Community Projects: KAPS, Barrydale
 kaps is looking for a home for this amazing gentle giant of a boerboel, Eva... she's so patient and loving and she will make a wonderful companion. The picture shows Eva with Vicky Bodenstein who has been doing so much to help Kaps.
Websites: one of many happy Barrydale clients
"Thank you Lyn for the website you constructed for me. I am ecstatic! I am getting enquiries from all over South Africa for our wood and coal burning stoves. You have made a positive contribution to the enhancement and profitibility of Negosiegat. I will happily recommend you to anyone who needs a website - they can contact me with pleasure" Ian Nienaber, Negosiegat for wood and coal burning stoves.
028 5721120 Lyn Gunell, Webmaster Barrydale-Online and www.design4um.com for websites that work
Community Projects: "Barrydale Cares" - "Barrydale Gee Om"

"Barrydale Cares" as been able to provide a number of very poor children with school uniforms. For more information on the project click on "Community Projects" in the left column (above).
Route 62 - Barrydale
Barrydale, the perfect weekend getaway on Route 62. A beautiful 2½ hour drive from Cape Town. We offer a marvelous selection of accommodation, restaurants and delightfully different shops.
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Dear All, Friends of the Baboons,
It is wonderful to communicate with you again -- some major events happened this year, and correspondence fell behind. Our beloved founder, Peter, passed away at the end of July, leaving a great physical gap to Nola and to us all. We know he is embraced in the love, light and peace of a greater dimension, and this enables us to come to terms with his physical absence. We would like to take this opportunity of thanking all of you for your support to us and to Nola so that our project could continue.
Fortunately Peter was still with us on 25 March, the day Benjamin Baboon and his troop of 25 baboons were re-located to their 5 hectare camp, adjacent to Matthew Baboon and his troop, on Matthew's Paradise land, --- a busy day, a most successful relocation, and great excitement from both troops at having "neighbours."
Both troops are making good progress in their semi-wild environment, and now the final stages of the next two 5-6 hectare camps are underway, so that as early as possible next year Stephen Baboon and his troop, and Samuel Baboon and his troop can also be relocated to the land across the road from our home here at "The Manger", and learn to re-wild, before ultimate freedom into nature.
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More on Joshua Baboon rehabilitation project
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"As a contribution to the ongoing baboon debate, KAPS chairperson Colette Teale reports on progress with a large male baboon that used to terrorise the locality of Klipfontein Farm. This baboon has now made friends with the dogs and is regularly scavenging their dog food, with the result that he is no longer hungrily invading houses and outbuildings. Once he has eaten his fill he moves off to find other food in the veld. Colette feels this is a happy solution to the problem, and regrets Nature Conservation seems to find it acceptable to shoot baboons." |
"An interesting viral that is Scottish and related to Burns - and is interactive can be found here www.burnsmashup.com - I'm sure some of you will get a kick out of it - not sure how long it will be live". Michelle |
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At last! Barrydale has an Internet Cafe. Graphic Designer Cassie Roché, well known to many in the village, opened for business at the beginning of January. Cassie operates from Mary's Barn on Route 62. Hours are weekdays from 09h00 to 16h00 and 09h00 to 12h00 on Saturdays. See "Services" |
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Written by Dr. Terry Oatley
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Monday, 01 February 2010 15:42 |
In Barrydale, February is usually a hot, dry month, hot enough to make one feel grateful that it is the shortest month of the year. It is not the best of months for birding because many of the village birds have little to say and consequently are not always easy to find. This silence is largely due to the post-breeding moult. Many of the Red Bishop Bird males are losing their bright scarlet and black summer breeding attire, replacing it with the streaky brown winter plumage that the female birds wear throughout the year. Although some of the males are still in immaculate breeding plumage, most of them are in progressive body moult, and they make a scruffy-looking bunch at the feeder tray.
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More on Barrydale birds in February
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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...
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More about Laurence Matthews, Chairman BRA
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A warm welcome to Arno van Tonder who has recently opened "Hair On 62" in Mary's Barn on Route 62 (Ladismith Road). Arno trained as a stylist in East London and has worked in Cape Town and George. He decided to move to Barrydale after a holiday here and an offer of space in Mary's Barn that suited him well.
