This stunning Romance Package will be available for the three months of winter.

Starting 1st June until the 31st August, Fern Hill will be offering an all-inclusive romantic overnight experience. After check-in, guests will be shown through to their Luxury Suites where they can unwind and take-in the tranquillity of the Midlands.

Cocktails and canapes will be served in the room at 5pm where after guests will be taken to the dining room and served a delicious 3 course meal. The dinner includes a bottle of house wine. While you are enjoying your meal, our housekeeping will arrange a romantic turn down complete with chocolate truffles and Amarula.

The package is completed with breakfast the next day.

Space is limited and booking in advance is essential. This special is available every day of the week within the winter months.

The cost per couple is R2500.

To book contact Ningi on 033 330 5071 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

News supplied by Fern Hill Hotel.

Polliwiggle Preschool children , going dotty and learning about  the wild animals of our beautiful country during their theme for the week.

Pictured above, having fun with the giraffe masks they made during class.

News supplied by Polliwiggle Preschool.

Working with ToPs Species (Threatened or Protected Species).

It is always a fantastic feeling when we are able to release this special species back into the wild where they belong.

We spend weeks finding the safest release site with the correct habitat so that these cats may thrive as they go forward.

How would you react when being introduced to a new and exciting area? Follow the photos below to find out how these Servals reacted!

Would you like to contribute and be involved in the work FREEME KZN does? Then please join the Custodianship Program.
http://www.freemekzn.co.za/become-a-custodian/

News supplied by FreeMe Rehabilitation Centre KZN.

Every term Howick Pre-Primary School host a "GIVING CHALLENGE". Through this challenge we encourage our children to support people and organisations that help others who are struggling or less fortunate.

Last week Friday, we enjoyed Slipper Day at school in support of the Reach For a Dream Initiative.

Encouraging our young children to help others forms the foundation for them to grow up to be grateful, sympathetic and empathetic towards others.

News supplied by Howick Pre Primary School.

Fern Hill is an official drop off point for the KZN Flood Relief. Donations of blankets, clothing, non perishable foods, toiletries etc all welcome.

The national deadline is the 10th May, but the KZN points have been extended to the 17th May. Our drop off point is being overseen by the official 67 Blankets for Mandela Day Organisation.

Please share with as many people as possible. Let's help those who lost so much in the floods.

News supplied by Fern Hill Hotel.

Host an event and help raise funds for Howick Hospice.

Birthday parties, tea parties, braais, any event goes. Ask your guest to donate an entry fee that will be donated to Howick Hospice.

Howick Hospice is a non-profit organisation committed to caring for the terminally ill through home-based care, education and training, and bereavement support. Hospice relies on support and financial contributions from the general public, corporate sector, and philanthropic donors.

News supplied by Howick Hospice.

Hilton SAPS
“Over the last 6 months Knight Security Solutions (KSS) has been assisting members from the Hilton Police Station with Crime Prevention Operations to combat the increase in House Breakings, Theft out of M/vehicle and Theft of M/Vehicles in the Hilton residential areas. Combined operations have been planned in accordance to the Crime Threat Analysis and Crime Pattern Analysis. These operations have included vehicle patrols, foot patrols in the residential areas as well as observation duties in the plantations and along the railway line that runs through Hilton area. The information on hand is that the criminals are using the plantations and the railway line to gain access to the residential areas to avoid detection.

A good working relationship has been established between the Hilton SAPS and KSS. By combining our resources our operation have become more effective and this working relationship has had a positive effect with regards to us addressing the crime in Hilton. Hilton Vispol would like to thank the Management of KSS as well as their members who work closely and alongside the members from the Hilton Police Station for their assistance. The KSS members have been very professional and have always had a positive attitude towards the fight against crime. Your assistance is greatly appreciated”. W/O A Salzwedel – Hilton SAPS.

Howick SAPS

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you (Gary and KSS) for the valuable assistance you provide to the SAPS. You are always there helping out whenever and wherever you can. We cannot do it without your expert services. I am very appreciative of your continued assistance and looking forward to maintaining this working relationship. Once again I really appreciate your willingness and commitment to assist when the need arises. It is very helpful to have someone who has the same experience with similar issues on previous projects to offer guidance which goes unnoticed. Keep up the good work. Well done to you and your friendly staff”. Capt. Reddy – Howick SAPS.

