This item has been received from the Parktown Westcliff Heritage Trust
THIRD QUARTER PROGRAMME
JULY TO SEPTEMBER, 2009
WALKING TOUR
‘THE RANDLORDS OF PARKTOWN’
SATURDAY, 4th July
The grand entrepreneurs of the Rand congregated in Parktown, many on the northern slopes of the Parktown Ridge. This walk covers the pioneers who saw opportunities in Johannesburg’s problematic gold ores. If the gold had been easy to extract this would be a ghost town like its namesake in California. Walk the path of those who revelled in finding solutions and making fortunes for themselves and their shareholders at the same time. Their houses express in part the success they achieved. Its fun, it’s politically incorrect, so come and enjoy a long walk.
MEET : 2.00 pm The View, 18 Ridge Road, Parktown
PARK : In the grounds of this home to the Transvaal Scottish Regiment
COST : R55 for members and R75 for non-members
DURATION : Two and a half hours
MAXIMUM No : 40
TOUR LEADERS: Raymond Cardoso and William Gaul
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WALKING TOUR
‘HILLBROW’- The West End
SATURDAY, 11th July
The success of the Berea tour has encouraged us to venture further into one of Johannesburg’s oldest sections which went high rise from the late 1920’s. We visit the recently restores Governor’s house watched over by a stunning angel at the street corner, pass the first nurses home to visit the Friedenskirche, a national monument in Edith Cavell Street, then up past the old Andre Huguenot theatre to Kotze Street and Highpoint; down Twist and Goldreich Streets to reach Christ Church and then back up the hill to the old Hillbrow Police station. For all those who have great memories of Hillbrow. The fine blocks of flats are still there as well as some fascinating relics which are over 100 years old.
MEET : 2.00 pm in the new piazza in Queen’s Road between the tall tree sculptures
PARK : In Hospital Street between Kotze and Sam Hancock – all re- paved and very attractive.
COST : R55 for members and R75 for non-members. PLEASE BOOK
DURATION : Two and a half hours
MAXIMUM No : 35
TOUR LEADERS: Flo Bird and Sarah Welham.
MEMBERS ONLY WALKING TOUR
‘KLOOFENDAL: THE PROSPECTORS TRAIL CONFIDENCE REEF AND THE STAMP BATTERIES’:
SUNDAY 26th July
This tour is led by an historian and a geologist from the Friends of Kloofendal and includes a trip into the Confidence Reef Mine, the first gold mine on the Witwatersrand. It comes highly recommended by one of our members.
NB There is a fifteen minute walk through the reserve before reaching the mine and stamp batteries, so wear comfortable shoes.
MEET : The Kloofendal Nature Reserve is situated in the suburb of Kloofendal, Roodepoort, on the western side of Johannesburg. The entrance is on Galena Avenue, between Topaz and Argent Avenue. There is no entrance fee to the Reserve and you are welcome to picnic there beforehand (but not to braai) and toilet facilities are available.
PARK : From the entrance follow the road to the parking near the amphitheatre
START : 2.00 pm
DURATION : Approximately 2 hours
COST : R55-00 – PLEASE BOOK THROUGH THE OFFICE
MAXIMUM No : 20 people
TOUR LEADERS: Ed Coogan and Esmé Wiesmeyer
AUGUST
BUS TOUR
‘A WOMAN’S TOUR’
SATURDAY, 8th August
Almost from its earliest days there were women in the mining camp making life more comfortable and a lot more fun. Along came the dedicated ones who stated the schools and the hospitals and demanded good housing away from the noise and smell of the dusty town. Shopping, parks and an art gallery were on their list while the men folk demanded clubs, football fields and cricket grounds. Joburg women include great writers, actresses and politicians plus even a sprinkling of prisoners and forgers. It is (on the eve of) National Women’s Day come and celebrate our forebears who were a spirited bunch of pioneers in their bonnets and long skirts wielding hairpins and pick axes when the occasion demanded or simply mourning with black sashes when yet another human right had been violated.
