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Events
Rainfall 22mm fell in October which is below average. However a further 45mm fell during the first 4 days of November. New PPC Factory The draft environmental impact report is now available. Copies may be viewed at both Riebeek Kasteel and Riebeek West municipal offices and libraries. Copies may also be downloaded from the internet. (www.ninhamshand.co.za) Comments must be submitted to Ninham Shand by fax, email or post by January 21st 2008. Public meetings nad presentations are being held at Groenrivier Function Centre on November 28th at 12 noon and 6pm with informal discussion in between. On November 29th specialists will be in attendance to discuss various aspects of the report from 8.30am to 12.30pm. Spraying in the Villages In the last Reporter we praised the Municipality for using weed eaters rather than spraying. But more recently we saw a sprayer with 3 operatives (one of whom was wearing a mask) slowly proceeding down Booysen Street. So we wrote to the Municipality to clarify the situation. Joggie Scholtz, municipal manager, replied as follows: "The annual programme of the Municipality makes provision for the cleaning of pavements. Usually weed-eaters are used to cut the long grass because it is too long to spray, and then spraying follows after that. With the long winter season this year, the cleaning of pavements could only commence much later than usual. Spraying is used because it is the most effective method. The use of this specific weed-killer does not require the wearing of face masks, although the workers may use it should they prefer. Should a resident prefer that the pavement in front of his dwelling must not be sprayed, he/she must ensure that it remains weed-free and the Municipality will not spray that specific area" Moorreesburg Road The road between Riebeek West and Moorreesburg, which is not in good condition, has, at various times, been scheduled for rebuilding only for plans to be withdrawn or put on the top shelf as other more pressing tasks have come up. However we now hear that work is likely to start next January. Let us hope that the contactors succeed in completely blocking the road which will then give us all a few months blissful peace and quiet before traffic from the North is joined by increasing numbers of PPC lorries Violin Spider We have received a report that increasing numbers of violin spiders are appearing due to the weather (good rains and heat). They look a bit like daddy long legs but they are dangerous. Violin spiders have a body length of about 7 to 10mm. On the front half of the body there is a dark violin-shaped design, the neck of which is formed by a conspicuous furrow on the midline of its back. They spin loose irregular webs of sticky, off-white threads. The web serves as the spider's daytime retreat and it is often constructed in an undisturbed corner. The spider roams at night looking for prey. They generally occupy dark, undisturbed sites and occur indoors or outdoors. They thrive on human-altered environments. Indoors, they may be found in attics, basements, cellars, closets, and ductwork. They may seek shelter in storage boxes, shoes, clothing, folded linens, and behind furniture. They may also be found in outbuildings such as barns, storage sheds and garages. The spider is not aggressive and it normally only bites when crushed, handled or disturbed. Some people have been bitten in bed after inadvertently rolling over onto the spider or accidentally touching spider when cleaning storage areas. The bite is painless and may initially go unnoticed. About 2 hours after the bite a red swollen lesion, sometimes with a purple centre, develops. Over the next day or two bleeding into the site causes a blackened lesion. By day 4 the swelling and inflammation subside, while coetaneous necrosis continues to spread slowly. Necrotic tissue sloughs off leaving a deep ulcerating wound which is slow to heal and leaves a nasty scar. Treatment should focus on preventing and treating secondary infection using local antiseptics and systemic antibiotics to promote healing. Ulcers are managed conservatively through cleaning and dressing. Timely surgical cleaning may arrest a rapidly spreading lesion. Dapsone treatment in low doses for 14 days may control extension of the ulceration. Disfiguring scars may require reconstructive surgery with skin grafting at a later stage. The patient should receive a tetanus booster. So now you know! For further information phone Lucille Petersen, Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Information Services on 0214833899 Sonquasdrift Road As we traveled down the Sonquasdrift road the other day we noticed that a grader was at work once again at the Riebeek Kasteel end leveling off the pot holes. Also it seems that a new bridge is being built across the Berg River. Since there does not seem to be anything wrong with the existing structure we can only assume that this new bridge is being erected at a higher level so that the road is usable all the year round. Farmers Report Van Niekerk Bruwer reports: Unusual warm weather in October sparked the beginning of summer. The welcome November rain after the sudden heat has been anything but good news for wheat farmers. The absence of a hot, dry climate continues to keep farmers from harvesting since the wheat fields cannot sufficiently "dry" out. More light rain is expected and farmers believe they would experience an unusually long harvesting season (end of December). November marks the beginning of the official FIRE SEASON. Residents are advised to ensure that there is a fire break between residential properties and open plots. Please keep the number of your local fire station (022 4822 996) next to the phone as well as your neighbouring farmer, since the fire brigade response time (and available manpower) is sometimes questionable due to the high volume of fires in the Swartland. A rooikat has been found dead on a farm close to Riebeek-Kasteel and the cause of death appeared to be rabies - please ensure that your pets are vaccinated. Snippets We are glad to report that Sue Pugh and her family have returned safely from a visit to Zimbabwe. They traveled to and from Johannesburg by train together with their car (and then drove north to Bulawayo). They arranged to pay the train fares in Zim dollars since Spoornet convert at the official rate of exchange. This meant that the total return fare for two adults, a child and a car was R11! Charmian Maguire wrote to us during the month to tell us that the Riebeek Valley Community Church is sponsoring various projects at the Smuts Malan School in Riebeek West. As part of this programme they hope to establish a sewing class for matric girls. By the time the course has ended it is hoped that each girl will have made her own matric dress as well as having learnt a valuable skill. But electric sewing machines are needed. No machines - no classes. Can you help? Do you have any electric sewing machines lying around that you are either prepared to donate or loan? You can contact Charmian on 0832884607. We saw Johan Vlok with a load of nectarines the other day. He reports that the harvest is going well though the fruit is a bit small. He puts this down to the prolonged cold weather and the relatively short sunny periods. Seen in the Café Felix: "Life is uncertain - start with dessert" Wined Up
