Model Plane Show In Graaf-Reinet Enjoyed By Aberdeen Residents

On Thursday 30th April, and the three days thereafter, many Aberdeen residents travelled through to the Graaff-Reinet airport to watch the wonderful display of model aircrafts on show and to see the aerobatics. The jets were very high tech and reached speeds of over 200km per hour.

This is more of an obsession than a hobby, and a very expensive one. Most of the jets are valued at approximately R30 000. The weather was very gracious this year, and very little wind or cold was experienced. Catering on hand was well done and it became a very relaxing day out.

One of the model plane enthusiasts was Anthony Brown (top), himself a jet pilot who cannot seem to get away from his ‘day job’. Colin Kraut (above left) from Aberdeen was also seen enjoying the whole experience.

Article By: Joan Tinker

Annual Aberdeen Bazaar At The “Kerksaal”

On Saturday 2nd May 2009 the Dutch Reformed Church community of Aberdeen held their much awaited ‘bazaar’ in the local church hall in Aberdeen. Only an early attendance guaranteed the availability of the packed lamb and mutton, the delicious assortment of freshly baked cakes and the wonderful array of newly baked breads of every description.

This year the children were catered to with surprise lucky packets containing goodies even the adults found delicious. Tea, coffee and mouth watering eats were also available.
It would be a great idea for this ‘bazaar’ to be held more often as it was so enjoyable. Congratulations to all the cooks!

Article By: Joan Tinker

Aberdeen Heritage Archive & Tourism Bureau

The Aberdeen Heritage Archive and Tourism Bureau (A.H.A.T.B.) has now been established in Aberdeen Town. This process in establishing Aberdeen as a cultural site with a heritage rich in historical value to the citizens and students of South Africa, to tourists from abroad and most of all to the residents of Aberdeen and its environs, was the brain child of Mr Hilary Graham.
The proposal of the concept of having a heritage archive and tourism bureau was established in 2005. The IDP reference is IDP 335 for 22/06/2007.
Occupation was taken of the old library municipal building in Grey Street in Aberdeen by Mr Ken Bern of the Eastern Cape Development Corporation on 29th January 2009 and the A.H.A.T.B. opened in April.
Tertiary institutions will supply researchers, usually post graduate students who will ‘open up’ the ‘Aberdeen site’ to heritage, local history, geological studies, architecture, flora and fauna, agriculture and wild nature.
Even though this project is in its early stages, a research interest in this project has been established by Rhodes University, the Nelson Mandela Metro University and the Bournemouth University in England.
Mrs Dallis Graham presented a cultural archive and heritage proposal of the Heritage Archive and Tourism Bureau to the relevant research departments of Bournemouth University in England in February 2009.
This project will present job opportunities, enthusiasm in local history for research students, tourist involvement and will place Aberdeen very firmly on the Eastern Cape venue as a destination to visit and to learn from. The official opening will be in June 2009.
The building has been fully secured and the signage and the memorial garden are still in progress. The municipality still has to complete various drainage and electrical problems.
The Bureau has already received visits from the D.A. and a surprise visit from the M.E.C. for Social Works Mr Christian Martin who was in Aberdeen to present emerging farmers with equipment and a tractor. He has given his full support to the Bureau.
Professor Orlando Meyers and Mrs Dallis Graham will be heading up this project for a two year period, when it will be handed over to the town and to the young employees who will then be capable of running and maintaining this project.
Schools in the area will be approached and will be given the opportunity to learn about their heritage. This will hopefully instill a feeling of pride in the children as they learn about their area in the Karoo.
The well known author Mrs Wendy Van Schalkwyk has offered her services to give intensive training with regard to tourism and the history of Aberdeen.
The tourism guides will also be trained in the archiving and preservation of the Aberdeen site. They will research all aspects of Aberdeen history and heritage e.g. the Jewish Cemetery. They will also be interviewing all the communities whose history is mostly oral. This history will be recorded and documented.
At some stage most of the artifacts that were previously in the building were either lost or removed. The Bureau is therefore requesting that the people of Aberdeen and surrounding areas donate or loan any historical artifacts that might be of interest to local people and tourists. These artifacts will be photographed and registered and a copy will be given to the owner.
The establishment of the Aberdeen Heritage Archive and Tourism Bureau is inspirational to all who have worked so hard to achieve its conception. The newly painted building in traditional Karoo green and white, with earth coloured floors is once more beautiful to look at. Inside the building the sunlight streams through the large windows onto historical artifacts displays. The building has an air of spaciousness and it is a pleasure to wander around observing and learning. It should give tourists a good feel of Aberdeen and the Karoo.

Article By: Joan Tinker

The Human Rights Commission In Aberdeen

On Friday 1st May 2009 Human Rights Day was celebrated in Aberdeen by a large gathering of local Aberdeen, Lotusville and Thembalisizwe residents in the Library Hall in Aberdeen, where 15 years of Freedom and Human Rights was celebrated.
Zyanda Mgwetyana and Aubrey Mdazana from the Human Rights Commission in East London spoke to the crowd about human rights and most especially about the rights of the child. To protect our children, all people should be aware of the Child Helpline 0800 055 555 ‘as every child’s story deserves a happy ending’. One in four children in South Africa at some time during their childhood is abused.

On the walls of the hall giving explicit information were posters about the general rights of a human being, the rights of children and xenophobia. There should be an acceptance and understanding of each other, and a respect for diversity.
The Human Rights Commission intend to assist citizens by adopting a community, and helping young children to face the challenges of living with poverty, abuse and lack of access to education. Giving information to the young who face teenage pregnancy, HIV Aids on a daily basis is of paramount importance to the community, and this is the service the Human Rights Commission intends to give.

Desmond Coetzee, Rob Prestwich, Vusille Jacobs & Hilary Graham

Article By: Joan Tinker