stanford river talk bridal

Volume 61 | September 2010 | Stanford’s monthly newspaper | R12.00

Say ‘I do’ in Stanford

Robert Stanford Estate | R43 | Stanford | Tel: 028 341 0647 | TRADING HOURS: Thursday - Monday, 8am to 4pm

Stanford Hotel THE

The bride, Maureen O’Donovan (cousin of Geraldine - page 4), who was married in Barkley West in 1929. She was married in the same decade as the Stanford Hotel was built - where many wedding receptions were held over the years. The hotel dining room and courtyard is the perfect vintage setting for small wedding receptions.

18 QUEEN VICTORIA STREET | 028 3410 900 / 300 www.stanfordvillage.co.za | email: reservations@stanfordvillage.co.za | phone Penny on 082 78 11 704 STANFORD RIVER TALK

‘I do’ in Stanford

It’s better in the country . . .

G

lobal trends show that people are going back to their roots.

Small communities, the local neighbourhood store, rejection of the mass media and crass commercialism are now the fashion.

And weddings are no different.

Weddings are better in the country.

They become a festival - a weekend long celebration of the ancient rite of marriage. The community becomes involved with the city invasion - they love it, and can’t wait to see their village explored and discovered.

Marriage is the rage again. But only after each partner is really sure that ‘it’s for life’. Going back to your roots in a village cements this philosophy. Invite your friends and family for a country wedding festival.

It’s better and lasts longer in the country.

Stanford has the bucolic setting;

the ‘far from the madding crowd’ peacefulness that is probably the best start to a lifelong bond.

The village also has the facilities to host weddings, from small, intimate affairs, to fairly large events. A host of accommodation options is available, most of which offer rustic charm coupled with quality amenities, fine linen, and excellent food - Stanford and surrounds have rightfully earned a reputation for gourmet eating.

Just think of being awoken that first morning, not by traffic droning past, but by birds singing outside your window.

Simon Burrows

Previously published in Village Life . No 2.

November 2003.

Marianne van Kuik describes how she was hooked on Stanford from her first visit.

‘

It might have been the lush abundance of arum lilies – or the river that curves around the town and is wide and deep enough for swimming and boating. Sometimes I think it was the ever-shifting moods of the mountain views. Possibly it was the sense of time-warp that comfortably envelopes you as you wander down the dusty, gravel streets past old cottages and gnarled trees laden with nostalgic fruits: pomegranates, quinces, loquats and figs.

‘

Excerpt from ‘One-horse charmer’, South African Country Life August 2002.

STANFORD’S MONTHLY NEWSPAPER Distributed in Stanford, Gansbaai & Hermanus.

Online copies sent to readers throughout South Africa and worldwide.

Readership over 1500 per month.

Michelle Hardie - editorial, ed@stanfordrivertalk.co.za or p 079 2911 588 sandra Slabbert - advertising, design@stanfordrivertalk.co.za or p 079 523 8453 STANFORD RIVER TALK

‘I do’ in Stanford

those were the days .

. .

Bride Irene Geraldine O’Donovan’s photograph was taken in Barkley West, on December 16, 1903 when she was married to Wilfred, Lovell Procter (grandfather of Mike Procter, the springbok cricketer). They met during the Boer War, when Irene travelled to Barkley West to boost the moral of the troops stationed there by playing the piano and singing. She was a musician and an artist and won best young artist at the Grahamstown Festival during the early 1900s. Many of her oil paintings adorn the dining room walls of the Stanford Hotel. A silver and gold visitor card case was presented to her during the Boer War in 1901, and inscribed by ‘a few officers and men of the Barkley West regiment’. The card case can also be seen at The Stanford Hotel museum.

T

he old sepia wedding photographs from the turn of the century until the 1960s depict a fashion, which is fast returning in popularity. The bride was adorned in layer upon layer of taffeta, silk, satin and lace, all gathered into the tiniest waist. The whole look in the photographs was almost theatrical, particularly with the much-favoured backdrop of thick velvet curtains and chaise lounge.

Regardless of what discomfort that look might inflict on the bride – it was her day, her stage and her show. The photographs would be there for generations to come – at her most radiant – frozen in time.

Nothing has changed. Beauty is priceless.

Girls want to look like that again.

During the early days, weddings were not like today – all over after a few hours of enormous extravagance with the bride

and groom having to leave their own party ahead of their guests. On the contrary, family and friends came from far and wide, travelling for days on end in wagons, carts and buggies and then much later, in very slow moving automobiles.

The clan gathered some days prior to the big event and were accommodated wherever a spare bed could be found among family and friends. Everyone pitched in. There was no caterer who arrived with his/her team, ready to produce a five-course meal. The family took care of everything. The bride’s dress was often handmade – taking months to create, and her hair, make-up, and flowers were all done by family members and attendants. It was a time of much joy. Families and friends re-united and everyone shared in the work and the

festivities.

