Stanford river talk may 2016

STANFORD RIVER TALK Volume 128 | MAY 2016 | Stanford‘s monthly newspaper | R15

y a B r e k Wal d n u o r g y pla

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Tasting Room open 7 days a week, 8:30 - 17:00

STANFORD RIVER TALK 1

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Experience the magnificent Erica irregularis (Gansbaai erica) in full bloom and many more flowering gems on the Fynbos Trail between May and August

A Celebration of South African Arts.

10 - 19 June 2016 hermanusfynarts.co.za STANFORD RIVER TALK 2

10% discount May - August info@fynbostrail.co.za www.fynbostrail.co.za 082 464 5115

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View from the cave.

COVER PHOTO: Klipgat Cave is in the Walker Bay Nature Reserve outside de Kelders. It is a staggeringly beautiful and also has great archeological importance as it was home to people 70 000 years ago.

A fun, short walk for all ages, this Cape Nature attraction is a great excursion on Stanford's back door step. Phil Murray

• EDITOR – Phil Murray 082 667 0619 • philippa.murray@gmail.com • ADVERTSING & LAYOUT Sandra Slabbert • 079 523 8453 design@stanfordrivertalk.co.za • ACCOUNTS Michelle Hardie • ed@stanfordrivertalk.co.za www.stanfordrivertalk.co.za

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MONTHLY CONTRIBUTORS Matt Chancey, Suzanne Francois-Rossouw, Andrew Herriot, Mike Horn, Olga Koorts, Karen McKee, Rev Hildie Pansegrouw, Martin Ranger, Bryan Robertson, Naas Terblanche, Wanya van der Walt, T ania Weich and James Yeats.

Editorial Contributions & Disclaimer Editorial contributions are welcome and should include top quality photos where relevant. Articles will be printed under the contributor‘s name or an accepted nom-de-plume if the full name and address is provided. All contributions are voluntary and not paid for. The editor reserves the right to edit, amend, abridge or reject any article. Opinions of contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the editor. Copyright All material in this issue is copyrighted, and belongs to The Really Famous Publishing CC unless otherwise indicated. No part of the material may be reproduced without prior permission. Published and printed by The Really Famous Publishing CC.

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ed's notes Ahhh, autumn, with it's dewy mornings, clear nights and blue-sky days! Autumn shows off the best of Stanford and children still play barefooted in their gardens and on the Market Square. A courageous few still swim in farm dams and in the Klein River while their parents shudder at the thought. Mushrooms force their soft caps through the soil and spring up in fairy circles a few days after rain falls, and grass bursts into brilliant green.

Stanford is still buzzing with activity and the calendar of events (What's On, page 19) proves that energy and enthusiasm have not been dampened by the cooler weather. Community and school news fills the News and Updates (Pages 4 – 10). Mother's Day features strongly in Bryan Robertson's recipe (Kitchen Talk, Page 14) and in Karen McKee's column (Village Life, page 12) while the special feature, Gone fishing (Page 11), should inspire dad's to take the kids out for the day and give mothers a chance to read in peace, with a freshly brewed pot of tea for company. Naas Terblanche is all for fishing (Nature Talk, Aliens in the Water, page 13) while Matt Chancey just barely takes off in Tales from the Sud (Page 15).

Please let us know if you are new in town. New faces have been spotted out and about, and a welcome is in order. We also love to hear news from old friends and businesses in the village so don't hesitate to contact us. Who knows, maybe there are some budding writers who would like to share their talents in the pages of Stanford River Talk, for the pleasure of all.

Please send your letters to philippa.murray@gmail.com. Try to keep letters as short as possible (100 words or less) and supply your name and address. Anonymous letters will not be published. The editor reserves the right to edit, amend, abridge or reject any letter.

STANFORD RIVER TALK 3

news and updates

WARD COMMITTEE FEEDBACK Meeting held 14 April 2016

STANFORD’S CAPITAL BUDGET ALLOCATION FOR 2016/17 • Rehabilitation of roads – new housing: R450 000 (external MIG funding) • Sewer network – final phase: R5 million (municipal) • Waste Water Treatment Works upgrade: R3.5 million (external) Ward specific capital projects (municipal funded): • Willem Appel Dam – rehabilitation of wetland area: R100 000 • Dreyer Street sidewalks – final phase: R100 000 INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PLAN (IDP) The municipality cannot allocate any funds to a project if the need has not been captured in the municipal IDP, one cannot apply for any external government grants; nor for Lotto funding, etc. It is therefore extremely important for communities to timeously identify their needs (which includes schools, etc.) and ensure that they are captured in the municipal IDP. We are proud to announce that the Stanford revitalisation project is now officially part of the IDP. SELLING PRIVATELY GENERATED ELECTRICITY BACK INTO THE GRID The standard by-law relating to electricity supply is available for comment and can be downloaded from the municipal website: www.overstrand.gov.za, click on Documents and then on Policies.

Deadline for comments is 26 May 2016. One of the aspects of the by-law is the municipality’s approach towards Overstrand residents who have the ability to sell surplus electricity generated on their properties back into the grid. By the end of April the document could not be accessed from the website.

ESTATE AGENT SIGNBOARDS Please note that maximum two (2) signboards are allowed per property and may not be placed on the sidewalk, but rather fixed to the wall/fence/hedge of the property. Law enforcement will be doing the rounds.

STANFORD TOURISM THE BEST IN THE OVERSTRAND According to information provided to the municipality and WESGRO, Stanford’s Tourism Bureau is one of the best performing bureaux in the Overstrand. It is also regarded as the office with the best social media exposure and ability to create a 'buzz'.

With regard to 'visitor feet into the office', outperformed the rest of the Overstrand and came second in the entire Overberg region (Cape Agulhas had the most visitors). What makes it even more remarkable, is that the statistics were for the period April to September 2015 – which is regarded as the 'quiet' time in Stanford. Well done Chantel, Le-Ann, and Eben. No more excuses regarding too few feet in the village, please!

DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN STANFORD ADMINISTRATION AND CHAIRPERSONS OF STANFORD ORGANISATIONS: Community Police Forum: The relationship between the community and the police is improving day by day. Residents are reminded to please report all crime incidents so that SAPS is aware of the type of problems.

Heritage Committee: Stanford’s Conservation Overlay Zone was discussed at a public meeting held on 25 April and a number of concerns have been addressed in the latest proposal. It remains a work in progress.

Stanford Conservation: Varied comments have been received by residents adjacent to the market square regarding the revitalisation proposal. The municipality’s consulting road engineer will incorporate these replies into various traffic proposals that will be put out for public comment at a much later stage.

Ratepayers Association: The committee will be inviting all residents who have moved into the village in the last ±12 months to a social meeting (26 May) where they will be briefly informed about the various organisations in the village and the roles and functions of each one. It will also be an opportunity for residents to become involved in village life, should they wish to do so and feel they can make a contribution.

Please contact Lyn Pullen on lynpullen55@gmail.com should you like to attend.

Bea Whitaker STANFORD RIVER TALK 4

Marching for answers Stanford was rattled by mass action On 26 April, the day before Freedom Day, residents of Die Kop and Thembelihle gathered on the R43 at the entrance to Stanford, with the intention of marching to the Municipal Offices to request answers about delays in providing long-promised housing and electricity to Die Kop. The crowd could be heard blowing vuvuselas and singing from just before dawn.

SAPS and Overstrand Fire and Rescue were present to try to prevent any damage or harm to people or property. Tyres had been set alight and black smoke tinged the morning air. Just before 07:00, three loud bangs were heard, and the crowd was ushered back down the R43 towards the southern entrance of the village. The three bangs were apparently teargas cannisters fired by SAPS to disperse the crowd. The Community Police Forum states that the SAPS called in the Paarl Public Protection Unit, who are especially trained in public disorder emergencies and riot control, and that it was this unit who was armed with rubber bullets and tear gas.

Although a few fires were lit, Overstrand Fire and Rescue put them out quickly. Some of the marchers seemed optimistic, and hoped to deliver their requests for housing and electricity to the Municipal Offices. Some marchers toyi-toyi'd and the crowd got partially separated as some walked down Daneel Street and back onto the R43, while some ran down Bezuidenhout towards the community hall.

A few more loud explosions were heard. These must have been more tear-gas cannisters, one of which hit Bongiwe Ngxishe in the face where she stood between the clinic and the community hall.

Bongiwe was airlifted from the Hermanus Provincial Hospital to Tygerburg Hospital for surgery on her severely damaged eye.

An elected representative of the Die Kop community explained how frustration levels in the community have been rising. The community sent their representatives to the Municipality on 22 April to request permission to march but this was denied on 25 April. The representatives relayed the message to the community to no avail. The community has been asking for houses and electricity to be supplied to Die Kop for more than five years, and they feel that they have been ignored. They also feel that the march could have been avoided entirely if they had received responses to their requests over the years.

On Tuesday morning` a local fire fighter confirmed that he recognised local people in the march and that they looked increasingly angry as the morning progressed. Some people threw stones and set fires, while some reported looting and damage to property. The SAPS fired rubber bullets and tear-gas at the protesters, some of whom were injured. Some people were charged and then released, and were instructed to appear at court on 28 April.

Nearing the end of the day, a memorandum was handed to the Ward Councillor, Dudley Coetzee, after which people returned home to their families, mostly in their humble shacks which hold all their worldly possessions. It was a tense, unsettled and difficult day for Stanford for many reasons, and many people still wait for the basic human rights which they deserve. At the time of going to print, they await a response from the Ward Councillor who promised to reply within seven working days. A meeting has been scheduled for 2 May.

International Jazz Day 30 April 2016

Janine Van Rooy-Overmeyor of BlaqPearl is a welcome visitor who sang a capella to a small but devoted audience from Hermanus, Cape Town and Stanford. It was a full day with five hours of continuous music from the JazzFordians, John Hardie, and Didi on violin – an amazing mix of genres to celebrate jazz. Stanford is on the map. R700 was donated to The Butterfly Centre; thank you for everyone's extraordinary generosity.

Andrew Herriot

news and updates

Fire Fighters Family Fun Day

Thank you, brave fire fighters

Freedom Day is a special day in South Africa, and this year it was chosen as the day the Stanford Community, and nearby farms and estates as far as Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and Gansbaai said thank you to Overstrand Fire and Rescue. The full-time and volunteer fire fighters work hard to protect the people of the Overstrand during fire season, and throughout the year, often putting their own lives at risk. Stanford acknowledges and appreciates their efforts and treated them and their families to a day of fun. Food, drinks, music, pony rides, a jumping castle and face painting were donated as well as goodie bag treats for the enjoyment of members of Overstrand Fire and Rescue. And as a special bonus, the firemen and women let local children explore the Hermanus fire engine which was on display. They demonstrated their machinery, cut through steel with the jaws of life, and raised whoops of joy when they turned on their hoses and put on a water display for the public.

Congratulations to the small organising committee from Haes Farm, Panthera Africa and White Water Farm for initiating this generous event. And thank you to all those who made donations and the individuals who helped on the day.

WALKING FOR WATER Each year the Stanford Striders and the two Stanford primary schools join together in a Walk for Water to symbolically show how important water is for families, and to draw attention to the difficulties some people face daily in fetching enough drinking water.

