PRINGLE BAY HACK REPORT N0 122
-Chris Geldenhuys, Convenor
On another beautiful autumn morning, Pringle Bay Hack Group gathered at Droster’s Gat on 26 March. Despite all the holidays and heydays, the well-motivated group moved to the intersection of Buffels and George roads in Pringle Bay. There the hack started on the verges of George, up to Elizabeth and Ursula roads. The infestation was mainly Rooikrantz, Australian Myrtle and Sesbania Trees. Sesbania is very poisonous for humans and animals. See the photo below of a typical Sesbania (flowers are orange in colour). Some of the Rooikrantz and Myrtle trees were really large and it took the hackers a full three hours to clear. A great deal was done, but we need to return to this region for some further hacking. During the hack it became apparent that a great threat exists where trees were not cut close enough to ground level and in some cases not being poisoned either. The coppicing in these cases creates an even bigger threat than the original exotic plant. See the third photo for an example. Remember to please cut low and apply maximum poison!
Sesbaniaing:
The following 22 members performed the hack: John Whitehead, Frik Potgieter, Louw and Karen Toerien, Sue Folb, Tom Dreyer, Carol Wilson, Andree Henning, Robert and Philip Schaefer, Anthony and Hillary Harris, Willem and Reggie Stigling, Ulli Niemann, Jenny Parsons, Natalie van Wulven, Jeannie Harning and Karen Masara, together with Chris Geldenhuys. The hack was joined by Pieter Snyman and Rob Reid – we really hope to see you both again! Thank you for everybody’s valuable contribution!
A special word of thanks for the contribution and support provided by the members of the Betty’s Bay Hack to the Pringle Bay Hack. Their efforts and encouragement are, as always, greatly appreciated.
Dave and Helena Muirhead provided the ever necessary mid-morning refreshments. Thank you both for all the arrangements! Again a special word of thanks goes to Peter and Joyce of the Mini Mark for the generous donation of the tea and sandwiches for the Hack Group, they were as always greatly enjoyed by all. It will be appreciated if all hackers can express their thanks, whenever you meet them in the Mini Mark.
The next monthly hack will be on Sunday 30 April 2017. As usual we will meet on the pavement opposite Droster’s Centre, in Central Avenue, Pringle Bay, at 08:30 whereafter we will proceed to the hack site. The hack ends at 11:30. Everyone who would like to help rid Pringle Bay of alien vegetation is welcome. Hacking tools are provided. Contact Chris on (028) 273 8588, or just turn up at the meeting point.