74.Montagu Nature Garden
Updated: 12/05/12
This article is a tribute to ALL the VOLUNTEERS who have created and continue to maintain a lasting legacy in Montagu.
Picture: Ethel Rosenstrauch
Visit the nature garden its history and some of the people who made it one of the treasures of Montagu. Besoek die natuurtuin sy geskiedenis en van die mense wat dit een van die skatte van Montagu gemaak het.
THE START OF MONTAGU’S NATURE GARDEN
by Heinie Heydenrych
PART ONE
The Montagu Nature Garden turned 50 years old in 2004. It has become an institution in the town because of its beauty in spring, when all the vygies (Mesembryanthemums), gazanias, Namaqualand daisies and other indigenous flowers turn it into a veritable painter’s palette of colour. Our Nature Garden is said to offer the widest range of vygie species known.
The garden has succulents from all over the Little Karoo, but it is also popular because of the regular Tuesday tea garden held there. But how did it all start?
The centenary of the founding of the town was celebrated in 1954. In actual fact, the history of the town started in 1851 when the first erven were sold so the centenary should have been celebrated in 1951. But in 1952 the Dutch Reformed Church council appointed a committee to make preparations for celebrating the centenary of the congregation’s founding in 1854. However, because the history of the congregation and the town were so closely intertwined, it was decided to lend a real community character to the festivities. The committee was consequently reconstituted and enlarged to include representatives of the town council, the divisional council, the chamber of commerce and women’s organisations. What was to have been a celebration of the establishment of the local parish therefore became an affair in which the whole town participated.
The then mayor, Mr. Ewie Basson, (who was elected to the post in 1954 and served until 1971) was also a member of the enlarged committee. It occurred to him and his wife, Justine that, with its wealth of indigenous flora, it might be a good idea to start a nature garden in Montagu. The idea actually took root at an impromptu meeting between the two of them and Mr. Thomas McSweeney, the town engineer.
A young Thomas McSweeney when he first came to Montagu
Ewie Basson convened a meeting for 22 June 1954 at which the Montagu Horticultural Society was established. Its immediate aim was the laying out of a nature garden on the slopes of Noemnoembessiekop.
Ewie Basson
The two prime movers in making this a reality were Justine Basson and her cousin Babsie van Zyl. They decided to tackle the task in a very practical way by getting stuck in with pick and shovel on the site. The town had one of its periodic droughts that year and the ground was extremely hard. In order to plant anything it was therefore necessary to dig holes in the shale-like soil, then fill it with good soil and water it well. But the combination of the drought and unfavourable weather conditions brought the first year’s efforts to nought.
Undaunted, the ladies tried again the next year. A few more women had in the meanwhile joined the group on their Tuesday morning stints. Although some men occasionally gave a hand, it was predominantly a ladies’ affair. To quench their thirst after their hard work, the ladies brought along flasks of tea, and that is how the custom of tea on Tuesday mornings started. Today, the tea garden is one of the main sources of income for the Nature Garden Committee.
Next Month – The Nature Garden takes shape.
MONTAGU’S NATURE GARDEN
TAKES SHAPE
by Heinie Heydenrych
PART TWO
Mr. Thomas McSweeney, the then Town Engineer, had assisted by installing an irrigation system and the town council fenced the 14 morgen set aside for the garden.
The makeshift shelter and tool shed of packing cases was soon replaced by a stone hut named “Justbabs” after the two initiators of the project, Justine Basson and Babsie van Zyl. Ewie Basson collected £350 from the townsfolk to develop the garden and it gradually started taking shape.
Picture: Hugo de Wet
The stone hut named Justbabs
Story: Hugo de Wet
In die loop van die ontwikkeling van die tuin, het Justine se seun Adri, ‘n eenvoudige klipstoortjie in die natuurtuin opgerig, gebou uit die nabank klip van die omgewing in die styl wat eie is aan die Montagu/Barrydale omgewing. Die stoor se deur het n beskeie naamplaatjie “Justbabs”, op gehad, ter ere aan Justine en Babsie. Met die jare het die geboutjie vervalle geraak en die naamplaat het verweer onder die aanslag van son en reen. Die MNV het besef dat dit geskiedkundige waarde het in die tuin, en het besluit om die geboutjie te restoureer om sodoende ook op praktiese wyse hulde te bring aan die twee dames.
Nou word dit weer as tuinstoor gebruik en pronk dit met n splinternuwe “Just Babs” naamplaatjie op die deur om almal wat die tuin besoek te herinner aan die twee stigters van die tuin. Dit is heel paslik dat die dames se onmisbare bydrae tot die natuurtuin in ‘n beskeie klip geboutjie, wat in die daaglikse instandhouding van die tuin benut word, gedenk word.
