August 2010 Phone 044-620-3338 Fax 044-620-3176 Email: [email protected] www.greatbrakriver.co.za

Editor3B Rene’ de Kock

Dear Museum Friends Issue 8 of 2010 During August, the Museum is

open from Monday During July Barbara Benjamin from the George museum gave up a Saturday morning to introduce us to Conservation Framing. So many interesting facts came – Friday between to light and some of these should be passed on. Details are available from the 9 am and 4 pm museum. only.

Many of us grew up in the 70’s and 80’s and acquired valuable prints that should The Department of be worth some monies to day, however, only to find that the damp has got into Water Affairs and the frame and has caused irreplaceable damage. Forestry reports that during the last week What is conservation picture framing? in August 2010, our Wolwedans dam is Conservation or preservation framing is a method of picture framing that 20.40% full. preserves and protects historic documents, maps and artwork. We must The bottom 5.0% ensure that all of layer may not be the material used in suitable for purification. the framing and matting will never harm the artwork, and will protect the documents and artwork from damage. Preservation ’s framing should then Wolwedans dam enable your artwork wall. to last a lifetime. The only other dam of importance in the If paintings or Wolwedans photographs are not catchment area is correctly framed in the very small a correct conservation manner, they can fade, become yellow, develop mildew Ernest Robertson spots or stains or even be damaged by the acids in the framing materials. dam which due to the light rain is near 100.0% full. In the picture framing, a mat or matting is the thin, flat pieces of paper-based material included within a picture frame, which serves as additional decoration Do not Forget! and to perform several other, more practical functions, such as separating the Pre-owned books picture from the glass. available from the Museum Book Conservation framing materials are made to be permanent, they are made Shop. using colors that will not fade and use materials that are acid free. The frames should also be sealed to prevent moisture from entering. Both English and books There is a price to pay as these materials cost more than those in general use available from but they provide much additional value to your artwork. R4.oo each.

GBR Museum News Letter August 2010 Page No. 1

At last after a very successful World Cup, the vuvuzelas are quiet and we can get Hopes fund raising back to work again. And of course all the cities road works start up again and you “Hands On” crafts need to get up half an hour earlier. workshop in August We notice that several football clubs in England have banned the vuvuzela. We are will be held at the not surprised. What would happen if Switzerland would host the world cup? Great Brak River Museum on Tuesday 17th. Please call Hope de Kock on 044 6205124 or 083 378 1232 for full details.

‘Smits Winkel’, a new eatery, produce and gift shop recently opened twenty kilometres from Carlitzdorp on the Oudtshourn side. The Great Brak River Catchment Area Management Forum had their AGM on Thursday 29th July and both Mr K Smit and Gibo Gerber were re-elected to the position of Chairman and Vice Chairman. We wish them well during this trying Well worth a visit time with the Wolwedans dam water level hovering around the 20% level. on your next outing. The Museum has been closed on Saturday during

July and will reopen on Saturdays Mornings during September.

Many organisations including Museum Services have been assisting our Museum and Info office both financially and with other services. During the past two years, we would like to specially mention and thank those contributors.

1) Tourism 2) Mossel Bay Municipality 3) Bolton’s Footwear Pty Ltd. 4) Casino 5) Neels du Plessis, Computers 6) Illeta Lodge

If you are not on the list perhaps your company would like to assist by donating funding, transport or assistance? We help in promoting you and the town. Why not help us?

The museum is a registered Public Benefit Organisation and all donations are Tax Deductable. Please ask for you special receipt.

GBR Museum News Letter August 2010 Page No. 2 Neighbouring Towns – Another interesting rural adventure, an hour and a half‘s drive from Great Brak River, is a visit to the little town of Carlitzdorp.

A magnificent view of the town and valley from the air.

Calitzdorp’s Unusual Architecture The general architecture of the central village area of Calitzdorp is English-derived and its beauty is that of severe simplicity in the so-called Karoo style. Many of the older homes were built as "church houses" (tuishuise) for the temporary accommodation of farmers travelling to town for church services. Today we call them ‘townhouses’. These often tiny structures - some of them almost dolls' houses - are mostly to be found in the vicinity of the 1912 Dutch Reformed Church, a national monument that for more than eighty seven years has been the main feature of the town.

This fertile valley was originally a lake. The soil is mainly alluvial and agricultural crops are grown up to one kilometre on either side of the two rivers; the Nels and the Gamka (meaning lion in khoe).

Early writings show that the khoe (Khoi) called Kannaland, the valley with no grass. Evidence of early San and Khoe peoples are evident in numerous rock paintings found In the GBR Museum News Letter August 2010 Page No. 3 surrounding mountains. In 1821, land was granted to J J and M C Calitz who named it Buffelsvlei. This name was derived from the local vegetation and animals found here.

The museum at the top end of Queen street. Be advised it is only open in the mornings and closes at 12.30 pm

In 1853, the Calitz’s donated land for a church and school to be built, as proved to be too far to travel for their monthly Nagmaal (communion).

