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Prince Albert

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 The Olive Branch  

September 2008  

Prince Albert is a-buzz with the energetic participants in the Land Rover G4 Challenge. Over the last fortnight their bright orange vehicles have become a common sight in our streets, as the drivers tested their physical strength, mental and strategic talents and teamwork. The selection sessions will result in the three-week long Challenge Finals, which take place in the most spectacular remote locations of South Africa , the UK and Asia . This is when teams of two competitors, one male and one female from each of the eighteen competing nations, participate in 4x4 driving combined with extreme sports such as mountain biking, kayaking, climbing, orienteering and abseiling. Prince Albert is proud to have been able to share Karoo hospitality and our splendid mountain terrain with the competitors.

Dis weer Skou-tyd! The annual Prince Albert Agricultural Show takes place at the Skougrond in Jan Louw Street on the 9th, 10th and 11th of October. All the ever-popular events are included – sheep and angora goat fleeces will be judged and local artists, cooks, jam and chutney-makers and handcrafts experts will compete in their various categories. The horse displays are well worth watching and the local talent competition is most entertaining. Tasty Karoo food is the cherry on the top.  Come and join our farming families as they celebrate another productive year in the Great Karoo. Contact Zelia and Chantelle for more details – 023 5411 366.

Remember the 7th Prince Albert Oktoberfest too. The Blaskapelle Hemslingen, a German Brass Band, are packing their bags and heading South to provide traditional German music Tickets are now on sale from the Tourism Office. The Oktoberfest takes place on the 18th of October, beginning at 17:45 in the High School Hall. Entrance: R100 per person. Click here or phone 023 5411 366.

As part of the weekend’s celebrations the Anglican church of St John the Baptist in Bank Street will hold their annual Flower Festival. On Sunday they celebrate a German/English service to give thanks for His Royal Highness Prince Albert, Queen Victoria ’s consort, after whom our village is named.

Prince Albert is looking for your vote – we think we should be the Dorp van die Jaar! The Town of the Year Competition sponsored by Kaap-Rapport, Van Loveren Winery and Cape Town Routes Unlimited is being held for the fourth time and keeps getting better and better. You can send an SMS to vote for your favourite town in the Western, Southern and Northern Cape . The top scoring towns will be visited by a team from Kaap-Rapport and their co-sponsors and will receive substantial coverage of their tourism attractions, natural charms and, of course, hospitality. Rapport readers then have the chance to vote again, and the Town of the Year 2008 will be announced on 30 November 2008.  We know we’ve got what it takes – we hope you agree!  All you have to do to vote is SMS Dorpe Prince Albert to 32545.  SMS's only cost R1 each and are unlimited, so you can vote more than once! Entries close on 30 September 2008.   

 

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The Olive Branch  

August 2008

A walk on Gordon’s Koppie is a real treat as the Spring flowers have started to lay their carpet of colour. Pale mauve, vibrant pink and deep violet seem to predominate, set off by the vibrant gold of the granaatbos. WOW – only Nature could be this brave.

 

The Spring-cleaning bug appears to have bitten too. A team of four ladies: Francis Claassen, Norika Scheepers, Chantal Vlieër and Anna Witbooi have been working their magic in the Markstraat graveyard. Since they are tidying up graves, they have dubbed themselves the “Spook Dames” (Ghost Ladies). Local resident Elsa de Beer approached our acting Town Manager with the suggestion that the old graveyard receive a facelift. Our Spring days lend themselves to outdoor activity and the hard-working team have hauled away several bakkie loads of rubbish and weeds. The graveyard is unusual, since the graves are simply piled with stones and have no headstones or inscriptions, which always intrigues visitors. Now those stones have been set in order and most of the graves have been planted with vygies, which will add a dash of colour even after the Spring daisies have had their day. 

 

The village Recycling Project has also been overhauled and residents are being encouraged to sort their recyclable rubbish so it can be collected. Up to 80% of our waste could be recycled if everyone plays their part.

 

The Hoërskool Zwartberg Hall has been a hive of activity with rehearsals for the annual Kultuuraand well in hand. The theme this year is “Around the World” and the children will be entertaining us with songs from many different lands. Thursday, 28 August is opening night at R10 per adult, R5 per child and on Friday, 29 August the tickets are R50 per person, refreshments included. Both performances start at 19h00. Tickets are available from the school 023 5411 570.

 

Another Spring initiative is Peter and Chrisna’s Spring Concert of Nostalgic Music and Song, to be held at the Jans Rautenbach Schouwburg on Saturday, 13 September. Tickets are available from the Tourism Office, 023 5411 366.

 

The 7th Prince Albert Oktoberfest is just around the corner too. Tickets are now on sale from the Tourism Office. This year will be really special since the Blaskapelle Hemslingen, a German Brass Band, will provide traditional German music.  There’ll be draught beer, German Schnapps, "Bergwater" wine and German food as well as braai or a vegetarian platter. The Oktoberfest takes place on the 18th of October, beginning at 17:45 in the High School Hall. Entrance: R100 per person. Phone 023 5411 366 or click here Oktoberfest

 

We hope that Spring will bring you to visit us in Prince Albert .  