KSS Operations update
Due to the recent high volume of crime, KSS has placed more Response vehicles on the ground. This has meant the Response crews have had to be split, but this will ensure better response times and more area coverage. Management are monitoring this accordingly and will ensure that KSS standards are not compromised.

News supplied by Knight Security Solutions.

Harvard Electrical Wholesalers have specials to keep you out of the dark  this Winter.

Harvard Electrical Wholesalers are stockists of industrial and domestic components for the building industry, indoor and outdoor lighting, switches, ECC and surface cables and lots more.

There is a full range of LED globes and lamps available and solar products available. All LED's are guaranteed for 12 months.

Prices are valid until 11 May or while stocks last.

Secure customer parking at the door.

Visit Harvard Electrical Wholesaler's showroom at 22 Harvard Street, Howick.

I would like to highly commend our Howick traffic licensing department for their courtesy and care today and in general.

I accompanied an elderly friend who uses a walker to the above offices today and we were so well treated by all the staff. The cashier from where one applies for a new driving license came out to the car park, helped my friend with her forms and took them inside for processing for her.

The cashier at the office for the renewal of vehicle licenses was very efficient and dealt with a large number of people quickly and pleasantly. The staff in the car park and at the entrance could not have been more helpful.

Such a change from other municipal offices in Howick!

News supplied by Margaret Parker

Calling for Funders

Wessa Umngeni Valley are looking for sponsors for 30 mountain bikes for a community development project.

Any part donations are also most welcome.

Please contact Matthew Cocks.

News supplied by Wessa Umngeni Valley.

Amberglen recently rocked to the 60's sound of the legendary musical, Grease.

60 years on from the era depicted in the movie, producer par excellence Jo Orsmond rustled together a group of retirees and put on an excellent production.

Playing to 4 full house audiences, the cast, led by Mike and Rita Fisher as Danny and Sandie, the audiences were treated to an outstanding show!

Kudos to all the cast and their superb producer!!

Pictured above are Mike and Rita Fisher (Danny and Sandie).

News supplied.

Fans of legal dramas and local theatre will not want to miss Justice is a Woman; a highly emotive theatre production highlighting issues of gender inequality and the ethical dilemmas of the justice system written by well-respected former KZN judge Chris Nicholson, directed by Paul Spence, formerly of the Royal Shakespeare Company UK and starring a richly talented South African cast.

Set in a KZN university in 2018, after the 2 000-year exclusion of women as lawyers in the courtroom, Justice is a Woman tells the captivating story of a female post-graduate student’s molestation case against her male university professor. Lead character Portia, the lawyer representing the professor, is faced with an ethical dilemma that forces her to question her values and threatens to tear her personal life apart.

Opening performances take place from 23 to 25 May at Michaelhouse, 29 and 30 May at Grace College, and from 4 to 8 June at the Hexagon Theatre, Pietermaritzburg.

Tickets are R80 per person (R130 Hexagon), R50 pensioners (R80 Hexagon) and students R40. For more information, follow @justiceisawoman on Facebook or contact Paul Spence on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (084) 341 1742.

Justice Cast : Pictured from left are Mark Mulder, Phiyayinkosi Mbuyazi and Paul Spence.

News supplied.

Our first baby Barn Owl (Tyto alba) of the season is here.

Barn Owls often use chimneys to nest in. In this instance, the home owners did not realize there was a family of Barn Owls using the chimney until they lit their first fire for the season, and this youngster came tumbling down into the fireplace.

They reacted quickly and pulled the hapless youngster from the fire before he sustained anything more than a few singed feathers and a bruised wing.

He has been in our care for the last few days and his minor injuries have been treated.

The home owners, residing in Nottingham Road's Gowrie Village, have decided that an owl box will be safer for him and his family than the chimney will be, so the FreeMe KZN's Owl Box Project team will be installing a Barn Owl box and he will be reunited with his family.

