Heritage Day is coming up on Wednesday 24th September 2014, and an event is being planned jointly by FoHum, Friends of the Falls, and HUCTO, with Rob Caskie, and Music Voyage, an NGO founded by Helen Mennie and featuring performances by young musicians. The event will take place from 10.30am until 12 noon at Howick Falls view site.

Seating is limited, so you are encouraged to book early. The seats on the steps facing the Falls require you to bring your own cushion. A further 40 places at the top of the steps will require you to bring a folding chair. As it is outdoors, bring hats, refreshments and sunblock.

Tickets cost R60.00 per person, and are available at Howick Travel, 64 Main Street, Howick, from 9am to 12 noon Monday to Friday, when a member of FoHuM be available to make bookings, accepting cash or proof of bank deposit (card facilities not available). If you wish to book by phone and collect tickets later, please phone Hilary Vickers on 033 239 5721 or 083 454 3090, but please note that because seating is limited we cannot hold tickets without payment.

For EFTs or direct deposits the banking details are as follows:

Friends of Howick uMngeni Museum
FNB
Howick Branch 220725
Account No 624 324 810 50
Call account
Reference: surname

This is going to be a wonderful event, with Helen Mennie's young musicians to entertain us, and Rob Caskie telling us about the First World War, and in particular the Howick connection with the SS Mendi which was carrying the Fifth Battalion of the South African Native Labour Contingent and which sank on 21st February 1917 in the English Channel.

Come and make the most of Heritage Day 2014!

FoHuM Committee

On Saturday, 23 August, Howick High School held a successful annual Inter-house Athletics day. 4 records were broken at pre sports day events & 12 on Saturday. The day had an element of fun balanced with good competition. This was evident with the senior boys high jump, which resulted in Mpendulo Dladla breaking the record by 5cm and winning the Craig Wishart Memorial Trophy.

Further awards presented were:
200m trophy - Lisa Munro
1500m trophy - Mpendulo Dladla
Javelin trophy - Duen van Rensburg
Jnr Victor Ludorum - Wendy Nzimande
Jnr Victrix Ludorum - Chris Hoffman
Snr Victor Ludorum - Mpendulo Dladla
Snr Victrix Ludorum - Kate Venter

The tug-o-war competition between the house captains & dads was fairly won by the house captains. The Trophy for the most points earned in the pre-sports day events went to Allemans House (yellow) and the winning house was Oatlands (green).

Howick Prep Girls did the school proud at the Music and Dance evening hosted by Howick High School on Friday evening.

The following Grade 1 & 2 girls participated: Isabella van den Berg, Allegra Nanni, Emily Patrick, Caitlin Stander, Tori Fannin, Kayley Fannin, Nompila Madondo, Sophie Quin, Alyssa Moodley, Neave Cox, Kelly Goodenough and Jenni Beard.

Erin Kilian, Rita Cox, Justine Hutton, Jemma Goodenough, Abigail Burnie, Lara-Lyn Connellan and Holly Quin from Grade 4 & 5 also took part.

News and photographs kindly supplied by Howick Prep.

Following on from a hugely successful opening session, children in the Pietermaritzburg area are once again being encouraged to try their hand at sailing.

South African Sailing is teaming up with the KZN Department of Sports and Recreation to offer one more open day to be hosted at the Henley Midmar Yacht Club on August 31.

This free session will give youngsters, who may never have had the opportunity to step foot on a boat before, the chance to experience the thrill of being out on the water while learning important sailing skills.

Organisers have said the session, which will take place at Midmar dam from 10am (and will be run in two-hour slots until 4pm) is targeted chiefly at children between the ages of eight and 11, but is open to anyone interested. No experience or qualification is necessary and life jackets will be issued to all participants on the day.

"We had over 30 participants in the first of our open days on the 17th, which was fantastic," said one of the organisers, Derek Wilkes. "The kids had a wonderful time on the water, learning some basic sailing skills and just having a lot of fun.  "The whole purpose of these days is that we are starting a full time sailing school for those who want to learn to sail in the KZN Midlands and further afield for those that are prepared to travel," added Wilkes.

