Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Early Settler House - Canterbury House - Algoa Bay Port Elizabeth
Early Settler House - Canterbury House- (NMC/Grade 2) C.1837.
This house was restored around 1965 and sold on to a Mr Ofsowitz who in
1973 controversially removed the four gabled settler roof and put a Mansard
Roof to incorporate a jacuzzi in the attic space. However, the house was well
maintained until the current owner, Mr Kenneth J Denton bought the house around
2000.
On the 1st March 2005, there was a fire that destroyed the 1970's top
floor, but the ground and first floor was saved (see photos from 2012). It is
claimed that vagrants who had moved into the derelict house and started the
fire. Incidentally DA Councillor Terry Herbst had earlier reported that the
door had been broken down (just three weeks before the fire), confirming that
vagrants had been allowed to take over, despite complaints to Denton
Properties. Denton and other residents stood and watched as the house burnt.
When questioned, Denton said "The place has been kept empty in order for
renovations to be done to it" Denton also promised the Mandela Bay
Development Agency a few days later that he would repair and properly restore
the building. (Herald 2 March 2005). It is ironic that 'Special assignment'
happened to be in the area broadcasting a feature on the decline of Central.
2003-2005 saw three of Denton's properties suffer fires. To date this number is
more than double that.
While the fire was limited to the top (attic) floor and the yellowwood
floorboards and detailing still in situ, they have been allowed to decay.
Canterbury house has been vacant and open to the elements for more than 8 years
(2013) and the owner has made no effort to repair the buildings. It appears,
however that work is to about to commence, as it has in the immediate vicinity,
but as yet no work being done in this area has been sanctioned by any Heritage
authorities, hence it is illegal. There is a well documented history of
non-compliance with regard the owner, who refuses to work with PHRA.
This is a Grade 2 listed structure, and while greatly compromised in
terms of decayed fabric, should be reinstated inside and out, with due record
taken of fabric still in situ and replacing this sparingly with materials to
the specifications of the original. Unfortunately, irreparable damage to and
loss of fabric has taken place on Mr Denton's other illegal projects and the
fear is that layers of history will also be discarded, as has sadly taken place
with regard to the Donkin Street Houses, where tons of bricks have been
removed.
Canterbury House, 35 Constitution Hill
"From the records of Messrs. Smith Sons and Dewar, Surveyors. E.
Province Building Society, Port Elizabeth.
A title deed reading "Surveyed by the undersigned Government Land
Surveyor, Uitenhage, the 29th May, 1837.
I hereby certify that this diagram belongs to the
transfef (?) Richard Tee. January 26, 1841.
Transferred to John Flanagan 14-8-73
To Mary Flanagan 1886"
Richard Tee, aged 34 in 1820, was a settler in Damant's party,
travelling on the ship "Ocean", and accompanied by his wife, Mary,
three daughters, and one son. A Timothy Flanagan, 38 in 1820, came out in
Bailie's party on the "Chapman". He and his wife Mary had three sons
and a daughter. The Timothy of 1873 was probably a descendant.
In a map dated 1849 [Essenhigh map], now in possession of the P.E.
Public Library [Africana Collection], a building is shown on the site, but the
terrace of houses in Donkin Street, now proclaimed a historical monument, had
not yet been built.
The house is built of stone and plastered extensions at the back, built
of brick and some stonework, are probably rather later in date. The internal
woodwork is of very primitive construction, with very low doorways, and exposed
joists in the yellowwood floors. [very similar to those of No. 7 Castle Hill
Museum]. The balcony in front appears to be of a later date and may have been
added by Flanagan in 1873.
Professor R.B. Lewcock, author of "Early Nineteenth Century
Architecture in South Africa" recommends that the house should be
preserved and says that if the present roof were replaced with tile or slates
its appearance would be substantially the same as the original. He adds, "I
consider that it would be a serious loss to Port Elizabeth were this building
to be altered or demolished"
Mr. Alec Kiddie bought and restored the house about five years ago, and
about a year ago sold it to Mr. Donald Prosser who inherits 1820 settler blood
of several streams - (Rowles, Preston, Mortimer, Calverley and Larter). He is
most anxious that the house be preserved, and if so, would probably remove the
balcony and slate of the roof."
(Looking Back, Vol. 10 1970 - publication by the Historical Society of
Port Elizabeth)
The property immediately to the left of Canterbury House (No. 35) is
'Little Canterbury' (No. 37), these both date from the same period (c. 1837)
****
The long saga of our 'trashed' heritage has involved many concerned
citizens following every possible avenue over the years to hold Denton
accountable for his lack of maintenance dating back to the early 2000's. The
Metro and its arms have been under pressure for years to pursue this issue and
to force this owner to repair and restore his prominent heritage properties.