When Mr. Schreiber, previously affiliated to the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, came to live in Montagu, he was temporarily employed to take charge of the garden. He worked with much dedication and was later permanently appointed. He passed away all too soon, but left his imprint on the garden. Fortunately, an excellent successor was found in Mr. Koos Kok, who was appointed as curator
He was in charge for many years and his wealth of knowledge of indigenous plants was extremely valuable.
Meanwhile, the town council had built a pretty thatched-roofed entrance gateway as well as a building incorporating a tea-kitchen and seed storeroom.
Entrance to Nature Garden 1968
Entrance to Nature Garden 2019
Tea kitchen
Because of changing priorities, in 1994 the Municipality decided that it could no longer take responsibility for the Nature Garden. A Nature Garden Association was promptly formed. In addition to the income received from the Tuesday teas, the association also received a bequest from the estate of Babsie van Zyl’s, the interest on which could also be utilised for the upkeep of the garden.
Montagu has reason to be proud of its Nature Garden, and the town is indebted to people like Justine Basson and Babsie van Zyl and their lady helpers. Others like Mrs. Deleine Terblanche, who was president of the Nature Garden Association from its inception in 1994 to the end of 2001, carried on the good work.
A visitors’ book kept at the Nature Garden from 1954 onwards contains some fascinating entries. Some visitors made sketches and others wrote poems. In 1959 the following original poem appeared:
In a beautiful garden at the foot of a hill fair ladies of Montagu give you a fill, of cakes and
scones and steaming tea, brought from their homes for you and me. Red hot pokers and vygies too, golden narcissi, wet with dew, toss their heads in the crisp clear air, chasing away our sorrow and care.
Wild fowl too on the water clear, glide along with never a fear.
So haste along on a Tuesday morn, you’ll find them there from the crack of dawn.
Articles: Montagu Mail August and September 2005
Koos Kok as sketched by Francois Krige hangs proudly in the Nature Garden Resource Centre (2019)
Wie was Koos Kok?
Deur Blackie Badenhorst.
As karakter was Koos Kok ‘n skrywer en kustenaar se droom. Hy het in die distrik Pietersfontein groot geword en dié distrik het hom besonder na aan die hart gelê.
Oom Koos was een van die stigters van die Montagu Museum en sy liefde vir die museum was maar een van baie liefdes vir hierdie baie ongewone mens – hy was ook filosoof, kenner van die mooie en oue, allermansvirend en bowenal kurator van die Natuurtuin van Montagu. Onder sy liefdevolle en bekwame hande het Noemnoem Bessiekop dié koppie met die grootste aangeplante vygies ter wêreld geword.
Oom Koos se staaltjies was klassiek. Hy was lief om te sê “’n vetplant is nie ‘n “fool” nie. As dit die jaar ekstra baie reënt moenie dink ‘n vetplant sal sy wortelstelsel uitbrei en na die buitekant toe groter word nie. Hy maak dan mos net sy verdampings oppervlakte groter. En as daar dan weer droogte kom …..”.
‘n Veiling sonder Koos Kok was haas ontmoontlik en ‘n oog vir ‘n ouding dié het hy gehad. Sy kamertjie op die hoek van Kohler en Langstraat (hoek van Four Oaks) het soos ‘n negosiewinkeltjie daar uitgesien, en menige stuk het sy weg gebaan na die museum oorkant die straat.
Oom Koos was ook geen “fool” nie – onder sy vriende en kennisse het die volgende getel: Merwe Scholtz, André P. Brink, Betsie Roodt, Brian Rycroft, Douglas Hey, Breyten Breytenbach en Francois Krige, om maar net ‘n paar op te noem…..
‘n Lewensgrootte houtskooltekening van Koos Kok is deur sy vriend Francois Krige in 1977 geskets. Hierdie portret is later deur die kunstenaar se suster Suzanne Fox aan die Museum geskenk. Dié kosbare geskenk was deel van die verjaardagvieringe tydens Jouberthuis se 150 jarige verjaarsdag.
An early souvenir made by a volunteer
Memento: Hugo de Wet
THE MONTAGU NATURE GARDEN ASSOCIATION IS BORN
TREE PLANTING DAY 1994
Front: Rina Fletcher, Deleine Terblanche, Susie du Plessis, Alta Hogg, Alice le Riche, Back: Schalk Theron (apologies for missing name)
Picture: Hugo de Wet
‘N BLOU DINSDAG BY DIE NATUURTUIN
Deur Babsie van Zyl.
Toe ek een Dinsdagmôre by die natuurtuin aankom, het ek gevind dat ‘n goeie plaaslike inwoner vir my ‘n paar arbeiders gestuur het. Omdat geen werk vir hulle vooruit beplan was nie, het hulle alreeds ‘n paar kosbare ure in ydelheid deurgebring.
Op hierdie stadium was daar nog geen manier om oor die stroom van die kloof te kom nie. Daarom is hulle dadelik in die werk gesteek, om ‘n soort van bruggie met klip te bou. Maar my vindingryke vermoS is tot die uiterste beproef om ‘n geskikte ontwerp op die nippertjie van die oomblik uit te dink.