Many brides today are looking to recreate that same festive feeling by choosing a wedding venue away from the city – often opting for wine or olive farms.

Guests receive a list of accommodation in the area with their wedding invitation and family members are usually invited to an intimate dinner the night before.

The bride and groom do not leave their own wedding in the middle of the party, but rather join everyone the next morning for a wedding breakfast as well. From there they finally say their farewells before starting out on their honeymoon and new life together as man and wife.

So much more civilized. So much safer too – not driving off in the middle of the night after copious glasses of Champagne!

tranquil mood - picturesque setting - working wine farm - estate wines - country restaurant Robert Stanford Estate | R43, Stanford | Tel: 028 341 0647 | www.robertstanfordestate.co.za | madre@robertstanfordestate.co.za photography : www.lizellelotter.co.za STANFORD RIVER TALK

Oom Steyns: 082 893 7615 daleenc62@gmail.co.za

Oom Steyns: 082 893 7615 daleenc62@gmail.co.za

Oom Steyns: 082 893 7615 daleenc62@gmail.co.za

Oom Steyns: 082 893 7615 daleenc62@gmail.co.za

Oom Steyns: 082 893 7615 daleenc62@gmail.co.za

Oom Steyns: 082 893 7615 daleenc62@gmail.co.za

Oom Steyns: 082 893 7615 daleenc62@gmail.co.za

Oom Steyns: 082 893 7615 daleenc62@gmail.co.za

Oom Steyns: 082 893 7615 daleenc62@gmail.co.za

Oom Steyns: 082 893 7615 daleenc62@gmail.co.za

Oom Steyns: 082 893 7615 daleenc62@gmail.co.za

Oom Steyns: 082 893 7615 daleenc62@gmail.co.za

Oom Steyns: 082 893 7615 daleenc62@gmail.co.za

Oom Steyns: 082 893 7615 daleenc62@gmail.co.za

Oom Steyn’s Pub & Grill

BACHELOR PARTIES

Are our speciality @ Oom Steyn’s Make a weekend of it, boys/girls!

We will arrange everything for you in one package.

ACCOMMODATION / MENU / ENTERTAINMENT / DESIGNATED DRIVERS / RIVER TRIPS / ACTIVITIES / LIVER TONIC / STRONG BLACK COFFEE & TLC /

18 Queen Victoria, Stanford,

STANFORD RIVER TALK

‘I do’ in Stanford

village churches & Stanford landmarks

Dutch Reformed Church

The church building was completed in 1926 at a cost of £12 000, which included the building, organ, clock and pews. The old church building became the church hall and was later demolished and replaced in the 1960s by the present hall. The church, tower, clock and organ were recently restored at a cost of over R200 000.

Tel: 028 341 0613

St Thomas Anglican Church

These buildings reverted from a mission school to an Anglican Church in 1872 and permission was granted to perform weddings from 1892. The hall beside the church was meant to be the minister’s residence, but was used for Sunday School and for very strict education classes for Anglican children.

Tel: 028 341 0588

Enjoy an intimate wedding in the most beautiful setting overlooking the whole of Walker Bay and the mountains.

We can seat 50 people comfortably for a silver-service gourmet meal or 80 for a buffet. The Honeymoon suite is truly ”Out of Africa” with a slipper bath and outdoor shower in a private courtyard, all decorated in French Provencal style.

You can get married in the garden on the viewing deck whilst your guests are seated on the lawns. The whole theme of the Villa on the Bay is romantic Mediterranean charm which is reflected in the Tuscan/Provencal décor.

We offer a complete package -from Conception Planning to Menus and Wine. The owner is a gourmet cook and previous Food & Wine writer.

The Romeo and Juliette balcony makes a wonderful Bride & Groom portrait.

Call Pamela Trevelyan at Villa di Baia 082 336 1573 Email: ladyp@iafrica.com Website :www.villadibaia.com STANFORD RIVER TALK

Way back then: Poppie Paterson (nee Groenewald, and Seymour Paterson’s mother) with her brother-in-law Coenie Groenewald in front of the Stanford Dutch Reformed Church in about 1946.

‘I do’ in Stanford

Full Gospel Church

This church building was erected in 1940 by the brothers Philip and Daan du Toit. It has always served more than one church denomination.

Tel: 028 341 0422

Market Square

Ox-wagons were outspanned here during Communion Services (Nagmaal) in the early days. It is one of the few remaining market squares left undeveloped in South Africa. It is still used as a common for community and sports events.

Tannie Hilda Wilkinson playing the piano in the NG Kerk. She was the telephonist at the Post Office during the war at the time Poppie Groenwald was the postmistress.