 

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The Olive Branch

July 2008  

Lah-di-Dah, our new farmstall opens, Miller’s Restaurant re-opens under new management, The Merry Scholar entertains us at the Jans Rautenbach Schouwberg and the month is still young …

Lah-di-Dah, our new “fêncy plaasstal” near Gay’s Dairy more than lives up to its name. Yvette and Johnny Breedt and Martie offer typical farmstall fare: local jams, chutneys, fruit and veggies in far from typical plaasstal surroundings – the “fêncy” part fills the shelves: candles, teddies, gardening tools for parents and their younger garden enthusiasts, brightly coloured Wellington boots, oil lamps, curtain tassels, butterfly nets…  Add to this delicious light lunches and teas and a relaxed atmosphere and you’re bound to say “Lah-di-dah”.

Chef-owner Anton Maartens welcomed his first guests to Miller’s Restaurant early in July. The menu is compact, but varied, and features influences from a variety of world cuisines, including French, Italian, Asian and modern South African inspirations. Dishes tend to have a classic foundation, with unconventional, modern twists and a preference for strong flavour combinations. The fare will be adapted regularly depending on the weather, the availability of seasonal produce and the artistic temperament of the chef - daily or weekly menu changes can be expected to accommodate his latest experiment or the discovery of an unexpected ingredient in a local garden.  Dinner is served every evening Wednesday to Sunday from 18h00 to late.  During the summer months we can look forward to lunch dates and High Tea at the weekends.  Reservations can be made at 072 277 1115.

David Muller, The Merry Scholar recently brought Imaging Einstein, Whale Nation and his inimitable rendition of Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes to Prince Albert , to the delight of young and old alike. David also ran a workshop for the Patchwork Theatre Troupe, who learnt a lot and grew in confidence. Their next production will reveal their expanding talents.

We are already planning the Prince Albert Town & Olive Festival for April 2009. Brian and Marion Finch have organised an “Out of Africa ” theme party at Mike’s Memorabilia at 7pm on Friday 18th July, to kickstart an Olive Festival Entertainment Fund. Dinner with wine and live music from Brian and other Prince Albert musicians, costs just R150 p.p. There will be a Fun Auction to add to the entertainment – and the fundraising.  Book at the Prince Albert Tourism Office: 023 5411 366.

The Tourism Association is celebrating Madiba’s 90th Birthday on the 18th of July by lending a hand to older folk in our community. Donations of food, clothing and blankets can be dropped off at the Tourism Association offices, the Library and Home Hardware for distribution among needy villagers. Prince Alberters are renowned for their generosity so there’s bound to be a great response.

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The Olive Branch  

June 2008

 

For the entire month of May Prince Albert headed into the wide blue yonder in the kulula.com magazine Comic Life. Passengers read Astrid Starr’s get outta town guide which recommended Astrotours star-gazing trips (www.astrotours.co.za) suggested a stroll with our spectres on the Ghost Walk (www.storyweaver.co.za), encouraged runners to enter the Zwartberg Runners’ Half Marathon (which was a great success), suggested a visit to the Prince Albert Art Gallery (www.princealbert.org.za/pagallery.htm), discussed what makes our village special with Ailsa Tudhope and complimented our website.  Thank you, Astrid!

 

At ground level we are all aware that Winter days have really arrived. While rain is lashing much of the Western Cape , here in Prince Albert you can find a sunny spot and soak up a little warmth. Take a slow stroll down to one of our eateries for a tummy-filling lunch after which you can explore our Art Galleries , Museum and shops. Perhaps a drive into the countryside or over the Swartberg Pass sounds good. The evenings lend themselves to walks (by now you are warmly wrapped up, of course) and then supper – either at one of our restaurants or at home, in front of a roaring fire or a glowing dover stove and then to bed with a good book under a warm duvet or a snuggle-soft local mohair rug. A genuine Karoo get-away-from-it-all break. The school holidays are on the horizon, so be sure to make your accommodation bookings soon.

 

Diane Wampach is offering a Winter Karoo Retreat during July and the new moon on 5th August will see the first of her New Moon retreats. For more details visit our forthcoming events page on the Prince Albert website or Diane’s web at www.divinebeing.co.za

 

The 28th of June is the first day of the school holidays and the day upon which Lah-di-Dah, our intriguing new farmstall will open. Yvette Breedt and her mum, Martie are busy filling the shelves at the former Sampies, near Gay’s Dairy, as they prepare for the opening. Lah-di-Dah is billed as a “fêncy plaasstal” – those who have peeked through the doors reckon there’s lots of fun in store for their visitors. More in next month’s Olive Branch.  

 

 

 

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