2008 Riebeek Valley Handbook The 2008 Riebeek Valley Handbook was officially launched at a party at the Café Felix on November 21st. It will be distributed through the usual channels during the next couple of weeks or so. Copies are also available from the publishers for R30 (post paid RSA only). Just supply proof of payment and a mailing address to wright@wcaccess.co.za. Account details: Riebeek Valley Publishing. FNB Wellington. Sort code: 200710. Account number: 62147154687 Jean's Poetry Piece CHAT LINE I like to talk and chat a lot, and visit for a coffee, 'Cause I'm a very friendly soul - my nose is not like toffee. I love to know what's going on - I'll gossip with the best; In the pursuit of juicy news my efforts never rest. The things that people say and do are meat and drink to me And sometimes you would not believe the strangest things I see! If I can't go and talk direct, I use the telephone, And natter to my heart's content while sitting in my home. It's always interesting to discuss the reasons why Some behave the way they do - not like you and I! But after much discussion on the ins and outs of it And much in-depth analysis of behavior just like shit - I draw my own conclusions, and add it to the rumour So why when people see me do they lose their sense of humour? I only do what others do - there're many more like me - There's lots of fire hid by smoke if you have eyes to see Letters Crop Spraying After the Cape Times front page picture and article on the question of crop spraying appeared on Tuesday 13th November, Peter Hall and I invited a few business owners to my place to discuss damage control strategies. The thinking was that if the flow of visitors to the Valley dries up as a result of the article, we'd be the first to feel it. The meeting was attended by about 30 individuals and a three-person committee was elected to represent the group, with myself as chairman and Pieter du Toit and Philicus Olivier the other two members. The committee was tasked with investigating all avenues as to how the issue could be resolved. Although the possibility of legal action (potential loss of income) was discussed, the meeting felt that facilitating physical proof of unlawful spraying and/or mediating between the two parties would be preferable. Since the meeting, the committee has met twice and has come up with sustainable ways in which the issue can be resolved but before making these public, we will be taking legal advice. Allan Barnard, Riebeek Kasteel Fire! We have just had a fire on our farm which as luck would have it, happened over lunch time. All our fantastic neighbours rallied immediately to help put it out. Happily, the fire was brought under control and we lost a wheat field, but it could have been a lot worse. As soon as the alarm was raised, I telephoned the fire station in Malmesbury. The call rang through to the Municipal Police receptionist who told me that she would get someone to call me back as they were all on lunch! You can imagine my response. I have researched this a little further and discovered that at lunch time, all calls to the Municipality are put through to the Municipal Police and can only be dealt with after lunch. Mike and I wish to thank all our neighbours and Richard Hyams who came to help, as well as PPC which very kindly sent its fire tender as back-up. Jackie Solomon, Riebeek West Christmas Box Project With Christmas almost upon us, it is that time of year again for parties, bonuses, holidays, Christmas lights, Christmas trees and let's not forget… Christmas presents! The Riebeek Valley Christmas Box Project is once again appealing to you to please not forget those little ones who are not as fortunate as us to experience the festivities and joy in receiving a gift. Through your fantastic giving spirit last year, we were able to hand out over 350 presents to children in Riebeek Kasteel and Hermon! So this year, we are aiming to collect 500 Christmas boxes for the children in our Valley ~ Kasteel, Hermon and West! We humbly appeal to you for support - in whatever form it may be - gifts, toys, clothing, sweets, Christmas crackers, shoe boxes, wrapping paper, donations, or even passing this email along to your friends. Every bit will help, no matter how small, to make an enormous difference to a child who has very little. If you have items you would like to give, please let us know as we will collect, or else pop your kind offering into the box which will be stationed at the Friendly Grocer in Riebeek Kasteel till the 15th December. For wrapped gifts, please state whether the gift is for a boy or girl and the age category. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We wish you a blessed Christmas holiday, safe travelling and wonderful times with those you love. Nicki & Donovan Wray and Peter & Karen Hall Writing group I am an amateur writer and would like to get to know, and associate with, other writers in the Swartland. I write about various things - articles, short stories, plays, and maybe one day a novel. Please contact me on janetct@ananzi.co.za Janet Stevens Share this article Warning: include() [function.include]: URL file-access is disabled in the server configuration in /home/capeinfo/public_html/news/riebeekvalley/nov07.php on line 300 Warning: include(http://capeinfo.co.za/nav/social.php) [function.include]: failed to open stream: no suitable wrapper could be found in /home/capeinfo/public_html/news/riebeekvalley/nov07.php on line 300 Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening 'http://capeinfo.co.za/nav/social.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php') in /home/capeinfo/public_html/news/riebeekvalley/nov07.php on line 300 |
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