Sadly, the Eastern Cape Provincial Heritage Resources Agency (ECPHRA)
has largely been ineffectual and non-functional, and support from SAHRA is not
forthcoming. ECPHRA has yet to issue a single Compulsory Repair Order to any
property owner in Port Elizabeth. A report commissioned in 2007 on the urban
decay of central, clearly outlined courses of action the Metro could take
against errant property owners. Interestingly, this survey, commissioned at
taxpayers' expense, was shelved and this was only released after much public
pressure. To date nothing has been done, except the customary lipservice paid
by the current administration.
As time passes, it seems that the heritage authorities, the Metro and
its agencies are becoming less and less effective and there is a total lack of
will to preserve 'colonial buildings'. Very short sighted indeed when one
considers the huge untapped tourism potential of PE. Corruption and complete
collapse of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has reached saturation point
and it seems that this influential property owner is untouchable. Now that
decay has been allowed to set in, more damage is being inflicted in terms of
illegal and highly invasive work on heritage sites that cannot be called
restoration by any stretch of the imagination. Lack of enforcement continues
and we are losing our treasures fast and we feel powerless to stop it.
Those with the powers to act, have failed the citizens of Port Elizabeth
dismally, especially Port Elizabeth's 'tourism nest-egg', as stated by Helen
Zille so succinctly after visiting Central in 2010.
A collection of Herald articles relating to built heritage issues
spanning 2002 to 2009 speaks for itself (dropbox - 32MB in size):
Picture and article source: These pictures and articles are from the Heritageportal which deals with the history of old buildings in South Africa. Credit to photographer and writer of publication.
1820 Settlers Association of South Africa - Algoa Bay Port Elizabeth
1820 Settlers Association of South Africa
The 1820 Settlers' Association is a living memorial which perpetuates
the memory of the 1820 British Settlers and is registered in South Africa as a
non-profit organisation. The Association sponsors William Jervois at the Albany
Museum as their resident genealogist and representative in Grahamstown. They
also have a representative in George, who looks after the Outeniqua area, and a
branch in Durban, Natal. Currently there are over 1200 members, including a few
overseas members, who have paid an entrance or joining fee and then an annual
subscription. The Association publishes a bi-monthly newsletter with matters of
interest for our members - fund-raising events - and social functions. One does
not have to be a descendant of the 1820 Settlers to qualify for membership, but
of course quite a few members are! The Port Elizabeth Branch publishes a
calendar each year featuring water colour paintings by their Art Group. They
also have 1820 Settlers Christmas cards with Christmas greetings from Port
Elizabeth which can be ordered from the regional offices. If you are a
descendant of an 1820 Settler, you have an opportunity to own a unique
certificate!! Submit your ancestry details to William Jervois for him to
research and verify.
Organisation Entry
Contact Details
Landline:
041 581 4031
Website:
Location:
Eastern Cape
Port Elizabeth
Richmond Hill
Picture insert mine
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Friday, December 19, 2014
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Islamic Terrorist Murders Sydney Christmas Shoppers
Photos: LOOK at the Faces of the Victims of
#SydneySiege Jihad Terrorist #Illwalkwiththevictims #illridewithyou
- See more at: http://pamelageller.com/2014/12/photos-look-atthe-faces-of-the-victims-of-sydneyseige-jihad-terrorist.html/#sthash.LFGNGngt.dpuf
Heartbreaking. The
murder victims of the devout Muslim waging jihad in a Lindt Chocolate Shop were
hostages identified as Sydney lawyer and Lindt cafe manager.
So little is said of
the real victims of these Islamic holy wars. The enemedia hand-wrings
over islamophobia; Western elites like President Obama, PM Cameron et al insist
the Islamic State “is not islamic.”
But this is who we should be mourning. This is who we should be defending and avenging. The bodies pile up as the West recedes and recoils from the truth.
Lawyer Katrina Dawson (left) and Lindt cafe manager Tori Johnson. “Katrina was one of our best and brightest barristers who will be greatly missed by her colleagues and friends at the NSW Bar,” the association said in a statement.
But this is who we should be mourning. This is who we should be defending and avenging. The bodies pile up as the West recedes and recoils from the truth.
Lawyer Katrina Dawson (left) and Lindt cafe manager Tori Johnson. “Katrina was one of our best and brightest barristers who will be greatly missed by her colleagues and friends at the NSW Bar,” the association said in a statement.
“She was a devoted mother-of-three children and a valued member of
her floor and of our bar community.
“Our thoughts are with her family at this time including her brother
Sandy Dawson of Banco Chambers.”
Mr Johnson was trying to wrestle the weapon away from the Muslim
terrorist when he was killed.
