Umgeni Waterfall Bowls Club

Competitions

The 'Power Drive' Tabs in competition, sponsored by the Lawnmower Shop, is on Wednesday 25th  September.

The Moffatt Optical Competition is all day on 20 October.

The Tabs in tournment, sponsored by Halfway Toyota, Giovision and Greendale Spar, is on Wednesday 11 September.  Bowlers come along and test your bowling skill, hope for a bit of luck and win a plump chicken donated by Greendale Spar.

Enquiries for the above competitions to Dave Truscott 033 239 4512

Club Duties

Refreshments:

7 September – 13 September: Trevor James
14 September – 20 September: Richard Grant

Tabs:

11 September – 17 September: Barbara Wyatt and Hilary Williams

Teas:

14 September: Hilary Williams;

17 September: Lyn Durant;

18 September: Bernice Burden

Social Bowls

Every Wednesday and Saturday, tabs in by 1.30pm. Whites.
Every Tuesday morning, tabs in by 8.30 am. Casual. Visitors most welcome.

FREE Coaching takes place on a regular basis. For any enquiries kindly contact: John Withers on 033-239 5376, Graeme Cameron on 033-330 3457, Hilary Williams on 033-3303992 or Barry Bedworth on 033-239 5445

Who is L.Y.N. Food?
L.Y.N Food is a Howick based family business headed up by Jeff and Fenella Speed, they have three children, James, Sarah and Sam. This sporty family enjoy running and paddling so will be mostly found outdoors!

What is L.Y.N. Food putting on tables around KZN?
Have you ever tried ODB? Our Daily Bread is a preservative free health bread that is proudly baked by local bakeries. Most delicious and without all the chemicals that is added to most things these days. They also do a range of delicious fresh and smoked trout products, including pate that is amazing!

Why?
Produced at home in Howick, their products are good and wholesome. Jeff and Fen believe in old fashioned service to their customers.

When?
You can contact them online at www.lynfood.co.za 24/7 and see them at local markets and events. Fen and Jeff will be at Sue Tarr's first Friday of the month market on 6 September from 3 to 6pm and they will be at Hilton Pre-Primary Food and Wine Fair at the Protea Hotel Hilton on Friday 13 September. Come along and sample their delicious products.

The annual RFL is scheduled for Monday evening 23rd September, closing soon after sunrise on Tuesday 24th (Heritage Day). The Carbineers' Drill Hall grounds, with plenty of parking, will be the safe, secure venue.

The relay is anything but a race. Based on the three special words Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back, the RFL is a moving and emotional opportunity to do just that. "Teams" of 10 enter and take part in perambulating around a track for the duration, always ensuring at least one member is out there at any time. Part of the entry fee of R700 per team entitles each member to decorate a "Luminary Bag" with a photograph of a loved one lost, a survivor or simply coloured in or patterned. The bags are placed alongside the track, with a candle inside. After dark, the candles are lit, illuminating the bags and setting the scene for each to stroll with their friends, strangers or alone with their own thoughts, memories and hopes.

Having lost family and friends to this dreaded disease, lived with those who are fighting and having experienced those daunting words 'I think you should come in and see me, soon', Eileen and I have found incredible peace and strength taking part in the annual relay. Bringing CANSA and the Community Chest together for this cause is an exciting prospect.

We hope to raise R100000 this year and are encouraging teams and individuals to not only participate, but use the opportunity to raise additional sponsorship. In addition to the emotional experience, there will be some amazing lucky spot prizes as well as a special prize for the team who raise the most in donations. All the funds raised are used in the fight against cancer and the support of those living with it

If you would like to find out more or take part in the relay, please contact Alan Angus on 0845824005, Wendy James (0827772620) or the CANSA offices at 10 Killarney Terrace or telephone 0333429837 (bh). Cancer survivors are encouraged to contact the offices and register on the role. Survivors present at the relay will be afforded special treatment.

Submitted by Howick Hospice.