In die tussentyd het dit nodig geword om die drie gereelde munisipale arbeiders, wat besig was met die uitlȇ van ‘n pad op die anderkant van die tuin, omtrent ‘n kwart myl verder stroomop opdrag te gee. Tussen hierdie twee punte was daar ‘n see van losklippe, waar die skalie-lae kort gelede met ‘n masienomgedol is. Uit hierdie warboel het ek myself voorgeneem daardie dag, om ‘n paar blombeddings en paadjies uit te lȇ.
Nooit tevore in my lewe was dit my lot om kunstige landskap tuinery, op drie verskillende plekke, in een en dieselfde tyd, aan te lȇ nie !
In elk geval, dinge was net mooi lekker aan die gang, toe ʼn vragmotor vol vrolike skoolseuns aankom! Hulle was in die ouderdomsgroep, 8 tot 13, en onvergesel van iemand.
Aangesien die vakansie daardie week sou begin, was hulle gepaste stemming met die aangename vooruitsig, verstaanbaar.
Mnr. P.Basson, hoof van die laer skool, wat ook baie ge-interresseerd was in ons projekte, het hulle tot my beskikking gestel. En natuurlik was ek verheug oor die vooruitsig van so baie hulp!
Wat geen een van ons op daardie oomblik besef het nie, was dat ek hoegenaamd geen talent of vermoë gehad het om 30 lewenslustige skoolseuns, en daarby nog twee groepe lustelose arbeiders, ‘n kwart myl van mekaar te beheer nie.’
By hulle aankoms het die seuns, soos ʼn skoot bokhael uit ʼn patroon gespring en binne ‘n ommesientjie was hulle dwarsoor die tuin versprei.
‘n Paar van die meer bedaardes egter, het hulle laat aan-keer en hulle is toe in die werk gesteek aan die toekomstige blom- beddings.
Omdat ek nie wou hȇ dat enige groep werkers vir langer as ‘n halfuur op ‘n tyd alleen gelaat moes word nie, moes ek gou teen ‘n vinnige pas stroomop na die munisipale werkers gaan om te sien hoe hulle aangaan. Op my pad terug om te sien hoe die brugbouers aangaan, het ek verby ‘n klein groepie skoolseuns gegaan, toe ek toevallig hoor hoedat een bewonderend na my verwys as “Springbok”!
Intussen het dit vir my ‘n aansienlike werk geword om die hele klomp kinders te beheer. Na ’n hele klompie skreeuende dreigemente is hulle bymekaargemaak van stroom-op, stroom-af, en oor die stroom. In ‘n swaarbeheerde, skor stem het ek voortgegaan om aan hulle te verduidelik wat verwag word.
Vaagweg was ek egter bewus van sekere dinge wat agter my rug aangaan. Die belhamel, ‘n mooierige seuntjie, wat nogal gelyk het nes Gregory Peck, was skynbaar besig om sy bende te organiseer. Ek was net te laat om hulle te keer toe hulle besig was om stilletjies nes spoke die naaste bosse in te glip, waarop ek my humeur heeltemal verloor het. Onderwyl ek wild skreeu en tekere gaan, het ek hulle oor die klippe gejaag en hulle toegesnou om pad te gee en weg te loop en nie weer ‘n voet in die tuin te sit nie.
Die vragmotorbestuurder het net gegryns, terwyl die seuns netso luidrugtig en plesierig gegaan het soos hulle gekom het.
Ek hoef beswaarlik by te voeg dat ek die volgende paar dae deurgebring het met verskonings te vra vir die skoolhoof en die ouers.
Sedert daardie dag het klein “Gregory Peck” en ek nie weer mekaar raakgeloop, behalwe een ontmoeting wat ons gehad het, ‘n week later. Hy het in die straat geloop en klippe skop, toe hy eensklaps opkyk en my sien aankom. Met die grootste onverskilligheid het hy die pad oorgesteek om voor te gee asof dit al die tyd sy plan was. Toe hy op ‘n veilige afstand was het hy skielik ‘n bek opgesit met ‘n paar neerhalende skreeue, terwyl ek maar aangestap het, oëskynlik waardig, maar al die tyd hoogs geamuseerd!
Article supplied by: Ar de Vries
Debbie Murray a Montagu resident and nature garden champion for many years fulfilling many roles provided memorabilia and stories which helped make this article possible.
Debbie and husband Peter supporting the Nature Garden tea mornings as ever
DEBBIE MURRAY REMEMBERS HIGHLIGHTS
A CHAIRPERSON MOVES ON
Nature Garden News
by Debbie Murray
Peter Wannenburgh& Deleine Terblanche at the entrance to the Nature Garden. Deleine was Chairlady from the Nature Garden’s inception until two years ago, when Peter took over from her. Peter’s cousin was the late Babsie van Zyl, one of the founders of the Nature Garden
Spring has arrived in our Nature Garden and ‘then blooms each thing and maids dance in a ring’. It is certainly true this year, after such a good wet winter – what a pleasure for every keen gardener and nature lover!