Would you like to contribute and be involved in the work FREEME KZN does? Then please join the Custodianship Program.
http://www.freemekzn.co.za/become-a-custodian/

News supplied by FreeMe Rehabilitation Centre.

Top 10 Reasons to Choose a Closed Combustion Fireplace or Wood Stove this Winter

More heat, less fuel, for longer
Besides the wonderful ambiance it creates, a fireplaces is a great way to heat a home effectively, especially if you live in an area where wood is plentiful. Whether built-in or freestanding, closed combustion fireplaces win hands down every time on every possible metric.
So what exactly is closed combustion?
Closed combustion, also called slow burners, refers to a fire burning behind a sealed glass door. The units are generally fitted with adjustable air controls so that you can regulate the amount of air flowing into the combustion chamber (and to some extent control the flame and output of the fireplace).

Closed combustion fires use approximately one third of the wood and transfer 85% of the heat back into the room.

Why is it more effective than an open fire?
In an open combustion fireplace (no glass) there is no control over combustion air. As your fire heats up, it consumes more air, most of which goes up and out the flue outlet resulting in heat loss.

Additionally, closed-combustion fireplaces recirculate the hot air before allowing it to escape through the flue, and burn at a high enough temperature to re-ignite the recirculated air.

So in a closed system, most of the heat generated remains in your home as the flow of hot air up the chimney is very low and the need to suck cold air in from outside, to replace the escaped hot air, is negated.

Top 10 reasons to choose closed combustion.
1. Lifespan: Most slow combustion stoves have a very long lifespan, normally in excess of 25 years if not abused. So even if they are a little more pricy at the start they are more efficient, more effective, last longer and require less maintenance than open fires.

2. Efficiency: Closed combustion is 70% – 80% effective, compared to open fires which are rated around 10% – 35%

3. Environmentally a good choice: Being +70% efficient, the wood stoves are fully acceptable as environmentally friendly. Carbon emissions are extremely low are long as the correct dry hardwood logs are used. In fact a tree gives off less carbon dioxide when burnt in a stove than if allowed to decompose naturally. Certain models with cast iron grates and ash-pans are suitable as multi-fuel burners and can also burn Anthracite. The ash content is higher, but it allows for a longer burn time.

4. Less mess: The ash content of dry hardwoods is usually around 1%, so only clean max once per week. The ash is great for the garden.

5. Economical to run: Most slow burners use very little wood and can keep burning on one or two pieces of wood per hour. In fact, on average closed combustion, slow burners, use one third less wood than open hearth fires.

6. Adds value: As efficient wood stoves are the sensible choice now and for the foreseeable future, whatever you spend now will not only add true value to your home, but give many years of wonderful warmth through the winters at extremely low cost.

7. Slow burn, warm mornings: With your controls set correctly and after placing a number of logs into the unit late in the evening the stove will continue to give heat for up to 8 hours which means you will wake up to a warm home. What a pleasure, don’t you think?

8. Safety: Closed system fireplaces are much safer than open fires, because there is no risk of sparks igniting nearby fabric or carpet.

9. Low smoke emissions: Closed system fireplaces are designed to be used in smoke free zones. Because closed system fireplaces are sealed, you won’t have to deal with smoke filling your house.

10. Non-reliance of electricity: Power outages won’t leave you “in the cold”

11. PLUS – a BONUS point is that fire place and stove technology has improved so much that you can now get almost any colour, size, shape and output.

So, to sum it all up:
MORE HEAT LESS FUEL FOR LONGER

Closed system fireplaces are the most effective way to heat your home as they only allow enough air into the fireplace to fuel the fire, thus creating an 80% heat retention in your home, versus a traditional open fireplace that has an 80% heat loss.

News supplied by Fires and Braais.

Eat at Andrew's, Mushka, Nuts About Books & Toys and Harvard Electrical Wholesalers have put together spoils for one lucky Mom. To enter follow the steps on Facebook.

