Friends of Rietvlei
Newsletter May 2005
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Friends of Rietvlei AGM took place on Thursday 5th May. After all the formal business (the Chairman's report by Nelis Visagie and the financial report by Pat Titmuss) had been taken care of, we sat back to enjoy a talk given by James Collicott on Lighthouses.
His talk was illustrated by a PowerPoint presentation that included photographs of the different lighthouses, of the outside as well as inside, and also interesting facts about the history and the technical aspects as regards the light and the lenses.
An interesting fact to emerge was that each lighthouse in a particular area has its own external appearance and its own pattern of flashes so mariners are able to tell which lighthouse they are seeing when approaching land. It also emerged that the lighthouse referred to as the Mouille Point Lighthouse is in fact the Green Point Lighthouse, the original Mouille Point Lighthouse having been demolished years ago.
It was also interesting to see a photograph of the original Cape Point lighthouse which, because it was so often invisible because of mist and heavy rain, had to be rebuilt in a different location.
Our own Milnerton Lighthouse was also mentioned. Those of us who are driving to town in the early morning when it is still dark are able to see the light and are much more aware of it than we are in the summer. This is an unmanned lighthouse but it is hoped at some time to possibly introduce tours of the lighthouse.
Mr Collicott also spoke about the tourism initiative SALATO, the South African Lighthouse Adventure Tour Operations, whereby accommodation at some lighthouses is available for holiday rental.
All in all it was a most absorbing talk and made for a very pleasant end to the evening.
 
YOUR COMMITTEE FOR 2005/2006
The committee is as it was for last year, with Nelis Visagie as Chairman, Pat Titmuss as Treasurer and Pauline Potton as Secretary. In addition, Gail McDonald has been co-opted to help with Open Days, John Herring to help with Finances and Barbara Banks for the Newsletter. Further volunteers are always welcome!
 
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
For members paying an annual subscription please you received a renewal form with your last newsletter. The new financial year started on 1 April so your subs are now due. Please post a cheque or pay by direct deposit at the bank. Your subs keep this newsletter going as well as contribute in many ways to the conservation of Rietvlei. Queries? Phone Pat on 557 3748 (a/h)
 
OPEN DAY
Our last Open Day was held on a cold and windy Saturday 7th May. About eight intrepid members braved the wind and went on a walk to the bird hide.
Our next OPEN DAY is going to be on Sunday afternoon the 5th June, to coincide with World Environment Day, from 2 to 5 pm, with a walk to the Bird Hide starting at 3pm. Bring friends & family to our environmental centre to read, chat, and look. After the walk, or just a look, please join us for a warming cup of tea or coffee to round off the afternoon. It would be great if you could bring a plate of eats to share. Please come and celebrate our wonderful environment at Rietvlei. Aren't we lucky to have this wetland in the midst of the city - really cause for CELEBRATION!!
 
YES 2005: SCHOOLS CELEBRATE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY
For the second year in a row Rietvlei, and our very own Educational Centre, will be a satellite venue for visiting primary schools as part of the Youth Environmental School (YES) program. We successfully hosted schools at Rietvlei last year and the program is being organised again by the Rietvlei staff and students. From Monday 30 May to Friday 3 June nine school groups will be able to see our wetland. The City of Cape Town sponsors the bus transport for the children. Lets hope the rain stays away for the five days and that the children will have a great experience.
 
EVENING TALK
For our next EVENING TALK we will be combining with the Friends of the BCA, at the BCA cabin.
Date: Thursday 23 June 2005
Time: 7.30pm for 8pm
Venue: The BCA Cabin at Eerstesteen, Otto Du Plessis Drive
Topic: The Cape Flats Nature Project (a video and a talk)
Speaker: Tanya Goldman
Enquiries: Pauline 557 6920 a/h or 4644748 o/h
 
WORK PARTY
There are still boxes of educational and other stuff waiting to be sorted at the Education Centre. If you are interested in joining a work party to help with the sorting of the material, please phone Pauline (557 6920 a/h or 4644748 o/h) to let us know and then we can arrange a date and time.
 
APRIL NEWSLETTER
Some of you did not received the second page which contained an article and photos about the Cape Clawless Otters killed by cars on the R27 earlier this year. See here for last month's newsletter.
This newsletter comes to you with the kind assistance of Caltex.
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