I am excited to announce my company, J Theron and Associates Inc, has been successful in our bid to acquire the Graemor client base. Former clients of Graemor are of utmost importance to me and I look forward to providing a complete and satisfying service, additionally I welcome new potential clients who are interested in having a Chartered Accountant involved in growing their businesses and adding value beyond the service of book keeping alone. My interest in the field of audit/accounting is in learning how a client's business is being run, and working with the directors in fine tuning ways to maximize its potential.

I founded and registered my audit practice, J. Theron & Associates 10 years ago. The practice was started in Johannesburg and we have grown significantly since that time opening a branch in Howick in 2011. This opportunity to grow my client base comes at an exciting time for the company going forward and provides me with the opportunity to spend much more of my time here in the Midlands.

Being a registered audit practice we are a member of IRBA, SAICA and I am an accredited BBBEE Auditor. You will have peace of mind that we are strictly regulated by these boards.

I look to assure you that continuity within the business is a priority. Fee structures of retained clients will remain as they were, Petro, Khanyisile, Geraldine, Raymond and Vimal are continuing with me and are working hard to complete the backlog of work that has accumulated. New clients can look forward to competitive rates, come in for a quote you may be surprised at the rates we can offer you .

In addition to the basic book keeping services that were offered by Graemor, my company offers experienced tax (Shanna) and company secretarial divisions (Bianca) to which all clients have access. This in addition to audit services should you wish to employ them (Jacques).

Please feel free to contact us with your enquiries:
Jacques – 082 772 9597 or  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Howick office - 033 330 2922 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

I am excited at this opportunity to learn about your business and look forward to providing you with a high quality service that can facilitate the growth and prosperity of your endeavors.

News Kindly supplied by Jacques Theron, Director J. Theron and Associates Inc.

A small group of conservationists, food growers and environmental activists have started the Mpophomeni Conservation Group under the auspices of Midlands Conservancies Forum. They host regular walks and talks, screen environmental movies and hold discussion groups on environmental issues. Their own organic food gardens are living/working examples of sustainable living.

In South Africa, an estimated 1.5 million children suffer from malnutrition, 14 million people are vulnerable to food insecurity, 43% of households suffer from food poverty. School children who are hungry cannot concentrate or perform to their potential. There are 35 000 residents in Mpophomeni, the HIV rate is over 60%, and Unemployment about 80%.

The Global Green Grants Fund have provided funding to start this process. To begin with, low energy cooking equipment was purchased. Ntombenhle Mtambo was so delighted with the Wonderbag and Sunstove "We can do other things while our food cooks, we don't have to watch it all the time and it will save so much electricity." That evening Penz Malinga made vegetable curry on the Istofu and was amazed at how little wood it needed to cook "It's unbelievable", while Tutu's neighbours all snuggled around hers as it kept them warm indoors - no smoke!

A week later, some of the garden equipment arrived. Penz had the most fun spraypainting red symbols so they would be identifiable. Ntombenhle Mtambo is absolutely thrilled. "I have never owned so many tools, before my hands were my tools. I love them all! Now we have to go out there and educate people about how to grow food and help each other."

Members of the Mpophomeni Kidz Club (also an MCG initiative) are also excited by the abundance of tools and cannot wait to start helping in one another's gardens. The hosepipe is their absolute favourite! Penz has already planted peanuts and rhubarb, a tree tomato, peas, onions and spinach and built a compost heap.

MCG plan to inspire others in their communities to think about their lifestyles with regards to sustainability, resilience, climate change, biodiversity conservation and animal rights. Leading by example MCG intends to help and influence their neighbours , one garden at a time by hosting workshops and gardening parties (known as ilima in Zulu culture) to assist people to improve their gardens, grow indigenous plants and food plants.

The idea being that being that while they work, they informally chat about recycling, sustainable living and environmental issues. Their own lifestyles, homes and gardens will provide the inspiration to share their vision of a better, greener, kinder and more sustainable future for their community.

Next up: water tanks and gutters to harvest rainwater, fencing to stop chickens and goats from helping themselves, a brushcutter and plenty of old hay to mulch the gardens and build more compost heaps.

