by KBergReserve

THE WEDNESDAY HACK

Sometime during 2004 Edward Silberbauer (Ed) noticed Pieter De Waal (now sadly deceased) hacking on the verges of Betty’s Bay roads in a random fashion. Ed suggested to Pieter that he would like to join Pieter and formalise the time. And so the Wednesday hack was born. The original members were soon joined by Tom Dreyer and then John Whitehead. Various other people from both Betty’s Bay and Pringle Bay came and went over the years - and the present group consists of about 13 members. Some members are swallows and are only present at…
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by KBergReserve

THE BATTLE OF BETTY’S BAY: HACK REPORT 645

-Frik Potgieter, Convenor Another well attended hack on a beautiful day and a remarkable start to 2017! Ex convener Malcolm Pollard used to call this a 'bring a friend hack' - the reason for that will become apparent when you read the list of attendees below. We are really making an impact on the verges of Porter Drive and the end is in sight! Di Knott provided the sandwiches and Merran Silberbauer the tea. Thank you ladies! Also thank you to Penguin Place for again donating the bread for aforesaid sandwiches. Those attending were: Malcolm's…
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by KBergReserve

2016 CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION

-Merrilee Berrisford BotSoc SA has attractive certificates for branches to acknowledge the contribution of people in the community, mostly members but also businesses which have given especial support. Here in Kogelberg Branch, an example is Penguin Place which under several owners has every month supplied loaves of bread for the Hack sandwiches. In December, after the last committee meeting of the year, a small gathering enjoyed drinks and snacks in the garden (thanks to Natalie and Jeannie and their business, Solutions Connect Africa, for giving us a good supply of wine; committee members did the…
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by KBergReserve

TALK REPORT FOR DECEMBER 2016

10 December 2016: George and Margo Branch on “Creatures of the fynbos” This was a very well attended morning talk with some children present. It was a pity that there were not more children there to listen and learn and enjoy this presentation which George and Margo shared. Originally from Zimbabwe, George and Margo met at UCT while studying Zoology and Biology respectively. Being well qualified to talk on fynbos creatures, their talk was enlivened by personal experiences. On one occasion while diving near Hermanus, George had his leg playfully grabbed by an otter for…
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by KBergReserve

TALK REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 2016

10 November 2016:  Dr Candice-Lee Lyons on “Biological control of weeds - history, principles, and examples” This most informative talk by Candice-Lee Lyons (who was supported by her husband and young son) gave us all a broader perspective on how invasive alien plants are being controlled. There are three methods used to control invasive plants. The Betty's Bay Hack Group, which has been working in the area for over 40 years, uses mainly the mechanical method. This includes chain saws for the large, mainly acacia, species (e.g. rooikrans), and poppers and snickers for the smaller…
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by KBergReserve

WALKS PLANNED FOR 2017

Botsoc Walk 21 January 2017 The route for the January walk is still to be determined. Meanwhile, save the date. As always, we will meet at the Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens parking area at 09h00 on Saturday, 21 January 2017. Enquiries: Tim Attwell 082 343 2501 Barbara Jenman 082 338 4109 Rea Borcherds 072 238 8144
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by KBergReserve

TALKS PLANNED FOR 2017

Saturday 21 January: Cuan McGeorge, Senior Field Ranger, Stony Point Seabird Breeding Colony, Cape Nature, on “Adaptability of endangered species – The birth of Stony Point Seabird Colony”. At 18h00 – Pringle Bay Community Hall. Saturday 18 February: Brian Huntley on his time on Marion island as a young man. At 18h00 – Nivenia Hall, HPBG. Note: Botsoc Walks and Talks are always held on the third Saturday of the month, and Betty’s Bay Hacks on the first Sunday of the month.
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