Harrismith and Stuart Street

Stuart Street Harrismith as Autumn sets in

We are part of the street as much as we are part of the town.

Our house address is 17A Stuart Street.

You will find it in the little orange block right on the right-hand side.

De Oude Huize Yard was built in 1860!

First Title Deed of De Oude Huize Yard

The name Stuart relates to two possibilities.

 *Major Warden named all his children after the Royal house of Stuart. Rumours were that he was an unofficial grandson of Bonnie Prince Charlie.

 * Stuart Jacobus, 1803 – 1878, author, diplomatic agent and advocate of emigration, took part in the Sand River Convention in 1852.

Stuart Street in 1904 with a Rickshaw left wide sidewalk right and a railway line. Horses pulled the wagons (or coco-pans “coco pans”).

After the Boer War in 1904, the British had a huge camp on Kings Hill. Here they broke many stones, cut and trimmed it to be used for building purposes. To get these stones in the town a track was laid from Kings Hill to the town. Some of these stones were used when the Townhall was built. This information probably also explains the existence of many houses and buildings in Stuart St, which were built of stone. There were also traces of the track in Vowe and Bester streets.

The first public building in Harrismith was the Courthouse, serving the community as a venue for the school, public meetings, bazaars and entertainments. All church services were held in the Courthouse until 1879 when the first church, the Dutch Reformed Church, was built on the site of the present Moederkerk. (Hawkins 1982)

Stuart street on a peaceful Sunday morning. The traffic light is situated on the corner of Stuart and Piet Retief Streets

The early magistrates were Bester, Chauvin, Theron, D Cloete, J De Kock, Bramley, (that was accused of high treason), Canisius, J N Boshoff, J Z de Villiers, F W van der Riet, Charles Warden. (Steytler 1932)

Mr Joseph De Kock resides at De Oude Huize Yard from 23 July 1861 till 23 April 1903 almost 42 years.

The corner of Stuart and Retief streets. The Court House on the Left. The trees planted in a square at the foot of Platberg were planted by the “konsentrasiekampkinders” and the indication where the Concentration camp was. The people of the Camp were then transferred to “Tin Town” in Ladysmith

 Corner of Stuart and Piet Retief streets today. The Court House made room for the new Post Office. The trees have grown and where the Concentration Camp used to be is now the town goal.

 Concentration Camp at the foot of Platberg

 An almost mad Kitchener was tormented by the Concentration Camp women and children when they did not show respect when the funeral procession of Dr Godfrey Reid pass them. Instead, a hissing sound was made. Reid was killed during the Groenkop battle on Christmas day. 

 The women and children were then moved to “Tin Town” close to Ladysmith. Some were transported in open train carriages and the lucky ones in a proper passenger car.

This picture was taken on the morning of 8 August 1900. A very interesting photo with a significant history. On this morning more than 200 burgers of the Harrismith Commando came into town by horse, by “kapkar” and even Spiders. They were ready to hand in their weapons and take the consequences. In front of the Court House, the Boer’s were ready to sign the neutralizing document. The horses were tied to the railings. The name hendsoppers was given to the Commando members. Some came to town in their best Sunday outfits and hard hats while some came in worn-out clothes. One of them was the Member of Parlement – Commandant Piet Maree.

The guns that were handed in was demolished and was loaded onto a “bok”. There it was transported to the courtyard of the Court House. Here the 5th Coy Royal Engineers destroyed the weapons with a 16 pond-hammer on an anvil and hit to pieces.

The house on the left was the home of the Sieberts-family on the corner of Stuart and Mauritz streets. The building on the right was a private school.

Further down Stuart street is the Harrismith Club. This is still standing but been looted.

 Sandstone curbs in Stuart Street

Stuart street with 42nd Hill in the back

Thank you to Leon Strachan, Nico Moolman en Biebie de Vos for their contribution

Till next time

Hennie & Sandra

Platberg

#ThrowbackThursday
Temp 13°C low hanging clouds. We all live with the objective of being happy;
our lives are all different and yet the same.
#deoudehuize #weathertravel #Harrismith

Kameel Stoepstorie: A farm school in Kameel

This farm school opened its doors in 1934 in a room in my grandparents' house. My Granny – Hester Fincham was very involved with the day to day issues of the school. My parents and family also attended the farm school

Growth was evident and soon my grandfather – Victor Fincham built a school. Till today it is fondly remembered as the ‘Wit Skool” because since I can remember it was painted white.

Mrs Vic (Granny Hester) as she was known in the community was still seeing over the day to day running of the school. During a break, the learners would go to the post office to get the mail. En route to the post-office was Mr Mackay’s shop and here you could buy to huge Wilson toffees for one penny.