Ntombenhle and Tutu have approached the uMngeni Municipality to turn two areas of wasteland into community gardens. "We would like to help the community we live in. We would like to see them learn to understand the importance of nature and caring for the environment where they live in their daily lives, every day. Learning about these things will open their eyes, save money, water, energy and give them opportunities to earn money out of waste and gardening.

We would love to get rid of all the dumping sites because they cause misery for those who live near them, the rubbish blocks the storm water drains, rotting things smell bad and can cause disease. We need to teach the community that much of the waste is useful so they stop dumping and causing problems. Education is key for people to take advantage of opportunities to grow food and improve their lives. Programmes like "One Home, One Garden" fail because although they are given trees and seeds, most people do not have fences or information on how to make a garden or plant a tree. We would like to help people to start gardens and be able to sell surplus or donate to those in need.

Previously, we have approached the Municipality, but despite promises, nothing has happened. We are still standing and proud to carry on doing the things we believe are most important – growing food and helping the community."

News and pictures kindly supplied by Nikki Brighton

Harvard Electrical have a special offer you'll want to be thinking about as we near the end of Winter. A new aircon will manage rising temperatures and cold snaps equally well.

RADIANT Split Unit Aircon 12,000 BTU R4,469.00 incl VAT
* Heating & Cooling
* Independent Dehumidifying Function
* LED Motion Display
* Remote Control LED
* Automatic Restart Function
* Self-Diagnosis and Auto Protection Function
* Intelligent Control & Display Technology
* Dual Air Guide - Up & Down Air Outlet
* 24 Hour Timer, Sleep Mode
* Silent Operation
* 3 Year Warranty on Compressor, 1 Year on Unit
* Spares Available

Moyra Ventress is Durban born and bred. She initially studied Catering Management at Technikon but always had an interest in Accounts. While living on a Tea Estate in Zululand where Moyra's husband was farming, she studied bookkeeping and catapulted into a career in Accounting – now her first love.

Moyra and her family moved to Centurion 8 yrs ago pursuing a job opportunity for her husband. She retained her interested in accounting and took on accounts that needed sorting out and organising for small and medium businesses, establishing a skill base and obtaining a feel for the small and medium business issues and accounting challenges.

The love of KZN, the pull of family and friends and a new job opportunity for Moyra's husband brought the family back KZN, and to the Midlands which they have always had a love for. A year later, settled in and loving Howick Moyra felt the need to assist small to medium businesses and from this desire "The Accounts Office" was born.

The Accounts Office aim is to be able to work one-on-one with business owners, allowing them to concentrate on their business and not on their accounts. The Accounts Office offers tailored made bookkeeping solution for your business needs. The Accounts Office work with an Auditing and Tax Consulting firm should any of our clients need this service. We look forward to meeting you.

The Giovision, Halfway Toyota and Greendale Spar sponsored competition held on 14 August was won by the team of Norman Chemaly, Barbara Wyatt and Petra Stubbs. Congratulations!

The conflict of dates involving the holding of tournaments by other clubs has now been resolved, and as a result the Moffatt Optical tournament will now definitely be held on 20 October. We hope that other clubs will join us and that there will be a full house.

The Lawnmower Shop in Howick will generously be sponsoring a new tournament to be held on the last Wednesday of each month. The inaugural tournament will be held on 28 August. Enquiries to Dave Truscott 033 239 4512

Club Duties:
Refreshments:

24 August – 30 August: Tim Waring
31 August – 6 September: Brian Ellison

Tabs: 21 August– 27 August: Dave Truscott and Terry Elmer

Tea: 24 August: Marianne van Wieringen; 27 August: Win Maher; 28 August: Petra Stubbs

Social Bowls
Every Wednesday and Saturday, tabs in by 1.30pm. Whites.
Every Tuesday morning, tabs in by 9.00 am until further notice. Casual. Visitors most welcome.

FREE Coaching takes place on a regular basis.

For any enquiries kindly contact: John Withers on 033-239 5376, Graeme Cameron on 033-330 3457, Hilary Williams on 033-3303992 or Barry Bedworth on 033-239 5445

News kindly supplied by Umgeni Waterfall Bowling Club

Patrick was born in Zambia.