Sydney siege: Killed hostages identified as Sydney lawyer and Lindt cafe
manager
By Lucy Carter, ABC, December 15, 2014
By Lucy Carter, ABC, December 15, 2014
- See more at: http://pamelageller.com/2014/12/photos-look-atthe-faces-of-the-victims-of-sydneyseige-jihad-terrorist.html/#sthash.LFGNGngt.dpuf
Lawyer Katrina Dawson (left) and Lindt cafe manager Tori Johnson
died after being held by a gunman for more than 16 hours.
The two
hostages killed after a 16-hour siege in Sydney have been identified as the
manager of the Lindt cafe and a lawyer.
It is not
clear whether they were shot by the gunman or killed in the crossfire, when
heavily-armed officers stormed the building in Martin Place in the early hours.
Self-styled
Iranian cleric Man Haron Monis was shot dead by police after taking 17 people
hostage at the Lindt Chocolate Cafe.
Victim
Katrina Dawson, 38, worked as a barrister at Selbourne Chambers in the CBD and
had three young children.
Ms Dawson
was married to Paul Smith, a partner at Mallesons, whom she met while
completing her clerkship at the firm.
She studied law at Sydney University, where she lived at the
women’s college as a student.
She topped the state in her high school certificate in 1994 with a
TER of 100 and also topped her bar exams.
The NSW
Bar Association said Ms Dawson had been held hostage with two other barristers.
“Katrina was one of our best and brightest barristers who will be greatly missed by her colleagues
and friends at the NSW Bar,” the association said in a statement.
“She was a devoted mother-of-three children and a valued member of
her floor and of our bar community.
“Our
thoughts are with her family at this time including her brother Sandy Dawson of
Banco Chambers.”
Cafe manager was ‘well-liked by staff’
Cafe manager was ‘well-liked by staff’
Tori Johnson, 34, had been employed at the Lindt cafe since October 2012 and had worked at a string
of other restaurants and hospitality companies around Sydney.
Sources
have told the ABC Mr
Johnson was trying to wrestle the weapon away from the gunman when he was
killed, but
authorities have not confirmed whether this was the case.
Former
colleague Tony Manno, who worked with Mr Johnson at Sydney’s Adria Rybar &
Grill for a number of years, said he was shattered to hear the news this
morning.
“Tori was
a great guy, a good guy to be around,” he said.
“He got
on really well with all the staff.”
Lindt and
Sprüngli, which owns the cafe, released a statement on Facebook thanking NSW
Police and offering support to the siege victims and their families.
“Our
thoughts and feelings are with the victims and their families who have been
through an incredible ordeal, and we want to pay tribute to their courage and
bravery,” the statement said.
The
Sunshine Coast father of a Lindt employee caught up in the siege said he was
relieved his daughter made it out alive but was horrified at the loss of
others.
Harriette
Denny, 30, ran from the cafe with five other hostages, just before police
launched their assault.
Robert
Denny said his family spent an anxious night watching the events unfold on
television but had now spoken with his daughter.
“I spoke
with her twice today, maybe three times I can’t remember and she’s okay,” he
said.
“She’s
tired, she’s relieved and she’s distressed that her friend the duty manager
didn’t make it through.”
- See more at: http://pamelageller.com/2014/12/photos-look-atthe-faces-of-the-victims-of-sydneyseige-jihad-terrorist.html/#sthash.LFGNGngt.dpuf
Islamic Terrorists Murder Christian Family
Islamic
Terrorists Murder Pretoria Christian Family
See
Article below
“Memorial
services for Groenewald family
By admin
on December 10, 2014 2:48 pm in Gauteng, 
Werner Groenewald and his wife Hannelie. PHOTO:
(File, Nelius Rademan, Beeld)
Memorial services will be held in Cape Town on
Thursday (December 11) and Pretoria on Friday (December 12) for aid worker
Werner Groenewald and his children, Jean-Pierre and Rode, who were murdered by
Taliban terrorists in Kabul, Afgahnistan, on November 29.
Groenewald’s medical doctor wife, Hannelie, who was
at work during the terror attack at their home compound, arrived in South
Africa yesterday and is staying with family in Pretoria. Family spokesman
Teresa Conradie told Eye
Witness News that Hannelie is being
carried by people’s love and prayers.
The Cape Town memorial service will be held at the
AGS/AFM Church at the corner of Vasco Boulevard and Frans Conradie, Vasco
(entrance off Frans Conradie into Haarlem) at 3pm tomorrow.
The memorial service in Pretoria will be at 10am on
Friday at the Moreletapark Dutch Reformed Church where Groenewald was
previously a pastor.”
Monday, December 15, 2014
Public Library Algoa Bay Port Elizabeth
Library building decorated for the coronation of King George VI, 1937.
Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2015
Picture source: http://www.ewtnnews.com/catholic-news/US.php?id=2308
We wish all our National and International readers a prosperous 2015
May the Lord Bless you and keep you
May His Light shine upon you
and
give you Peace
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