Sadly, our chairman Peter Wannenburgh and his wife Thelma, who was also a valued committee member, have left Montagu. We were very sorry to see them go and they will certainly be missed we wish them all the best in their new venture. Rumour has it that they will join us for Tuesday morning tea whenever possible. At the AGM held on 6 August, Peter thanked his committee, the members and various individuals for their support during the year.
There has been a great deal of activity in the garden, and many projects have been completed. The establishment of an information centre is still in progress, as well as the labelling of the plants in the garden. The garden is becoming a popular venue for weddings and small tour groups often join us for Tuesday morning tea.
The new Committee is as follows: Graham English (Chairman), Johann van Dyk (Vice-Chairman), Rick Bailey (Treasurer), Debbie Murray (Secretary), Betty Hardy, Annatjie Jeken, Dee Draudsing, Sheila Doubell, Babette Becker, Hardy Burger and Gwenda Freemantie. See you in the garden!
We are saddened by the loss of our treasurer and good friend Peter Green, who passed away on 16 August. Our thoughts are with Marina, Sue and family.
Article: Montagu Mail September 2002
L – R Claudia Bentley, Deleine Terblanche and Babette Bekker at the tree planting
In die gebruiklike Boomplantdag seremonie is ‘n hele paar bome in die Montagu Natuurtuin geplant. Die vrolike seremonie, gehou op Dinsdag 8 September om saam te val met die week- likse tee-byeenkoms in die oggend, was die hoogtepunt van ‘n uiters geslaagde jaar vir die beroemde tuin.
Die skenkers van die bome wat geplant is, was Babette Becker, Meryl Godwin, Dee Draudsing en Marina Green.
Behalwe uitstekende bywoning van die tee-oggende vanaf Mei tot November in die ruim gebou van die Tuin, het die vereniging wat die Tuin bestuur vanjaar met trots ‘n spinternuwe kleur-brosjure vir besoekers en ander toeriste bekend gestel.
Die Natuurtuin is gelee in die suidelikste deel van die vetplant Karoo-bioom in ‘n gebied van die Weskaap wat die grootste aantal vetplant-spesies ter wêreld bevat.
Tans is die tuin ‘n lushof van helder vygies, maar behalwe dié soort, is daar honderde ander aalwyne, fynbos-soorte, Natuurtuin-vereniging. blombosse en bome – almal inheems.
Daar is ook skilpaaie, ‘n paar bokkies, talle interessante voelsoorte, asook arende wat bo-oor vlieg.
Die Tuin is sowat 10ha in omvang en bestaan uit beplante tuine asook Klein Karoo-veld.
Die dam en stroompies skep ‘n lieflike rustige atmosfeer. Besoekers kan maklik op gelyke grasperke rondstap en daar is talle rusbanke van waar die uitsigte oor die koppies en berge geniet kan word.
Daar is ‘n kort staproete teen ‘n effense steilte teen Bessiekop.
“Dit is deel van ons missie om die kos- bare inheemse wildblomtuin te bewaar en aan te plant met soorte eie aan die gebied sê mev. Debbie Murray van die Natuurtuin – vereniging.
Article: Montagu Mail October 2003
IMPROVEMENTS CONTINUE
Nature Garden
by Debbie Murray
The Tuesday morning teas have resumed and it was good to see everyone there on the first morning with the garden looking fresh and beautiful after the good rains.
The dormant seeds and bulbs have awoken and if one looks closely there is new growth everywhere. Johan van Dyk has replanted many of the old flowerbeds and prepared new areas for the spring.
The parking area at the back of the main building has been extended to provide more parking for those hostesses and members who find the uneven paths to the building somewhat difficult to manoeuvre. It is working very well. The next big project is a storeroom for the tables and chairs, and this should happen before the end of the year.
To help celebrate the 50th year of the garden, everyone is invited to a cheese and wine evening on Tuesday 11 May at 5.30 pm for which there will be a nominal charge.
Know your Nature Garden: Suther- landia frutescens – kankerbos, bitterblaar, hoenderkloek. “Semi-prostate shrub to 1 m. Branches long and slender. Leaves feathery. Pea-like flowers dark pink. Seed contained in a balloon-like pod. Very widely used medicinally, especially for chicken pox and cancer.” (Ref Karoo South African Wild Flower Guide 6. Text: David Shearing. Illustrations: Katryn van Heerden.)
Deleine Terblanche, the first President of the Nature Garden Committee in 1954.
Article: Montagu Mail May 2004
SPECIAL VISITORS
Oom Jan Jordaan en Martin Burger het onlangs heerlik saam in die Natuurtuin tee gedrink. Martin was die tuiner in die tyd toe Koos Kok die Natuurtuin 50 jaar gelede gevestig het en hy was verbaas om te sien hoeveel dit verander het. Martin het daardie dae Koos Kok gehelp om 52 soorte vygies te plant.
