BETTY’S BAY HACK REPORT NO 651

Firstly, a big thank you to Ed Silberbauer who organised Hack number 650. It is much appreciated! Sterling work was done by the troops today and a huge number of Rooikrans bit the dust. The terrain is difficult, so not only is it necessary to cut paths in, but stems need to be dug out where the sand has built up. So thank you to all for the effort.  We were joined by Rosemary Fowkes, Jeannie Harning, David Bossenger, Tom Dreyer, Betsey  Joubert with grandsons Luke and Tim, Ulli Niemann, Carole Roberts, Jim  Russell. Lewis…
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GREY-BEARDS OUT IN FORCE – THE WEDNESDAY HACKERS

- Merrilee Berrisford It is 8.30 am, I am driving from Kleinmond, just before turning into Sunny Seas, I see grey-bearded men emerging from cars, crossing over to the mountainside and carrying arms. What on earth? Then I realise it is the Wednesday Hackers out to do battle with a nasty potential forest of wattles, that for years has been growing, spoiling the sweep of fynbos, threatening to engulf it. I learn that the owner of this large small-holding has asked the intrepid band of weekly hackers to eradicate this menace. All hail to that…
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PRINGLE BAY HACK REPORT N0 124

- Chris Geldenhuys, Convenor After the initial rain, not more than 7mm in Pringle Bay, it was a wonderful crisp winter’s morning when the Pringle Bay the Hack Group gathered at Droster’s Centre on 28 May 2017. We still had an obligation to plot 728 and a well-motivated group moved to the intersection of Barbara and Bobby roads in Pringle Bay. The infestation this time was mainly Rooikrantz, but the coppicing slowed the progress. There is only one way to address a challenge like this - on your knees!   With great determination we managed…
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Betty’s Bay Hack No. 650

- Ed Silberbauer, Stand-in Convenor. Three young and enthusiastic troopers reported for duty on time; but had to wait for the necessary arms and ammo to arrive, which arms and ammo were a bit delayed due to mix up with the ordinance arrangements - and Richard, all the way from Pringle Bay, thought the hack had been cancelled! However all was sorted out and in perfect weather a lot of rooikrans was eliminated over a big area which, for a change, was not too difficult to access. Next hack - same place BUT this time…
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The Wednesday Hack

Over the last month the group again hacked Rooikrans on the verges of Porter Drive. A new site on the mountain side of the R44 as it leaves Betty’s Bay was started. It is a critical site as the witches brew of aliens are not only threatening the mountain slopes but has endangered the water supply of the properties on the sea side of the R44, thrilling stuff! Frik Potgieter Convenor Cell: 084 600 9891
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THE BATTLE OF BETTY’S BAY: THE WEDNESDAY HACK

Over the past month the group hacked on the verge of the R44 near the entrance to Pringle Bay and Rooikrans (on the verges of Porter Drive) where a severe infestation of Australian Myrtle has all but been removed. The group size varied between 8 and 12. Acacia Elata (Pepper tree wattle) The species was introduced to southern Africa as an ornamental species on several occasions between 1904 and 1940. It has since become a widespread invasive. Acacia elata is a fast growing, profusely seeding, long lived species invading mostly urban open spaces, roadsides, fynbos…
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THE BETTY’S BAY WEDNESDAY HACK

Over the past month the group hacked on the verge of the R44 near the entrance to Pringle Bay where a severe infestation of Australian Myrtle has all but been removed. The group size varied between 8 and 12. Acacia Elata (Pepper tree wattle) The species was introduced to southern Africa as an ornamental species on several occasions between 1904 and 1940. It has since become a widespread invasive. Acacia elata is a fast growing, profusely seeding, long lived species invading mostly urban open spaces, roadsides, fynbos and forest clearings. It competes with and replaces…
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THE BATTLE OF BETTY’S BAY: HACK REPORT 647

-Frik Potgieter, Convenor We had a small taste of winter at first, but the weather turned quite warm later on. Large numbers of Acacia elata (with the odd gum and pittisporum) were removed by the enthusiastic group. Hilary Mauve counted 830 something to tea time on her own! If this is extrapolated to the whole group, it can be estimated that about 8,000 aliens came to a bad end on one day. Well done! Di Knott provided the sandwiches and Merran Silberbauer the tea. Thank you ladies! Also thank you to Penguin Place for donating…
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PRINGLE BAY HACK REPORT N0 121

-Chris Geldenhuys With the memory of the recent fire disaster fresh in our minds, the Pringle Bay Hack Group gathered at Droster’s Gat on 26 February. Fully motivated and inspired, they moved to the entrance of Pringle Bay where they cleared the verges along Buffels Road up to the Ursula Road intersection. The infestation was mainly Flowering Gum and Rooikrans, which are a serious threat to the Fynbos. The hackers were faced with some senior Flowering Gum trees (see the before and after photos). This was not a mere Sunday hack, it was heavy work,…
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THE BETTY’S BAY WEDNESDAY HACK

Over the past month, the Wednesday group has hacked at the WWF property at the top of Stream Road, Pringle Bay. This property is now clean as far as the house, the verges of Stream Road and the south-western verges of Porter Drive (all Rooikrans). Frik Potgieter, hack convenor, may be contacted at frikjanp@gmail.com or on 084 600 9891.  
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