Barrydale Online

BRA has  requested Municipality to replace the rubbish bins on the northern side of the village with baboon proof bins and  to arrange for the garbage collection on Thursdays to first load from the northern perimeter of the village, thereby reducing the exposure time of the garbage to the baboons.

Jean Bittkau of Klei'n Karoo Pottery writes "The Polystyrene Packaging Council has a project on the go whereby they will donate a wheelchair for breadtags which they then recycle. We would need to collect about 3½ black bags full (which is a tall order but I think worth a shot). For example, if the wheelchair costs R1350 we will need to collect 270 kg of bread tags to be sold at R5 per kg.

 I would like to alert readers of Barrydale-Online to the collection box which is placed on the table at OK at the bread display. Its so easy to pop the little tags into one's handbag and simply deposit them when going shopping. 

Apparently Fish Hoek police reservist Beth East donated 3 wheelchairs already in rural areas from collections in the area" Jean says she would be happy to liase with the Polystyrene Packagain Council and deliver the tags to Cape Town.

Not able to sit quietly for long, Emma Schoeman, after resigning as BRA Chairman, is starting a DA (Democratic Alliance) branch in Barrydale. Emma is looking for at least 50 members to kick off. The membership fee is a mere R10.00, though of course donations are most welcome!. The branch must be formed by mid April so contact Emma right away for more information. Emma says "Please, if you live in Barrydale and Cape Town (or somewhere else other than Barrydale), consider registering here to vote because here every vote counts and you will probably want to come and retire in Barrydale".

Contact details: 028 5721122.  E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Carol Morris is finally at home in her delightful "straw bale house". Though not new to alternative building methods (Carol had the Mud Gallery built in 2002), she said there were many challenges in the building of the house. The first challenge was to find the right straw - rice straw is best but not readily available - so wheat straw was chosen. The problem was that most farmers nowadays bale their hay in huge round bales and what Carol needed was smaller square bales. After much searching the correct bales were sourced from Caledon. All was well, the bales were secured but then unseasonal rains rotted them all. In order to get more straw (it must be straw, not hay), Carol was forced to wait another year for the next crop.

Brian Hansen built the main structure according to plans by architect Andy Horn of Eco Design Architects. Michael Jameison of Barrydale did the finishing touches to the house.

Straw bale structures are warm in winter, cool in summer and, Carol says, "they have a lovely feel to them". It is however important to make sure that the bales are tightly packed and that they do not rest directly on the foundations to make sure moisture is not sucked into them. The bales are covered in mud and finally have a lime plaster which allows permeability and which preserves the structure.

A blacksmith's forge forms part of the Mud Gallery on the R62. It is here that Herman van Wyk works his magic with metal. Herman is happy to receive commissions; he makes chandeliers, candelabras, beautiful one-off door hinges and handles, tables and chairs crafted from metal and wood as well as sculptered pieces. If you can imagine it Herman can probably make it.

Herman studied photography and worked as a photojournalist in Cape Town before settling in Barrydale....

Nola Fraser of Cape CROW has advised that on the 8th of March at 18h00 Jenni Trethowan will give a talk on the Barrydale baboons and baboon monitoring, after which there will be a question and answer session. Jenni will also train our 13 new baboon monitors.

Jenni  has dedicated her life to protecting the last of these indigenous animals through a conservation organisation called Baboon Matters, which aims to help people understand the gentler side of these animals.   The talk will be given at the Recreation Club, all welcome. CNN will be there to film.

KAPS held a sterilization clinic in Barrydale on the 23^rd of February.  20 dogs and 20 cats were operated on.  KAPS would like to thank Dr Awie de Villiers for his time and hard work, as well as the Rugby Club for letting them use the hall as an operating theatre. In the photo Dr de Villiers is operating on a dog - he is also educating local children.

The annual moult that all our garden birds undergo is now almost complete.

The last portion of plumage to be replaced is the tail, and because the tail is used in flight, the old feathers are seldom dropped en masse, unless they are specially elongated ones (like those of male sugarbirds or Pin-tailed Whydahs) used in courtship displays. The new, growing tail feathers can be seen in species such as the Common Starling because the outer ones tend to stick out sideways.  This can make for a striking appearance in the Fork-tailed Drongo, when two or three outward curved feathers decorate each side of the tail and turn it into a triple-fork-tailed drongo!

Les Minter phoned to say he had seen a Fiscal Shrike impaling a grasshopper on a strand of a barbwire fence.  This impaling behaviour...

The Municipality has started level 2 water restrictions in Barrydale, with immediate effect.

In summary:  Level 1.
All consumers requested to effect a 30% saving;
No watering of sports fields, except for putting and bowling greens;
PLUS Level2:

Update Amendment:  Due to low water pressure in Tennant Street and properties situated north east of Tennant Street the current water restrictions in this area are amended  as follows:

The watering of gardens is only allowed between 07h00 to 09h00 and 18h00 to 20h00 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Watering of gardens from 07h00 to 09h00 mornings and 18h00 to 20h00 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Washing of cars, boats and caravans in those same hours, but using buckets only. Hosing of paving, cement surfaces prohibitted.

Fines: R1000 per offence. Service may be restricted or suspended if transgressions continue.

(Take a look at our rainfall stats under "Barrydale Weather Report" on the right of the website).

