The first meeting of the Aberdeen Garden Club for 2011 was held once again in the lush and fertile garden of Tohito Guest House. This garden is always a pleasure to explore, and the recent good rains have made it an absolute delight.
Secretary Jadré Lategan welcomed twenty members and quickly dealt with the routine meeting business. Being the February meeting, just before Valentines Day, many members had opted to come dressed for the occasion! Sue read out some details on the origins of the traditions of Valentines Day, and some poetry, both traditional and light. Denise gave a thoughtful reading about the magnificence of trees – very apt as the guest speaker is an expert on forestry. Jadré had found an article in a magazine that caused many ribald comments from the men present – details of a cake baked and decorated in the shape of ladies underwear!
Secretary Jadré Lategan welcomed twenty members and quickly dealt with the routine meeting business. Being the February meeting, just before Valentines Day, many members had opted to come dressed for the occasion! Sue read out some details on the origins of the traditions of Valentines Day, and some poetry, both traditional and light. Denise gave a thoughtful reading about the magnificence of trees – very apt as the guest speaker is an expert on forestry. Jadré had found an article in a magazine that caused many ribald comments from the men present – details of a cake baked and decorated in the shape of ladies underwear!
Guest speaker Mr Chris Kromhout of Murraysburg with Mabel Joubert of Tohito Guest House
The guest speaker, Mr Chris Kromhout, then gave a most interesting talk on the history of forestry in South Africa. When Jan van Riebeeck first arrived in the Cape, he had brought sawn timber in his ship to build housing but, as the settlements in the Cape expanded, the settlers had to look further and further to the east to find local timber. Members were fascinated to hear that the first forestry regulations came into effect as long ago as 1883. Kromhout has a wealth of knowledge on the subject of forestry as he has worked all over the country in various aspects of the discipline. He was very involved in the development of hiking trials in forestry areas, a wonderful way to expose the beauty of the forests to a large number of people. He is also author and co-author of several forestry publications. He retired in 1999 and now lives on a farm in the Murraysburg district, living out his dream retirement as part of “a most generous and welcoming community.”
Tohoto was an excellent choice of venue for a talk on trees, as Mabel Joubert was proud to point out that her magnificent garden boasts 44 indigenous trees!
Tohoto was an excellent choice of venue for a talk on trees, as Mabel Joubert was proud to point out that her magnificent garden boasts 44 indigenous trees!
Article By: Sue Shaw