He was schooled in South Africa, trained as an engineer and his working career started at AECI.

As with most young men wanderlust took him travelling and once back in South Africa he was employed at Metal Box. He was head hunted by Coca Cola where he worked for 15 years in Africa and Europe. During a stint in Ireland he farmed rare breeds of cattle, pigs, sheep and ducks.

He left Coke, returned to South African and again farmed rare cattle breeds. This time in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands where his business mind, coupled with the training he'd received at Coke, led to humble beginnings as a part-time business coach.

Then Patrick discovered ActionCOACH! He is the KZN franchisee and a master coach - and from his base in The Quarry Centre he has recorded a remarkable success rate for businesses in the greater Midlands area and in Durban.

Patrick's wife Glynis manages the operations and the finances at ActionCOACH KZN. Their 13-year-old son Nicholas is a learner at Cowan House. The family lives in Hilton.

Do you know?

• How much money you are losing in your company as a result of poor administration, lack of people being able to manage their job function and people not thinking "sustainable business"?

Do you know?

• Marketing focuses on selling your product for a profit, while PR sells your whole company to build relationships and reputational capital?

Do you know?

• That not communicating clearly in every respect can have a very negative effect on attitudes and relationships in the workplace and might even lose potential clients?

Friday 23rd August saw Shân Cade, in collaboration with Desiray Viney and Nicky Grieshaber, run a very successful training session addressing these very questions.

Shân had developed the CLIP (Check Lists for Improved Productivity)programme. Her motto is "Make check lists work for you".  Shân states "I was exposed to check lists from an early age and in my first job as a "Girl Friday" in the family business, it was here that the "official" CHECK LIST foundation was laid. My mom used check lists for everything from work related items, to social events, to school activities – the list never ending. I learnt from the best check list maker in the world.

As I matured, I started to find my "own" check list methodology coming through in my work, socially and in all aspects of life – I was simply building on the solid foundation that had been laid, enhancing something that was already good from the start and resulting in the CLIP system covered in my book.

Throughout my years in the business world and the world of volunteers I have been renowned for the use of check lists and related to that the reputation of always being on time, thorough and reliable – check lists making it happen for me"

Desiray took us through PR vs Marketing. Desiray has spent over 25 years in education and training, and is a specialist in her field. She consults with companies and individuals on all aspects of corporate communication, public relations and the media as well as values-driven leadership

Nicky is a Professional language practitioner and presenter who advocates clear and thoughtful communication, whether verbal or written. This among other things reflects courtesy and respect and builds good relationships. "The simpler we can keep our messages the clearer they will be, while by contrast, unclear and cluttered messages reflect carelessness and disrespect for the intended reader or hearer."

Thank you Shân for sharing this exciting program with us. Obviously a success when you look at just some of the feedback.

What people have to say...about CLIP (Check Lists for Improved Productivity)

"Just so you know, the check list is working brilliantly and my daily list gets longer every week. I am managing the work load MUCH better because of it." Justine (Secretary – ETM Quick Cash)

What people have to say...about PR vs Marketing
"Our staff gained useful skills from her Press Release writing workshop which we implemented to gain valuable free press coverage for our excellence awards". Bruce Fly, Fairfield Dairies.

What people have to say...about Nicky
"I now understand why second-language speakers battle to pronounce certain sounds." (Deputy Principal, independent primary school, Pietermaritzburg)

Well despite the chilly weather, spring seems to have arrived. Five baby jackal pups were collected from Greytown to join their feline counterparts, the serval kittens and a very young jackal buzzard chick arrived from Shafton Grange in the Karkloof.

We have decided that the saying "cats rule, dogs drool" certainly applies. While the servals took to bottles easily and quickly and were generally a pleasure to have around, the jackals were very slow on the uptake ensuring that Israel had a milk bath every time he had to feed them – they definitely believed that we were out to poison them, perhaps as a result of years of persecution of their kind. Speaking of which, it was very heartening to hear how the farm labourers reported hearing the pups crying in the burrow and, after waiting for mom to return, helped the farmer dig them up and arrange for FreeMe to collect them. A big change from the time when "the only good jackal was a dead one".