Andrew Herriot Walk the water talk: Elsa Gebhardt from the Stanford Bird Club talking to children

The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party You did not have to be mad to attend the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party on 1 April. You just had to wear an amazing hat, bring a sense of humour and love cake! Over 100 people packed into Cobus Van Niekerk’s 'langhuis' to listen to Elsabe Aldrich’s hilarious take on a Hat attack: (From left) Annie Ranger, Elsabe succulent woman’s life.

A tea fit for the Queen of Aldrich, Cobus Van Niekerk and Mary Knight.

Hearts followed, and all cakes baked by the lovely ladies of Stanford. That is the great thing about this village: everyone is so willing to help.

Almost R7 000 was raised for Stanford Animal Welfare and we thank everyone who helped make this event such a success.

A special thanks goes to Cobus for letting us take over his eclectic house and to Mary Knight for her continuous supply of bright ideas.

Stanford Trading Store has re-opened at 10 Church St. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 09:00 to 15:00.

Annie Ranger

STANFORD PROPERTY SALES Six properties in Stanford were issued with a sale certificates in April. These figures include name transfers.

ADVERTISING DEADLINE FOR JUNE EDITION STANFORD RIVER TALK IS 18 MAY. Contact Sandra at design@stanfordrivertalk.co.za or 079 523 8453 APPLICATION FOR A WATER USE LICENSE

Waddling for penguin conservation

This notice brings to attention that Middelberg H2O (Pty) Ltd has made an application for a Water Use License for the abstraction of 1.5 million m3 per annum of groundwater from Middelberg Farm Portion 12/643, 2.5 km west of Stanford in the Overstrand Local Municipality (Overberg District Municipality). The water will be for used for agricultural irrigation on the same land, and for supply of non-potable domestic water to six neighbouring smallholdings.

Okkie Smuts juniors met with staff of Whale Coast Conservation and visiting Penguin Waddlers. The learners created penguin pictures and posters to support penguin conservation and awareness, and symbolically waddled around the Village Green.

The occasion was marked by handing over a Certificate of Commitment to the WCC Youth Environment Programme to Okkie Smuts Stanford children: Keep our oceans clean and save our penguins. staff by Elsa Gebhardt.

The Stanford Bird Club sponsored the registration fee for two Stanford schools.

The application process will follow due legal procedure and is to be submitted to the Breede-Gouritz Catchment Management Agency (BGCMA).

Groundwater specialists, Umvoto Africa (Pty) Ltd, are the appointed consultants undertaking the application on behalf of Middelberg H2O. The application was brought to the attention of the Stanford Aquifer Management Committee (SAMC) at the bi-annual meetings held at the Stanford Municipal Offices on 1st July 2015 and 2nd December 2015. Enquiries may be directed by email to Umvoto Africa Environmental Scientist, Paul Lee – 083 520 9303 (cell), 021 709 6700 (office) or paul@umvoto.com (email) STANFORD RIVER TALK 5

news and updates

Raincoats and jerseys

ROTARY STANFORD

It has been brought to our attention that a number of children (who walk a fair distance to get to school) are without warm school clothes, primarily jerseys and raincoats. Some children are also in need of trousers, shirts, socks and shoes. A list of the neediest children has been drawn up by Die Bron Primary and further lists are being drawn up by other Stanford schools. With the rainy weather coming soon, these children either don’t attend school on very wet days or they get to school in wet clothes and end up sick. There is a particularly high risk for children who already suffer from TB or whose immune systems are weakened. In order to ensure they don’t miss school because they don’t have warm clothing, we appeal for help from our wonderfully generous and kind-hearted Stanford community.

If you’d like to assist or contribute to our School Clothes Project, please contact Lana on 028 341 0349 or 082 216 4398. Our banking details are First National Bank, Branch Code 250655, Account # 623 559 796 95 – Reference ‘School’ and your name.

Any contribution is welcome and will make a significant difference in a child’s life.

PENGUIN PLUNGE

Please diarise 12:00, Saturday, 18 June – it’s Penguin Plunge time!

Bring your family and tell your friends, be brave and plunge into the icy Klein River in support of our community. Or be a chicken and cheer the penguins on from the river bank. Funds raised at this event go towards looking after the elderly via our Soup Kitchen Fund. There’ll be traditional Gluhwein, some lovely warm soups, and Gerrie from the Koshuis will sell burgers and drinks. Entry fee is a donation. More information will follow in the June issue of Stanford River Talk.

As always, we thank all our supporters and contributors to our various humanitarian-based projects and fundraisers.

PROBUS – Professional Business Probus was founded in United Kingdom in 1965 for retired professionals and the 1st Probus Club in South Africa was started in Durban in 1977 – the Western Cape now has 45 clubs and over 2000 members. Our Stanford Probus group currently has 20 members (who From left: Ian Wilson, Gillian Brooke, Caroline do not have to be Heyes and Sarah James. retired to join).

We gather on a monthly basis, usually for a lunch at a local restaurant at special rates. The restaurants of the area have all been amazing at giving us super quality at a most reasonable price, and most generously both the venue and opportunity to meet and enjoy the company of like-minded people at the same time.

It is always our aim to provide an interesting speaker, usually someone from our own community who has a fascinating history, or has enjoyed recent stimulating events.

We have had an exciting talk by Eric Mair on Sustainable ‘Off the Grid’ possibilities for the future of a village of our size, an eye-opening discussion on homeopathy from Johan Malan, a personal tour of Keukenhof’s amazing Tulip exhibition by Annie Ranger, and a blow by blow account of touring Cuba by Rick and Lyn Prins, and Marian Ferris. Matt Chancey spoke to us about his work in the Sudan and we have just listened to Gillian Brooke speak of her journey to write a children’s book on Fabulous Fish Hoek.

It is our aim to increase our membership to include far more people from the village in order to enjoy each other’s company and enable us to attract additional speakers from further afield. The membership fee is a mere R100 which goes towards subsidising guest speakers and a year-end function so the members benefit fully.

For more information, please email lyn@mistys.co.za Probus is not affiliated to Rotary.

Lyn Prins

WINDY FRIDAY On 22 April, storm winds and rain lashed the Cape. Gale force winds tore at buildings, houses and trees, and blew farmers' freshly ploughed soil into the air.

The roads around Caledon were like a scene from the 'Mummy' and visibility on the N2 was down to a few metres. People were at the mercy of the skies as they waited for the worst of the storm to pass. Heavy rain pounded the earth and washed into gutters, and hundreds of frogs were seen hopping across the R43.

The clouds parted after nightfall to reveal the full moon, and the damage left in Anchor's aweigh: The row boat at Klein Modderrivier. the wake of the storm.

PROMOTIONS STANFORD DIY - PAINT - PLUMBING IRRIGATION - NURSERY

EFEKTO KUNSMIS LAN (17)+(C8) 10KG R190.00

Landscaping & irrigation services.

Mon - Fri, 7:30 - 17:00 Sat, 8:00 - 14:00 Tel: (028) 341 0691 Fax: (028) 341 0413

028 3410 691 STANFORD RIVER TALK 6

POT PLANT T/C 43CM SANSCAPE R206.00

Prices Valid While Stocks Last.

1-31 May 2016.

All Prices Include Vat.

EFEKTO KUNSMIS 2.3.2 (14)+C(8) SP 10KG R163.00

POT PLANT PLASTIC BLACK 43CM R194.00

BEENMEEL 5KG S/AYRES T062 R79.00

POT PLANT PLASTIC WHITE 43CM R233.00

Laughing Waters What is going on at Laughing Waters Farm? Kirsten Neke gives us a glimpse into her life.

Laughing Waters lies 23 km from Stanford in the beautiful Sandies Glen or Sondagskloof. Three and a half years ago I dragged my Dutch partner-in-life, Gerd, from the only country he’d lived in, and from his family-run ‘kunstwerkplaats’ business where clients were encouraged to live beyond addictions, burnouts and disabilities. While still in Holland we created a Laughing Waters flyer to convince our Dutch friends and family (not to mention ourselves) that we were doing something entirely rational. We were soon overwhelmed to discover the extent of the farm’s neglect, the alcohol-induced madness and apathy of the ‘inherited’ staff and the enormity of making our dreams real.

Now we’re growing proteas and harvesting organic veggies, herbs and genuinely free range chicken eggs. Our fresh produce is complemented by our artisan goat’s milk cheeses. 'Old McDonald' takes longer to sing with all our farm animal friends.

Together with our warm-spirited team, Laughing Waters is growing (as we dreamt) into an ecologically vibrant and peaceful place that connects all who visit to their inner knowing, joy and strength [through] nature, listening and creating together. We’ve just begun to accommodate guests on our working farm and visitors will be invited to participate, and enjoy the farm’s happenings. Our Laughing Under the Oaks venue hosts workshops and special events. It is our vision to support local community well-being through stimulating self-initiative and entrepreneurship with skills development and far reaching horsefacilitated coaching.

Thank you Stanford for accompanying us on this journey and for accepting us into the community.

Kirsten Neke For the love of horses: Gerd with tow of the horses at Laughing Waters.

Canoe Club Open Day Come paddle with us! The Stanford Canoe Club is organising an Open Day on Saturday, 7 May on the Klein River, starting at the main launch pad at the end of Du Toit Street.

Slicing the water • 08:00: 10 km time trial for experienced paddlers. Surfskis, K1s and K2s welcome.

• 08:05: 6 km paddle to Middelburg farm and back. All floatable crafts are welcome, and you can turn back as early as you like.

• 10:00: This session is for anyone who wants to try paddling. We’ll have a variety of craft available, including some doubles, so do come and join in the fun. Please note that children must be able to swim and the parents of all children u/18 will be required to sign an indemnity form for their children before they can go onto the water. Lifejackets are also compulsory for all u/18s – please bring one along if you have one, although we’ll have a few spare lifejackets.

WEEKLY SOCIAL PADDLE AND TIME TRIALS Going forward, we invite all Stanford residents to join us on Tuesdays at 08:30 for a social paddle (any craft welcome). More experienced paddlers are invited to join us Tuesdays at 17:30 and Saturdays at 08:00 for a 10 km and/or 6 km time trial.

We are busy working on a development training programme specifically aimed at youngsters, in consultation with local schools. This will include afternoon sessions during the week, as well as the Saturday morning time trials.

We are really looking forward to seeing you on the water. For more information, please email stanfordcanoeclub@gmail.com or contact the club chairman, Chris Wolf on 083 455 3605.

Karin Pohl

news and updates

Phillipskop Hike

WALK AND TALK

If it's an easy hike you're after, this is the one for you. The walk is broken up into three levels: you can stroll for 15–20 minutes along a jeep track to a majestic oak tree, under which a picnic table is nestled where you can enjoy a pre-packed al fresco lunch. If you are keen to go further, the trail is clearly marked and leads to a dainty waterfall about half an hour along. At this point you can either return the way you came or go up and over Phillipskop for the approximate one and a half hour round trip hike. A slight detour on the trail takes you up to a cave where Pete and I used to take the boys and their mates for sleep-outs under the stars – always the adventurous spirits!

It is best to phone ahead to book as a day visitor 073 621 1808.

There is a charge if R30pp. As it is a conservation area, Chris and Anna regret that no dogs are allowed.

Natalie Ground

Stacks rock: Natalie Ground and Cindy Moody at Phillipskop Mountain Reserve.

A STORY BLOOMS Thank you to Roger Llewellyn for his tips on Sopiesklip. He mentioned that a few years ago, a hermit lived in Sopiesklip and that the doorway in the photo (Walk and Talk, April 2016) held an old wooden door, but that like many things in this area, the person just faded into oblivion.

