News Update December 2023

News Update December 2023

BREAKING NEWS

As some of you will recall at the recent members meeting on the 13th November I mentioned that the future of the History Society was under review

Back ground of our society.

The late Esje du Toit & Angela Heslop created 2 local history boards with 2 colleagues followed by working on making a History Society, joined by Robin Lee

Hermanus History Society was launched in 2012, the vision:

  • To bring the history of Hermanus alive to residents and visitors.
  • To create an awareness of history among the people in the Hermanus area whose ancestors lived in this area.
  • To encourage the collection and preservation of historical resources

The society’s work since that time has been organising approximately 10 meetings including site visits per annum, maintaining 2 history boards, 8 plaques, published 5 books and 1 in progress: (Hermanus: Photographic History), a library with over 100 listed books, an active website and a member sources relevant archives to our history.

The committee has talked about reviewing how it functions and after 2 meetings with the U3A committee members, we have explored the way forward. A decision to merge with U3A as a Special Interest Group in History has been agreed. The U3A committee have been very helpful and enthusiastic in their response. This is a process that makes resource sense and is a creative opportunity.

We will continue with meetings on the first Monday of the month at 4 pm in the Catholic Church Hall, the programme will be on the U3A circular. This will include site visits.  Membership is joint: U3A and the history group and membership will cost R150 per annum. Meeting attendance is R10 and R20 for non-members. We are planning a programme for 2024, assisted by Gert Claassen with programme design and ideas. Two of our committee will attend a joint committee with U3A, we will rethink our logo. Other activities such as our library and website will continue. However management of additional work will be reviewed over time. Finally please feel free to ask questions and make suggestions. We will be pleased if volunteers offer their assistance please.                                                 Angela Heslop