest controller. With this active pair of resident owls and their two fledglings there are seldom any rodents seen where the owls hunt for their prey, so we need to encourage all our residents to protect these iconic raptors.
In these unprecedented times, there will be no Memorial Service.
We are so privileged to live in Hermanus, with the Fernkloof Nature Reserve on our doorstep, that we all need to protect and conserve the fauna and flora of our very special environment. Ed & Sally Meyer, Voëlklip The Overstrand Hospice 600 Club Draw was done on Thursday 19 March 2020 by Joan Bester (middle) of Garden Enterprises, which has been in existence for 25 years, servicing clients all the way from Arabella to Prawn Flats. She is responsible for some of the beautiful gardens on our wine estates. Sr Lynette Gloy was present and David Sutcliffe from Don Adams Auditors. The winners were: 1st Johan Conradie, 2nd Mulligan & Pickford, and 3rd R Gray. Anyone can join the club for only R50 a month. Funds raised by the 600 Club go towards paying the Hospice nurses’ salaries. There are cash prizes up for grabs every month. For more information, contact Norma Scott-Tomlin on 028 312 4679 or 600admin@overstrandhospice.org.za.
New recycling business in Hermanus It is such a relief to have a recycling business again, as I could not come to terms with recycling going to the landfill. I & L Recycling is located in 6 Roman Close, Old Industrial. Local photography ethusiast, Hestie das Neves, took this beautiful sunset photo in Onrus over the weekend.
As you turn into Roman Close, on your left is a big grey building, turn to your left into an alley. At the end
of short alley there is a painting of a milk cow on the wall, and to your right in the corner is I & L. Please support them. I recently took them nine recycling bags (clear plastic) that they were happy to accept. Zelda Miller, Eastcliff