Stories are few and far between, and smack of uncertainty, but some evidence suggests that a man used to live alone at Sopiesklip in the 1980s, and local fisherman would occasionally take him food, water and paraffin. Can anyone else shed light on this tantalising tale?

Editor

IN MEMORIAM JULES GILMAN Farewell to my old mate and fellow naval officer, Cdr Jules Gilman SAN/SANR. Gone at 160330B April 16. Another victim that falls foul of the Big C. Jules, my mate, I will miss your wit, your sense of humour and your fantastic general knowledge, specifically of military affairs.

Also, I'll miss your innate kindness to others and remarkable dedication to the Navy Reserve, which at one time you ran almost single-handedly. I am afraid I cannot forgive you for hiding away your fantastic cartooning skill from the world.

Ah well, perhaps in another time.

See you in Valhalla, shipmate.

'Lo, there do I see my father.

Lo, there do I see my mother.

And my sister and my brother Lo, there do I see the line of my people Back to the beginning.

Lo, they do call to me.

They bid me take my place among them In the halls of Valhalla Where the brave may live forever.'

Podge Harrison STANFORD RIVER TALK 7

school talk FYNBOS AND HOOPLAND AKADEMIE Fynbos Academy and Hopeland Academy had a very successful first term.

Our evaluation by the Department of Education went well. At the end of the first term, Fynbos Academy held a parents' evening where they discussed the children's reports and enjoyed the Passion Play presentation. Annelize Zeelie and her team of teachers worked very hard to present a blessed evening for guests, parents and children.

Hopeland Academy also held a parents' evening during which parents and teachers could discuss the children's progress.

On16 April they held a wonderful Boeresport day at the school. The children and their parents (and sometimes grandparents) took part in sprints, sack races, tug-of-war, egg throwing, etc. It was a memorable day filled with great fun, laughter and lots to eat.

Joannie Smith

HOMESCHOOL

SCIENCE Experi-Buddies teacher, Liesl Stipp, offers a morning science class for children which is most popular with homeschoolers.

Science in the dining room: (From left) Patrick Chancey, Luca Revett, Tucker Chancey, Fabio Revett, Benjamin Chancey, Liesl Stipp and Sebastian van Graan.

FISHING NEWS Liam (15) and Luke (12) Pelser fishing the Junior Nationals at Arabie Falls in KwaZulu Natal for the Western Division.

Both Liam and Luke received their Western Province Colours for fishing

Egg throwing: Family fun at Hopeland Academy

OKKIE SMUTS SOFTBALL Kia McKay (links) is opgeneem in die Overstrand Sagtebalspan wat van 22 – 24 April gaan deelneem het in Saldanha aan die Wes-Kaap Sagtebal Kampioenskappe. Die span het 7 van hul 8 wedstryde gewen. Kia het die naweek baie geniet en ons sien uit nie die volgende seisoen.

Liam Pelser

Luke Pelser

BUTTERFLY CENTRE The Butterfly Centre has had an exciting month! We welcomed on board three new full time students named Luca, Tristan and Luke. Teacher Sam (no co-incidence there!) also joined the team, and together with the consultation of her mom Wendy (a trained remedial teacher), has implemented many new techniques and improvements. We are making use of iPads to gain access to programmes from the USA, which are based on the most current neuroscientific research. We are also busy planning an afternoon programme project with Die Bron, which will enable selected struggling children to make use of these remedial facilities and techniques. Our wish is to continue to link up with other individuals and organisations involved with special needs children, especially Autism Spectrum and Global Developmental Delay. If you know of someone who could benefit from our workshops or activities, please contact info@butterflyfoundation.co.za Jami Kastner

The Softball team: Sisanda Mgqlekane, Nicole Dreyer, Kia McKay, Jaydean Rooi, coach Elicia du Toit, Achwayitile Velem, Sindisiwe Makhamba (Front) Likho Apolisi, Sadé October and Busiswe Mhlontlo.

SKAAK Abigail Barkhuizen (links) het aan die Overberg Skaakproewe deelgeneem en ‘n plek in die Overberg Skaakspan verwerf. Sy gaan meeding in die Wes-Kaap toernooi 20-22 Mei 2016 te Caledon. Baie geluk en sterkte vir die toernooi wat voorlê.

We do blinds, curtains, shutters, awnings, vinyl flooring, novilon flooring and carpets.

Firm friends: (From left) Marilyn, Luke Mitchel, Cole Allie, Jack Kastner, Jay-Jay Visser and Tristan Mitchel.

STANFORD RIVER TALK 8

For a free quotation call Burgert at 082 417 5590

school talk GANSBAAI ACADEMIA ROBOTICS CLUB Academia is fortunate to have an active robotics club; the ET Robo Club was established as an after school activity in May 2013 at the Enlighten Educational Trust in Hermanus and currently club members meet every Monday afternoon at the school.

Membership is open to learners who are at least 14 years of age. Lego Mindstorm robotic kits are used to build robots to carry out certain missions. The robot is programmed from a laptop computer, and the programme is then downloaded to a small 'brick' computer in the robot to enable it to act according to the instructions.

The club is linked to the worldwide First Lego League (FLL) who arranges competitions that take place in November each year. Each year, a new challenge is announced that focuses on a different real-world topic. Past challenges include problems faced by senior citizens, food health and safety, climate change, medical science, nanotechnology, nature's fury, and Trash (or waste management) in 2015.

Learners have to research the topic and propose suitable solutions for the problems raised and present their ideas to a panel of judges. They then meet in the regional tournament to share their knowledge, compare ideas, and display their robots.

Throughout the competition, teams are judged on their teamwork, co-operation, gracious professionalism, kindness to other teams, and sportsmanship. Teams are then selected to compete in the national tournament where a team is selected to compete in the international finals.

DIE BRON Die Bron would like to thank Rotary Stanford for the water tank which they donated. It has helped in the Grade R-project and they appreciate it deeply.

(Back from left) Ms C. Lucas, Mrs M. Booysen, Ms N. Apleni (Middle) Sune Bottom, Iviwe Klaas, Sibahle Shologu, Iminathi Qhankqiso, Avuyile Foji, Elzaylon Dunston, Hencia Damon, Jocelyn Manuel, Garonesia Booysen (Front) Marilyn Mcklein, Jezree Maritz, Anwill Williams, Tyron Olifant and Rudowaan Marthinus.

RUGBY Die Bron PrimĂŞr het deel geneem aan Laerskool Gansbaai Sportdag op16 April. Ons O/9 en O/11 rugbyspanne het, onder die bekwame afrigting van mnr. Stieger en me. Lucas, die toekenning vir die beste spanne in hul ouderdomsgroep ontvang. Elke span het ‘n kontantbewys vir hul uitstekende spel ontvang.

Under 9 rugby team: (Back from left) Amorin Booysen, Aldrin Baartman, Ms. C. Lucas, Denrico Louw (Front) Sheldon Olifant, Jayden Dreyer, Fabian Prince and Kealin Damon.

HOCKEY The Academia Sharkies hockey teams are steadily turning into a force to be reckoned with, the boys being coached by Ludwig Schutz, and the girls by Malcolm Mulope. This year the teams look resplendent in their new kit sponsored by Bierman & Britz. On the field, the boys have secured their first win after two narrow defeats, whilst the girls are improving with each match.

Under 11 rugby team: (Back from left) Mnr. G. Stieger, Rehlann Montaque, Reehano Dreyer, Nicholaas Jonas, Fanwill Mauers, Dealin Kapot, Aldonay Alexander, Kyle Lewis and Denwhill Jantjies.

WATER EXPO AT DIE BRON PRIMARY, 21 APRIL The expo was held to raise awareness of the many people around the world who do not have access to clean water. The Grade 6s then watched informative videos: the story told by a woman of how her life revolves around fetching and carrying water gave them food for thought, while the amusing video of a man showering with a bucket on his head gave some light relief. (See page 5)

New kit: (Back from left) Analo Yawa,Sangiro Felix,Adan Prins, Eugene Jacobs (c), Zenobian Cupido (Front) Malin Kaptein, Eon Arends, Austin Cornelius, Skulule Kutu and goalkeeper: Marco Maarman

Cosy cattery and kennel in lovely country atmosphere.

Qualified dog trainer.

Well balanced diets, love and care.

028 - 3410 961 STANFORD RIVER TALK 9

news and updates

FynArts – back again!

Now in its fourth year, the Hermanus FynArts Festival just gets bigger and better. The festival will run from 10–19 June and its theme is ‘A French Connection’. This year’s festival artist, well-known painter and teacher, Louis Jansen van Vuuren, will offer two painting workshops.

South of France-based Louis headlines a long list of creative artists, writers and jewellers who will be presenting workshops.

Food and wine also features extensively in the FynArts programme.

Wine-tasting and appreciation, gourmet meals and cookery demonstrations will cater for all tastes.

There are talks by a wide range of speakers. These include Max du Preez, Zapiro, Richard Cock, and John Kani. And what would FynArts be without music? The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra’s presentation of Peter and The Wolf, big sounds from the Delft Big Band and the return of the ever-popular Last Night of the Proms will join an extensive variety of other musical performances.

Pick up a programme from the Tourism Office or visit hermanusfynarts.co.za to look, and to book.

Martin Ranger

Ela and Sophie.

Cheese of the Month

Klein River Havarti Its unique maturation room and 4 months’ maturation period develops a cheese supreme, velvety creaminess and full-flavoured hazelnut notes.

Klein River Farmstead offers an array of exceptional and award-winning South African cheeses.

All cheese is made using age-old artisanal methods and pasture-fed cow’s milk.

028 341 0693

www.kleinrivercheese.co.za R326, 7 km outside Stanford STANFORD RIVER TALK 10

Cop of the Quarter – Stanford’s diligent detectives.

Congratulations to SAPS’ detective team led by Warrant Officer David Payne, for being nominated by the CPF executive committee for this quarterly award. This is recognition for their excellent results and efforts whilst working with limited resources. The following statistics supplied by the Detective Branch for the first quarter of the year tell a very pleasing story: Of the 183 cases reported, 138 went to court, and from these 72 convictions were obtained. Of significance for the town is that the majority of the 72 convictions were drug-related (31). This shows once again that drug problems need urgent attention and action. Other convictions were for assault, theft, shoplifting, drunk driving, burglaries and obstructing and defeating the ends of justice. There were no murders in the first quarter of 2016, just one case of culpable homicide. Police resources are stretched and we all need to assist them in their work by reporting crime. One way of doing this is to sign up to one of the two Neighbourhood Watches. Stanford South operates a foot patrol system whilst Stanford North uses a Whatsapp reporting system.

Ask Chris Moll (082 578 1828), Kevin Husk (082 809 3585), or Willem Maclean (076 810 8908) about the workings of the Neighbourhood Watches. Do not hesitate to meet with the Station Commander, Captain Coetzee, to discuss your crime concerns, or poor police work; his door is always open.

SAPS Public Meetings or Imbizos Another way in which we can all contribute to a safer village, is to attend the four Imbizos which SAPS hosts in the town. Captain Coetzee presides over these report-back meetings where crime statistics and patterns are given. It is also an ideal opportunity to put questions to him. The last Imbizo was held in March in the Community Hall where a number of questions and concerns were robustly expressed to the Captain. Here are the next Imbizo meeting dates, all commencing at 18:00. Venues will be confirmed and then advertised. 8 June (Thembelihle), 6 July (Stanford South) and 10 August (Stanford North)

WELCOME TWINS! Sophie Jean and Ela Jude were born to Jan Biernacki and Katie Smuts on 6 April. Both girls were healthy sizes and in excellent health at birth. They came straight home to Stanford where they've been nesting and flourishing, and have already been spotted out and about in their double pram. Their dad and mum are bursting with pride.

