NEWS UPDATE OCTOBER 2022
VERGELEGEN GARDEN AND HERITAGE TOUR

Fourteen members experienced an interesting heritage and garden tour of Vergelegen after coffee and delicious scones. The gardens show off their Camphor and Oak trees with a backdrop of the Hottentots Holland mountains. We were reminded of the early history of the estate originally set up in 1700 by Willem van der Stel. We were taken to the original homestead authentically furnished and with portraits of previous owners, the library, mill ruins and slave lodge remains. Within the homestead there are historical exhibitions with pictorial panels of the family ownership eras, the slave history, development of estate activities and eminent visitors.

The Library

Next Meeting:
The last meeting of the year is Monday 28th November at 4 pm in the Whale House auditorium. Dinkie Marais will present:

HERMANUSPIETERSFONTEIN: WHEN, WHO, WHAT & WHY
A photographic journey.

After this we will have our year end event on the lawn, including wine and snacks. This special occasion will be shared with the Old Harbour Museum. Reminder in November.

The history of Mount Pleasant- a tapestry

In 2019 Kathie Buley presented the history of Mount Pleasant drawing on the Lombardi Elders oral history. The elders were enthusiastic about the social and the environment of their neighbourhood and drew diagrams that led to a tapestry. This was embroidered by the elders and hangs in their facility. Two happy events arose from these opportunities- the elders attended the celebration of Fynbos in Fernkloof, enjoying the event and recognizing flowers.

Secondly two of the elders engaged in a youth programme given to 15 girls. This was facilitated by Ann Wright and Mariette Pitlo, who works with the elders and is a HHS member. Two of the elders shared their experience of story- telling and embroidery as a means of understanding their worlds. Both were animated, humorous and enjoyed sharing their experiences with the girls. They brought the history alive and it was a win-win situation as they too were lifted by the experience. The girls were fascinated. Mount Pleasant turns 100 in 2029.

Rhodes Cottage Museum: Ann Mapham and I recently visited this museum in Muizenberg and were taken on a fascinating tour of the cottage in which Cecil J Rhodes died in 1902.

Historical plaques and history boards: These are in reasonable condition however the board near Die Gang will probably need upgrading next year.

HHS Library: As I am away from 17 Oct – 18 Nov please contact me should you need to loan books.

Angela Heslop Chairperson

New books in the library

Click here to View Books