"The idea is that once the students have completed the training course they will be offered training berths on Henley Midmar Yacht Club members' boats in order to put to practise what they have learnt and to gain more experience."

Anyone interested in attending the open days, which is free of charge, should contact the HMYC office on 033 330 4158.

The Cookhouse will be one year old this week and invite you to help them celebrate.

The Cookhouse are offering a free single portion meal with every four portion meal purchased on their special day.

They're also having a Birthday lucky draw competition with every customer's name going into a hat and at 5 bells closing time, will do the draw.

The lucky customer will be in line to win a four portion meal of their choice with their compliments.

To celebrate with them, be at The Cookhouse, 58 Main Street, on the 21st August 2014.

Howick Cycle have donated a 29' Pinnacle Bike to the 1st Howick Scouts Howick Highlander.  This is a new bike to SA and the Highlander team will be raffling it on the day. For the non-riders, they will also be giving away a weekend at the Haven Hotel in the Transkei for a family of four on the same raffle ticket.

For more information about the event click here.

Children in the Pietermaritzburg and Howick area are being given a chance to try their hand at sailing.

South African Sailing is teaming up with the KZN Department of Sports and Recreation to offer two open days to be hosted at the Henley Midmar Yacht Club on August 17 and August 31.

These free sessions will give youngsters, who may never have had the opportunity to step foot on a boat before, the chance to experience the thrill of being out on the water while learning important sailing skills.

Organisers have said the sessions, which will take place at Midmar dam from 10am on both days (and will be run in two-hour slots until 4pm) are targeted chiefly at children between the ages of eight and 11, but are open to anyone interested. No experience or qualification is necessary and life jackets will be issued to all participants on the day.

"The whole purpose of these days is that we are starting a full time sailing school for those who want to learn to sail in the KZN Midlands and further afield for those that are prepared to travel," explained one of the organisers, Derek Wilkes.

"The idea is that once the students have completed the training course they will be offered training berths on Henley Midmar Yacht Club members' boats in order to put to practise what they have learnt and to gain more experience," he added.

Anyone interested in attending these open days, which are free should contact the HMYC office on 033 330 4158.

Howick High School Eco-Club is making a difference. As representatives of the Howick High School Eco-Club, two pupils recently joined DUCT on a field trip to the Umgeni River. Nosipho and Zinhle Gwala helped with the assessment of the water quality using the mini SASS process, identifying water organisms and using a scoring system. The state of the Umgeni River is of great concern and it takes learners like these to make a difference. Thank you Nosipho and Zinhle!

Howick High Excels at the Regional Science Expo.
Of the 18 Howick High School Science projects entered at the Regional Science Expo in Durban on 31 July and 1 Aug, 16 received awards as well as two of the three Special Awards presented.

Jamie Loader and Michael Geldart received 3rd Class awards whilst Kiash Kalipersad, Joshua de Wet, Irfaan Ismail, Marianne Mentz, Tariro Maphosa, Jaydon Jansen van Rensburg, Timothy Probert and Megan Rencken each received a 2nd Class award. Irfaan, Marianne and Megan were acknowledged as "Most Promising Scientist" in their respective categories. 1st class awards were made to Kerrin Twigg and Taine Pollard.

Rebecca Webb and Lisa Wade received 1st Class Bronze Medals, Tyron Gibbs received a 1st Class Silver Medal as well as a special award for best engineering project using limited resources and Daniel Whitwell was awarded a 1st Class Gold Medal and the special award for best project based on a hobby.

Rebecca, Lisa, Tyron and Daniel have been invited to participate in a four-day sponsored tour to Johannesburg and Pretoria on the first weekend of the October holidays to visit the Planetarium, the Drakensberg Pump Station, The Tswaing Meteorite Crater, The Pretoria Zoo, the Sterkfontein Caves, the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre and a ride on the Gautrain.

Howick High is proud of the achievements of its young scientists.