In 1910, the population was 4000 and a larger church and school were needed. Both these buildings were completed in 1912. The church has a neo-Byzantine style with a Marseilles roof. It is a good example of the sandstone architecture of the ostrich-era in the little Karoo. It was declared a national monument in 1991.

A typical old townhouse with walls constructed of sun baked brick.

Also in 1912, building commenced on the old Standard Bank building, presently housing the museum, and the Calitzdorp dam. This dam wall was the first of many to be built in , using cement.

Below is an old picture of the town from a port wine bottle label.

Subsequent drought, the great flu epidemic and the collapse of the ostrich feather industry, played havoc amongst the community. New hope however, came to Calitzdorp in the form of a Railway line (in 1924) and Electrification (in 1937), as well as the construction of the first cement road between Calitzdorp and Oudtshoorn (also a first for South Africa). The new R62

GBR Museum News Letter August 2010 Page No. 4 highway was built in 1978. Today, this thriving Klein Karoo community is known as the Port Wine Capital of South Africa, and the Fruit Basket of Kannaland.

Port-grape varieties prefer a hot, dry, climate such as that of Calitzdorp. There are quite a lot of similarities between the climate of Calitzdorp and the Douro valley in Portugal. The poor but well-drained soils of Calitzdorp, where vines struggle to ripen, are very suitable for port - wine production. These port-wines are produced from internationally recognized grape varieties such as Tinta Barocca and Touriga Nacional. A blend of these varieties enhances the aroma-intensity, depth and complexity of these port-wines. Last, but by no means least the dedication of the port-makers is pivotal in the production of these prizewinning port-wines, made in the classic tradition of a high alcohol and relatively low sugar content.

Even the mural adverts are part Victorian

Queen Street is one of the oldest streets in town and begs a stroll to properly absorb the number of Edwardian and Victorian, and Karoo style buildings heavily influenced by English architecture.

The town has many narrow streets which have the old townhouse frontages at street level. The town and these houses remind one of Europe especially the south of Portugal.

Below, one of the many reconstructed townhouses originally built in 1874.

There is much to see in town and when completed,

there are walking trails in the Gamkaberg Nature Reserve, the Redstone Hills and at the Retreat at Groenfontein, and birding in the hillsides and the areas fynbos is more than rewarding.

To find out more, please visit : www.calitzdorp.co.za or Fax 044 213 3302 or e-mail: [email protected]

GBR Museum News Letter August 2010 Page No. 5

What’s on at the museum and Great Brak River this month? Month & Description Supported Contact person provisional date by Pre-owned books on sale in the 9.30 am to The museum Museum Shop….Every week day. 4.00 pm 044-620-3338 August For museum Both English and Afrikaans books available funds from R4.oo each 7th August Celebration of Woman’s Day with the Museum Nisde McRobert Local Clinic. Committee 044-620-3783 It’s a Mexican Theme Day Ladies Pre-owned books on sale in the 9.30 am to The museum Museum Shop….Every week day. 4.00 pm 044-620-3338 September For museum Both English and Afrikaans books available funds from R4.oo each 24th September Heritage day Museum Nisde McRobert 044-620-3783 “Heritage of Agriculture" For more details on what’s on in our area email Hennie & Rene with a request for their news letter: [email protected]

Another photo that was entered in our Photo competition during our150th festivities in 2009.

Timeless Track by Vicky Schermbrucker

GBR Museum News Letter August 2010 Page No. 6 Tourism Information SA Tourism and Other Snippets by Ina Stofberg A beautiful reminder of what South Africa accomplished during the Soccer World Cup 2010!

TOURISM SNIPPETS QUOTABLE QUOTES

SA Travel Card  Rest not! Life is sweeping by; go and Absa has launched this card – a prepaid, debit card for dare before you die. Something mighty international visitors. and sublime, leave behind to conquer It is accepted all over SA and is as good as cash and is time. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe only valid in this country.

At the end of a visit the card can be converted to the Life has no other discipline to impose, if currency of the visitors’ choice. we would but realize it, than to accept

life unquestioningly. Everything we shut The Big Wheel our eyes to, everything we run away The Big Wheel in Cape Town that was featured in last from, everything we deny, denigrate or month’s newsletter(see picture in July copy) runs daily despise, serves to defeat us in the end. from 10h00 until 22h00 and will light up the sky with two What seems nasty, painful, evil, can million LED lights. Rides cost R70 with different packages become a source of beauty, joy and available. Two of the 36 air-conditioned capsules will be strength, if faced with an open mind. wheelchair accessible. Every moment is a golden one for him

who has the vision to recognize it as Tourist Development such. - Henry Miller A new comprehensive strategy targets 13.5 m foreign tourists per year.

