CHAIRPERSON’S TENTH ANNUAL REPORT

1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022

Scope of Report

The Chairperson’s Report reflects the period 1 January to 31 December 2022. This is in line with the Constitution, which prescribes an operating year as a calendar year, with an AGM before 31 March the following year.

Aims and area of focus

The geographical area that involves the Hermanus History Society stretches from Voelklip to Fisherhaven in the area known as Greater Hermanus. Research has been carried out in much of this area over several years.

Briefly, the aims of the Society expressed in the Constitution are to bring the history of the area ‘alive to residents and visitors, to disseminate information, collect and preserve historical resources and collaborate with relevant bodies engaged in activities compatible with Society’s aims’.

Organizational activity
Committee: Angela Heslop (Chair); Michael Clark (Treasurer); Blaise Jones (representing the Overstrand Heritage and Aesthetics Committee); Marinda Wilmans; Kathie Buley, Jack van Dyk

During the year the Society held 8 Members Meetings with an average attendance of approximately 30- 45 members and guests. There were 2 site visits as well.

The Committee met on 4 occasions during the year and there was one additional committee member elected: Jack van Dyk.

The chairperson has been involved with the Environmental conference and a walk in the wetlands regarding the Valley’s history. She will participate in 2 Stoepkuiers to share the Hemel en Aarde Valley and Tesselaarsdal histories

Treasurers Report and Membership : Michael Clark will discuss at the meeting

Correspondence: Correspondence has been maintained with members (who have received 3 newsletters), benefactors, the media and responding to queries received. The chairperson is a member of Historic Publications of South Africa (HiPSA), previously The Van Riebeeck Society. Our Library receives its publications.

Articles and books published:

Robin Lee’s brochure the History of High Street: 1857-2021 was published and was available when this street became pedestrianised. Part of the street revitalisation includes history plaques.

New Projects

• Following Dinkie Marais’ very successful photographic presentation earlier at the Whale Museum on the history of Hermanus, Dinkie, Michael Clark and Jack van Dyk met and agreed to work towards the publication of a coffee table type book illustrating the history of Hermanus in photographs. This will be a Hermanus History Society project in collaboration with the Friends of the Old Harbour Museum.

• Regarding the Leper Institute site in the Hemel & Aarde Valley, Michael and Jack are also in the process of applying for the site to be recognised by Provincial (or National)  for its Historic Significance

Library

Holdings have increased to approximately 115 books, although not many loans have been taken. The Library is based in the chairperson’s house, and SANTA Bookshop has agreed to house our books for loan purposes. Members requiring a revised book list may contact the chairperson.

Website:

The website is fully operational, and revisions have been added to access stories more quickly. A search key has been inserted. Both articles and website have been a source of enquiries, which Committee members have handled.

Face book:

HHS Face book page has now ceased as previously managed by Robin Lee.

History Boards and Plaques: Mostly in good order, and the Municipality have allocated R10 000 to maintaining the plaques and the two history boards. The history board structure and display at Die Gang have been replaced as it had been blown over by gales. The other display board on the Hermanus Pieter’s plain has been replaced too. The plaques will need attention as print fading.

I thank the committee for their continued work.

Next reporting period:

This will cover the January 2023 –December 2023

Angela Heslop: Chairperson LIST MEMBERS MEETINGS ENCLOSED

2023 HHS MEMBERS MEETINGS

27 FEBRUARY NATIONAL SEA RESCUE INSTITUTE Deon Langerhoven &

Andre Barnard

17 APRIL BICYCLE MUSEUM Mike Bruton- cancelled

14 MAY AGM: BIG HISTORY & SMALL HISTORY: A personal story.

Gert Claasen

26 JUNE STONEFIELDS: The heritage building inside which the wines are crafted has lived many lives. Once a stable, then a local Oom Sampie used to dry indigenous flowers there hence the herbarium brand. On Klein River Lagoon

Douglas Mylrea and Paul Hoogwerf

JULY ST PETERS CHURCH, a historical tour Elizabeth Jones & Judy Gordon

AUGUST PHOTO MUSEUM /OLD HARBOUR TOUR Marinda Wilmans &

Michael Clark

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER SHIP WRECK OF EOLE

David Culpin

NOVEMBER THE MORAVIAN MISSIONARY–The Site Dr Liane van der Hoven