Picture: Montagu Mail July 2004
THE NATURE GARDENS BECOMES WHEELCHAIR FRIENDLY
Montagu Nature Garden News
by Debbie Murray
TheNature Garden is at its best once more and viewing the flowers in our beautiful garden should be on everyone’s list of things to do. Bring a picnic basket, and view the mountains, the trees and the flowers. For the more energetic, bring a daypack and hike to the top of Bessiekop.
The Sutherlandia frutescens (cancer bush) is in flower at the moment, and many good examples can be seen in the garden. The mesembryanthemums (vy- gies) are coming into flower – the pure white species are especially spectacular. The best viewing time is late morning onwards, and be sure to choose a fine, sunny day.
At the Annual General Meeting held in August, some concern was expressed about the fragile state of the footbridge in the garden. The decision was made to upgrade it to be wheelchair, crutches and walking stick friendly. Any member who would like to be involved in the project can contact Johan van Dyk on 0236142590.
At the first meeting of the committee of the Nature Garden Association, Bryan Magennis was elected Chairman. Thank you Bryan for taking on the task.
Office bearers for 2005/2006: Bryan Magennis (Chairman), Johan van Dyk (Vice-chairman), Sue Smith (Treasurer), Rick Bailey (Accounting Officer) and Debbie Murray (Secretary).
Article: Montagu Mail September 2005
Montagu Nature Garden News
by Debbie Murray
The Nature Garden remains quiet during the hot summer months, but behind the scenes the hard work continues. Invasive plants are a problem and have to be dealt with – not a very thankful task. Shrubs have to be cut back and flower beds prepared for the next season. Selective watering ensures that the more sensitive plants survive the dry season, but the hardy indigenous Karoo plants have to fend for themselves and somehow manage to survive the dry weather.
The new bridge is complete and ramps are in place thanks to the efforts of Johan van Dyk and Rick Bailey.
Our Tuesday morning tea garden commences in April, and we hope that every member will bring a friend, a neighbour or a stranger who will become a friend, to join us for tea and refreshments and a walk in the garden.
Article: Montagu Mail February 2006
ANOTHER YEAR ENDS
The year is rapidly drawing to an end and the Festive season is upon us.
The final tea garden of the season was held on Tuesday 31 October and teas will resume in April 2007. The millennium celebrations seem a long time ago – quite scary!
At the last tea, members and visitors were treated to a glass of champagne and orange juice as a token of thanks for their ongoing support of the Nature Garden. It was wonderful to see so many members and visitors enjoying the morning.
Thank you to the (prospective!) member who spent the morning weeding. Other members take note!
Work in the garden will continue during the hot summer months. The garden remains open and is there to be enjoyed all year round.
Regrettably, no functions will be permitted on Sundays next year, as there will be no staff available to man the gate or arrange for the furniture. However, the gate will be open and visitors are welcome to enjoy the garden on their own.
Stalwart lady committee members:
Gwenda Freemantle, Brenda
Hemus, Debbie Murray, Anne
Gorfinkel and Sue Smith.
Betty Hardy, Anneline van Dyk,
Johan van Dyk (back) and Hardy
Burger enjoying the last Nature
Garden tea of the year.
Article: Montagu Mail December 2006
YOUNG MOMS
Montagu Nature Garden News
by Debbie Murray
What a wonderful start to the Nature Garden tea garden this April. The weather has been marvelous, as have the people who have come to enjoy the sunshine in the garden on Tuesday mornings. The rain has been most welcome and necessary at this time of the year.
A couple of visitors from Cape Town (originally from Wales) wanted to know if we know that we live in paradise. Of course we do! The average age of the crowd on Tuesdays has dropped remarkably this year – lovely to see all the young moms and their children enjoying the occasion.
Johan van Dyk is preparing a small nursery at the garden and may have some plants to sell later in the season. Keep this in mind, all keen indigenous gardeners.
Behind the scenes in Montagu, a dedicated group of Eco Club members is doing very important work. They call themselves The Hackers, and that is what they are! Every Thursday they are out there trying to rid our mountains, kloofs and river surrounds of alien trees and the spread of invasive plants. They have been working around the Nature Garden recently and the results are there for all to enjoy. Cecily van Niekerk, Betty Hardy and their crew have been at it for many years and should be thanked by all for their efforts. Anyone who would like to join them would be most welcome. Please contact Stan Shield if you would like to help: 023-6143155.
Future Nature Garden events: Ian Oliver, curator of the Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden in Worcester, will give a talk at the Nature Garden at 11am on Tuesday 22 July. This will be followed by a visit to the Botanical Garden in Worcester on Thursday 21 August, for a guided tour through the garden followed by lunch at their restaurant. Notices will be sent to members closer to the time.