Bachelor’s Hope, 19 Morton Street.

The house was first built as a town house (‘tuishuis’) by Pieter Erwee around 1902.

In the 1930s it was known as Bachelor’s Hope because the lady teachers lived there and many a local bachelor found his wife-to-be there!

STANFORD RIVER TALK

‘I do’ in Stanford

There have been wonderful weddings in our beautiful village. Here are a few Stanfordians who have marked their special day in a special place

Chris and Suzanne Bojé celebrated their marriage on 26 November 2005. Willie Dempers with the Stanford Klopse band entertained guests at the reception held at Stanford House.

Ros and Grant Nale were married at St Thomas Anglican Church on 17 December 2005 with a reception at Mosaic Farm.

Catch Caccivio and Jero Revett on their wedding day at De Klein Rivers Valley farmhouse on 29 February 2004.

No it’s this way dear: Jill and Gavin Carstens married at St Thomas Anglican Church on 12 February 1994, with a reception at The Willows.

Tracy and Patrick Brady married on 13 February 2010 and celebrated their union with a reception at Galashiels Lodge.

Sandy and Mark Jardine tied the knot on 26 November 1999 at St Thomas Anglican Church with a reception at The Willows (Gran and Grandpa’s house).

Petronella and Faan Ferreira on their wedding day in Stanford on the 25 March 1978. The church service was held at the NG Kerk.

STANFORD RIVER TALK

Leonie and Ferdie Titus married at St Thomas Anglican Church on 25 July 1998. They had their reception at the Kiewietz hall.

Mandy and Mark Erwee married at White Water on 16 January 1999.

Stanford Hotel THE

Liquor Store & Oom Steyn’s Wine Shop

Yvonne and Lovell Procter were married on 16 December 1950. The bride later became Yvonne Ryan who lives in Stanford with her partner, Thor James and crazy Yorkshire Terrier, Judi.

The Weltevrede Cap Classique Collection @ cellar prices per case 20 QUEEN VICTORIA STREET | 028 3410 900 / 300 MON - THURS 09:00 - 18:00 / FRI 08:00 - 20:00 / SAT 08:00 - 17:00

t herap e u t i c m a s s a g e t h e r a pist Kylie Gilman - Diploma in TMT and AHPCSA registered

Full Body Massage 1 hour R200 1.5 hr R300

Practice Rooms in the Stanford Hotel Courtyard Booking essential - 084 582 9655 email: kyliefaye1@yahoo.com

STANFORD RIVER TALK

Hair By Belinda Belinda Cell: 072 329 7753 Tel: (028) 341 0525 4 morton square, morton str. stanford

Step back in time . . .

Horse & cart tours of Stanford and Weddings 082 498 4905 info@hadedaslodge.co.za | www.hadedaslodge.co.za STANFORD RIVER TALK 10

Contact Howard 082 667 9232 Email :contact@africanhorseco.com www.africanhorseco.com

‘I do’ in Stanford

Tel: 028 3410 181 Cell: 083 700 4103 Website: www.galashielslodge.co.za Email: gslodge@hermanus.co.za.

WEDDINGS & FUNCTIONS Galashiels Lodge is the perfect choice for bridal couples who are looking at having a small intimate country wedding. You are spoilt for choice with the splendid gardens, a variety of indoor or outdoor venues as well as the Rose Garden Pergola as the perfect outdoor spot to say “I Do”.

All of our catering is done inhouse, and we can assure you that we will endeavour to meet all your wants on that “wish list” so that each wedding is a unique and truly personalised experience.

Refer to our website to get a better feel for the place and if you wish to set up a viewing call reservations on 028 3410 181 or email them at gslodge@hermanus.co.za.

art of skin and beauty salon bridal make-up spring packages available vouchers soft laser suzelle erasmus - 082 877 3322 • morton square - stanford STANFORD RIVER TALK 11

‘I do’ in Stanford

Things to do in and around Stanford before and after the wedding festivities • Bird watching • Browsing the antique & furniture shops and Stanford Hotel museum • Brewery tour • Cheese tasting • Cycling • Fly fishing and sea fishing • Guided historical walks around the village • Hiking/ walking in Salmonsdam Nature Reserve and surrounds • Horse trails • Klein River cruises • Motorcycle rentals • Picnicking • Quad biking • Shark-cage diving • 4x4 trails • Whale watching by sea or air • Walking • Wine tasting For more information and bookings, please contact Stanford’s local tourism and business information centre, Stanfordinfo on 028 3410 340.

PICNICS AT THE KLEIN RIVER CHEESE FARM Daily 11am - 3pm 028 341 0693 www.kleinriver@telkomsa.net Re-opening on 23 September

STANFORD RIVER TALK 12