HERITAGE NEWS

March 2007

Along with later sunrises and earlier sunsets, the season is reflected in the nature of the harvest piled onto trucks that rumble through the village: the last of the deciduous fruit has given way to sticky pyramids of wine grapes heading for local cellars.

Cooler temperatures result in renewed energy, lending impetus to the Society’s Committee activities, which will, we hope, stimulate members to join us in efforts to achieve a series of short term goals and medium term objectives pertaining to the aims of the Society.

OFFICE BEARERS

Chairman Saddington in leisure mode.

Last year Chairman Bruce Milne notified the committee that he would not be available for a second term. We are delighted to announce that Tony Saddington agreed to take on the chair in spite of his workload and commitments to other organisations.

His extensive organisational experience of meetings, committees, workshops and conferences in his professional capacity has already stood the Society in good stead, with our agendas becoming more focussed and our tasks allotted timespans.

Our intention of making 2007 a year in which ideas and ideals are made practical and implemented – or adapted – has a good chance of success, thanks to the dynamic input of our Chairman.

The Committee remains unchanged, with Rachel Jenkins as Deputy Chair, Pam Verrall as Treasurer and Frans Jacobs as Acting Secretary. The remaining members are Helaine Shand, Bruce Milne, Marilyn Poole, Jill Hogan and Myrna Robins.

THE WAY FORWARD

Here’s more detail on what we hope to achieve during 2007 - and how we intend to go about it. We are also looking forward to input, suggestions and assistance from as many members as possible.

For each goal set, a task group has been formed to carry out the necessary work. Its members bring progress reports to the monthly Committee meetings.

Society members are invited to join any of these task groups whose objectives appeal to them, and who can offer input in some form. Our thanks go to those members who attended the social gathering at the Kampterrein hall on February 23 and who have already indicated their willingness to contribute.

Objective: Transformation of the Society to become more inclusive of the village’s residents.

By the end of March 2007 a consultative meeting with key individuals and groups in McGregor will have taken place. By mid-year we hope that the transformation process will be on track, with new members interested in heritage issues coming on board. We hope that the success of this process will be reflected after the 2007 AGM with a committee that is more representative of the village.

Task Group is headed by Tony Saddington, plus Frans Jacobs and Helaine Shand.

Objectives: To have the Krans proclaimed an authorised nature reserve and to instigate regular maintenance schedules.

Two Task Groups are dealing with these matters. The first is investigating options for getting the reserve protected for perpetuity, the second is organising walks and work parties. The adjoining wetland is also under consideration for protection and possible incorporation into the reserve.

Task Groups are headed by Myrna Robins and Bruce Milne, with Jill Hogan and Frans Jacobs in addition.

Objectives: The McGregor Museum needs suitable and permanent premises, where it can expand and its treasures be properly displayed. Its committee also seeks to co-operate with Lesley Townsend of SAHRA in their current heritage programme to the benefit of both parties, and to investigate the possibility of closer ties with Montagu and Robertson museums.

The Task Group, headed by Helaine Shand plus Marilyn Poole, is already active on these fronts.

Objective: To improve communication between members and between the Society and like-minded bodies. The Task Group, headed by Marilyn Poole plus Myrna Robins, hopes to achieve this through continued distribution of regular Newsletters and booklets and by maintaining and updating entries on the relevant Websites.

Heritage societies in neighbouring towns will be contacted and exchange visits are planned. More regular social evenings, some with guest speakers, are being organised.

Objective: To build the financial base of the Society. This Task Group is headed by Tony Saddington with Pam Verrall in addition. Initial tasks include the creation of an annual budget and exploration of potential funding .

THE WATCHDOG ROLE

Clear evidence of indigenous vegetation, including aloe and botterboom ripped out and discarded at the side of the newly gouged path.

The contractor’s laden truck pictured disappearing down the new sand “road” created in the Krans reserve.

Late last year a swimming pool contractor caused extensive destruction of the fynbos and indigenous vegetation over a 160 metre- long stretch of the Krans Nature Reserve. This was done by bringing in a front-end loader to gouge a path so that his truck could reach the garden of the home, which abuts the reserve, where the pool was to be dug. He obtained a key from a staff member of the municipality to unlock the gate at the top of Smith Street to start his trail of destruction .

Not only was his action illegal, but the event is made worse when considering that there was easy access to the site from his client’s garden. Under consideration here are responsibility, compensation, and most of all prevention of such disasters re-occurring.

The Society and the BRWM have exchanged letters on the matter. The contractor is responsible for rehabilitation of the area, and is ready to do this but wants input on what and when to plant. The Society will ask experts at the Worcester Karoo Garden for their input.

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD

There was a pleasing turnout for the members’ meeting held on February 23 at the hall in the Kampterrein. Helaine Shand gave a short address on the pilot SAHRA Heritage Survey and Interviewing project taking place in the village, after which chairman Tony Saddington outlined the committee’s plans for 2007, as reported in this newsletter.

Members were invited to put their names down for Task Groups that interested them, and it was stressed that this does not commit them to anything more than voluntary work for a limited period. A couple of Task Groups attracted several names, others one or two, and others none.

We would like to record our thanks to Excelsior Estate for their donation of a case of their enjoyable white wines for the occasion.

As ever, we acknowledge the help of Anne Binos who is always ready to help with technical layout of the Newsletter.

Information on the Heritage Society and the Museum is available on the two Websites that deal with our village. There are links to further information on village history and surrounding areas such as the never-completed mountain pass to Greyton. We would like members to visit these sites, read the relevant sections and give us comment on them. Go to www.tourismmcgregor.co.za and www.mcgregor.org.za.

The Committee will distribute details of our AGM to be held in June or July. We hope to bring in a brilliant guest speaker who is a household name in the field of architectural history and town planning.

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The newsletters are being distributed largely by email from now on – for hard copies and inquiries, please phone Pam Verrall on 976.

LAST WORD

From foundation member Angus Rose

“Welcome to this new edition of the Heritage Newsletter, to its Editor and its contributors! Every Good Body Deserves Facts to FACE and the Newsletter is where we'll get them. Let's also cast our eye at the rear-view mirror and recall a few names without whom there would be no Heritage Society: Jane Banks and Helene Shand, especially, for their foresight and inspiration; Colin Burden (so gently reminiscent of Animal Farm's loyal, indefatigable Boxer), naming the Kranz walks, clearing bush and contributing mightily by making our plaques and to designing Newsletters; Pam Verrall, meticulous with our money and words; the quartet who produced the Newsletters ably edited by Rod Wilson and laid out by Betty Smith; to the pottagers and the Bankses for clay and kiln; John Mortimer for municipal acumen of many kinds; John Buckle, the Society's face on several official bodies. Others, too, nameless and happy to remain so, but without whose active support and work this village would not be quite as amenable and attractive as it is. Looking back helps coping with the future; it allows us to see with greater clarity, to avoid repeating old errors and to develop a confidence based on reality and not sky-pie.

“Welcome to the new committee, the new working teams and the new Newsletter; and to our renewed zest under Tony's bustling guidance. Forwards and upwards to what lies ahead!”