Walking through the Karoo
to raise water awareness

On 24 February 2010, husband and wife team Gerry and Wouna le Roux will embark on Walking for Water, a 3-week endurance walk in excess of 800km from the Eastern Cape Coast to the West Coast of South Africa, in a bid to raise awareness about the importance of water as a limited natural resource in the country.
The walk will start in Jeffreys Bay, south of Port Elizabeth, follow the R62 route through the Klein Karoo, and is anticipated to finish in Yzerfontein on the West Coast on 18 March. Along the way they will be hosted free of charge at B&B's and Guesthouses. In Barrydale Karen and Mark will accommodate them free of charge at the Barrydale Backpackers/ Dung Beetle (028)572 1053.

As such, the walk passes through areas suffering the worst droughts in at least 50 years. By doing this walk, " We hope to do our bit to raise awareness of the critical importance of water in South Africa”, says Gerry le Roux. “We are not a water rich country, and we need to treat our limited water supply with respect. Given the current situation in the region, the importance of limiting water wastage goes without saying, but even in areas not suffering water shortages, more care needs to be taken by individuals and industry not to add to the already dangerously high levels of water pollution in the country.”

Dear All, Friends of the Baboons,

This is a fairly quick follow up on our recent newsletter --- a few “gremlins” got into that one and mixed up some of the dates and the banking details – so we apologise for this. Here are the correct bank details: ‘Cape CROW’, A/C. 4074638938, ABSA, Branch: Barrydale 334213

The DVD we spoke of is now available and all proceeds from the sales of these support the work at Cape CROW.
Details for purchase are R120.00 per DVD and R25.00 local postage or R75.00 overseas postage.

To order email Nola at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 028-5721643 OR Andrew Schofield at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or  phone 082-5602-793.

Another important fund raising event to diarise and support – Renowned French singer Daniele Pascal is giving two benefit concerts over the weekend of the 26/27th February

With the resignation of BRA founder and first Chairperson, Emma Schoeman, a new era has arrived for the Association. The kick-start which came at a critical time in the history of Swellendam Municipality, and indeed all municipalities in South Africa, with “service-delivery!” the cry on everyone’s lips, needed the special skills and energy that Emma offered. A big thank-you is extended to her as we believe that her challenging of authorities and communication with higher authority contributed to the realisation amongst these officials of the seriousness of their neglect. Report backs in the media recently , regarding the Councils intention to remedy the situation are encouraging and have been witnessed in prompt responses received this year already.

The man taking over the Chair for the rest of the BRA year is Laurence Matthews, who will endeavour to keep the channels of communications open with both Municipality and members.  He believes firmly that BRA is not attempting to run a parallel municipality, but a watchdog organisation, trying to get the best deal for all the residents of Barrydale, including Smitsville and neighbouring farms. Life in a country village is all about the interaction of different groups of people, such as you may not experience in the city...

(This article by Charles first appeared in "South African Wine")

17th November 2009 - I am sitting in the "holding room" at Guangzhou station, where I have been for the last two hours, and will probably be for the next two hours.
How, might you ask, did I end up in this predicament! Well, I arrived here and was asked at immigration for my visa. Having had it confirmed by the travel agent as to visa requirements both telephonically and in writing that I did NOT need one, I have now discovered that I do. To say China is different is an understatement - arrive there on your own and by train, and suddenly you understand the true meaning of "moving outside your comfort zone". But, like they say of the Free State, you cry on two occasions, the day you arrive and the day you leave!

Here follows my guidelines when visiting China - a really difficult place to get into but once in, known for their super hospitality.

Lesson One - Do visa research YOURSELF

"The change is in your pocket" is the slogan used by The Big Issue magazine. For those of you not familiar with The Big Issue it is a social development initiative which helps put people to work (vendors purchase the magazine and sell it at a small profit). It helps people to be proud to be working rather than begging. Barrydale's own Big Issue vendor is Mowen Jansen from Smitsville. Mowen has been selling The Big Issue door to door for two years and he says that he averages sales of about 25 issues per month though he believes that there is potential for sales of 80 issues per month.

Mowen has a matric certificate but says that he decided to become a vendor because it is very difficult to find employment in Barrydale and he needs to put food on the table for his family. He has two children aged 8 and 12. In spite of the fact that it is difficult to walk door to door in the heat of summer Mowen is always positive and polite. At a cost of only R14 per issue, The Big Issue is certainly worth the change in your pocket. "Change" in more ways than one. Contact Mowen Jansen: 0715491114 to order or buy from him on his rounds.

The Annual General Meeting of BADS will be held on 8th February at 18h00. Details on "Community Calendar" on the right of the website.

The Craft and Produce Market is going from strength to strength just over one year after inception. Carel and Denise Strydom encouraged others to join them on the last Friday of each month and stalls now include; Carel and Denise selling organic cheese, home grown vegetables and jams with Carel also making picture frames.

Merton Olives - Eve and Clive McDonald (with the help of Daphne Goodall) selling produce from their farm in Barrydale - olive oil, olives, tapanade, various olive spreads and olive pestos as well as olive marmalades.

Mary O'Molony of Country Home selling "boozy" marmalades and jams, cordials and mustards. Klei' n Karoo Ceramics - Jean Bittkau selling beautiful handbuilt ceramics, pottery bird feeders and mobiles as well as home made yogourt. Lavender Farm - Choppie Kotze has a range of lavender products on offer. The NGK with their popular range of cakes, pies and breads (they can't keep up with demand!) and Basket Work by Johan Majola. Piet and Hester Botha of Xairu from Suurbrak selll rustic garden furniture (quite unique!), Netti Dierks of Crysalaine Creations has custom jewellery design as well as Sieward Killat who creates silver jewellery and Cor Le Grange who makes doll furniture.

The December pre Christmas market was held on the 18th December and the next market will be held on the last Friday of January.