Paul Roux Festival Planned for 5/6 April 2014

 

PAUL ROUX SANDSTEENFES AND NGK CENTENARY

2014 - 5/6 April

A

 major weekend of celebrations is being planned for the 5/6 April 2014 to mark the 100^th anniversary of the NG Kerk and to revive the Sandsteenfes that used to be so popular and well supported from far and wide in years gone by. A Committee will be set up to drive this process consisting of the major stakeholders and to ensure that we really enjoy a magnificent day.

      Our initial thinking is along the following lines – :

• Agricultural show
• NGK and APK Church bazaars
• Horse riding clubs for a Fun outride and Mountain biking /Cycling fun race
• Motor Car clubs  and Motor Cycle clubs exhibiting
• Art  and craft exhibitions and Flea market
• Live performers – hopefully names that will draw crowds
• Various activities – pellet gun shooting contest, hot dog eating contest, egg throwing partner contest, pootjie contest
• Bowling competition at Bowls club, Children’s tractor-trailer rides, Motor car rally and Street Braai etc.

It is expected that the appropriate venues such as The Rock, Pink Tricycle, Dino Antiques, Dunlin B&B and the Rosenhof Country Lodge will also develop activities/promotions and accommodation specials for that weekend. Saturday afternoon would end with a live performance from a well-known performer which then leads into a dance.

Sunday morning will have the commemorative church service where all are invited, and where it is intended to have a well-known gospel singer to perform and an invited organist to give a short recital on the pipe organ. After the church service, hopefully lunches will be offered at the eating establishments in the Village. We will also ensure maximum media coverage in print and radio and every effort will be made to try and get TV coverage as well. We now have less than a year to go so we intend to begin right away with invites, arrangements etc. If we do things right, this should be a really major event and I hope that all of you will make an effort to do your part.

If you have any ideas as to what we can add to the list above, or where you would be keen to participate, please let me know. Richard Lewis

paulrouxvillage@gmail.com

Paul Roux Forum - Chairman's Autumn Message June 2013

Autumn is a time for mixed feelings – it signals the end of warmth, long days, green fields and the slowing down of life for many things – some animals go into hibernation, plants retreat or seem to die off, dogs sleep a lot more, mornings are darker and colder, and evenings arrive earlier in the day. One seems to have so much to do but less time to do it in.

 

But with Autumn, also comes the changing of the countryside into seas of gold and bronze, trees seem to be ablaze with yellow glory, as if soaking up all the last of the warm rays of sunlight. People lucky enough to have fireplaces light them again, and they, with their pets, have the opportunity to all sit around and enjoy the warmth. Others braaing, or sitting around their bomas, are warmly dressed and wear scarves and beanies – and red wine, a fine whisky or piping hot coffee or milo makes for conversation around these pools of warmth and which are so typical for many of the Paul Roux experience.

I believe I can honestly say that these past few weeks have probably been some of the finest weather I have had the pleasure of experiencing in my life. The days have been sunny and pleasant. There has hardly been any wind, we had late rains which kept many gardens still looking green and full of colour, and the morning sunrise and evening sunset awash with the early pink glow, or the golden end of day shimmer, has been perfect for walking, cycling, horse-riding and meeting one another.

I read a report last year in my capacity as Chairman of WESSA (Wildlife and Environment Society of SA), that the greater Johannesburg area could expect its population to double within the next 10 years, and most of the new inhabitants would not be tax or rate paying citizens and many would be the unemployed. There is an expectation that there will be an increase in crime, lack of service delivery or maintenance around water, waste and sewage and energy/power problems will continue. More and more fortified residential estates are going up as ordinary residents feel threatened in stand-alone houses in suburbs. This is happening to many of the cities, and as it does so people with the ability and funds to be able to make a lifestyle choice are once again looking towards country village living.

 

We, the fortunate ones who live and have property here need to fully understand how fortunate we are to be able to live safely, walk our dogs, have kids riding their bikes in the streets and the beautiful countryside we are enclosed in. In addition, we have a beautiful road to Bethlehem, just 20 minutes away where practically all the facilities and amenities that we need are at hand.

As we attract visitors to Paul Roux – we are especially reaching out to the horse-riding community ( we have gone from 2 – 13 horses now), arts ( 8 artists) and crafts (several people doing pottery), writers, professionals and anyone willing to bring their talents and positive energy to the Village, I am predicting that it will continue to grow into the jewel which I see emerging.

I am a very Proud Paul Rouxster!!!.  Please support the Forum by becoming a member – we really are making every effort to ensure that our Village has a magnificent future. Regards Richard.