The jackal buzzard chick was just too adorable, but has been sent to Ben Hoffman at Raptor Rescue. Baby raptors, along with cranes and several other bird species, imprint on anything that feeds them and get very attached to their handlers. This attachment can lead to a very possessive individual who can only be released back into the wild after a long and difficult rehabilitation process (if they can be returned at all). With sharp talons and rather smelly droppings, they do not make good house pets. Ben will try and get one of his own buzzard pairs to adopt him, allowing him to be raised as a fully functional wild bird.

So if you are a cat person and are feeling rather smug, or if you prefer our canine friends and would like to stick up for the underdog, please sms donate freeme to 48748 to donate R 10. If on the other hand you like both equally then do it twice. Add a liking for our little grey ball of fluff, Fugly, who is just too cute, then three times is mandatory.

News and pictures kindly provided by FreeMe

Ethembeni works with an organisation called Catalyx to run a 40 hour Job Readiness programme for the unemployed in Mpophomeni.

The programme runs over 10 weeks where the candidates are prepared for the workplace, they learn what would be expected of them as well as what to expect in the workplace. Customer service, work ethics, time management and entrepreneurship are a few of the topics covered.

Ethembeni also focuses on spiritual development, self esteem development, emotional maturity, problem solving and other character building exercises. Ethembeni keeps a database of candidates that have been through the programme and we appeal to local businesses to draw from these candidates when they need staff. We are very excited about this programme as we have seen wonderful results and positive changes in our candidates.

Howick Pre Primary is always busy with active children learning, discovering, growing together and this term is no different.  Here are just a few of the of special events the children, staff and families have been involved with and some they are looking forward to.

Last week they had their Family Paint-a-Pillow evening, which is always a busy and happily noisy evening where the families join their pre-schoolers and together paint a pillowcase. Jointly they discover their often hidden, artistic talents at this event!

On Friday 23 August the Grade R children attended Howick Preparatory School's JP Sports day, where they even got to take part in a race or two. The focus is on fun and participation but passions are discovered through fun.

Howick Pre Primary are looking forward to Friday 6 September where they celebrate the arrival of Spring by inviting all our children's Grandparents to attend a fun filled morning of pre-school activities and songs. All are then invited to share tea together. These are wonderful memory building moments for all.

Tuesday 10 September brings another opportunity for the Grade R children to attend Howick Preparatory School to watch the Grade 7 play. This is good exposure for the Grade R's, most of whom will attend Howick Prep for their Primary School education.

Who doesn't love to hear about Dinosaurs? On Tuesday 17 September we have an educational presentation on Dinosaurs – which I'm sure will enthrall children and staff alike.

Howick Pre Primary pack fun, learning and play into each term.

FreeMe had such a fun day on the 9th August, despite the diabolical weather and the decision not to hold our Open Day. Lots of people still arrived to support us and the tea and coffee, the wonderful eats prepared by Joanne's team of bakers went down a treat. It was lovely to see so many new faces, and the presence of the Hampton's from Wildcare in Richmond and Ben Hoffman from Raptor Rescue, made it plain to everyone how well we work together as a unit to save our wildlife. We would also like to thank Dynalogic for the wonderful job they have done re-designing our very old, very boring website. Please everyone go to www.freemekzn.co.za and have a squizz. We plan for it to be lot more interactive, so please let us have your comments (likes and dislikes). We have also set up a blog, which will display all our latest news and views, but will go even further and reflect the opinions and involvement of the public. We had a very excited member of the public phone in the other day to say that she had seen a Ground Hornbill and she just had to tell someone. We were equally excited. We also had a report of Blue Crane on a farm in Birnam Wood – so everyone lets join in the hunt – send us your sightings of oribi, crane, raptors, cape parrots and the like, but also your more everyday sightings. Perhaps you see a very common creature, showing unusual behaviour or have a newcomer to your feeder that has not been there before. Our environment is so dynamic, let us take enjoyment in its many different aspects. Together, we can learn all sorts of new things and share it with conservancies and other stake holders who are involved in protecting our beautiful Midlands. Please also remember to sms donate freeme to 48748 to donate your R10.00, it really is making such a difference.

