‘Gary and I representing Knight Security Solutions, our Howick SAPS Station Commander, two additional SAPS representatives and two community representatives met with our uMngeni Municipality Mayor on Thursday morning 16 November. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the safety and security of our uMngeni Municipal area and what proactive “policing” measures can be implemented in order to ensure this. We were well received and a future meeting has been requested.

Relaunch of the Community Bobbies Patrol (CBP) Project
The meeting held at the new KSS offices on Wednesday 15 November with various community role-players was very positive and further information was requested about our Community Bobbies Patrol Project in Howick North. I will be sending out a more detailed brief later next week. Thank you all for the positive responses and support. SAPS representatives were also at the meeting.

Operations
KSS operations staff along with Howick SAPS have ensured the proactive “policing” has been taking place in various areas of Howick over the past 2 weeks and it has yielded positive results. Thank you to those members of the public who have shown their support. Please note that covert operations are not publicised but be assured that there is action being taken by the right people and organisations to ensure better safety and security in our community. The reality is that no community is immune to crime but if we can deflect it away from our uMngeni Municipal area by being proactive, then we have achieved our objectives.’ shared Debbie Preston in the latest Knight Security Solutions Newsletter.

News supplied by Knight Security Solutions. 

It's that time of the year again! Bush Day Care! For all the working moms and dads or those just wishing to have a break, we are now also offering Bush Day Care aftercare in the afternoons. Remember to book early to avoid disappointment, since there are limited spaces available.

News supplied by  Wessa,Umngeni Valley.

Howick Preparatory School would like to congratulate Grade 5 pupils Sam Hopkins, Seth Segal, William Kitching and Tori Fannin on their achievements in the recently held KZN Beyond Maths competition which was written by 4500 pupils throughout KZN. Sam Hopkins and Seth Segal were both placed in the top 20 whilst William Kitching and Tori Fannin were both placed in the top 40 maths pupils in KZN.

News supplied by Howick Preparatory School.

Photograph (L – R): Sam Hopkins (top 20), Seth Segal (top 20), William Kitching (top 40) and Tori Fannin (top 40).

Harvard Electrical Wholesalers have the following specials in-store.

Showroom now open.

Well done and thank you to all Howick Prep pupils and parents on the fantastic response to our pet food collection for our local uMngeni SPCA.

A total of 571 cans of food, 215 bags of pellets and dog biscuits, 50 blankets 73 food bowls, 39 collars and leashes, 5 dog beds and 1 kennel was collected.

Thank you, Howick Prep for your unselfish contributions towards a very worthy cause in our community.

Congratulations to the Grade R Hoppers, Grade 2S and Grade 6J who won the class challenges and a big thank you to Mrs Ellens in the Media Centre for co-ordinating the project.

News supplied by Howick Preparatory School.

The cold seems to have left us for a while and we bowled in glorious sunshine this past week. We also had the awesome privilege of having Springbok bowler Jill Hackland come and practice on our greens this past week. Just observing her and her bowling partners skills from a distance lit some excited fires under some of our bowlers.

Results
There were no tabs in competitions this past week.

Club Activities
We will be playing our Halfway Toyota Howick Tabs in Competition on Wednesday 8 October with tabs in at 1.15pm

Social Bowls
Our Newbie Couching Session went off well on Friday afternoon and will continue again this Friday at 3pm. We had 4 news bowlers join us with 3 others handing in apologies. So hopefully they will all return again this week. At the same time 12 club members came and played 2 social games of KILLER. Only in lawn bowls can the word KILLER have a fun connotation. Refreshments will again be on sale after the session.

Regular Times Are:
Tuesday mornings (Civvies) Tabs in by 8.15am
Wednesday and Saturday afternoons (Whites/Club Colours) Tabs in by 13h15
We welcome all visiting bowlers whether you’re a visitor from another club or wanting to find out what the fuss is all about. Umgeni Waterfall Bowling Club is the place to be.

News supplied by Umgeni Waterfall Bowls Club. 

Activity books galore at Nuts About Books & Toys. Find us at Shop 3/4, 3 Mare Street, Howick.

League Results & Fixtures
I am not sure whether our skips have any finger nails on their fingers after this past weekend. Despite the above, both the 1st and 3rd league teams recorded morale boosting victories against quality opponents. The 1st league teams played at home against Mooi River and managed to be on the winning end of a very close match. The lead in both 1st league matches ebbed and flowed like the sun on the afternoon. We eventually secured a 8 – 5 victory, with a very close shot tally of 37 shots to 35. Our 3rd league teams beat Hilton away by 8.5 – 4.5 with a shot tally of 37 – 36. Well done to both sets of teams. They can now all relax and focus on club bowling activities until the second round of the league resumes next year.