CPF NEWS

Farewell Sergeant Gouws Newly promoted to Warrant Officer, Sergeant Rhyno Gouws is relocating to the Delft Police Station. The CPF thanks him for his thirteen years of loyal service as the Criminal Investigating Officer to the police and to the community. His experience will be urgently needed and tested, in an area where the number of criminal cases exceeds Stanford’s substantially. We wish him all the best.

Stuart Anderson

TOURISM TALK

Congratulations to those who were featured on SABC2's Mooiloop – it was great fun recognising faces and places in the village and the Tourism Office received a flurry of phone calls and enquiries directly as a result of the show.

The Cape Whale Coast attended the Getaway Show at the Lourensford Estate, and the World Travel Market at the Cape Town International Convention Centre at the beginning of April.

Connections were made and new trends were evident, and it is clear that the Overberg is a popular destination for overseas visitors whose cash stretches far, and for locals whose cash no longer stretches far enough for overseas holidays. People are looking for travel routes and diverse experiences, and we need to draw them into the Overberg and entice them to spend a few nights before they head back to Cape Town, or hit the Garden Route. There is no better way than to work together and share our resources for the benefit of all.

Pop into the Stanford Tourism office to see our growing display of prints, photographs, cards, postcards and colouring books by local artists – you may even find a great little gift for Mother's Day or just for yourself.

Thank you to the Village Emporium for mending our green Tourism sign which took some beating in the winds – just another display of the good neighbourliness of a small village.

Gone fishing

Liam and Luke Pelser have grown up on Boeredans Farm which slopes down to the banks of the Klein River. The farm dams are stocked with bass and parts of the river are kept clear of reeds. This, added to their father's enthusiasm for fishing, has rubbed off on the boys who have turned out to be exceptionally talented young fishermen. They have an impressive collection of rods and that quiet confidence that almost seems mysterious, as if they seem to know exactly where fish hide in the gloomy cool depths.

THESE ARE SOME OF LIAM'S TOP TIPS FOR A GOOD CATCH:

Luke and Liam Pelser with the tigers they • The best time for most fishing, especially for bass, is in the first few hours of the early caught in the KZN Nationals. morning and in the last few hours of the late afternoon. If you'd like to try your luck at night fishing, it is best at full moon.

• To determine what bait to use, follow the clarity of the water and to see what bait fish the bass are eating eg. blue gill, bream, mullet, crabs and even small bass. Take your lead from the colours that imitate the bait fish. If the water is dirty, use darker colours like Junebug which is a dark blue; if the water is clear use a lighter colour like watermelon or tilapia which is light green.

• In a dirty river or dam, you can also use baits with a rattle so the fish can hear them, and sometimes brighter colours help if you are power fishing. The fish will see the lure more easily but not have time nor a good visual on the lure to tell if it is food or not.

• In a clean river or dam, use lighter and more natural colours as the fish will be able to tell the difference quickly. You should also fish with thinner line.

• In the Klein River, I would use a weightless Tilapia fluke, Popper, Top Water Frog, or a Spinner Bait. A Spinner Bait can trigger a reaction bite. Spinner bait is also the most successful lure in the world.

BEST SPOTS FOR FISHING IN THE STANFORD → Willem Appel Dam → Vaalvlei www.vaalvlei.co.za → Klein River → Old Harbour in Hermanus

Net so!: Bryan Robertson taught his nephew to catch bait in the Klein River estuary.

wine talk

Finding Fine Wine Tania Weich goes on an educational tour

BUSINESS HOURS • Monday - Friday: 8:00 - 17:30 • Saturday: 08h00 - 13:00 • Sunday: 10:00 - 12:00 • Public holidays: 9:00 - 13:00 CLINIC HOURS • Monday - Friday: 8:00 - 16:00 • Saturday: 08:00 - 12:00 • Public holidays: 9:00 - 12:00

T E L: 028 384 0637 FA X: 028 384 0455 gansbaai@arrienel.co.za H O O F W E F 29 - G A N S BA A I.

It’s hard work finding the right wine, to pair with the perfect dish, or simply to share with friends. The fun part however is slipping out of one’s comfort zone in search of tipple, which is worthy of taking centre stage at sip and tell.

So, armed with the notion that we may well meet the Holy-Grailin-Glass… my friends and I bade the Overberg goodbye. Our overnight bags were light, and our spirits lighter as three-likeminded souls set off on a selfless quest in search of crisp white wine with serious backbone and bold reds to bowl us over.

We were brave – we shamelessly crossed our cultivars with cabanossi, chocolate croissants and char grilled steak.

Three ladies, none of us learned, yet all of us determined, made whatever sacrifice was necessary on the altar of a prospective sensory sensation.

We were tested – after the wine for tasting was poured, the bowls of our wine glasses were hugged by a complete stranger, and the contents 'intimately' swirled about [it was tantamount to being hurtled into a tango without our permission].

But good things come to those who taste!

We were rescued – burnt orange flames danced about in the fireplace to match the tempo of the mood in the room that evening. Our hosts were gregarious, gracious and generous.

And their generosity extended beyond putting us up for the night, providing us with a feast of delicious food and serving us wine that we were allowed to twirl at will (or not) – it was all in aid of teaching us a most valuable lesson…

Wine is at its finest, always, when shared with good friends.

We learnt T o the Coram family, we thank you kindly.

STANFORD RIVER TALK 11

village lifestyle

SHOP TALK

Village life and motherhood Karen McKee plans more than lunch for Mother's Day I watched my 11 year old boy walk away from me through the school gate the other day and cried a little inside. He looked far too grown up – his shoulders are broadening and he has the gait of a teenager. It struck me that he will be leaving home in seven years and I suddenly panicked. Deeply lost at the very idea of being without him, my first response was to consider a variety of dubious subterfuges to stall him as long as possible. Maybe I could homeschool him – that would definitely keep him back a few years! Or maybe even fake a terrible illness the day before he is due to leave home, and then he will have to stay!

I strived for years for this boy to become more independent. I taught him to make his bed, a variety of peculiar pestos, flawless cheese omelettes and a brilliant cup of tea. He can roast a chicken, make a spice rack (thanks Bryan!) and open a bottle of bubbly without breaking a window (he knows me, you see).

He scales terrifying trees, swims like a dolphin and has an honest, solid eyesmeeting handshake. The kid has some serious skills. But now that he is cruising around with his posse on his longboard like a teenager I’m not entirely thrilled.

My little boy is gone and a big, independent one is arriving. Ouch.

Motherhood is a difficult animal, and one that I can never quite pin down.

Sometimes it is so infuriating I want to burn the house down, but mostly I’m awash with gratitude. Sometimes he publicly shames me by telling his teacher that my hobbies are drinking wine and scoffing cheese, but on the same day he delights me by calling his favourite red marble 'The Karen' (‘because it reminds me of your kind, sweet, loving, beautiful, generous, awesome heart Mommy’). It isn’t always easy – both of us can be difficult to live with and at times we scowl and growl at each other. But we always love each other, and that’s all that counts.

So, this Mother’s Day I’m not going just have lunch. I’m pushing the boat out and taking him on a weekend road trip; just me and my all-too-soon big boy exploring our world. I’m going to celebrate being his mother because he is flippin' wonderful. And I’m totally going to take credit for some of that – even if just a little.

The villagers

Annorhyn Tolken is young and enthusiastic and has not gone unnoticed at Curro in Hermanus. She is in matric and is the deputy head-girl for 2016.

What were you like as a young child?

I was the shy one in the class. I never really had the guts to talk to other students in my class, but that really made me dedicated to be a top student in school.

What is your super power, what is your 'kryptonite'? My super power has to be strength and seeing people happy gives me strength. If people are sad, then I’m sad.

What is your favourite thing to eat when no one is looking? Chips! If no one is looking I would take a whole bag and eat it.

What would you describe as your perfect day?

My absolute perfect day is when I can sleep late, listen to music the whole day and dance! If I can do this with my close friends, the day is even better.

Where is your favourite place to go on holiday?

There is not a specific place. I love road trips and going everywhere, especially a place with beautiful scenery (mountains and the ocean).

Which charity or community project in our area do you think needs more help and assistance from young people? SPCA. If young people can go and play/ walk with the animals, the animals will feel loved and the person giving that animal love will also feel much happier.

STANFORD RIVER TALK 12

Mother's Day is a perfect chance to shop for something pretty. Why not spend some time trawling Stanford's high street for trinkets and treasures that will put a smile on your mom's face. Andrea Conrad found some feminine gifts to inspire you.

Pink kombi from Lionel's shop at the Red Bus: R350 Beautiful pink floral garden tools from Antjies: R140 for the little spade, R215 for the garden scissors

Chocolates at Ou Meul: R55 each

Bunch of proteas from the Village Emporium: R30

Through a kid's eyes Felicity Chancey goes wild for fudge The Stanford Saturday Market is a food buffet for kids and adults. Brydon Havercroft is one of the market members, and he sells cakes, savoury pies, fudge, etc. My favourite thing about his stall is his fudge. If Brydon sold fudge cookies, the Stanford kids would go berserk. He would be sold out before ten o'clock, and by three o'clock, parents would be tired because of screaming, wild Stanford kids. As kids got settled into bed at night, they would hear the parents saying, 'Thanks, Brydon!'

History of Mother's Day From religious beginnings and political motivations to commercial success, Mother's Day is celebrated around the world Celebrating motherhood can be traced back as far as the ancient Greeks and Romans who held festivals to honour mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele, but the more obvious precursor of what we now call Mother's Day is Mothering Sunday. This fell on the fourth Sunday of Lent in the early Christian calendar but it gradually became a more secular festival. Children presented mothers with flowers and cards, and the festival gradually merged with the American version of Mother's Day which was first introduced by Anna Jarvis in 1908. While the dates vary slightly from country to country, Mother's Day is most commonly celebrated on the second Sunday in May. Anna Jarvis remained a spinster and childless her whole life, and initially lobbied for Mother's Day to be for families to honour their mothers and to attend church. She believed that the American calendar was chauvinistic and launched a campaign for a holiday to be introduced which celebrated women. As soon as this day became a national holiday in the United States, agreed to by Woodrow Wilson in 1914, florists and card companies leapt onto the bandwagon and started marketing their wares. This commercialisation outraged Jarvis who then spent years lobbying for Mother's Day to be removed the calendar. (Information from www.history.com) ANNA JARVIS

Dr Livingstone , I presume?

David Livingstone was a giant of the Victorian Age. On his shoulders were heaped honours and accolades, his books were best-sellers and the British nation waited impatiently for news of his exploits in the wilds of Africa. After dying a lonely and painful death in central Africa, he was buried in Westminster Abbey – an honour never before accorded to a commoner.

Guy Winchester-Gould tells the story of this remarkable missionary, doctor and explorer.

PART 1: EARLY YEARS David Livingstone was born in the small manufacturing town of Blantyre, Scotland, on 19 March 1813 to ‘exceedingly pious’ parents. Aged 10, he got a job in one of the town’s cotton-spinning mills where the noisy, dimly-lit and humid atmosphere was to be his environment for the next decade or so.