Article: Montagu Mail May 2008
A TIRELESS NATURE GARDEN CHAMPION IS RECOGNISED
Grande Dame
Deleine Terblanche
Deleine Terblanche – a person with a heart the size of Africa. She has a passion for nature in general, a passion for the youth, a passion for her children and a passion for life.
Brought up in De Aar and Klerksdorp, where she met and married the love of her life, Stephanus (Steve), Deleine eventually moved to Windhoek, South West Africa (now Namibia) where Steve was appointed Attorney General.
Much of her time in Namibia was spent helping the youth of the area during their learning and informative years, a practice that she continued when she and Steve retired to Montagu during 1974; as always, showing a sincere interest in the well-being of others.
They moved to Montagu as they were missing their three daughters, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren so much and spent the intervening years enjoying the pleasure of being near the family. Steve passed away in 1999.
Deleine’s interest in nature came to the fore after they moved to Montagu. Her involvement in the Nature Garden, where she served as President of the Society for eight years, is testament to a lady who feels for and loves the community which she served for so long.
Deleine always enjoyed a healthy lifestyle and we can still picture her accompanying the late Sylvia Krige on daily walks through Montagu. Every day is a special occasion and Deleine is always elegantly attired and the perfect lady.
“My love of bridge and scrabble keep the brain cells in first gear1 says Deleine “even though the body tends to lag behind a bit these days. I still have a wonderful circle of good friends, with whom we used to socialise regularly during our younger days, and of course the family who still provides the spark that makes life so exciting.”
One can wax lyrical about this ‘Grande Dame’s’ achievements, but, being the modest person that she is, she prefers to take a back seat when it comes to praise.
Tannie Deleine – the people of Montagu thank you for all you have contributed to the youth of Montagu and the Nature Garden. Because of you, Montagu is a richer place!
Article: Montagu Mail June 2008
JANE AND CHRISTOPHER POWELL
Montagu Nature Garden News
by Debbie Murray
TEN OUT OF TEN FOR THE CHAIRMAN’S GARDEN PARTY
The Pâté and Wine Garden Party’ organised by Jane and Christopher Powell as a fundraiser for the Nature Garden on 9 December, proved to be a great success and should not have been missed by anyone.
The report on this evening comes with apologies to a Sunday newspaper: –
Jane and Christopher’s lovely garden was the perfect backdrop for the elegant ladies and smart gentlemen who arrived at this annual fundraising event. It was a cosmopolitan affair with guests from England, Germany and even some born-and-bred locals. The weather was perfect – warm and wind still. The miggies did however make their appearance briefly in the late evening. Mary Randall, as elegant as ever, wore a cream lacy top. The men too showed style and flair. Alan Drever’s cut-off chequered slacks made a statement. The host and hostess looked particularly elegant in their floral tops. One mishap did occur, but the perpetrator of the spilt beverage will remain nameless. A certain member arrived fashionably late due to ‘mistaken notice information’? The food, prepared by the host and hostess, was delicious, as was apparent by the platters emptying at an alarming rate.
Food: 10/10; Ambience: 10/10; Guest list: Tops.
On a more serious note – thank you to everyone who helped to make this fundraising event such a success. Also to our members and friends who support the Nature Garden by attending these events. It is much appreciated.
The garden has seen a flurry of activity as a result of the boma in Donkerkloof being closed to the public after the floods. Please be aware that the gates are open on weekends, but no facilities are available.
The children from the Mandela Square crèche visited the garden for their end of year outing and were taken on a walk and enjoyed a picnic under the trees.
The Montagu Community Church invited everyone to a Carols by Candlelight evening on Friday 12 December. The beautiful peaceful surroundings provided the perfect backdrop for the event and everyone enjoyed themselves.
Article Montagu Mail December 2008
The chairperson Colin Powell and his wife Jane still supporting the Tuesday morning teas (2019)
A LIFETIME MEMBER
Article: Hugo de Wet
NATURE GARDEN TITANS
Johan photographed in the Gardens recently with Esther Hofmeyr, one of the founding members.
Johan van Dyk
Tribute by Debbie Murray
The day Johan and Annelien van Dyk decided to retire to Montagu from the city of Tswane, proved to be an auspicious one for the Montagu Nature Garden.
They soon became members of the Nature Garden and in 1994 they both joined the committee. Johan immediately became fully involved in the running of the garden and took over many responsibilities His knowledge of, and interest in gardening has proved invaluable. In the Chairperson’s report of 1996 Deleine Terblanche wrote: “The saying ‘cometh the hour, cometh the man,’ is indeed true of Mr Van Dyk”, and the next year: “We still have Mr. Van Dyk working miracles”.
The Nature Garden Association had been established two years before Johan’s arrival. At that time the committee, willing members of the Nature Garden and one gardener, supplied by the Municipality, managed the garden. Paths were laid stone by stone by Rina Fletcher and helpers, holes were dug and seedlings planted under the supervision of Deleine Terblanche, the first chairperson. Alien and invasive plants were removed and replaced by suitable shrubs and plants. Pensioners who helped were guided as to digging holes the ‘correct’ way, what to plant and what to pull out. Some of us were rookies from other provinces and barely knew a weed from an indigenous treasure.