[photo: Left to Right: Mariaan Mentz, Lisa Wade, Daniel Whitwell, Tyron Gibbs and Rebecca Webb]

Saturday, 9th August was Women's Day. A fun competition was held with all bowlers present during the afternoon entering into the spirit of the game. A delicious tea was provided and the afternoon ended with snacks followed by a Lucky Draw. The fortunate prize winners were Stella Gardiner, Susan Nel, Jim Richards and Lionel Keating.

Forthcoming Events:
Wednesday, 13th August – Halfway Toyota, Howick/Giovision Tabs In Trips with chickens sponsored by Greendale Spar.
Sunday, 24th August – This tournament will now be sponsored by Rovic & Leers. We encourage all clubs in Pietermaritzburg, Hilton, Howick and the Midlands to enter teams. Please send your entries to Tim Waring on 082 453 3398 or Graeme Cameron on 033 330 3457 / 082 769 4486 by Wednesday, 20th August.
Wednesday, 27th August – Tabs In Competition sponsored by J Leslie Smith Inc.

Visitors are always welcome to play on any bowls day!

Vegetation Changes of the Upper uMngeni Catchment.  Prof Eugene Moll, well known botanist, ecologist and author will deliver a fascinating presentation on changes that have taken place in the area over the last 50 years, and speculate on the next 50 years.  How will fauna, flora and humans in Dargle adapt to Climate Change? Don't miss this rare and special opportunity on the 10th September at Tanglewood. Booking is essential.

He will also be presenting an entertaining, controversial and fascinating talk titled SA vs Australia on 11th September at St Ives. As a botanist, ecologist and activist who has lived on both continents, he will discuss ecological, botanical and cultural similarities and differences.

For more information on these upcoming events see the EVENTS CALENDAR,

On Friday evening, 29 August, the High School hall was a hive of entertainment with great music & dancing at our 'Spring Fling'.

Our junior band made its debut with songs 'I see a bad moon arising' and '500 miles' whilst our senior band wowed the audience with 'Don't Stop', 'Crazy', 'Stars go blue', 'Before you accuse me', 'Crazy lil' thing called love', 'Gimme one reason', 'Hotel California', 'Halleluja' & an absolutely fabulous rendition of 'Mamma Mia' by Mrs Le Roux herself!

All the dance groups, from the little Grade 1 & 2's right through to the Grade 12's enjoyed performing their routines & the Howick High Dance Company added their 'Funk' 2014 piece entitled 'Young & Beautiful'.

The audience, seated at their 'picnic tables', showed their appreciation by singing along & cheering.

Pictured:

Back row left to right: Charlotte White, Nicole Taylor, Genna Els, Michaela Lochner, Kelsey Ebersohn, Dimpo Hlela, Abby-May Jones

Front row left to right: Kayla Fourie, Naomi Edgecumbe

As part of the Grade 4 syllabus Grade 4 pupils need to learn about the different Zulu traditions and culture. To do this, the Grade 4 pupils from Howick Prep School spent two days at the Ecabazeni Cultural Village at Albert Falls Dam. During their overnight stay they learnt about traditional Zulu homesteads and clothes, herbal medicine, the dunging of floors, subsistence and cattle farming as well as bead and clay pot making. They were also shown how to make traditional beehive huts and reed mats.

The highlight of the trip for many was also the opportunity to participate in Zulu dancing, tasting real homemade Zulu beer and learning the art of both spear throwing and stick fighting!     

Howick Prep pupil, Megan Caldecott was placed 1st in the 500m Time Trial, 1st in the 1500m Bunch Race, 1st in the 3000m Bunch Race and 1st in the 500m Individual Time Trial at the KZN Track Championships held in Durban. Megan was then selected to represent KZN at the South African Track Championships where she was placed 2nd in the 500m Time Trial, 2nd in the 1500m Bunch Race, 2nd in the 3000m Bunch Race and 2nd in the 500m Individual Time Trial.

Pictured: Megan Caldecott competing at the South African Track Championships.

News and photography kindly supplied by Howick Prep School

Please help us make little hearts happy this Christmas, right here in Howick!

The Santa Shoebox project collects and distributes shoe boxes, filled with all sorts of different goodies to underprivileged children throughout South Africa.