Despite the strenuous and monotonous work he was a fervent reader, often with a book in front of him whilst carrying out his duties. Away from the factory he and his brother scoured the countryside in search of stones, rocks, botanical and zoological specimens – early signs of the enquiring mind he retained until his death fifty years later!

Meanwhile, his parents, anxious for him to be imbued with the spirit of Christianity, ensured their son’s piety. It is little wonder then that throughout his life Livingstone acknowledged the great part religion had played, later writing, ‘In the glow of love that Christianity inspired I resolved to devote my life to the alleviation of human misery’.

At first he entertained no thoughts of becoming a missionary but after a nationwide appeal for ‘medical missionaries’ (a new concept in Christianity) he convinced his father of his intention of becoming a missionary-doctor in preparation for preaching the gospels among the ‘heathen’.

Medicine was then in its infancy (surgical operations were performed without anaesthetics, chloroform was unheard of and antiseptics lay well in the future), yet he absorbed everything on offer at the University of Glasgow. Virtually nothing was known about tropical diseases, particularly malaria, which had killed so many in the past. No one knew what malaria was or how it was transmitted, so he familiarised himself with the properties of quinine (obtained from the bitter bark of the cinchona tree which originally grew in the foothills of the Andes) in the prevention and treatment of the

Then there were none The afternoon of 1 September, 1914 was not the ideal moment in history to get the world worked up over the death of Martha the passenger pigeon. Her cage mate George had died five years earlier. The marriage was chickless and all the other captive passenger pigeons had died; none had been seen in the wild for a long time; Ectopistes migratorius was now extinct.

Martha the passenger This was not some marginal species pigeon. retiring from trying to eke out existence on a remote island. When the white man arrived in North America this was almost certainly the most common bird on the continent, quite possibly the most common bird in the world.

Some calculations suggest there were 3 – 5 billion.

The passenger pigeon was a touch larger than the still-familiar feral pigeon. Early naturalists tried to describe the colours of the male plumage as iridescent shades of blue, emerald green, gold, orange, crimson, copper and coral.

It was not ordinary destruction that killed Martha and her kind.

It was not the Native Americans with nets nor the white men with shotguns, nor hawks and coyotes. The damage was done by innocent God-fearing farmers hacking down what they called wilderness which we would now call virgin forest. The passenger pigeon food of choice was not an infant cornfield but the nuts of the beech, oak and to a lesser extent chestnut trees that once covered the landscape. Ohio was 95 percent forest when the white settlers moved in; by 1900 it was 10 percent. By then Martha's death could be foretold. The last sighting of a wild passenger pigeon was by a young man in Indiana in 1902. Naturally he shot it.

What must we do to ensure that the creeping clearing of Fynbos for vineyards does not have the same consequences for the Overberg birds as that of Martha or any other indigenous species?

There are no passengers on spaceship earth - we are all crew members.

Patrick Campbell Source: Financial Times Life and Arts section, 24 August 2014

disease. Without this knowledge his life would certainly have been shortened. He also became more than just a doctor, and later used his skill in midwifery to assist his wife, Mary, through several childbirths.The young man began thinking about applying to one of the missionary societies for a posting where he could render service to humankind. After discussions with his father, he opted for the London Missionary Society (LMS) with its world wide operations. He was interviewed in London in August 1838 and in 1840 accepted an offer ‘to spread the Gospel to the remotest parts of the earth’.

While he had set his sights on China this was a no-go region as a result of the Opium War between Britain and China. At the time Dr Robert Moffat was visiting Britain. The bearded and reverential missionary, resident in Kuruman, South Africa, believed the Livingstone ideal for a posting in southern Africa. (to be continued)

nature talk

Aliens in the water Naas Terblanche urges everyone to go fishing

We have a serious problem with invasive alien vegetation in our area but what people don’t always realize is that our dams and rivers are also being invaded by alien fish.

On the front page of the April Stanford River Talk we saw a beautiful picture of guys walking with their fish catch of the day in King Street.

This catch is exciting because it provides not only recreation but also provides good quality protein that helps people balance their household budgets in these difficult times.

However what struck me when I saw the photo, is that the beautiful catch of the day was a carp. This fish species is indigenous to Asia and has been bred by the Chinese for as long as 2400 years.

Carp was introduced to South Africa in the 17th century from Europe for angling, and for farming.

Unfortunately as with so many aliens, the carp is now regarded as very undesirable because of its destructive eating behaviour and prolific breeding. A female carp lays more than a million eggs in a season and eats everything from frog eggs to plant material. They also have the unfortunate habit of stirring up mud from the bottom of dams and rivers. This makes the water muddy which creates ideal conditions for fungi and other fish diseases - bad news for indigenous fish and frogs.

Other invasive alien fish that have taken over our Willem Appel Dam and the Klein River are large mouth black bass and blue gill.

These threaten our indigenous frog population including the Western Leopard Toad.

Please keep on enjoying catching the fish in our fresh waters and don’t throw them back. Every bit helps for the conservation of our environment.

STANFORD RIVER TALK 13

kitchen talk Bryan Robertson

Mother Hen

INGREDIENTS

On Mother's Day, you can pick your mum some flowers, or serve them for lunch

With Mother's Day around the corner, this is the ideal opportunity for dad to help the young ones prepare lunch for mom.

While it may not be springtime, there is a startling number of folks around who are spring chickens when it comes to basic kitchen skills. By interacting with Joe Public on a regular basis in the field of food and food preparation, it is astonishing how many times I am asked advice on how to roast a chicken.

Chicken pieces are never a problem, but the whole bird is quite intimidating for some.

Cooking, baking and serving food with flowers is back in vogue. The Victorians loved edible flowers, and many Asian and Indian recipes call for flowers. We are familiar with rosewater which makes marshmallows and Turkish delight sweets a sensory pleasure, and many a British TV chef has stuffed courgette flowers with something cheesy before deep frying. Planting nasturtiums along the edges of vegetable patches is a simple way to send snails packing before they chow down on delicious young lettuce leaves, and nasturtium leaves and flowers turn a green salad into a 1970s pepper-flavoured disco dish.

These common edible flowers aside, what other blooms are safe to nosh on?

BASIC ROAST CHICKEN FOR FATHERS AND KIDS 1 whole bird 2 tablespoons flour 2 tablespoons butter or fat 2 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice 2 teaspoons salt for every kg of meat 1/2 teaspoon white pepper for every kilogram of meat

The first rule is to make sure your edible flowers have not been sprayed with pesticides. Make sure you know your flowers before eating them – some can be toxic. The flowers of herbs and vegetables are usually a safe bet. Fresh rocket flowers make a delicate decoration in a couscous salad.

Thoroughly wash the bird inside and out, then pat the outside dry with a towel. Rub the bird with lemon juice, salt and pepper.

Spread with butter or fat, and dredge in flour. Pour a little water into the roasting pan and add the bird. Roast, covered, in the oven at 160C, basting frequently. Roasting time is 25 minutes per 500g of meat. Uncover and brown the bird for the last 15 minutes of the roasting time. Lean birds must be basted more frequently.

(Cooked poultry freezes very well. Reheat still frozen bird at a low heat to prevent drying out, and baste frequently with butter or oil)

METHOD

A floral flourish

* Elderberry flowers grow easily in Stanford and can be steeped in syrup to make a wonderful, fragrant cordial.

* Hibiscus flower petals can be used in salads to add an acidic flavour. They can also be dried to make tea.

* Sunflowers taste like artichokes when the

STUFFING

unopened buds are steamed. Once the open, the petals can be used as a fresh sprinkle on salads, just like chrysanthemum petals, for a bitter-sweet treat.

Stuffing is a fantastic way to soak up the full flavoured juices of the chicken while roasting and is a very economical way to provide an extra, satisfying accompaniment to the meal.

* Marigold petals range from bitter to peppery, and

3 cups fresh breadcrumbs 1 onion finely chopped 1 teaspoon sage/parsley/Italian herbs 2 tablespoons melted butter 1 egg Pinch salt and pepper Combine breadcrumbs, onion, herb, butter and egg in a bowl.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Be careful not to stuff the chicken too full as it may cause the chicken to burst when the bread absorbs the moisture.

Makes 1.5 cups

are sometimes referred to as poor man's saffron (stigmas of a crocus). They make a great edible confetti garnish in soups and with rice. Try adding some when you next scramble eggs.

* Dandelions are best when the flowers are young

and still closed in buds. They can get bitter as they mature but the young buds can be steamed, and the fresh young leaves make an interest addition in a garden salad.

For a comprehensive list of what you can eat, read www.treehugger. com/green-food/42-flowers-you-can-eat

METHOD

INGREDIENTS

PORK SAUSAGE STUFFING 3 large pork sausages with casings removed Half a cup of herbs finely chopped (mix rosemary, thyme and parsley) Half a cup of breadcrumbs Finely diced giblets Zest of 1 lemon Salt and pepper Mix these together before filling the cavity.

For best results, remove a few teaspoons of stuffing and place in the bottom of the roasting dish for the last 15 minutes of roasting. This will give you some plain stuffing for slicing, and some crispy bits too.

STANFORD RIVER TALK 14

ERWIN'S Traditional German Meat Products Available at • Stanford Saturday Morning Market • Ou Meul • Directly from Erwin Cell 082 441 5533 • www.erwins.co.za

By Matt Chancey TALES FROM THE SUD

Flying Off-Road Cessnas don't have mudflaps

I

have a tremendous respect for bush pilots.

They fly under some of the worst conditions imaginable.

I recall once escorting a couple of ladies to the Upper Nile to visit some of the communities they had been supporting through my NGO. Neither had ever been to Sudan (or Africa) before. And it was August smack dab in the middle of the rainy season when most of South Sudan turns into a swamp.

We had a very successful trip, and our pilot, John, was right on time to pick us up. Since there were only four of us on the plane, John asked if it would be alright to stop and pick up one additional passenger. 'Sure, I replied.

'What's the harm?'

The place where we had to fly to was called 'Loquendelay' which I believe roughly translates as 'only idiots land here during the rainy season.' John had phoned ahead to check the condition of the runway. The guys on the ground assured him the airstrip was as dry as a bone. But flying over the area, I wasn't convinced.

When we landed, it felt like all the tyres went flat at once. I looked out of the window to see mud flying everywhere. I then looked

at John. He wasn't happy. To make matters worse, when our passenger walked out of the bush to meet us, he was the biggest Kenyan we'd ever seen. He was built like a Springbok forward!

'everyone starred at our plane; it looked like we had flown through a mud pie!'

To compensate for the weight and the muddy runway, John put our Kenyan 'van der Merwe' up front, and the rest of us moved to the rear of the Cessna. We then taxied to the very end of the runway and John gave it full throttle, with full flaps, and holding the brakes until he could hear every horse in the engine screaming for dear life. When he released the brakes we leapt forward and started tearing down the runway, spraying mud everywhere.

By the time we got to the end of the runway, our speed was too slow, so John slammed on the brakes and swung the plane around before we hit the trees at the end of the strip.

Through this ordeal, my two lady friends were sitting very quietly. Their eyes were closed and I supposed they were making

many unspoken vows to the Almighty to bargain for their safety.

John said we should give it another go. So, again he fired up the engine to full throttle and we hurtled down the runway. No dice.

We were still too heavy. John looked at van der Merwe. 'You gotta get off, my friend.'

Now considerably lighter, John tried again.

And again, we reached the end of the strip too slow and John had to slam on the brakes.