Nikki Kritzinger has left Durbanville, Cape Town, to join Arno as a stylist. Though Nikki has studied "computers" and has a masters, she went on to study hairdressing at Northlink College and says that her passion is hairdressing. Arno and Nikki are joined by apprentice Jo-Anne Crous who has returned from a two year absence in Oudtshoorn and Cape Town. The trio are looking forward to spoiling and transforming you. See "Services" |
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Written by Charles Withington
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Saturday, 23 January 2010 11:29 |
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(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 |
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More on Charles's China
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"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. |
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The Annual General Meeting of BADS will be held on 8th February at 18h00. Details on "Community Calendar" on the right of the website. |
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Monday, 04 January 2010 13:37 |
To all of you who placed some food and/or sweets in the box at the OK or who passed these goods on to "Barrydale Cares", we would like to say many, many thanks. We delivered the food parcels in time for Christmas and just over 200 people will benefit. These Christmas "hampers" were delivered to people really in dire need. Once again, thank you to our OK Bazaars for all their kindness. Above is just one of the pics we took which includes Chris Eccles, who helped with the delivering of the food and Annaline Zulch our social worker. The mother of the children in the photo has abandoned the family and the father does not have much. |
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Written by Dr. Terry Oatley
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Monday, 04 January 2010 13:56 |
January is a comparatively quiet month for the village bird life. The Bokmakieries are still singing their duets loudly, but has anyone noticed that the Common Starlings, so vocally conspicuous in November, have largely disappeared from our rooftops? They are not known to be migratory in South Africa (as they are in Europe), so where have they gone? No further, in fact, than Boetie Cooke’s irrigated pastures, where they fraternise with the dairy cows, using them as beaters to disturb tasty insects hiding in the grass. In Europe, as in North America (to which they were introduced) the Common Starlings pose a major problem to soft fruit crops, but despite fears that their populations would increase to vast numbers in South Africa and become a major farm pest, this has not happened (although nobody really knows why). At the village garden scale they do feast on mulberries and strawberries, especially when they have young to feed. But when feeding in pastures, as at present, they do more good than harm. |
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More about birds in January
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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. |
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Saturday, 12 December 2009 06:21 |
Barrydale Christmas Wonderland Project December 2009
Each year since 2005 the Magpie Art Collective has installed an annual holiday season creation. This year saw a line up of note for the annual tree lighting ceremony on the Day of Reconcilaition when literally the entire district poured into the CBD of the village to witness a line up of local talent. Visitors from far and beyond flocked into the village especially for the event. Dance performance for the first time this year featured the traditional Khoi-San Riel Dance around the 6 metre tall Magpie Eco-Christmas Tree. |
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More about Magpie Christmas
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Written by Captain Klaasten, SAP
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Friday, 18 December 2009 08:41 |
BARRYDALE SAPS CLAMPS DOWN ON DRUGS AND TRAFFIC OFFENCES:
On Wednesday 2009-12-09 a suspect was arrested by Constable Jacobs and Constable Sefoor with 26 stops of dagga and half a parcel of dagga. On the same day Serg Mbela also arrested a suspect with a “bankie” of dagga.
On Thursday 2009-12-10 Constable Julies and Constable Krause both arrested a suspect with 1 stop of Dagga each.
On Friday 2009-12-11 Constable Krause again caught a suspect with 1 stop of dagga. On the same day a suspicious vehicle was stopped by the Provincial Traffic Female Inspectors EE Marais and S Cloete. They found the occupants of the vehicle were also acting suspiciously so they alerted the Police. Constable Julies and R/Constable Jonas then responded. The vehicle was searched and 40 MANDRAX tablets were found and 3 suspects were arrested.
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More on SAP report
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In January 2009 Giniel de Villiers wrote history for Volkswagen after becoming the first African to win the Dakar Rally and by recording the first victory with diesel power. As a result the popularity of the former racing driver and current rally driver grew enormously. Volkswagen visits the 37-year-old South African who comes from a region considered by many people to be one of the world’s most beautiful holiday destinations.
South Africa: Mother nature, surrounded by the Atlantic, sprawling vineyards, and the home of Volkswagen´s most successful factory driver. However, his surname is absolutely deceptive: de Villiers has no South African routes whatsoever, but in face bears a French name. "French ancestors emigrated to South Africa many hundreds of years ago," he explained. "And indeed in exactly the region where our family lives today." Giniel de Villiers was born in 1972 in Barrydale, Western Cape Province.... Link to full story in Marathon Rally.com |
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Written by Dr. Terry Oatley
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Tuesday, 01 December 2009 08:10 |
The hot and dry summer season is a testing time for fynbos plant and animal life, and some of the Sugarbirds so common in the Tradouw Pass move into the village for the duration, settling down near some rich source of nectar such as an Australian Bottlebrush or Chinese Trumpet Flower vine. They spend most of their time out of sight in the cover of a thickly foliaged tree, rasping and chattering their characteristic sugarbird ‘song’. Our first sugarbird arrival this summer was on 18 November, a young male that promptly took possession of our feeder and quickly became a tyrant, chasing away the Malachite and Amethyst Sunbirds. It seems since to have learnt that there is plenty of sugar water for all, and is now somewhat more prepared to share.