Johan immediately became a very useful member of the working team – sacrificing many hours to labour in the garden.
In 1999 he agreed to serve as vice chairman of the Nature Garden Association.
Under his guidance, dedication and expertise, the garden flourished. His influence can be seen in many projects: the stream is running freely with beautiful pools filled with water lilies, waterblommetjies, etc; a dam was established at the upper end of the garden and the wall of the dam planted with lovely spring flowers; and a herb route was established and trees and shrubs identified and marked.
Every year the display of spring flowers is more breathtaking and new areas are cultivated. Johan supervises the clearing of invasive plants and weeds and removal of the debris. (Quite a task considering the size of the garden and the limited resources available.) Throughout the years his knowledge of the flora of this area has steadily grown. His mornings are often spent studying reference books in the Resource Centre. His knowledge of common plant names and their origins has fascinated many a group of visitors taken on a guided walk through the garden.
All problems are referred to Johan and he is always willing to assist. His good relationship with the gardeners is also noteworthy.
His dedication to these various tasks has been admirable.
Thank you Johan. It is your garden and you can take pride in your labour of love.
Thank you also to Annelien for all the hours you have loaned your husband to the garden and for the work you have also personally put in.
Article: Montagu Mail December 2009
NEW IDEAS AND INTERNATIONAL VISITORS
Support makes it flourish!
Nature Garden by Debbie Murray
The Nature Garden has been very active this month and it is great to see an organization flourishing because of the support of members and the public. The people who make it all happen really appreciate the positive feedback from members and visitors. Don’t stop, it makes all the effort worthwhile.
Sander, our curator, for those who have not yet met him, and Corrie his wife, have been hard at work improving all aspects of the Nature Garden.
The circular trail up Bessiekop is well kept and now clearly marked with yellow footprints. (See Sander and team at work in the photographs above and opposite). The lower walk will receive the same treatment with different colour footprints.
What a good idea!
The Hardy Plants Society of the United Kingdom visited the garden and enjoyed our jolly Tuesday tea morning. This is their second visit and they will surely come again. Christopher Powell (our chairman) and Sander took them on a tour around the garden and many photographs were taken.
A wonderful occasion was the visit by 50 primary school children with their teachers and their lunch boxes – of course they enjoyed an educational walk under the guidance of Sander, followed by sandwiches in the lovely garden. We hope that this will be an annual event and that other schools will follow suit.
Has everyone been studying those little slips of paper that appear on the tea tables every Tuesday? Margie is frantically drawing up our exam paper for the last tea of the year, so be prepared! Who knows what we might win?
October is when we see the last of the Tuesday morning teas, so a big thank you to all the ladies who have served tea and provided eats – some more than once!
The committee will host the last tea of the season on 26 October.
Article: Montagu Mail October 2010
RECOGNITION FOR THE HARDWORKING VOLUNTEERS
Since the start of the Nature Garden a visitor’s book has been kept. Paging through these books one can see how many people have gained enjoyment out of what they have seen while walking around the garden.
Visitors Book: Debbie Murray
FIRST ANNUAL REPORT FROM A NEW TORCH CARRIER
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CURATOR: MONTAGU NATURE GARDEN
September 2012 – August 2013
Hugo de Wet: Curator: Montagu Nature Garden
The past year has been relatively uneventful from a Nature Garden management and maintenance viewpoint. The most significant event was the resignation of the former Curator, Mr. Sander Hahndiek in February after a two year sojourn during which time he made a major impact on the appearance and general level of upkeep of the garden. I had been Mr. Hahndiek’s assistant/co-curator for approximately nine months prior to his resignation in order to alleviate his burden of sole responsibility for the upkeep of the Garden. We had arranged to be on duty to supervise the Garden’s two workmen on alternate weeks, and stood in for one another when one was absent. As I am now sole Curator, I am likewise feeling the burden of carrying full responsibility for the upkeep of the Garden and hope that I can similarly be assisted in the future. I am nonetheless grateful to Ms. Carol Tissiman for standing in for me when I was away on leave, and also on various other occasions.
The past year has been overshadowed by the uncertainty with regard to the extension of our lease of the Nature Garden by the Langeberg Municipality. However the day to day management of the garden has continued unabated. In addition to the general maintenance of lawns, pathways and planting beds, steady progress is being made in the removal of Karoo sweet thorn (Acacia Karoo) thickets in the western part of the Garden. The aim of removing this indigenous plant in certain areas is to enable the Nature Garden’s wealth of annual and perennial flowering plants and succulents to flourish. In other areas, for example to the east of the dam, the thickets are being left untouched in order to provide shelter for small mammals and birds.