'I think we'll try once more because the right side of the strip looks a little drier.'

So, for the fourth and final time, John gave the throttle 110 percent. And we made it – barely! When we arrived back at base, everyone stared at our plane; it looked like we had flown through a mud pie!

UP, UP AND AWAY!

SOAPBOX

Martin Ranger continues his traveller’s tales Yep, I had a great holiday last month. Thanks, Kim – and love to the girls.

I’m sure that most readers have long since stopped believing in the romance of air travel. For many it’s tedious, uncomfortable and loaded with irritations. Take the check-in: I always seem to be behind someone who has paid a super-low price for their ticket yet mysteriously assumes they can negotiate an upgrade, or at least an emergency aisle seat. When they wave a blue frequent flyer card at the ground attendant you can almost feel the contempt in

her sneer. And why should she care? She’s going home to a micro-waved supper in her flat in the suburbs whilst you are jetting off to somewhere much more interesting.

Then it’s off to the boarding gate, where we are regaled with the language of the airlines. It is here that ‘now’ has been replaced by ‘at this time’ whilst ‘last and final’ joins ‘the last remaining’ in this tautological Neverland.

When the boarding call finally comes we jump and jostle into the queue as if it were the first day of a halfprice sale! Ahead of me is an

elderly lady who has a shoulder bag with twelve pockets. Each one is zipped. And whatever she requires – boarding pass, passport, Wilson mints or her water bottle – is always in the last one.

Finally on board I sense minty breath around me as my travelling companion seeks my assistance in stowing an about-to-split Woolworth’s carrier bag in an overhead luggage compartment. And who is this squeezing past on the other side? Why it’s Mr Blue Card moaning about the seat, the legroom, the in-flight entertainment…

After a seemingly endless flight we finally arrive. Once through the formalities I experience a frisson of excitement – will my luggage also be here? Why is it that it is almost impossible to lose a small flake of dandruff resting on one’s shoulder but it’s quite easy to misplace something as large as a suitcase?

Finally, I am left standing at a still moving, but empty, carousel. It is then I hear the dreaded words: ‘Don’t worry sir; your case comes up next week.’

Bienvenue!

Awesome plumbing service in the village

PlumbTec

082 609 0809

plumbtec.info@gmail.com STANFORD RIVER TALK 15

plant talk

Suzanne Francois Roussouw

Endangered fynbos in the garden Rediscover local beauties Some plants are on the endangered list or on the brink of extinction. It is not very often that one is able to plant any of these rare species in the garden, but in recent years some of the fynbos growers have been able to do their bit for conservation by growing rare species that are then sold to the home gardeners and the cut flower trade.

Two rare and very beautiful plants that are now available are the Marsh Rose (Orothamnus zeyheri) and the Blushing Bride (Serruria florida).

THE MARCH ROSE is a beautiful evergreen shrub that is part of the Protea family and is naturally found in areas of the Hottentots Holland Mountains. It was thought for many years that this rare plant had been lost forever. What makes it special and sought after is the pink flowers it bears which resemble the flowers of a rose. Flowers can be seen in spring and summer, and they last a long time. The plants grow naturally on mountain slopes in well drained rich peat moss-like soil. When planted in the home garden you need to ensure that the plant is not over watered as they can succumb to being over watered overnight.

If the flowers are to be used as cut flowers, the stalks must not be cut too long as that will result in the plant not having many remaining leaves to produce food.

The plant can have a life span of about ten years and can grow to a high of 1.5metres. It is possible to grow them in containers.

Stanford Tourism The Stanford Association of Tourism and Business.

Stanford Tourism is the trading name of the tourism and business representative organisation serving the Stanford area. Its mission is to develop, promote and inform. We have a vacancy in the Stanford office for an:-

OFFICE MANAGER PURPOSE: To plan, direct and manage the activities of the office. To represent the Association and to contribute to the development of its strategy and promotion.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES • Promoting Stanford, its facilities and services.

• Supervising and leading the operation of the Information office.

• Developing creative promotional solutions.

• Utilising and updating the Association’s social media channels and website.

• Management of records – financial, stock, commissions, occupancy, membership etc.

• Development and performance management of staff.

• Liaison with destination marketing organisations, Stanford Tourism’s management committee and other local tourism and business bodies.

• Attendance at regional tourism management meetings.

• Act as the Association’s secretary at all its management and public meetings.

REQUIREMENTS • Excellent people and communication skills combined with strong organisational and supervisory capabilities.

• Proficiency in English and at least one other official South African language.

• An energetic and positive outlook.

• Competent in Microsoft’s packages and an ability to manage a basic PC- based website (Wordpress), Mailchimp, social media financial control and reporting systems.

• Appropriate experience in fields such as: sales, tourism promotion, general marketing/advertising, writing for media and public relations.

• A sound knowledge of the area, its attractions and facilities.

• Own transport.

A competitive remuneration package will be offered to the successful candidate, commensurate with their competence and experience.

Please email your application and CV to Milkwood@maxitec.co.za or leave a sealed version (marked ‘Office Manager vacancy’) at the Stanford Tourism office: 13 Queen Victoria Street, Stanford. Applications close on 13 May 2016.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however communication will only be made with those who are short-listed.

STANFORD RIVER TALK 16

THE BLUSHING BRIDE is a very popular cut flower that can be bought during the winter months.

Naturally found in the mountains around Franschhoek where it was rediscovered after being believed extinct for several years. The flowers are a creamy white colour with a splash of light pink on the edge or centre of the petals. When grown in the garden it is best to plant them in containers with well drained fynbos soil mix.

The plants grow best in a sunny warm and sheltered position in a north facing area to protect them from frost and strong winds. If you live in an area that is very hot and dry in the summer, supply the plants with a bit of shade at the warmest time of the day. Experts recommend that the growing tips be pinched out in the first few growing years to encourage the side branches to grow. Plants will start flowering in their second growing year and have a life span of about seven years.

vet talk

health talk

Tuberculosis

Vegetarian options

Dr Wanya van der Walt warns against ignoring a cough

Dr Olga Koorts says pets can benefit from eating fruit and vegetables

There are literally millions of pathogens contained within a single cough and its spray. One of these serious infectious diseases is Tuberculosis. It is caused by a tough little bacteria called Mycobacterium Tuberculosis.

It uses droplets of fluid as a carrier vehicle (saliva/ spit/phlegm). It is extremely contagious and resistant to treatment. Doctors use sputum samples, blood works and chest x-rays to diagnose the disease and will usually start treatment immediately. The sad fact about this disease is that all those who come into contact with infected patients might already have TB and also need to be tested. It can lie dormant for months or even years. It is also opportunistic, and does not always present itself until the immune system is compromised. It is also imperative, that once you are on treatment, to finish the full course or else the bacteria can become more resistant.

lthough cats and dogs are carnivores, fruit and vegetables make up a small but important part of their diet. They provide essential vitamins and fibre and are a great way of providing bulk without adding calories. They are also great as cheap and tasty snacks.

Individual pets, like humans, will prefer certain things. Cats, for example, lack receptors for sweet tastes and therefore often do not like fruit.

Introducing new food into your pet’s diet might cause stomach upsets leading to vomiting or diarrhoea. Be careful to introduce new tastes one at a time and observe your pet carefully. Also remember that some vegetables can cause bloating and gas. Cooking cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage makes them easier to digest and might reduce this problem. Always remove seeds, leaves and hard skins.

So what is safe? Apples, Asparagus, Banana, Bell peppers, Berries (blue-, straw- and

TB FACTS FROM DR YOLANDY LEMMER • Most infections are latent and asymptomatic, and could progress into an active disease that could be lethal if untreated • South Africa currently has the highest incidence of TB per 100 000 people in the world (358 per 100 000). In 2007 alone 112 000 people died of TB in South Africa, of which 94 000 (72%) were coinfected with HIV (WHO, 2009) • TB-AIDS can be classified as a new combination disease, since Human Immunodeficiency Virus/M. tuberculosis (HIV/M. tb) co-infection has become such a frequent occurrence in third world countries.

In comparison to TB alone, TB/AIDS patients have severely reduced survival, are more challenging to diagnose and may exhibit sometimes fatal immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) when subjected to anti-retroviral therapy.

VACCINATIONS South Africa uses Bacilllus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine as part of its TB control programme. BCG is only partially effective; there is some protection against severe forms of pediatric TB, but is unreliable against adult pulmonary TB. TREATMENT • Current treatment for drug susceptible TB consists of a combination drug that is taken for four months followed thereafter with two months therapy of two first line drugs.

• The regime for drug resistant TB can take up to two years of daily treatment.

• Standard first line chemotherapy is not effective for individuals that are infected with multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB strains and there is practically no cure for extensively-drug resistant (XDR) ones. Failure to complete the lengthy drug regimens allows the pathogens to become resistant especially to the two first line drugs, isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF).

•This is increasingly evident in persons who have been previously treated for TB. •New technologies are being researched and developed for treatment which includes the use of nano medicines (small medicines) to reduce the pill burden and shorten the treatment time.

(This article is not intended to give medical advice or substitute medical care by a professional)

A

May

raspberries), Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Cucumber, Green beans, Mango, Mealies, Pear, Peas, Pineapple, Potato (ripe, cooked), Pumpkin, Spanspek, Spinach, Sweet potato, Tomato (ripe fruit only) and Watermelon are some of the more common examples.

Never feed grapes, raisins or currants as they can cause kidney damage as will rhubarb. Citrus like lemons, limes or grapefruit can cause an upset stomach although oranges are tolerated better. Onion and garlic are toxic to our pets causing damage to red blood cells.

Although mealies off the cob are safe to feed, it is a common allergen in pets. Watch out for pips of cherries, apricots, watermelons and even apples as they contain low levels of poisonous substances. Tomato plants and some nuts (especially Macadamias) are very toxic.

Avocado, raw or green potatoes and wild mushrooms should also be avoided.

A message from the Christian Forum

May in the Northern hemisphere is spring time and there are a number of songs written around it including some musical plays like 'Maytime'. In the Christian calendar, the month of May normally falls in the time after Easter and before the commemoration of the ascension of Christ to heaven, and before the great Pentecost when the Holy Spirit of God came upon the disciples. When this happened the people heard the disciples speaking in different languages glorifying God. When Jesus ascended into heaven he left with the promise that He was going to prepare a place for all His followers and that He would return for those who belonged to Him (Joh 14).

Many folks never think about the different aspects of the lifecycle from birth to death, but I am sure that if you think about the different news items and other social happenings around us you would find quite a few of the different life happenings. In our little community we had wonderful news about folks expecting a little one to swell their family circle, news about weddings and also deaths, and each one of these occurrences gave us food for thought. Some fill us with joy, others with sadness, others with apprehension or expectation. We go through quite a spectrum of emotional experiences in our lives.

A lecturer in psychology once expanded upon the theme that in life, one experiences twenty-one different crises like birth, first teeth, going to school, making friends, finishing school, going to college, starting work, falling in love, getting married and having children and then also death. Each one of these has an effect on the shaping of one's life and character. One great aspect he left out or forgot was the meeting of our Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and the profound effect this has on one's life and future. Unfortunately, not everybody experiences this. This one experience contains much greater joy and emotional upliftment than any other one could ever experience. It is like a certain song written years ago called 'The song is ended but the melody lingers on.' Being reborn is a much more enriching and enduring experience than anything one can ever go through in life, and when it happens, the effect is eternal.

