KALK BAY HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION TALKS SCHEDULE FOR 2015 – 16

KALK BAY HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
TALKS SCHEDULE FOR 2015 – 16

1. OF FISH TRAPS AND TIDAL POOLS
 
DATE:  Tuesday 26 May at 8pm
VENUE:  Kalk Bay Community Centre
SPEAKER:  Graham Avery
 
Fish-trapping by means of barriers constructed in rivers and estuaries, and rock walls in shallow coastal waters, is a tradition that carries on to this day. In the Cape it has long been believed that the stone-walled traps (visvywers) so prominent in the Cape Aghulas – Still Bay area, and the few on the Peninsula, dated to pre-colonial times – perhaps up to 2000 years ago when sea levels settled at their present level and herder groups lived in the area. Recent research has, however, called this antiquity into question. On the Cape Peninsula, tidal pools, built during the last 100 years, have obliterated several traps.
 
Dr Graham Avery is a retired archaeozoologist who spent his working life at what is now Iziko South African Museum. He has a keen interest in coastal archaeology and will discuss all aspects of this subject in an illustrated talk.

2. A SOCIAL & ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY OF THE QUARTERDECK ESTATE AREA

DATE: Tuesday 28 July at 8pm
VENUE: Kalk Bay Community Centre
SPEAKER: Steve Herbert

The Quarterdeck Estate area is bounded by Main Road – Boyes Drive, and Kimberley Road – Dalebrook Road. It comprises some of the earliest, and also the most recent, land subdivisions in Kalk Bay with a range of house types and ages, as well as unknown and well-known owners and architects.

Steve Herbert will bring this history to light based on his extensive research into title deeds, house plans unseen for 100 years, biographies and anecdotes.

3. THE FORMATION OF THE CAPE POINT NATURE RESERVE: A TRIBUTE TO THE FOUNDERS

DATE: Tuesday 27 October at 8pm
VENUE: Kalk Bay Community Centre
SPEAKER: Jim Hallinan

Cape Point / Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve was established on June 1, 1939 at a time when developmental pressures upon the area were mounting. When Smith’s farm of over 500 morgen was put on the market in 1929 it triggered concern about the future of the broader, almost wilderness, area. It was saved for public use in perpetuity by the spirited action of several families (Smith, Hare) who owned large areas, and in particular the actions of Dr Sydney Harold Skaife (1889–1976) and officials of the Divisional Council of the Cape. Through the purchase of this area the Divisional Council became the first local authority in South Africa to accept nature conservation as one of its public services.

Jim Hallinan is a professional environmental scientist and heritage resources manager at the City of Cape Town. He has an intimate knowledge of the social and natural history of the Reserve from many years of work there and will provide an illustrated talk on this subject.

4. HISTORIC MOVIE OF THE CAPE PENINSULA

DATE: Tuesday 23 February at 8pm
VENUE: Kalk Bay Community Centre
SPEAKER: Barrie Gasson.

THE TALKS ARE OPEN TO ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC. NON-MEMBERS ARE ASKED FOR A DONATION OF R20.00

THE ASSOCIATION WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS AND APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL MEETINGS

THE ASSOCIATION’S NUMEROUS PUBLICATIONS MAY BE PURCHASED AT THE MEETINGS

PLEASE DIRECT ANY INQUIRIES TO BARRIE GASSON @ 021 788 1855