Jane will be co-ordinating this project in the Howick area and we will be collecting these Christmas shoe boxes for the children at the Thembelihle Primary school and the Angels' Care Centre.

Should you kindly wish to put together one of these shoe boxes for an underprivileged child at one of these schools in Howick, then kindly send me a sms or e-mail, so that I can send you the gender and age of your little child and the details of the goodies that need to please go into the child's shoebox.

Should you have access to the internet, you will then be able to complete the pledging process on your own on the website (www.santashoebox.co.za). You will also find all of the instructions with regards to the packing of your Santa shoebox on the website.

Pledging opens on the 1st September! We will be collecting all of the completed shoe boxes on the 10th and 11th October at the Howick Methodist Church. (8 Dicks Street). If you are unable to deliver your completed shoebox on either of these two days, then please can you contact me, so that I can collect your completed shoebox from you.
Thank you for taking the time to read about the Santa Shoebox Project.

Take care
Jane Reed
(0766 525380)
(This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
www.santashoebox.co.za

Colette Robertson, the proprietor of Colette's Carpet Cleaning, has extensive experience and many years in the cleaning industry.

In 1991, Colette started Clean Deale Cleaning Services with Jeremy Thorpe and Martin Deale. The company specialised in industrial and office cleaning and, from 1991 till the company was sold in 1996, Colette, grew the business to the point where she employed 400 people and had an annual turnover of several million Rand. The company handled a number of prestigious clients such as Toyota Manufacturing Plant, Wayne Rubber, Rainbow Chickens and Investec Bank to name just a few.

In 1996, Colette married a farmer in Greytown, this being the reason for the sale of Clean Deale Cleaning Services. She relocated to Greytown and started a carpet cleaning business with her domestic, Jabu Ngubane and this has grown to include a number of large cleaning contracts and the employment of over 250 people.

Land claims forced Colette and her husband to relocate to the Mooi River area but she has continued to run her business with the help of Jabu, who is now a full partner in the company. Colette and Jabu believe that it is their personalised attention and hands on approach that has enabled the business to thrive.

Colette has since established a carpet cleaning business in the Midlands which is thriving and, once again, she believes that it is her personal attention to each and every job that has contributed to the success of this business.

Colette uses the Wetrok Industrial Steam Cleaning System, along with SABS approved chemicals from Columbus Chemicals on all her sites. This system and the chemicals are proven in the industry and contribute to the overall efficiency and level of cleanliness that is achieved.

It is a fundamental concept of Colette and Jabu's business style to personally manage and inspect all of the sites at least three times a week. It is this policy which enables them to deal with on site problems in a timeous and extremely efficient manner.

Catherine Viedge, of Howick Prep School, took part in the KZN Snow Skiing Championships which were held at Tiffindell. Catherine achieved Gold in the U/12 section and was invited to participate in the South African Championships also held at Tiffindell. At the SA Champs Catherine competed in the U/12 section earning a Silver medal in both the Slalom and the Giant Slalom events.

Pictured: Catherine Viedge (Centre) receiving her Gold Medal at the KZN Championships.

The Lions River Club was a hive activity on the 19th and 20th of July with MTB riders, trail runners, horse riders and dog lovers all arriving to take part in the Marriott Dargle Trails Festival.  "This is the 3rd time we are hosting the trails festival and we were delighted to have Marriott Asset Management onboard this year as our title sponsor", said Julia Rees, Lions River Club Chairman. "This year had a very strong equine flavour with horse trails added to the trail cocktail and also carriage driving, mounted games and polo all entertaining the crowds at the club."

"We were particularly thrilled by the positive feedback we got from the horse riders who completed the horse trails. This year was a trial run, but the turnout proved that there is a demand for an event where riders of all abilities can go out and enjoy themselves at their own pace".

Large bedoin tents donated by The Bedoin Company transformed the club and created a wonderful festival atmosphere and visitors were treated to live music by Shomon & Jack Mantis on Saturday and the Hairy Legged Lentil Eaters, courtesy of Iuncapped, on Sunday. An ultimate frisbee tournament also provided great entertainment.