The Cape Sugarbird of the winter rainfall region and Gurney’s Sugarbird (which ranges from the Eastern Cape to the Chimanimani Mtns in southeastern Zimbabwe) are both endemic to southern Africa. Their ancestral origin has long puzzled ornithologists... |
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More about Sugarbirds
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Laresa Perlman with a group on a photography course run by Laresa on her farm Ravenna Mountain Retreat. For more on the" hands on" courses: see "Services" |
Bowlers from Robertson, Montagu, Bonnievale and Barrydale gathered for a fun day of bowling on Thursday 26th November. 36 people formed "Trips" for the first leg of the competion which will be played in all four villages. The Barrydale Bowling Club is looking for new members. They encourage all to "Come and give it a try... you don't need to have white clothes (come as colourful as you please), nor do you have to have a bowling ball (we have plenty), you can be young or old, male or female... the only rule is to wear soft flat shoes". The bowlers meet on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons from 14h30. Welcome! |
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Thursday, 26 November 2009 15:20 |
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Members of the Ebenhaezer Club from Smitsville gathered at the Barrydale Library on Thursday 26th November for many reasons - they enjoyed a Christmas lunch; marked the beginning of 16 days of "Activism against abused women and children"; and then embarked on a recycling project. Rina de Villiers, Barrydale Librarian, demonstrated how to turn old plastic bottles into delightful découpage containers while each person tried their hand at the découpage....
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More about Ebenhaezer
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Written by Emma Schoeman
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Wednesday, 25 November 2009 15:18 |
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The Chacma baboons of the Western Cape evolved 1.5million years ago from a baboon prototype.There is evidence to suggest the Chacma baboon is the oldest of the other 5 species in Africa and have been on the Cape peninsula for at least 1million years .They have a definite role to play in the environment, for example spreading the seeds of fynbos and contributing to the biodiversity. They are one of few wildlife species left. They prune plants, harvest flowers allowing remaining ones to produce larger fruit, make space for rare plants enabling the plants to survive and by digging for roots they create little holes which accumulate debris and thus provide shelter and nutrients for plants to grow in. 70 percent of South Africans and 60 percent of tourists felt that baboons were an asset to the area, and thereby they generate in excess of R1.5million a year.
The Barrydale Ratepayers recently asked Cape Nature’s, Corne Claassen to give us guidance on the handling of the baboon problem in Barrydale:
"Research has shown that there is sufficient food for baboons in the wild. It is a mistaken assumption that it is necessary to set up baboon restaurants ‘because there is not enough food’ in the wild. Feeding baboons leads not only to their problem behaviour but also to an increase in their population growth rate. This means that by providing them food we create a bigger problem. Baboons feed on seeds, seafood, clay and very specific parts of over 100 different plant types, like seeds, fruit, nuts, roots and so forth.....
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More about Barrydale's baboons
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Monday, 23 November 2009 08:41 |
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Perched on slab of rock in the middle of nowhere is a little cottage called "Somewhere". Nowhere, in this case, happens to be 16km from Barrydale on the R62 towards Ladismith. Thanks to the wonders of technology Len Slater is able to work in this remote part of the world, supplying detailed, site-specific, professional, micro-scale weather forecasts to anyone working outdoors, but specifically to the advertising, entertainment, events, film, hospitality and recreational industries, anywhere in the world.
Len started his career as a weatherman with the SAWS in 1966. Within a year he was on Marion Island growing his first beard. Returning from the cold in 1968, he worked at many major centres around the country before and after obtaining a Meteorological Diploma from Pretoria Technicon in 1970. After another visit to Marion Island as leader of the SAWS expeditionary team, he settled in Cape Town where he started his SAWS in service practical forecasting training in 1976.... |
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More about weatherman Len Slater
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Thursday, 12 November 2009 14:55 |
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The BRA has made great strides on our behalf this past year. Our thanks go to Emma Schoeman and her team for their efforts under extremely trying circumstances. The report is attached as a .pdf and it is worth taking a look at. Link to Barrydale Ratepayers AGM report (period 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009) |
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Monday, 02 November 2009 07:35 |
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Nico Weeber sent in the following account of the Renosterbos MTB Challenge held on 31st October:
"Dit was die eerste Renosterbos Bergfiets Uitdaag en Familiedag. Ons is 'n klein plattelandse gemeenskap en NGK Gemeente. Fondse en betrokkenheid is maar altyd op ons tafel en hierdie dag is een van die maniere wat ons gebruik om albei aan te spreek. Die Bergfiets deel kom al 'n lang pad in ons koppe. Ons het onbeskryflike mooi natuurskoon en ideale bergfiets terrein. Die roetes (5, 25 en 60 km) loop deur wingerd, vrugte boorde en karoo-veld. Ons het probeer om iets vir almal te bied en die 60km het stukke gehad wat 'n regte uitdaging bied, maar ook gedeeltes waar deelnemers die natuur kan geniet.