The prize includes tea/coffee and cake for TWO at Eat at Andrew's on collecting the hamper which contains gloves and a scarf from Mushka, a novel and a cookbook from Nuts About Books & Toys and two white desk lamps from Harvard Electrical Wholesalers. The winner will be announced on Facebook on Saturday, 11 May 2019 at 11am.

Follow the link to facebook and action the steps by the end of the day on Friday 10 May 2019!

https://web.facebook.com/Howickvillage.co.za/

Penzil Advertising is a small home-based graphic design studio which started in June 2005. With around 30 years of experience, Kerry is an established and diverse designer. Kerry's career started at Bell Equipment in their marketing department, designing in-house and exhibition materials which included promotional items and planning for various marketing events and shows. From there she moved to Sylko Paper in Durban where she gained experience in packaging and designing gift wrap. After enjoying the world of travel, Kerry settled back into graphics at a design studio in Pietermaritzburg, and then finally starting her own business.

Her portfolio base has ranged from corporate work to packaging, promotional banners and stickers, and lots of publishing which she really enjoys and has produced her own coffee table books, with some friends, on the Drakensberg. Publishing is hard work but very rewarding. She has also been involved in a bit of photography and directs photography for one of her clients, although this is enjoyable she prefers to hand it onto a friend who is a professional photographer and videographer. With knowledge of graphics also comes the knowledge of print as most material needs to be printed, so advice can be given and this enables Kerry to see a job done from beginning to end. Clients are not only locally based, many are further afield and some are even international.

Over the years there have been once off jobs and some are long-standing jobs, no matter whether they are big or small the commitment to each client and job is the same, paying attention to detail, giving more than what is expected and producing a product that is well received.

Kerry loves working from home, meeting her clients and having the freedom to enjoy her family and friends, garden and outdoors.

News supplied by Penzil Advertising.

Solar as an option; I have been completely off the Grid for just over three years. In that time my Solar system has worked flawlessly.

Unlike Generators that need continuous maintenance and ever more expensive fuel. Solar needs just the Sun, and because there are no moving parts the maintenance is minimal.

I have learned that more often than not people are sold big, expensive systems, where large numbers of batteries and solar panels are used ( in some case up to 30 batteries).

We are lead to believe that these big systems are necessary in order to run a home effectively.

For me the thinking here is flawed. One should rather adapt one's lifestyle to Solar than adapt Solar to one’s lifestyle, If you do the former then one can use a smaller system as I have and save.

My system uses 12 Solar panels and ONLY 4 batteries, and as I have said it has run beautifully for over three years.

One must also remember that a Solar installation is a capital investment, this means the cost will be recovered on the sale of the property. Also, the saving per month on your electricity bill ( in the region of R1500 per month) means it could well be paid off in seven years.

With the ever increasing cost of electricity and its unreliability and the huge leap forward in technology, Solar is becoming a more and more viable and affordable solution for one’s home or business. It can, of course, be used in conjunction with Eskom.

Please phone me for free advice and discussion/solutions for your home and or business.

Garry Barlow
Finely Fixed

082 627 3339
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In recent years South Africa has seen a dramatic increase in the keeping, breeding and trading of exotic animals and reptiles for the pet industry. The reality is that exotic animals and reptiles do not belong in captivity and should not be kept as pets.

INDIGENOUS WILDLIFE:
Indigenous reptiles and tortoises require permits from Nature Conservation, and those keeping wildlife illegally will face serious legal repercussions. Should you know of anyone who is illegally keeping indigenous wildlife, please contact the National Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism on 012 399 9604. Alternatively, contact us, or your nearest SPCA.

Animals suited for rehabilitation will be taken to a rehabilitation centre and then released back into the wild, in a suitable area. Those who are unable to survive on their own due to any impairment, should be taken to a rehabilitation centre and then a reputable sanctuary.

In a sanctuary they will be able to live a life as close as possible to living in the wild. Please contact our Wildlife Protection Unit on 011 907 3590/1/2/3 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for help in giving a wild animal a chance at a better life.

EXOTIC ANIMALS:
If you have exotic animals that you wish to surrender to the NSPCA, please contact our Wildlife Protection Unit on 011 907 3590/1/2/3 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

News supplied by uMngeni SPCA.