The Battle for Betty’s Bay Report on Hack no 656

The rain won this battle and forced a retreat of the troops. We will re-engage in January! We will (weather permitting) move our annual bring and braai as well. Beer will be provided, but if you want anything else please bring it with you. If the wind is too high, bring a picnic otherwise there will be a fire. Sadly, I record the death of Malcolm Pollard, third convenor of the hack from 1982 to 1984. Malcolm started hacking in the 1970s soon after he and Wendy bought their holiday house in Betty's Bay. Malcolm…
read more

BETTY’S BAY HACK REPORT NO 655

On a lovely spring morning more Rooikrans were tackled on the same public open space as last month. The work was tedious as the troops had to cut their way in through thick bush. Despite this, a large number were eradicated. Well done all! Christine Dreyer provided the sandwiches and Merran Silberbauer the tea. Thank you ladies! The hackers were, John Benn, Jan Joubert, Jeannie Harning, Bernard and Natalie van Wulven, Willem Stiglingh, Chris Cadman (welcome back!), Maarten and Hilary Mauve, Jim Russel, Rosemary Fowkes, Carole Roberts, Tom Dreyer, Ed Silberbauer, Frik Potgieter.Chris Geldenhuys as…
read more

BETTY’S BAY HACK REPORT NO 654

- Frik Potgieter,Convenor On a somewhat windy morning, Rooikrans were tackled on the public open space to the east of Agapanthus road. A large number were eradicated, but there are many more waiting for next month. The area around Business Circle was also cleared by a team of hackers. During this clearing exercise, Natalie was rather foully abused by one of the neighbouring residents. She did not like the noise of a chain saw on a Sunday morning! This has happened before, but from the report it seems like one of the worst. Luckily Natalie-…
read more

BETTY’S BAY HACK REPORT NO 653

On a lovely early Spring morning, we continued with the clearing of the Public open space on Vlei Road of Rooikrans and Myrtle. Some of the troops tackled the verge of Porter drive that we did not get to when we were working there. Some large Myrtle bit the dust! There are still some isolated enemies here and there on both sites but these will have to wait a bit. Betsey Joubert provided the sandwiches and Jane Fearnhead the tea, thank you ladies. The hackers were: John Benn, Martin Bench with sons Sean and Michael,Tom…
read more

BETTY’S BAY HACK REPORT NO 652

Hackers: It was as if there had been a message sent round 'bring a friend'. Merrilee Berrisford swelled the number of hackers with her son Jeremy,  his wife Jean and children Sam and Kate. Kate brought her school friend  Molly Perkin and Sam his friend Trento Lambrecht. Molly's parents Karen  & Gary were also hacking. Willem Stiglingh a regular Wednesday and  Pringle Bay hacker came with Jano Nortje from George. John & Sue Weaver  brought Megan Conrad with them. The regulars included Maarten & Hilary  Mauve, Tom Dreyer, Rosemary Fowkes, Jan & Betsey Joubert, Jeannie …
read more

THE BATTLE OF BETTY’S BAY: HACK REPORT 649

A pleasant early winter morning (sans the rain), and the troops arrived to tackle the demon Rooikrans. A huge number of the enemy succumbed to the enthusiasm of the hackers. At tea there were several suggestions as to where the worst area is, but all agreed that there is a lot more to do in this area. Thus, we will be back here next month. As I will be travelling, Ed Silberbauer has agreed to do the organising. Thank you Ed! Di Knott provided the sandwiches and Merran Silberbauer the tea. Thank you ladies! Richard…
read more

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…
read more

THE BATTLE OF BETTY’S BAY: HACK REPORT 648

A glorious day to tackle the intruding Rooikrans! The fynbos could almost be heard to say’ thank you’ as the enemy fell one by one. A huge difference could be seen at the end of the hack. Well done all. There are still a lot to eradicate so it will be back here next month. It was encouraging to experience a local resident that came to thank us for the clearing and to offer coffee and rusks! It was interesting to see that as we cut the Rooikrans, little gems like Haemanthus coccineus (some already…
read more

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…
read more