Die dag is ook 'n familiedag en ons het hierdie jaar vir Lollos gehad wat die kinders vermaak het, asook springkasteel, gesigverf, speletjies, "lekkergoedtafel" Na die wedrenne het ons prysuitdeling en "luckydraws" gehad en kon die Curriebekerfinaal op grootskerm kyk. Dit was regtig 'n fantastiese dag en die terugvoer was oorweldigend goed. Ons het baie geleer met ons eerste poging en gaan volgende jaar verseker groter en beter!" |
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Written by Dr Terry Oatley
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Tuesday, 03 November 2009 11:53 |
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October saw the emergence of many young birds, but the really raucous crowd are now due to hit the village streets. These are the greyish-coloured broods of Common Starlings that commonly fledge during the first half of November, and fly about everywhere, loudly and incessantly shouting “Feeeeeed”. This happens in towns all over the Western Cape, as well as in the suburbs of the Mother City, where Cecil John Rhodes introduced the species (along with several others) from Europe at the end of the 19th century. It has since spread throughout the Western Cape, into the Eastern Cape, KZN and, most recently, into the Free State. Because of its introduced status it is branded as an undesirable alien, but it has proved to be far ess damaging to agriculture than in other regions of the world where it has also been introduced.
The South African populations of the Common Starling are interesting for another reason, revealed from the ringing (or banding) of these birds in the Cape Town area....
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More about Barrydale birds
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Friday, 30 October 2009 06:18 |
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After much negotiation Barrydale is finally to acquire a fire engine and more firefighting equipment. The village has been extremely vulnerable over the years, relying on a portable water tank with a pump to fight fires. The BRA has managed to persuade the Overberg District Municipality to provide a re-serviced and equipped GMC 2000 litre fire engine with all the necessary equipment which will be sufficient for first line fire fighting whilst awaiting backup from Swellendam or Bredasdorp, depending on the severety of a local fire. We will also have between 15 and 20 reservists trained for Barrydale. |
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Thursday, 29 October 2009 15:20 |
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In 1999 a fork lift tilted and landed on Johan Majola's legs. This accident left him bedridden and helpless. Peter Takelo, a good friend, taught Johan to take care of himself and the new challenges he faced. Johan also learnt how to make baskets. This gave him the enthusiasm to get from bed to a wheelchair and ultimately on to independent movement for a few hours each day. A small income is derived from basket making which helps sustain Johan, his wife Elsabe and his niece Thabisa. Now Johan is an active member of the community and is motivated to help other handicapped people in the village but needs help.
To buy Johan's baskets, as well as other handicraft, visit Barrydale Handweavers at the Bellanti in Laing Street. Alternatively contact Johan on 0727239052 (he speaks mostly Afrikaans). If you have any ideas on how to help Johan with his handicraft project please inform Barrydale-Online or contact him directly. (Thanks from Barrydale-Online to Clive Strawbridge and Timothy Teale of "Two's Company", design consultant, practicing architects, who generously offered to revamp the Majola's front stairs free of charge. The stairs were impossible for Johan to navigate with one artificial leg and the other filled with steel pins). |
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Friday, 30 October 2009 14:35 |
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The Tradouwspas Half Marathon drew a record entry of 170 participants this year. Event organiser Ian Nienaber commented that the 21km run is now back on the Roadrunning calendar and is set to become a yearly event. The run was hosted by the Langeberg Atletiekklub and took place on the 24th October, starting from Barrydale Cellars.
The full results are attached in .xls format. Click here: Half Marathon results Click here to view YouTube video from Swellendam TV: http://www.youtube.com/user/swellendamtelevision#p/a |
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Saturday, 31 October 2009 15:37 |
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It is three years since the inception of the Smitsville women's vegetable project and after many hurdles the four women involved are proudly selling their organic produce in and around Barrydale. The project has the support of the Land Forum, the Department of Agriculture, Social Development and the local Municipality. Funds are provided through Social Development. Training in organic farming is provided by the Department of Agriculture. The project won " Tenant Farmer Award 2009 - Top producer for household consumption communal gardner".
The hard working ladies involved in the project are proud of their achievements. They have gained valuable knowledge and are now able to provide their families with healthy organic vegetables and are also able to sell vegetables for much needed extra money. For more information or to buy the organic produce contact Carel Strydom on 0734158664 or chat to him at the Friday Market (last Friday of each month). |
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Community Calendar
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Emergency Numbers
AMBULANCE : Phone: 10177 POLICE Barrydale: Phone 572 1001 POLICE, FREE FROM CELL PHONE : 112  Barrydale Online Website designed and maintained by: design4um.com Website hosting and/or 5 email addresses from R85.00 p.m.
Organic Vegetable Project
 Smitsville Women's Organic Vegetable Project For more information or to buy the organic produce contact Carel Strydom on 0734158664.
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