Fifty-seven years ago, my brother, Julian headed off to school. This was a huge family celebration as he was the eldest grandchild of Mrs Vic

Front Douglas and Julian. Middle Patric and Francis on Granny’s lap. Back Myself and Elaine

It looked like great fun and he even got to make sandwiches every day too! He had a smart suitcase, BOOKS, CRAYONS AND PAPERS! After not too much persuasion, I went off to school with him. I must have been the first 4-year-old in “Grade 0!”

  

Our teacher – I can’t remember if it was Miss Betsie or not, but she let me practice writing with the left hand and when that was tired, with the right hand. My mum would come and pick me up at break time soon after all the sandwiches had been devoured.

Front Riana, Maggie, Rita and Amanda. Middle Mariette, Elmarie, Elize, Myself and Ansie Next row Analize, Heila, Marieta, Velmay, Elaine and Ria. Roux, Hanelie, Anina, and Martjie (So sorry I have lost a name) Miss Betsie. Miss Betsie travelled by horse cart to school.

The most memorable thing from that first school year was Julian’s speech about what happened at home just before his leaving for school. I have never quite understood why children must always write a speech or composition about their holiday or what happened at home on a particular day.

Getting back to the story – like most farm children of the day, Ouboet (Big brother) was quite capable of driving the Ford. Hennie says it was a Ford 100. We would catch Uncle Koos’s bus to school. With Ouboet behind the wheel, we would drive to the farm gate and then get onto the bus.

His speech went as follows, “Miss, this morning on the way to school, Ford’s clutch slipped and the gears locked which nearly resulted in us being late for the bus.”

The following year, the school began and it was serious business. I recall Maggie and Elmarie who had the most delicious peach jam sandwiches. The sandwiches were later replaced by the most delicious chocolate cake. Elaine could go home whenever she felt like it. She was also my cousin and I would accompany her home during many a break time. She could run like a streak of lightning. Then there was Marieta and Mariette who could both sing so beautifully. Years later they would even get to sing the Drummer Boy song in the NG Church’s gallery. The clever girls were Heila, Riana and Amanda.

 

Still remember some of the boys' names Koos Swart, Johan, Evert, Karel, Kosie, Julian, Hennie, Pieter, Henry, Douglas, Patrick, Gertjie, Theo, Pookie, Johnny, Pierre, Diekie, Johannes Mr Olivier is the teacher. Ouboet is standing in the second row from the top just behind Gertjie with the black blazer. Next to Ouboet is Kosie with the badge on his lapel.

It was during this time of my life that I came to meet a certain school inspector. As he walked between the desks, he stopped at my desk. I think it was quite unusual at the time that a child could cope quite well writing with both their left and right hand. Perhaps he had not yet heard of the word ambidextrous! Who would have heard of such a thing back in 1963!

With the following words, “Miss, you had better decide which hand you are going to use to write with!” I got such a fright, I decided to go with the hand in which the crayon was held at the time – it was my left hand. Fortunately, all left-handed people are seen by myself as somewhat special, many of whom happen to be in our family.

 I remember Mr Basson – he had his classes in the old white school building. We sat according to our classes. The standard 3’s in front, then 4’s and then the 5’s. As the standards progressed each year, we would move further back too. The thing I remember the most about Mr Basson were his essays. He taught me to write about the mountains. He would write key words on the blackboard and we would have to create a story around them. I always wondered if he were missing the mountains of the Cape Boland as he would spend so much time teaching us about these majestic blue giants. I must say that from where I sit right now, living at the foot of the Platberg, I could even wax lyrical about the colours of this beautiful mountain.

 Later on, Andrew would arrive at school with his bandy legs. Like Elaine, he would run so fast you would just spot him disappearing into the distance!

And so, the years marched on. Many of our, “clutches,” would slip and our, “gears,” would jam but at the same time, we learned of the Majesty of God’s Grace and Mercy.

May God’s blessings always fall on the Kameel Primary School like soft and gentle rain.

Till next time

Hennie & Sandra

Golfing in Harrismith

Little details of an antique golf putter at De Oude Huize Yard in Harrismith. Did you know its the 2nd oldest 18-hole course in South-Africa at the foot of Platberg and only 1.8km away. Book your stay and add a golfswing to it.

Sustainability at De Oude Huize Yard

As our natural resources become increasingly depleted, there is more awareness about the need to preserve and protect the environment. To go this route we have implemented progressive eco-friendly practices. Our efforts to run a sustainable establishment may inspire you to make your own home more environmentally-friendly!

De Oude Huize Yard sits on a 3000m2 stand in the beautiful town of Harrismith in Eastern Free State. We have scenic views over Platberg mountain. Platberg is one of the most famous landmarks in the Eastern Free State and is 9 kilometres long and 2,394 meters high.
 
We believe in protecting the earth and aims toward making travel and living sustainable. The establishment was originally built in 1860 with mud bricks. When the establishment was remodelled and restored, we reused and recycled as many materials as possible.