Results
The Greendale Superspar / Giovision tabs in competition was played on Wednesday 25th October with Tony Gage, Tim Waring and Bev Vorster walking away with 1st prize. The 2nd prize was won by Barry Bedworth, Chantal d’ Hotman and Eric Simpson. The lucky draw prize was won by Enid Bush. Congrats to all our prize winners and a heartfelt thanks to our sponsors

Club Activities
There will be no club competitions this week. Our next competition will be sponsored by Halfway Toyota Howick and will be played on Wednesday 8th November with tabs in by 1.15pm

Social Bowls
Please note that we will be launching our Special Newbie Coaching Sessions on Friday 3 November at 3pm. Whether you have never held a bowl in your hand or have not played for a while, come and learn in a relaxed and fun environment. Our bar will be open after the session for a time of relaxation and refreshment.

Regular times are:
Tuesday mornings (Civvies) Tabs in by 08h15

Wednesday and Saturday afternoons (Whites/Club Colours) Tabs in by 13h15

We welcome all visiting bowlers whether you’re a visitor from another club or wanting to find out what the fuss is all about.

Umgeni Waterfall Bowling Club is the place to be.

News supplied by Umgeni Waterfall Bowls Club.

Howick Prep School has recently returned from a very successful cricket tour of both Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown where they played against St Andrew’s College, Graeme College, St George’s Prep, Clarendon Park and St Patrick’s College.

In the game against St Patricks College, which Howick Prep won by 307 runs, Andrew Webb scored 110 not out whilst in the same game William Kitching scored 54 not out and took a hatrick (three wickets in three consecutive balls) when bowling.

In the final game of the tour, against Graeme College in Grahamstown, Robbie Lawrence scored 103 not out with the bat. Robbie Lawrence has also been selected to represent the Inland U/13A Cricket team.

Photograph attached:

(L – R): William Kitching (54 runs and a hatrick against St Patricks), Robbie Lawrence (103 not out against Graeme College), Andrew Webb (110 not out against St Patricks).

News supplied by Howick Prep School.

We had some lovely tabs in days this past week. Some in bright sunshine and others in beautiful overcast weather.

Results
On Wednesday the 8th November we played our Halfway Toyota Howick sponsored mixed trips with some very closely fought contests ultimately won by Bruce Caldwell, Eunice Gage and Stella Gardner. Second prize sponsored by Dr Alan Sara was won by Barry Bedworth, Graeme Cameron and Eric Simpson.

Club Activities
We will be playing our Greendale Super Spar / Giovision tabs in Competition on Saturday 18 November with tabs in at 1.15pm

Social Bowls
Our Newbie Couching Session had to be postponed due to a very heavy downpour which soaked the greens. Training for those interested will continue again this coming Friday starting at 3pm Refreshments will again be on sale after the session.

Regular Times Are:
Tuesday mornings (Civvies) Tabs in by 8.15am

Wednesday and Saturday afternoons (Whites/Club Colours) Tabs in by 1.15pm. We welcome all visiting bowlers whether you’re a visitor from another club or wanting to find out what the fuss is all about. Umgeni Waterfall Bowling Club is the place to be.

News supplied by Umgeni Waterfall Bowls Club.

Awesome Year End function special offer from Karkloof Canopy Tour. 

Come along to Howick Hospice on the 25th of November between 9am - 1pm and get your Christmas shopping done early.

We will be hosting a Bargain day in our Shop with loads of specials and interesting items on sale. Tea Garden and Cake sale.

For more info contact Marketing on +27 (0)33 330 5257. 

Funda Nenja's mission is to promote the human-canine bond in previously disadvantaged communities by using dog training classes as a means to develop respect and compassion for all living things.

The project runs in the township of Mpophomeni, near Howick, in the KZN Midlands of South Africa. An average of 100 children and their dogs attend the weekly dog training sessions which happen on Friday afternoons at Zamethule Primary School in the township.

 As seen above, once the young dog handlers have passed the entry level stage of the program, they are taught how to teach their dogs to "stay" using positive reinforcement.

The kids get a big kick when this is achieved and they also learn, inadvertently, that force is not necessary to reach one's goals.

The dogs begin to relax and thoroughly enjoy their training once they realise that it offers many opportunities for extra treats and petting.

News supplied by Funda Nenja.

The recent devastating fires that have destroyed so many parts of the beautiful Knysna area have left many people homeless and without the possessions they have accumulated over many years.

Some items have sentimental value and these cannot be replaced however, most people were expecting to have homes and contents replaced by their Insurers. What a shock for so many people who have now discovered that they are under-insured.

Insurers have applied “Average” to many of the Knysna claims and in simple terms – this means that the percentage of under insurance established at claims stage is deducted from the claim settlement value. In the event that you are found to be 50% under-insured – you would walk away with only half of your claim being paid out.

Who is to blame and how is this rectified before a claim happens? Let us all learn from this awful experience. Each year Insurers will call for both Building and Contents sums insured to be increased at renewal time. However, this is to offer some protection against inflation….Rand/Dollar fluctuations……increased import costs etc and the onus to have the correct sum insured will still fall on the Client. Your Broker needs to guide you, however, they are not professional valuators and best advice will always be to have your home and contents valued by a professional. If done by a reputable Valuator, this exercise will serve as the basis for correct values and will not need to be repeated each year.