"The great appeal of this event is that it caters for everyone", says Simon Pease, CEO of Marriott. "If you are not a mountain biker, runner or horse rider you still had the opportunity to explore the beautiful Dargle valley by taking part in the 6km boot and paw walk to raise funds for the very worthy Midlands Meander Education Project."

Simon had the distinction of entering every discipline on the programme: the 45km MTB trail, 21km trail run and 21km horse trail, in addition to playing in the invitational polo matches on Saturday and Sunday. To the rest of us that would seem impossible. But to Simon, who completed the arduous Mongolian Derby in 2013, it was a challenge he couldn't resist.

Seasoned MTB rider Marc Adams held off the challenge from the younger riders and took top honours in the 45km MTB trail. "I really enjoyed the race as it was challenging, scenic and as close to natural mountain biking as you can get", he said. "The new single track through the pines was lovely. Even the rider who came last thought it was a great track".

No sooner had Marc leapt off his bike than he headed down to Pietermaritzburg to collect his son Chris so that he could enter the Boot and Paw Dash at the end of the day with their much loved family dog Victoria. The children's and adult races were great entertainment and much to Marc's delight Chris and Victoria also came home victorious.
"The Boot and Paw Dash was tremendously popular with the crowd and participants and we will definitely be making it an annual event at the festival", said Eidin Griffin, a member of the Midlands Meander Education project who organised the race.

The 200m kiddies bike race was as popular as ever with lots of small aspiring cyclists heading off towards the polo goal as fast as their little legs could peddle. It was unquestionably a fun weekend for the whole family.

For photos and the race results please visit www.dargletrailsfestival.co.za.

Herewith is a letter Debbie Preston of Knight Security Solutions received from Frans Labuschagne, the Operations Assistant at Knight Security Solutions (KSS). Debbie says, 'I would like to share his experience of SA CAN and KSS with the community as it optimizes what we at KSS are aiming to achieve in the Midlands community – that being unrivalled security and emergency support for any eventuality.'

"On the afternoon of the 28th July 2014 I started getting some pains on my chest, but I thought that maybe it was my stomach or indigestion, so I took some medication that I have at home. By the morning of the 29th July 2014 I still had this constant pain but only every now and again it got worse - like a crushing pain or like something pushing hard on my chest. By the evening of the 29th July 2014 I was really concerned and got a slight cramp in my jaw and neck. Being a heart patient for a few years, I was now really concerned. I started shivering a lot; maybe from shock, I'm not sure. I wanted to drive to Northdale Hospital but was concerned that I might not reach the Hospital safely. I didn't know what to do. Fortunately I had joined SA CAN two months ago, so I pressed my AAA emergency speed dial # 5 on my phone for the SA CAN emergency controller.

A few seconds later I received a call from Brian Jones at SA CAN asking me if everything was alright as he had received my emergency call. I told him about my problem and he said he would send the emergency services right away. Brian phoned me a few times just to keep me relaxed and to see if I was doing ok. About 5 minutes later a Knight Security Solutions vehicle stopped at my house and the response officer, Jaco Ronquest came in to see me. He assured me everything would be fine and that I must try to relax. Soon after that Gary Preston and the ER24 ambulance and Advanced Life Support (ALS) arrived at my house. The paramedics quickly took charge of the situation and I must say that I felt very safe and comfortable in their hands. It wasn't long before they had me stabilized, on the stretcher and into the ambulance to transfer me to Northdale. Gary and Jaco assisted by keeping my fiancé calm and that was a huge reassurance for me knowing that she would be looked after even when I was not there.

On my way down to the hospital the ER24 paramedics kept on checking my vital signs and assuring me that everything would be fine. All the hospital staff at Northdale were so helpful and immediately got to task by sorting me out getting all the blood tests done and doing an ECG. The service I received from the Northdale Hospital staff, ER24 staff and Knight Security Solutions staff was phenomenal.

I can only say a big THANK YOU to all involved. I believe that SA CAN is the greatest organization out there and I would advise everyone to join them. You never know when it could happen to you.

With Regards

Frans Labuschagne"