We managed to get the original building plans and the alterations were made using the old footprints of the stables and regenerated building materials. The cut sandstone was collected and re-used. We have sourced old building materials like doors, windows and ceilings.

It is also an extremely eco-friendly and sustainable establishment. Solar power provides the heating of water and outdoor lighting. All bathrooms here have low-flow toilets and aerated low-flow showerheads. Non-toxic cleaning products are used and we make use of an outdoor clothesline to dry sheets, pillowcases and towels. The linens, towels and robes in guest rooms are eco-friendly and are made of organic cotton. Only non-VOC paint is used for the property. Guests are even provided with reusable glass water bottles during their stay to avoid waste. During winter months we use chopped wood of invasive species for our fire-places. Energy-efficient lighting is used throughout and natural light is utilized instead, when possible.

Sun power water heating
 

The landscape lighting is 100% solar-powered or rechargeable
 

We harvest water in three tanks. This reduces the daily water usage for the gardens. During water shortages, the water is treated with reverse osmosis rather than chemicals for use in the establishment.

All garden and kitchen waste go to our sustainable earthworm farm. The compost and fertilizer are utilized in organic gardens. Here we grow vegetables without chemicals. We have planted olive, quince, figs, plum and pomegranate trees.

Our guest dines on fresh organic produce from our garden at breakfast and dinner. We also serve local ingredients and no processed food.

Our vegetable garden is under shade cloth and the raised beds were made from old wooden pallets. Sawdust has been sprinkled as a ground cover to minimize weeds and pests. We have planted only heirloom seeds. 

Stone packed gabions as boundary walls.

The workshop has been fitted with regenerated floorboard doors.

Till next time
Hennie & Sandra

 

The Memorable Order of Tin Hats (M.O.T.H)

 We paid a visit to the Platberg Shellhole. It is believed that it was founded in 1928. The Shellhole lapsed rather towards the 1930s. With the 2nd Great War, there was a great influx of returned servicemen, all keen to carry on the true ideals of the Moths.

In 1962 the building in Stuart Street Harrismith was purchased as a Shellhole.

The Flag was hosted it waved in the slight breeze. The dark blue of the naval service, red for the army and light blue for the air force. The Tin Hat and lighted candle remind of the sun which rises and falls over the world’s battlefields, above all known and unknown graves.

Then you walk into the door and the emblem greets you.

The emblem with the tin hat and lighted candle signify the comradeship of the front line. The two rifles with fixed bayonets are leaning as if thrust into the battlefield soil, they are crossed to signify sacrifice and are revered in a token of remembrance. A circle of stars denoted the eternal universe forever that has no end. The twelve stars as in a clock indicate the hours of the day reminding us that every hour presents opportunities of harmony among mankind through tolerance and help.

On entering there is a beautiful collection of a uniform and tin hat.

The members stopped in front of the uniform and show a moment of silence and honour to the fallen soldiers.

“At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them”

The Shellhole is dedicated to preserving the military history and the people of Harrismith has donated to keep it updated. The display dates back from the Anglo Boer War to modern-day warfare.

 On the day of our visit the Shellhole was giving honour to the battle of El Alamein that took place from 8 – 12 November 1942.

 

  During this battle more than 100 000 men were killed, wounded or taken prisoner. The Shellhole was decorated according to the theme.

During the battle of El Alamein my uncle Ignatius (Natie) Barlow was one of the fallen soldiers. Early 1942 they were first to retreat to a little railway station called El Alamein. They were supposed to patrol the desert. On 6 July 1942 Nati and two of comrades were blown away by a German bomb that hit their panzer car. They died instantly. Their temporary burial ground would be the desert. After the battle, they were re-buried in El Alamein Military Cemetary. 

“Where the tree has fallen let it lie”

During the war, the Cartoonist, Bruce Bairnsfather’s Old Bill sketches boosted the morale at home and on the front line. The trench humour, cubby pipe-smoking British “Tommy” during the First World War. A weary Old Bill, pictured top left is also part of the Platberg Shellhole.

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month when the guns fell silent – we will remember

We all know about the poppies on Remembrance Day. In the spring of 1915, John McCrae was inspired by the sight of poppies growing in battle-scarred fields and he wrote that famous poem – Flanders Fields. After the First World War, the poppy has adopted a symbol of Remembrance.

In Flanders Fields

by John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders Fields, the poppies blow

 Between the crosses, row on row,

 That mark our place; and in the sky

 The larks, still bravely singing, fly

 Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

 We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

 Loved and were loved, and now we lie

 In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

 To you from failing hands we throw

 The torch; be yours to hold it high.

 If ye break faith with us who die

 We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

 In Flanders fields.

One minute of memory of the fallen,

One minute in gratitude for survivors.

You can read more on the long table sheephead banquet here  

https://deoudehuize.blogspot.co.za/2014/06/the-moths-sheephead-long-table-banquet.html

Till next time

Hennie & Sandra