News kindly supplied by FreeMe

Nelson Rholihlahla Mandela is a struggle giant and an icon of global proportion that transcends all borders and appeals to everyone across all walks of life. His historical association with uMgungundlovu District Municipality contributed and shaped the democratic, modern day South Africa that we live in today. This has made the District Municipality one of the critical nerve centres of the struggle against apartheid.

On Sunday, 25 August 2013 the marathon will start at the Manayi Hall (formerly known as Arya Samaj Hall) in Imbali, where Nelson Mandela made his last speech on 25 March 1961, and will end at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site outside Howick, where he was arrested, on 05 August 1962. It is against this reason that his historical association with the District has been coined and immortalized through the Mandela Day Marathon. In 2013 the Mandela Day Marathon has major events lined up, that will heighten and bring much deserved attraction to the event, with ambassadors, charities and prizes that will be announced.

The race starts at 07:00am and the route passes through our surrounding areas, details below indicate which roads will be effected.

It is measured that runners will run contra flow to traffic unless stated.
Start F.J. Sithole Road near Manayi Hall
Mnkayi Road Left into Mnkayi Rd
Mbhelebhele Rd Left into Mbhelebhele Rd
Sikale Road Left into Sikale Rd becomes Mthombothi
Sibhubhu Road Right into Sibhubhu Rd
Sutherland Road Left into Sutherland Rd
M70 Left onto M70
Caluza Road Right into Caluza
Dennis Shepstone Left into Dennis Shepstone running contra flow
Hillary Road Left into Hillary
Ridge Road Right into Ridge Road
Cedara Road R103 Left into Cedara running contra flow. Follow Cedara over N3 and back over N3
District Drive Left into District
Macleroy Road Right into Macleroy
Byrnwood Road Right into Byrnwood
Wilson Road Left into Wilson
Zeederberg Road Left into R613 (Bulwer/Boston Road)
N3 Follow R613 (Bulwer/Boston Road) right under N3
Zeederberg Road Left into Zeederberg Road running with traffic
Starlite Road Left into Starlite
Riverview Road Right into Riverview
Sport Field Right onto sports field and clockwise on gravel road, exiting onto Zeederberg
Zeederberg Road Left into Zeederberg running with traffic
Prospect Road Left into Prospect Running contra flow crossing N3, following Prospect
(R103) right past Midmar Dam wall running contra flow

We wish all the entrants a good run. Howick residents will be out in force supporting the athletes and driving with caution and patience.

"It's time again to don yer kilts, get on yer gear and enter the annual Howick Highlander MTB and Trail Run events," said organisers of the annual event.

It all takes place on Sunday 25 August 2013 at the Karkloof Farmers' Market just outside Howick.  The event, which is hosted by the 1st Howick Cubs and Scouts, is focused on being an affordable family event.
"You will be able to enjoy sociable routes along dirt roads and jeep tracks in the Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve and Everdon Estate – places you cannot normally access. After dodging zebra and antelope you will pass some of the most breathtaking views around," said organisers.

Registration opens at 06:00. Trail runs will start from 07:00 and cover 20km, 10km and 5km distances. MTB rides will start from 08:30 and cover 40km, 20km, 10km and 2km distances.

"Don't miss the EXTREME 20km MTB route for the not so faint-hearted, which will follow the 20km trail run route down the Umngeni Valley."

Check out www.howickhighlander.co.za or www.roag.co.za for more details.

FreeMe update on the animals introduced to us over the past few weeks.

We introduced you to this Bushbuck recently and as can be seen from the attached photo - our little Bushbuck is doing well and growing. An interesting fact about these antelope is that the males are probably among the most feared by hunters. They back themselves into dense bush if hurt or cornered to protect their hind quarters and lie in ambush, darting out at any threat and doing terrific damage with their long, sharp horns. This is a little female which means that she is a much better candidate for successful rehabilitation and release then her male counterpart would be. She and Dinky, the duiker, have bonded really well and groom each other contentedly.