Buildings need to be valued at current rebuilding costs including Demolition Fees, Architect Fees etc. This is a difficult sum insured to reach for anyone not working in the Building Industry. Household items (including jewellery, collections of any kind, artwork, Dvd’s and CD’s etc) should be valued at current replacement costs. All moveable items must be included in this sum insured.

We urge all Clients to consider the above and take action to avoid the trauma being experienced in Knysna. We are able to supply you with a list of Valuators you may consult or you would be able to source someone yourself.

We are here to assist you as much as possible so please do not hesitate to call our office if you have any concerns or wish to discuss this in more detail.

Click here to read another article on this topic.

News supplied by Cooke Fuller Garrun Insurance Brokers & Financial Advisers.

Despite a day of hot blustery winds, some 35 enthusiastic hikers turned up at the trail head of the historical Karkloof “Shawswood farm” for a 15 km fundraiser walk for Karkloof Conservancy. The hike constitutes the first day part of a 3 day “Falls2Falls” slack pack trail and was guided by Julia Colvin from Spekboom Tours . For those of you unfamiliar with the term “slackpacking” , it is walking trails without the burden of a backpack, hard mattress, and pot noodles for dinner to look forward to?

Much of the trail traversed private land using old Yellow Wood logging paths through the Karkloof forest, the second to largest indigenous forest in South Africa after the Tsitsikamma National Park. For many it was a novel experience. “Even as a local, we don’t know our own backyard” says Carol Owen, a local Howick hiker who helped organise the hike. “When you have the chance to explore special but often inaccessible places, you jump at the chance”.

For Julia Colvin ( SpekboomTours) it’s a privilege to show local people the area. “If more people can be introduced to nature through hiking and trail running, we raise the profile of the conservancies, strengthen our conservation work and ultimately protect our rich biodiversity” says this avid environmental educationist.

After a staunch but completely do-able stride up through the Shawswood Forest to Grey Mares Falls, the walkers traversed the watershed escarpment and descended through Mistbelt forest to Rockwood farm.

A rare sighting of a lone Eland loping across grassland whilst drinking from a mountain stream was certainly a highlight and the day was beautifully concluded with a Lemon G&T on the veranda of the Rockwood Farm house. .

A sincere thank you to Twane Clarke of KK Conservancy for arranging the hike, Bundy Shaw and ? for transporting hikers and Nic and Tim Hancock and all the staff at Rockwood for generously wavering the trail fee and opening the Rockwood Farm for a glamourous ending to a long but enjoyable day for all.

For more information about slack pack tours in the Karkloof and Dargle please contact:
Julia Colvin 07681901615 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

September is birthday month at Ethembeni! The tribe of hope called Ethembeni gathered in Jesus name to celebrate 17 years of serving Jesus together. We pledged ourselves afresh to our shared vision of hope-filled families free from the brokenness of HIV and TB. We worshipped together, lite candles as symbols of light and ate a meal together. We thank YOU for being part of our story which delights our father in heaven. We choose to trust God daily for all we need to continue to serve Jesus faithfully.

News supplied by Ethembeni.

Vetkoek Friday

10 November, 1 December, 15 December

Join us in the Mphophomeni Community garden for fresh vetkoek filled with bom bom beans and rainbow salad.

R50.00 pp

Contact Ntombenhle 063 410 4697 for details.

What better way to start the day than to be welcomed by nature in abundance.
Buffalo, warthog, terrapins sunning themselves on a rock even a hippo wallowing in the water, it felt as if they were waiting for us to arrive so that they could show themselves off.
Arriving at Karkloof Safari Spa one is struck by the abundance of water, spas are synonymous with the sound of running water and there is no shortage of water in this paradise. Kenny, our driver delivered us into the most welcoming hands of the Karkloof Safari Spa staff and drove off with the promise of showing us more of the game life a little later.
Choosing treatments from the Spa menu was a little like ordering from a restaurant menu, everything sounds amazing, making it difficult to make one selection. In the back of my mind I was already plotting my next visit!
I have to say there is zero chance of disappointment here. No matter what you choose you are guaranteed to leave feeling pampered moisturised and ready to take on the world.
The gentle natured Thai therapist was much stronger than her appearance suggested and her expertise out of this world. The products used in the spa are fresh and made at the Karkloof Spa, they smelt so good I was tempted to taste. And tell me - where else can you watch the Nyala nibbling grass outside your window while having your feet massaged?
The silence at Karkloof Safari Spa is complete, so very little disturbs the meanderings of your mind except perhaps the bird calls and the wind dancing in the trees outside.
Karkloof Safari Spa has a new owner who wants to make the safari spa experience accessible to all South Africans. The everyday person should be allowed to enjoy the beauty here, not only overseas visitors. Day trips are available to the Karkloof Safari Park which makes it a destination for a whole family outing. Everyone will want to have lunch on the deck while watching the game wander past.
Family picnics can be arranged as well as corporate functions.
Day Spa packages are now available to those who want a special treat with a partner, alone or with a group of friends.
The opportunities are endless.

Contact: +27(0)33 569 1321

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

News supplied.