In recent months (since the public protest meeting, inter alia in connection with the Municipality’s stated intention to take over the running of the Garden) the Municipality, in the guise of officials of the Parks and Amenities Department, has been exceptionally helpful in responding to requests from me for assistance. As a result, the dense reed growth in the river downstream of the footbridge has been removed by a contractor at Municipal expense, and the exterior of all buildings in the Garden has been painted by the Municipality. By and large we maintain a friendly and productive working relationship with officials of the Parks Department.
Recently the dam was emptied in an attempt to rid it of the sludge deposited on the dam floor as a result of the water purification process at the adjacent water purification works. I subsequently had discussions with the Town Engineer, Mr. Mynhardt Johnson, both with regard to the origin and content of the sludge, and the regular release of large volumes of water from the water works, apparently as a result of the backwashing of the filters. This floods the stream valley in the Nature Garden for up to four hours every day and makes maintenance of the lawns difficult. As a result of the discussions (and Mr. Johnson’s shock at the amount of water flowing via the stream into the Kingna River instead of back into the Municipality’s storage reservoir) various measures are being instituted at the water works to rectify the problem. I was assured however that a regular flow of water through the Nature Garden would be maintained.
As part of the policy set out in the Nature Garden Management Plan to only plant indigenous, endemic plants in the Garden, and its corollary, to remove exotic plants wherever possible, the Yellow Flag iris plants in the stream bed are being removed/poisoned and will be replaced with endemic plant species. This forms part of the rehabilitation of the stream below the dam wall and is ongoing. Plant beds in those areas of the Garden mostly seen by the public are presently receiving attention. This entails the removal of kweek and kikuyu grass, thinning out of certain plant species which over time have become predominant through natural seeding, and replacing them with supplementary planting of endemic species. In certain instances mass planting could also be considered.
Much remains to be done in the coming year. However the institution of working groups to maintain benches, the footbridge and other items of infrastructure, the investigation of sponsorships in the maintenance of certain areas of the Garden, and developmental projects, such as a wheelchair route and rehabilitation of the bird hide, will be held in abeyance until finality is obtained with regard to the renewal of our lease of the Nature Garden.
Finally, this report would not be complete without reference to the enthusiasm, dedication and sheer hard work of the two men who maintain the Montagu Nature Garden, namely Mr. Jan Koker (who has been permanently assigned to the Garden by the Langeberg Municipality) and Mr.Colinwood Soldaat (appointed by the MNGA). Allow me to express my appreciation for the willing and able assistance and advice they give me daily which has enabled me to carry out the job of Curator.
SOKKIES
THE CAT WHO CAME BACK
Hugo de Wet
Well known resident of the Montagu Nature Garden, Sokkies, is obviously a cat with an unerring homing instinct. Befriended by Sander Hahndiek, former curator of the Nature Garden, Sokkies was a faithful devotee of the weekly teas at the Nature Garden where he received generous doses of attention and tasty teatime titbits. When Sander resigned from the curatorship of the Nature Garden, he decided that it was time for Sokkies to do likewise and handed him into the loving care of the Mayers on their farm Rietvlei Grove lOkms outside Montagu. However Sokkies obviously had other ideas, and, after enjoying the Mayer’s hospitality for a day, he vanished.
For two weeks the cat disappeared off the radar, much to the concern of Sander, the Mayers and other admirers and acquaintances. Then, wonder of wonders, Jan Koker and Colin Soldaat, the two workers who keep the Nature Garden in tip top shape, heard Sokkies’ trademark yeeowl from his nest in the roof of the clubhouse – he had come back to his old haunt! None the worse for his 10km 14 day trek, Sokkies is once again ensconced in the affections of the Hahndieks and the staff at the Nature Garden, and no doubt eagerly anticipating his share of the Tuesday teatime treats.
Join us at the Nature Garden on Tuesday mornings and you too can enjoy delicious teatime delicacies. And perhaps even meet Sokkies the cat who came back!
Hugo de Wet
Sokkies, the Nature Garden cat (see ‘The Cat who came back’ Montagu Mail, May 2013) disappeared from the Nature Garden, which had been his habitual haunt for the past eight years, in July this year. Over this period Sokkies had endeared himself to the T+3 habitues and other visitors to the Garden, many of whom have expressed concern about his welfare.
Six weeks after his disappearance, information was received that the cat was at a local cattery and that a new home had been found for him.
All Sokkies’ friends and admirers will thus be happy to know that he has been rehomed to Malmesbury where he is living in the lap of luxury, with plenty of love and attention, and the companionship of other felines. I understand that he purrrghs a lot – with a distinctive Malmesbury ‘brei’.
Article: Montagu Mail November 2013
Curator Hugo de Wet and Chairperson Christopher Powell enjoying the finer things in life (2019)
A VOLUNTEER LEAVES A FOOTPRINT
Rita Magennis a nature garden member decided to brighten up the nature garden kitchen. She collected a number of indigenous flowers and painted them onto tiles which were then used to decorate the kitchen.
