STCA Newsletter August 2015

The Simon’s Town Music Festival 2014

This year sees the launch of the Simon’s Town Music Festival . 

This festival is being organised by conductor & composer Steven van der Merwe and a team of enthusiastic volunteers,and is supported by the Simon’s Town Business Association, SBA, the Simon’s Town Amenities Development Company, STADCO, and the Simon’s Town Civic Association.

On the weekend 19 to 21 September 2014, Simon’s Town extends an invitation to all to join us for a weekend of music, from classic through jazz to rock..

Three days of world class musical acts, combined with the village’s local attractions and activities, will be sure to keep friends and family happy, inspired, busy and engaged, and you are encouraged to stay for a night or for the weekend.

Go to the festival website for all the information, including links to the facebook page, and detail on where to buy tickets. www.simonstownmusicfest.com

Spring will be celebrated through various activities in the week following the music festival weekend.

 

Special STCA meeting

SIMON’S TOWN CIVIC ASSOCIATION GENERAL MEETING

When: Thursday, 28 August 2014
Where: Simon’s Town Town Hall
Time: 19.30 hrs

All residents of Glencairn and Simon’s Town are encouraged to attend a presentation and discussion on key issues, which impact on our area and the importance of having an active Civic Association.

We will discuss the question: “How vulnerable is our area?”  We have chosen to live in this beautiful part of the Peninsula and every day are able to enjoy all that makes this area so special. But are we aware of possible threats to what we value here?

This meeting will discuss key issues, which impact on our area and the importance of having an active Civic Association. The meeting will appoint a new Civic Association Executive Committee to take a lead in working with the authorities to protect and enhance the rich assets of Simon’s Town and Glencairn.

If you care about where you live, come and participate in the discussion. Bring your neighbours along too.

For further information: General Meeting 2014 poster

Our Citizen of the Year 2013 Yvonne Mawhinney

We are all familiar with the expression “the power behind the throne” and all it conveys.  Our 2013 Citizen of the Year can best be described as “the power behind the Simon’s Town community”. There are the upfront people whose names appear in the press and on letters, and then there are those valuable, dedicated, hard-working people without whose effort none of it would happen.

Our Citizen of the Year this year is one such person. She has been an active participant in civic and community organisations in Simon’s Town for decades, quietly and efficiently ‘making it all work’.  Our 2013 Citizen of the Year is the person whom every organisation dreams of having on board.

It is hard to think of a Simon’s Town organisation that Yvonne Mawhinney has not played an active organisational and supportive role in. Over the years she has tirelessly given of her time, experience, wise advice and skill to:

• Simon’s Town Civic Association – Secretary and Exco member
• Friends of Simon’s Town Museum – Friends Representative
• Simon’s Town Historical Society – Hon Secretary
• Simon’s Town Methodist Church – Volunteer
• Simon’s Town School – Liaison with the STCA and other organisations
• Simon’s Town Community Policing Forum –  Treasury and Secretary
• Simon’s Town Trust – Secretary

Yvonne’s passion, cheerfulness and efficiency during her many years of service to the Simon’s Town Community are greatly appreciated. The Simon’s Town Civic Association is honoured to recognise her as its Citizen of the Year, 2013.

Well done, SAPS Warrant Nicholas Spreeth

COMMENDATION FOR LOCAL SAPS MEMBER

At their AGM on 19 February 2014, the Simon’s Town Civic Association presented SAPS Warrant Nicholas Spreeth of the Simon’s Town precinct with a Certificate of Commendation for his sterling work within the community. The commendation was presented by Mark Wiley, Chairman of Community Safety, Cultural Affairs and Sport Committee, who expressed his thanks to the community for recognising the efforts of the police who face unpredictable dangers on a daily basis.

Warrant Spreeth was born and bred in Simon’s Town, schooled in Simon’s Town and has served the residents of Greater Simon’s Town for many years.

His job entails the inevitable paperwork, meetings, administrative tasks, training and mentoring of students, dealing with crime and with the public, often in distress. Regardless of these pressures, Nicholas remains cheerful and optimistic and his interactions with the public are always positive and constructive. At all times he retains dignity and a sense of humour.

Despite the lack of resourcing and changes in the criminal character which brings incumbent dangers to daily life in the police, his dedication, sense of duty and sheer professionalism are exemplary and are highly appreciated by his colleagues and the general public.

The community of Greater Simon’s Town are very fortunate to have him in their midst.

We are proud of you.

Simon’s Town Civic Association

Potential Health Impacts of RF Waves from Cell Phone Masts

By Dr Paul Giess

For many years the residents of Simon’s Town have had to live with poor cell phone coverage. This has resulted in complaints from locals (1) regarding health and safety issues, daily inconveniences and business communication issues. It has even led to some negative feedback on Tripadvisor for the town’s guesthouses (2). The solution to the problem is to extend the coverage from existing suppliers, such as Vodacom, by locating more base stations (i.e., cell phone masts) in the area. However, for various reasons this remains controversial in Simons Town, and indeed elsewhere, as detailed in this Peoples Post report (3).

The Peoples Post article concerns a specific application by Vodacom to erect an 11 metre high antenna in Murdoch Valley. While this would certainly improve coverage for local businesses and visitors some residents are concerned about the negative impact on property values and potential health risks. It is almost certainly true that property values will be affected for those living close to the proposed tower because cell phone masts are among the most controversial of all planning applications in South Africa and indeed elsewhere. Despite this across the country many residents are receiving monthly payments of up to R2,000 from the network providers to site masts on their properties, and schools and churches are competing with each other to host masts and take advantage of the increased revenue. Sometimes, as in Northcliff (4) and Eldorado Park Senior Secondary School (5) in Jo’burg, the potential health risks are leading to these decisions being questioned. Should we also be concerned in Simon’s Town?

Annual Community Update from the STCA 2014

This gallery contains 11 photos.

Dear Community, the Simon’s Town Civic Association has pleasure in enclosing annual update reports from each of our committee Portfolio holders. Just select a report below and read about what has been happening over the last year. Please also take … Continue reading →

Info on Road Closures – Marathon on Sunday 16 February 2014

Please note there will be intermittent road closures on the morning of Sunday 16 February, during the Marathon.

For further information, please contact the organisers of the event, Top Events, on 021  511 7130 or visit their website www.topevents.co.za.

Please click on the link below for more information.

CAPE PENINSULA MARATHON 2014 – ROAD CLOSURES 2014

Condolence Book for Nelson Mandela

There is a Condolence Book for Nelson Mandela at the Sub Council office in Fish Hoek.

Summer Market 7 December 2013, Simon’s Town

Venue is St Francis Church, Simon’s Town ( 100m past the Admiral’s residence coming into town)

SUMMER MARKET

                on

Saturday 7 December from 9.00am to 2.00pm

Join us for a morning of fun and food. Lots of food stalls starting with bacon & egg rolls and going on to lunch time stalls with braai, desserts and many more.

Look for your Chrismas presents at our craft stalls or maybe a book or two.

To entertain you we shall have the very special Lavender Hill Marimba Band.