The National Dept of Tourism has invited comments on  Don't compromise yourself. You are all the NTSS (National Tourism Sector Strategy) and the full you've got. - Janis Joplin strategy is available on the website: http://www.tourism.gov.za /Pages/tourismindaba.aspx GBR Museum News Letter August 2010 Page No. 7 DID YOU KNOW LIVING ON THIS SWELLENDAM PLANET

Swellendam, the third oldest district in the country, was established in MEANS……. 1745 as a sub-magistracy of the Stellenbosch district by Baron von Imhoff.  With every dawn, The village grew around the Drosdy (magistracy) and was named after when first light Governor Swellengrebel and his wife Helena ten Damme. The big fire of penetrates the sea, 1865 destroyed most of the villages’ gracious homes and razed the town many seahorse centre. One of the few buildings to escape the blaze was the colonies perform a Oefeninghuis, now housing the Tourism Bureau. dance to the sun. Places of cultural interest include: Suurbrak, an old mission station and the old jail building, where the jailer doubled as a Postmaster.  Except among birds One can visit the Bontebok National Park, seven km from Swellendam or and land mammals, play a few rounds on the nine hole course or canoe on the Breede River. the females of most The graves of the last leaders of the Hessequa Khoe communities, Klaas species are bigger and markus Sabada, can be found at Bontebokskloof. than the males.

Contact details: Phone: 028 514 2770 Fax: 086 581 8118  The sky not only isn't E-mail: [email protected] falling - it's rising. The top of the troposphere, the atmosphere's lowest layer, is slowly ascending.

 To make a pound of honey, bees have to gather nectar from about two million flowers.

To produce a single pound of the spice saffron, humans have to handpick and process 80,000 MAIN ROAD SWELLENDAM flowers.

 Kind people are more likely than mean people to yawn when someone near them does.

 There are always so many fragments of spider legs floating in the air that you are constantly inhaling them wherever you go.

SUURBRAK HISTORIC MISSION VILLAGE

GBR Museum News Letter August 2010 Page No. 8 PHOTO’S AND TEXT;

OUR NATURE CORNER SALLY ADAM I came across a couple of new flower species this month (new to me, that is, not new to science!).

The small ground-hugging plant with strap-like leaves and a central cluster of flowers is Polyxena maughanii - these have been growing all over the lawn and attracting some brave winter-flying butterflies.

In a small patch of forest near the house I came across this diminutive orchid species, probably Habenaria arenaria. Once I got my eye in, I realised there were quite a few of the distinctive silver- spotted leaves dotted around in the deep shade. The flower stalk is about 30cm high but the flowers are difficult to see clearly without the aid of magnification. The flowers appear between April and July.

I don't know what species of fungus this is, but I found the mushrooms pushing out of the old tree stump a

striking sight.

GBR Museum News Letter August 2010 Page No. 9 THE CURATOR’S CORNER Nisde Mc Robert’s Page

LOCAL SHIPWRECKS

In 1996 the second township extension was undertaken at Hersham. At that time it was decided to name the streets after shipwrecks that had taken place between and Mossel Bay.

The British ship Susan Pardew, a wooden barque of 378 tons, was built in 1862 and foundered near the Great Brak River estuary on the 28th April 1872 with no loss of life.

The Susan Pardew has further history in the village of Great Brak River. In 1870 Pamela Searle was given seeds of the Norfolk pine by the captain of the Susan Pardew which were then planted in the Westbank garden. Recently one tree was chopped down because of the noisy raucous Herons who left a smelly mess beneath the tree. The second tree is looking sadly moth eaten and with the continuous drought may have to be cut down as well. All trees over two metres in height, indigenous or not now require a permit from Heritage for their removal.

Westbank with its magnificent Norfolk Pines and the Charles Street bridge.

Further wrecked ships names used for the streets in Hersham were Poseidon, a Norwegian wooden barque of 606 tons built in 1890 and sank in Mossel Bay on the 2nd September 1902 also without loss of life. Captain C. Clausen was the master of the vessel.

The Galatea, captained by T. Owen, a two masted wooden British brigantine of 233 tons was built in 1829 and sank on the 10th October 1846 when she went aground near De Bakke, Mossel Bay. Four people lost their lives.

The Erin, a wooden barque, sank in the bay near Santos Beach on the 27th November1872.

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The word barc appears to have come from the Greek word baris, a term for an Egyptian boat. This entered Latin as barca, which gave rise to the Italian barca and the French barge and barque. French influence in England led to the use in English of both words, although their meanings now are not the same. (A barque is a vessel with three or more masts with square sails on the foremast and fore and aft sails on the after mast. Generally the tonnage is between 250 – 700 tons capacity)

Originally the brigantine was a small ship carrying both oars and sails. It was a favorite of Mediterranean pirates and its name comes from the Italian word "brigantino" which meant brigand's ship. In modern parlance, a brigantine is a principally a two mast, fore-and-aft rig with a square rigged foremast, as opposed to a brig which is square rigged on both masts.

The Falado von Rhodos a more recent Brigantine

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GBR Museum News Letter August 2010 Page No. 11