Rev. Hildie Pansegrouw STANFORD RIVER TALK 17

Historical Stanford on Foot 'Historical Stanford on Foot' is a booklet assembled by the Stanford Conservation Trust with photographs by Mare Mouton. Next time you're twiddling your thumbs, why not pick up a copy from Stanford Tourism and take yourself on a self-guided tour of our heritage village? Here are some of the buildings featured on the Historical Walk: HW 14, erf 96), 1920 This is now a private residence but it used to be a shop, cleverly position on what used to be the main road to Gansbaai. The original front door on the splay is usually a good indication of which buildings were used as shops. The land behind the house-cum-shop grew vegetables and cattle from nearby farms were slaughtered at the back – the floor at the back of the property was laid on a slope so that it was easy to wash down. In the 1930s, Mr Duminy bought the shop and was such a well-known businessman that the property became known as Duminy se winkel.

HW 15 (Erf 80) circa 1920s This typical eclectic villa was possibly built by the Moore family. It served as the police station, holding cells and magistrate's court for years until the new police station was built in 1969, and the function of the magistrate's court was moved to Hermanus. The building has been renovated and the holding cells still remain – an idea to market these as backpackers rooms has been heard over the years.

The Revenant James Yeats was left deep in thought I don’t trust the Oscar committee nor their decisions a great deal, but after being awarded three Oscars and all the hype that has surrounded 'The Revenant' I decided to go and watch it.

Leonardio DiCaprio is an exceptional actor and has been one of my favourites for a long time. The movie is based on true events of an 1820s fur trading expedition le d by Hugh Glass (Di Caprio).

His co-star, Tom Hardy, plays John Fitzgerald. Hardy somehow manages to keep up with DiCaprio on the acting front. He shows a vastly different set of skills than those seen in his lead role performance in ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’.

This British-born actor is making huge waves in Hollywood and is certain to become a future-great.

This is not an easy movie to watch and I’m not sure if I would like to watch it again. There are a few gruesome scenes that stayed with me long after I had left the comfortable seat of the cinema, but perhaps that is sometimes what separates the good movies from the great. I watched it with my oldest sister and afterwards we were in deep discussion about the movie.

For the crew, this was an extremely difficult shoot, as the director wanted to only shoot with natural sunlight in the harshest of weather conditions. The director, Alejandro G. Iñárritu, was quoted as saying that if they had 'ended up (using) green screen with coffee and everybody having a good time, everybody [would have been] happy, but most likely the film would [have been] a piece of s&*@.'Ultimately this movie is about survival and makes a person appreciate the luxuries we so often take for granted.

FILM MISTAKES When Leonardo's character traps and captures a fish and raises the fish to his mouth to take a bite out of it, you can see that the fish has been gutted.

STANFORD RIVER TALK 18

LIVING SOUNDTRACK

Is there room for a view?

Andrew Herriot remembers Maserus' Am-Dram scene My acoustic piano was well and truly part of the furniture in our modest British Government regulation accommodation for education advisers in Maseru. The exposition of the 3rd Movement of my Soundtrack was following an efficacious course in yet another musical journey. Although I had been off-key for some years and not regularly practising I had on many occasions come across the proverbial 'unmanned piano' in manors, hotels, restaurants, bars of course, shopping centres, schools or some other popular piano corner, and I always fostered the opportunity not to forget what I had learned.

My aim in Lesotho continued to be to get involved. I had my Grundig radio, my sheet music, and I was enjoying the music scene. The small Lesotho capital, Maseru, had a vibrant and active community of locals and expats many of whom were involved in Am-Drams at the nearby theatre club – Maseru Players. What was I waiting for? It transpired that the current long-term residents had been part of a deep and lengthy programme of amateur entertainment. This included the obvious stage plays but also musical items such as Old Tyme Musical Halls, Pantomimes, stage shows and an array of intimate, caddish-like ‘goosen’ with Noel Coward cabaret-type dinner repartees which became rather profligate and a little licentious (not promiscuous) amongst the ‘luvvies’.

The menu was enticing and had a distinct visceral flavour of musical enterprises that would meet my 3rd Movement needs. It was 1978. Nowadays, the situation is not quite the same. There are talented people everywhere with children who are equally talented but there is so much more to capture the communities’ interest. However our very own local Stanford Players do offer something historically and mellifluously satisfying and dramatically not that different from other present-day iconic crowd-pulling events that bring talented people together with a common purpose.

Before I knew it, I was approached once again to assist with the local music scene. A Broadway Show had been proposed; 'The Boy Friend'. How could I resist such a prestigious opportunity? I had made collegial friends with an abundance of talented musicians, stage artistes and clever writers. So, Sandy Brown’s 'The Boy Friend' was chosen (it is no coincidence that Stanford Players presented its own version in 2012 and I was at it again!) What was fascinating for me as a somewhat frustrated musician in Lesotho was that there was this plethora of talent including vocalists, comics, choreographic instructors, stage directors, magicians, instrumentalists, localised script writers, lighting experts, sound technicians, costume designers, set designers and builders, stage and business managers and a mass of keen talent all waiting on the wings! My job musically was easy! It was to obtain the score, audition the vocalists and actors, rehearse them, bring together the musicians and help to write arrangements and charts for a backing band.

Certainly these encounters opened up more opportunities to play my kind of music.

Band for 'The Boyfriend' in Maseru.

HERMANUS

WHAT'S ON

email your events to design@stanfordrivertalk.co.za

STANFORD

OVERSTRAND ARTS/ KUNSTE For all OAK enquiries and booking, contact Rene du Plooy 082 940 4238/ renedup@telkomsa.net • 4 May, OAK Movie, A Beautiful Mind, Classification 13 PG LV, 18:00, Civic Auditorium, Hermanus, Tickets at the door.

• 20 May, OAK Classical music event still to be confirmed, 19:00 • 10 – 19 June, Hermanus FynArts, See page 2 and 8.

• Every Wednesday, Graze Farmers Market, 09:00 – 12:00, get your fresh veggies at Graze Restaurant.

CAPE TOWN

• Every Saturday Morning Market, 9:30 – 12:00, home-made and home-baked goodies, on the Stanford hotel stoep.

•1 May – 30 September, Underwater Photographic Exhibition A selection of 41 images from all over the world, from photographers exploring unusual perspectives and interesting insights into the underwater world. Chavonnes Battery Museum, Clock Tower Precinct, V&A Waterfront, Mon to Sun, 9am to 4pm.

• Every Saturday, Haturday, Wear a hat or funky accessory on Queen Victoria Street, and grab a cuppa or do your market shopping while showing your enthusiasm for the village.

• Thursday – Monday, Don Gelato is open for breakfast and lunch. (Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays) Open on public holidays. Every Saturday evening 19:00 – 22:00, Don Gelato Trattoria serves a dinner of traditional Italian cuisine and Italian wines. Book with Lionello 079 840 1084 or 081 805 7470.

• 3 – 5 May Mother's Day Market Day Breaktime at Okkie Smuts Primary.

• 4 – 7 May, Summer Sale at Stanford Animal Welfare Clothing, books, household goods at bargain prices.

• Friday, 6 May, Stanford Bird Club Talk, 18:30, Municipal boardroom. All are welcome to listen to Richard Masson share his incredible experiences and sightings during his Big Birding Month in October last year. R60pp includes a light supper, bring your own drinks. R20pp without supper. Non-members welcome. Please RSVP for catering purposes Marian 083 303 4330.

• Saturday, 7 May, Canoeing Open Day, read more on page 7.

• Saturday, 7 May, open day for facilitators of workshops, creativity & wellbeing, 10:00 – 15:00, co-facilitating with horses.

Enjoy a farm-fresh lunch. Contact Kirsten 028 341 0787 or info@laughingwatersfarm.co.za • Sunday 8 May, Mother’s Day at Laughing Waters, 10:00 – 15:00. Bring your family and a picnic & enjoy the fynbos and farm animals. A beautiful bunch of proteas will be given to each Mom, Dutch apple pie, coffee and tea beneath our giant oak trees, cheese-tasting. Kirsten 028 341 0787 or info@laughingwatersfarm.co.za

• 13 – 15 May, Franschhoek Literary Festival A novel way to spend a weekend: book launches, literary discussions, classical music and more! 10:00 – 21:00, Franschhoek surrounds help@flf.co.za, www.flf.co.za • 19 May – 5 June, Burn the floor dance show, known as one of the world’s pioneering (and toughest!) dance shows, 15:00 – 17:00, Baxter Theatre, R190pp – R310pp. www.baxter.co.za • 27 – 29 May, Good Food & Wine Show Culinary event which includes food and wine tastings, talks, exhibitors and celebrity chefs. This year’s theme Fresh explores sustainability, urban farming and nutrition. The event is hosted by Fiera Milano Exhibitions Africa.Cape Town Convention Centre, 10am. email: daniel@fieramilano.co.za www.goodfoodandwineshow.co.za

• 13 May, Art and Wine Auction, 18:30, Okkie Smuts fundraising. Stanford Valley Manor House. R100pp with welcome drinks and snacks. Cash Bar. Tickets availabkle at the school 028 341 0611.

• 14 – 15 May, cheese-making, Sat 09:00 – 15:00 and Sun 07:30 – 14:00, Artisan cheese making & tasting: together we’ll make 4-5 varieties of cheeses. Sunday begins with the morning milking followed by a full farm brunch. Contact Kirsten 028 341 0787 or info@laughingwatersfarm.co.za • 21 May or thereabouts, full moon paddle, 17:00, weather permitting. You may want to bring a headlamp, although it is nicest to be on the water without one. It is handy for post-paddle though!

Bring a warm jacket. If the weather turns foul, the paddle will be cancelled. If you choose to paddle regardless, this will be at your own risk.

• 26 May, Stanford Ratepayers Association get together, details to be confirmed • 27 May, Stanford Sunset Market, 18:00 – 20:00, Village Green.

• Friday, 24 June, Barry Hilton, Stanford NGKerk Hall, 19:30 R100pp available from Stanford Tourism. All proceeds to Stanford Rotary Club.

• 18 June, Penguin Plunge, see page 6.

STANFORD RIVER TALK 19

classifieds There is an HONESTY BOX at Stanford Tourism where you can pay for your classifieds. Please enclose the amount in an envelope or design@stanfordrivertalk.co.za • cell: 079 523 8453 SMALL ADS: R1 a word

FOR SALE INTHUSIASM NATURAL and Organic Make-up orders. p Ruby yokogirls@gmail.com 072 753 8411.

SERVICES CAPTURE YOUR 35MM slides digitally. R1 per slide. p Dirk Troost 084 643 4504.

BOXED ADVERT R105

Vintage Beauty pedicures, manicures, facials

DOMESTIC WORKER, p Salome 071 946 1073. Reference Sandra Slabbert 079 523 8453.

HEDGE TRIMMING / TREE FELLING, p Aidan on 079 984 7646.

massages, waxes, make-up Jacolene 082 357 1245, Victoria Centre Stanford

Relove Stanford I offer furniture re-styling using Annie Sloan paints, waxes & techniques, in order to revive your unloved pieces.

To find out more about styles and colours, please call Amba, 079 788 8838

Ann’s Kitchen creates home style meals, which can be delivered to your home or self-catering cottage. Meals are prepared with free range chicken / eggs and where possible, locally sourced ingredients.

Menus are available on request or can be found on the Ann’s Kitchen facebook page.