MEET : 2.00 pm :
PARK : Sunnyside Park Hotel, 2 York Road, Parktown
COST : R125-00 for members and R145 for non-members
DURATION : Two and a half hours
MAXIMUM No : 56
TOUR LEADERS: Liz Parker and Franky Toussaint
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WALKING TOUR
‘SOPHIATOWN - ST JOSEPHS AND THE CHURCH OF CHRIST THE KING’
SATURDAY, 15th August
We visit the two jewels of Sophiatown on this tour. St Joseph’s Children’s Home was built as a memorial to the coloured men who lost their lives in the 1914-1918 war. Designed by Herbert Baker’s great partner FLH Fleming, the Children’s Home escaped forced removal under the Group Areas Act. The Trevor Huddleston Centre, which is an excellent little museum, stands in the ground of the old children’s home. FLH Fleming was also the architect of the Church of Christ the King, with its beautiful bell tower. He proved that with very little money it is possible to design beautiful buildings. We drive to the church in Ray Street. This church was made famous by Father Trevor Huddleston whose heart is buried there. We are privileged to have an inside tour of the church which has become world famous. The struggle within the Anglican Church at the time of the force removals in 1955 forms part of the story.
MEET : 2.00pm at the Trevor Huddleston Centre, Herman Street, Sophiatown (this is known as Triomf in the old map books)
PARK : Inside the grounds.
DURATION : Two and a half hours
COST : R55 for members and R75 for non-members
MAXIMUM No: 40
TOUR LEADERS: Esmé Wiesmeyer and Raymond Cardoso
WALKING TOUR
‘THE JEWISH CEMETERY OF BRAAMFONTEIN’
SUNDAY, 30th August
This is a special tour for the graveyard devotees who like learning about Johannesburg’s pioneering communities. Ikey Sonnenburg may be our favourite but there are many other names which conjure up stories of a mining camp evolving into a fairly respectable town. And there is Solly Joel who has two graves – one in London and one here! We visit this cemetery courtesy of the Chevra Kadisha, not the Johannesburg City Parks. Please note the tour is on a Sunday and will be led by a great favourite and semi-retired guide, Irving Lissoos assisted by Val Hammerton, who has a great knowledge of Braamfontein Cemetery. Men must please cover their heads.
MEET : North end of Graf Street off Smit Street
PARK : Street parking in Graf Street – with a car guard.
DURATION : Two hours
COST : R55 members for members and R75 for non-members
MAXIMUM No : 40
TOUR LEADERS: Irving Lissoos and Val Hammerton
SEPTEMBER
HERITAGE MONTH
WALKING TOUR
‘THE LIGHT HORSE REGIMENTAL MUSEUM’
SATURDAY, 5th September
Johannesburg’s oldest regiment, the Imperial Light Horse now the Light Horse Regiment – they wisely dropped the Imperial branding - celebrates its 110th anniversary on 21st September. The two firebrands who started the regiment, Wools Sampson and Karri Davies, decided there were three criteria – they must be able handle a rifle well, they must be able to ride and they must be men. Within the month they found themselves in battle against fellow Jo’burgers
MEET : 1.30 pm – PLEASE NOTE EARLY START TIME
PARK : Mount Collins, 9 Southway, Kelvin. From M1 North take Marlborough Road off ramp and turn right into Marlborough Drive (R60). Southway is on the left - look for Light Horse Regiment sign on the wall.
DURATION : Approximately three hours. You are invited to stay and have drinks at the bar – a cash bar will be provided.
COST : R55-00 for members and R75-00 for non members
MAXIMUM No : 40
TOUR LEADERS: Dennis Adams and Heinrich Jansen
HERITAGE WEEKEND
SATURDAY, 12th SEPTEMBER
AND
SUNDAY, 13th SEPTEMBER
ALL DAY BUS TOUR
‘BRONKHORSTSPRUIT BUDDHIST TEMPLE AND SAMMY MARKS HOUSE’
SATURDAY, 19th September
If you missed it last time take this opportunity to join us on our popular tour of the Nan Hua Buddhist Temple and Sammy Marks Museum. Experience a taste of the fabulous far east at the Nan Hau Temple which is reputedly the largest temple in the Southern hemisphere and the only Buddhist seminary in Africa. After a guided tour and a light vegetarian lunch we set of for the Sammy Marks Museum. This museum is unique in that it is the only Victorian mansion with an intact and authentic interior. We might even encounter the Scottish ghost who haunts there. The tour includes transport, a light lunch, guides and all entrance fees.
MEET : 7.45 am for prompt departure at 8.00 am
PARK : Sunnyside Park Hotel, 2 York Road, Parktown
COST : R350 for members and R385 for non members.
Includes transport, entrance fees and a light lunch
DURATION : 8.00 am to approximately 5.00 pm
MAXIMUM No: 56
TOUR LEADERS: Deanna Kirby and Johna Turner
- PLEASE NOTE THAT BOOKING FOR ALL TOURS IS AT COMPUTICKET UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED YOU CAN BOOK EITHER AT A COMPUTICKET OUTLET OR ON-LINE.
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- TOURS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE
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