Unfortunately, the Secretary Bird did not make it. Our vet did a great job of cleaning the wing and we were very hopeful that it would make a full recovery, but obviously the infection from the wound had spread too far. After responding really well for a week, it started to lose ground. Thanks to the guys who sponsored the vet's bill. We really did have to try everything we could to save it.

Our four servals are growing fast and we are discussing possible releases and monitoring devices for them with a researcher from UKZN.

Other than that, we have had a rash of raptor rescues, as a lot of migrants return to the Midlands, and hungry after their flight back, they are inclined to hunt on the roads and high ways. Thanks to N3 Traffic Officials for helping Roz rescue one from the Centre Inland of the Highway just outside Howick. A mission not to undertaken lightly.

Thanks to all those who have made use of our donation sms line. Please continue to sms donate freeme to 48748 to donate your R 10.00, you cannot believe how much it is helping.

News and image kindly provided by FreeMe KZN

Britt and Rene Stubbs moved to the Karkloof valley in 1986. Britt describes the changes on their farms over the years.

Denleigh was a beef and maize farm at the time, but we developed it into a dairy farm, planting maize, soya beans, potatoes and carrots using conventional tillage methods. It soon became clear that this type of land use was leading to severe erosion, increased soil pests, proliferation of weeds on contour banks and serious wear and tear on equipment. Seventeen years ago we decided to convert to No-Till for the maize silage, cover crops and autumn pasture establishment.

The positive results have been overwhelming! We have enjoyed increased yields from healthier soils due to an increase in earthworms and a decrease in soil pests. There have been significant fuel savings as well as reduced wear and tear on equipment. In addition to the commercial advantages of converting to No-Till we have also observed positive environmental changes: improved water quality and availability; increased food sources and cover for wildlife; the return of indicator species and reduced erosion. We now enjoy regular sightings of all three crane species on the farm and have a resident pair of Blue Cranes which have been breeding here for a number of years. We hardly ever saw cranes when we first arrived in the valley, but now, with most of the large-scale farmers having converted to No-Till, the increase in crane sightings has been significant.

We took a conscious decision not to plant trees on veld which had been granted a timber permit. Choosing instead to rehabilitate 200ha of contiguous mistbelt Themeda veld to regain its biodiversity and secure the farm's water supply. Livestock was taken off the predominantly Aristida veld and a carefully managed burning regime was introduced. 26 years later there is a significant increase in Themeda cover and many other plant species have re-appeared. This area now hosts many wildlife species, including cranes, grass owls, Natal red rock rabbits, porcupines, ant bears, mongooses, genets, cervals, oribi, reedbuck and duiker.

Six years ago, we bought a neighbouring farm Bartersfield, also a beef farm which we have converted to dairy. As oribi occur here, we leave one of the four veld paddocks unburnt every year to provide cover for them. We have found that if the paddocks are not burnt in regular rotation the veld becomes moribund and overgrown, which prevents the healthy regeneration of Themeda and other plant species. Late autumn block-burning (particularly after rain) has proven to be the ideal time to burn the veld. This ensures that the fire is not too hot and doesn't damage the Themeda. Burning in spring (in the absence of early spring rains) can destroy the growing tips and seeds of the Themeda which then sets the plants back.

We have found that the reedbuck, bushbuck, duiker and, to a lesser extent, the oribi have adapted very easily to feeding on the ryegrass pastures which we have established. The quality winter forage which is available to them has resulted in year-round breeding amongst the reedbuck. The oribi still only breed on an annual basis. We believe that the increase in jackal activity in recent years (as well as caracal and dog hunting to a much lesser extent) has had a major impact on the oribi population.

What a privilege it is to farm in harmony with the Midlands wildlife.

Charlie MacGillivray, adds: There is no doubt that in my 39 years of farming on Gartmore, the advent of No-Till farming has been one of the most gratifying experiences.

It is our privilege to share the beauty and integrity of our piece of paradise with others and the Karkloof Conservation Centre - the hides are merely the start of making possible. Whether you twitch or tweet, there is something for everyone on Gartmore!