Ann 076 3327 490 • annskitchencooking@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/pages/Anns-Kitchen/1629489837298579

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J U N I TA 072 464 1305 broomstix@hermanus.co.za

JAN

Call Mike 083 316 1872 • 028 341 0028 overberg@setsa.co.za • www.solsquare.com

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

AVE

19

14

35

37

104

23.4

22,4

34.1

FEB

17.5

20

16

16

17

18.2

23.1

21.7

MARCH

20

26

28.5

29

25

14

64,7

33,5

APRIL

30

56

53.3

54

48

13.3

35.3

49.6

MAY

66.5

83

43.5

55

30

33.2

62.1

JUNE

91.5

88

86

84

139

160

107

JULY

43

56

103

33

91

109.5

89.5

AUG

46

74

125

234

41

52.4

91.7

SEPT

35.5

25.5

73

60.5

42

42.2

56.2

OCT

50

25

111.5

62

36

23.7

56.3

NOV

57

42

26

212

43

49.5

55

DEC

40

23.5

6

5

13

15.7

23.5

YEAR

459

533

708

881.5

629

554.6

STANFORD RIVER TALK 20

AFRICAN HORSE COMPANY

guided multi-day trails & outrides along the whale coast & through unspoilt nature reserves. +27 (0) 82 667 9232 omstables@telkomsa.net www.africanhorseco.com

Private sale A large, magnificent plot is for sale in Buiten Street which retains the rural charm of Stanford’s farming days, with the convenience of being part of this wonderful village.

SIZE: 976m2 PRICE: R750 000 CONTACT DI ON 082 558 3916 OR di.mohr@iafrica.com

local services & facilities ACCOMMODATION A Stanford Country Cottage Beloftebos Cottages Morton Cottage Mosaic Farm Reiersvlei Stanford River Lodge The Country Cottage Villa on the Bay Walshacres Riverside

.

082 320 0982 082 391 5331 082 450 3970 028 313 2814 082 213 0512 028 341 0444 083 553 0663 082 336 1573 082 614 6322

ACCOUNTING & TAX SERVICES Maryke Brandt 072 172 9545 Allan Youens 082 903 4432 ARCHITECTURE Guy Whittle Grant Anderson Maureen Wolters

076 113 2741 072 364 3694 082 450 3970

BUILDING Stanford Bricks

028 341 0685

CUPBOARDS Your Style Cupboards 076 222 2063

082 327 6518 COMPUTERS Compuworld SMB Solutions 084 705 6719 028 313 2814

ELECTRICIAN HCD Electrical

084 769 1053

weekly timetable

CONFERENCE CENTRE Mosaic Farm

List your business for just R12.50 a month (only R150/year).

Email: design@stanfordrivertalk.co.za or telephone 079 523 8453 ESTATE AGENTS Pam Golding 028 341 0708 Stanford Village Properties 082 893 2282

072 111 9321

PLUMBING PlumbTec

082 609 0809

RESTAURANTS 1892 Stanford Spookhuis Barke Restaurant

072 318 2478

KC's Restaurant Marianas Springfontein Eats

028 313 2814 028 341 0116 028 341 0013 028 341 0719 028 341 0272 028 341 0651

082 781 1704

TELEVISION/DSTV Rod Dacre Television

073 160 4495

VINTAGE & LINEN Lace

082 781 1704

WEDDING VENUES Beloftebos Mosaic Farm Stanford Hotel Villa on the Bay

082 391 5331 028 313 2814 082 781 1704 082 336 1573

WINE CELLAR & SALES Springfontein Wine Estate

Stanford Hills Estate

028 341 0651 072 371 7546 028 3410 841

GARDEN SERVICES Earthworm Organics

072 825 7534

HAIR Jeanne Retief HOTEL Stanford Hotel HOUSE MANAGEMENT Stanford Country Cottages Village Laundromat

082 320 0982 072 616 0976

HOME MAINTENANCE Stanford Country Cottages

082 320 0982

INTERIORS Kiwinet Maureen Wolters

028 341 0209 082 450 3970

MASSAGE & HEALTH Stanford Health Practice

082 481 8285

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES Klein River Picnics River Rat Boat Cruises

028 3410 693 083 310 0952

PETS & PET CARE Stanford Kennels Syringa Country Kennels

028 341 0961 028 341 0961

Birkenhead Galley

WOOD

Walshacres Farm

028 341 0685 / 082 898 4889

Tuesday 17:30 & Friday 08:30, Maitri Yoga, Tasha Saha, 076 968 8608.

Monday 09:00, Yoga, 084 685 2641, Viv von der Heyden, 23 Quick Street.

Monday 17:00, Running Time Trials 5km, corner Adderley and Longmarket, last Monday of each month at Stanford Hills Estate.

Monday & Wednesday, Canoeing, Slipway Church St, John Finch 028 341 0444, Jan Malan 082 452 9877.

Tuesday & Thursday 17:00 to 18:00, Tae Bo, Okkie Smuts School Hall, Ronnie 083 655 4521.

Tuesdays 08:30: Canoe Club Social paddle (any craft), 17:30: Canoe Club10 km and 6 km time trials. Chris Wolf 083 455 3605 Tuesday & Thursday 17:30, Cycling, cnr de Bruin & Moore Streets, Sunday 08:00 Caltex Garage David Morrison 082 321 7996, John Finch 082 378 1935.

Wednesday, 18:30, Rotary Stanford Club Meeting, Don Gelato. Everyone welcome. Lana 082 216 4398.

Wednesdays 10:00 – 10:30, 'War Room' Prayer Meeting, NG Church Hall. All Welcome Thursday 18:30 - 21:30 Heal Your Life® Evening Group Sessions 071 382 9033.

Friday 09:00, Yoga, 084 685 2641, Viv von der Heyden, 23 Quick Street.

Fridays: 19:30 – 20:30 Alcoholics Anonymous, Okkie Smuts School Hall, Call Peter 082 7888 630 or Theo 082 635 3193 Saturdays 08:00: Canoe Club 10 km and 6 km time trials. Contact Chris Wolf 083 455 3605

WHERE TO WORSHIP IN STANFORD NG GEMEENTE STANFORD Sondae 9:00 in die kerkgebou. Office, tel 028 3410 966.

CHRISTEN GEMEENSKAPS BEDIENING, 10:00, NG Kerksaal. Almal welkom.

ST THOMAS ANGLICAN CHURCH Morton St, contact Father Joseph Gabriëls 028 3410588 First Sunday of the month 10:30 Communion (Afr) Second Sunday of the month 10:30 Service (Afr) Third Sunday of the month 08:00 Communion (Eng) Fourth Sunday of the month 10:30 Service (Afr) FULL GOSPEL CHURCH OF GOD cnr Queen Victoria & Bezuidenhout St. 09:30 Sunday service. Pastor Johnny van der Schyff • 028 3410 422.

VG KERK (next to De Bron School) 10:00 Sunday morning. Maureen Diedericks 028 3410 691.

STANFORD UNITED CHURCH, meets at St Thomas Church, Morton St. Interdenominational.

English service at 6pm Sunday. Bible Study, 7pm Tuesday night at 45 Queen Victoria St. Jan Troost 072 3459057.

WATER TESTING

STANFORD - RETICULATED DRINKING WATER RESULTS

STANFORD - RIVER WATER RESULTS

The treated sewerage outlet point into the Kleinriver is at the slipway at the end of Du Toit Street. The stream in the middle of town, starting in the dip in De Bruyn Street, is partly fed by the treated effluent from the waste water treatment works which gets complemented only in winter, by the overflow of the two dams in the middle of town. The two sampling points for the river are thus respectively known as under and above the treated sewerage outlet point.

Escherichia coli (E.coli) – bacteria that is a normal inhabitant of the human intestine. Its presence in a sample indicates pollution from human faeces.

Total Coliform bacteria – is the name for all the bacteria that produce gas and acid from the fermentation of lactose and its presence in a sample indicates pollution from the intestines of both humans and animals.

Heterotrophic Plate Count – is a standard microbiological method used to determine the efficiency of operations to remove or destroy organisms, good and bad, during the treatment process.

Determinant (e. Coli) Under treated Above treated Sewerage Standard Sewerage Outlet poin Outlet point (Bridge R43 0-130/100ml (Jetty next to erf 396) to Hermanus)

E. coli STANDARD (0/100ml)

0

0

FEB

32

Total Coliform bacteria STANDARD (10/100ml)

0

0

MARCH

Not available at time of print.

Heterotrophic Plate Count STANDARD (5000/100ml) 0

0

32

DETERMINANT

FEB

MARCH

STANFORD RIVER TALK 21

happy birthday Lincoln Smith 2 May

Fiona Ingles 6 May

Natalie Ground 6 May

Bongiwe Valiko 9 May

Alexander Kastner 11 May

Steph Ellet 15 May

Johanna May 24 May

Kerry Rischbieter 24 May

Charlotte Chancey 26 May

Royd Frith 6 May

If your birthday or a special occasion is coming up, please email design@stanfordrivertalk.co.za or sms 079 523 8453.

Alex Chouler 6 May

Sammy Horn 16 May

Corrado Giovannetti 28 May

Tumé Bester 16 May

Pam Trevelyan 29 May

Busiswa Apolosi 7 May

Rina de Wet 9 May

Troyden Isaacs 16 May

Paul Slabbert 23 May

Barbara Van Huyssteen 30 May

John Chancey 30 May

FUN FACTS ABOUT MAY

Ken and Cheryl Garrod celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on 23 April.

• The month of May was named after the Greek goddess Maia, the goddess of fertility. The Romans had a similar goddess named Bona Dea and they held the festival for Bona Dea during the month of May. The Romans called the month Maius.

It was first called May in the 1400s near the end of the Middle Ages.

• The birthstone of May, the emerald, symbolizes success and love.

• May was once considered a bad luck month in which to get married. There is a poem that says 'Marry in May and you'll rue the day'.

• In Old English, May is called the 'month of three milkings' referring to a time when the cows could be milked three times a day.

MAY DATES

TAURUS, 19 APRIL – 20 MAY

Taurus was the second sign of the zodiac established among the ancient Mesopotamians who knew it as the Bull of Heaven. The symbol of the bull is based on the white bull that fathered the Minotaur who was killed by Theseus.

Taureans are often described as dependable, patient and loyal while they are sometimes criticised as being stubborn. They can be deeply sensitive and make true, trustworthy friends.

STANFORD RIVER TALK 22

1 May 1967: 2 May 1519: 2 May 1885: 7 May 1945: 10 May 1908:

23 May 1934: 30 May 1431:

Elvis Presley married Priscilla Beaulieu in Las Vegas.

Artist Leonardo da Vinci died at Cloux, France.

Good Housekeeping magazine was first published in Massachusetts.

Germany surrendered to the USA during World War 2.

The first Mother's Day observance took place in West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Gangsters Bonnie & Clyde were killed in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.

Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in France.

★★ FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS ★★

2 May: David Beckham (40) 5 May: Adele (27) 6 May: George Clooney (54) 10 May: Bono (55)

14 15 20 21

May: Mak Zuckerberg (31) May: Andy Murray (28) May: Cher (69) May: MR T (63)

FOR SALE – brilliant opportunity!

STANFORD RIVER TALK Much-loved community newspaper that has existed for a decade and is still going strong.

This is a business that has HUGE potential to grow.

Email: design@stanfordrivertalk.co.za; ed@stanfordrivertalk.co.za

COMING TO YOUR VILLAGE SOON 083 206 9278

STANFORD RIVER TALK 23