Welcome to the CRRA ~
Conserving Constantia’s rural and cultural landscape for all.
Promoting and safeguarding the interests of ratepayers and residents.
Things happening in the Valley!
Dear Parks friends
The City’s Recreation and Parks Department would like to invite you all to take part in this year’s City Nature Challenge which will occur from 24 – 27 April 2020. citynaturechallenge.org/participate/
The City Nature Challenge is organized by the citizen science teams at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the California Academy of Sciences. For Cape Town, the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) together with the City’s Biodiversity Management Branch are the main organisers, numerous organisation such as CapeNature, Table Mountain National Fund, BOTSOC, CREW etc. are also taking part. There are many opportunities for the recreation and parks department to put our hubs on the map, we would like to kindly request that you take part; you can rally your respective Friend’s groups, volunteers and active surrounding community members to participate and, put our parks, conservation areas, gardens, greenbelts and, public open spaces on the map in 2020.
About:
The project was started in 2016 in the USA with only 2 participating cities to record and capture nature in cities to better understand biodiversity in an urban context; over the three year it has grown to over 159 participating cities across the globe with Cape Town winning two of the tree main categories last year. This year Cape Town aims to reach more participants and record more fauna and flora and take home all three top prizes.
www.inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-2020-cape-town
Keeping the Mother City on the top of the biodiversity map!
Please Diarize: 24-27 April 2020 – please be here
Our 2020 targets: 55,000 observations, 4000 species and 2500 observers!
ALSO PARTICIPATING: Durban, Garden Route, Gaborone, Nelson Mandela Bay, Tswane – BE PART OF THE FUN!
Our role:
Cape Town boasts of being one of the most biodiverse cities on Earth and we proved it in 2019. Let us prove it again and make sure that Cape Town stays on top of both the Biodiversity and Citizen Science maps. We need observations, we need species and we need observers – WE NEED YOU.
Please sign up, join this project and watch the press and your society newsletters for details in your area.
Follow progress here: www.inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-2020
Steps on how to participate:
It is simple to participate.
Simply download the iNaturalist App onto your smart phone between 24 - 27 April 2020 and sign up to iNaturalist and get practicing for the big event, please ensure that you practice before the event so that we can get lots of good observations over the weekend.
Over 100 cities around the world will be calling on their citizen scientists to bioblitz their biodiversity, any wild animal, plant, tree or fungus is game.
On the days of the event, participants simply capture any plant/tree/animal/fungi of interest and load it on iNaturalist, ensure that you specify the location; you do not have to know what it is - there are people that will be ready and waiting to ID them for you on the app.
You can make it a friend’s event, a family outing or simply hike and jog through your favourite park/greenspace, conservation area, garden, open space and capture as you go!
Loads of prizes to be won by participants!
After the event, SANBI and partners will host a prize giving event, were numerous prizes are up for grabs to participants!
Pease indicate if you and your respective group are interested and/or will be taking part by emailing or phone call.
Feel free to contact me if you have any queries.
Enkosi,
Sihle Jonas
Ecological Coordinator
Recreation and Parks
Community Services and Health
Jan Burger Sports Complex, Parow North
Tel: 021 444 6025 |Email: sihle.jonas@capetown.gov.za |Web: www.capetown.gov.za
Need something unique and different for your home, why not plan to visit the Alphen Antiques and Collectables Fair this Sunday!
February 23 @ 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Where: The Garrat Memorial Hall, 5 Eskol Lane, Constantia
Cape Town, Western Cape 7806 South Africa
The Alphen Antiques and Collectables Fairs are held on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month at the Garrat Memorial Hall, 5 Eskol Lane (off Strawberry Lane/turn off at Pedlars on the Bend), Constantia from 10am - 3pm. A variety of items will be on sale. Entry is free, there is ample parking and refreshments are available. Enquiries: Des +27(0)846267499
We love gardens and the gardens at The Cellars-Hohenort are exceptional, if you want to enjoy them too, why not join one of their GUIDED GARDEN TOURS
Details: The guided garden tours take place every Wednesday at 10h30, guests will be in the capable hands of our garden manager. When the tour concludes, guests can enjoy tea and freshly baked scones outside in the picturesque garden setting or on the hotel’s Conservatory terrace.
Price:
R 135 per person, includes 1 hour garden tour, tea & scones
Elsbeth Baldeo something for you to do .x
Gillian Barrett Carol Anne Bysshe
Tickets are selling fast for this great event in our valley Constantia Fresh 2020, if you haven't managed to pop to Buitenverwachting wine farm this Summer, this is your perfect opportunity!
Tickets on sale here: www.quicket.co.za/events/93749-constantia-fresh-2020/#/
Although it's the day of Love, let's not forget to keep fit, after indulging in romantic feasts, it might be a great idea to join Constantia Greenbelt parkrun tomorrow!
What is Constantia Greenbelt parkrun?
It is a 5km run - it's you against the clock.
When is it?
Every Saturday at 8:00am.
Where is it?
The event takes place starts from the meadow on Le Sueur Avenue ,Constantia Greenbelt, Alphen trail, Constantia, Cape Town, 7806.
What does it cost to join in?
Nothing - it's free! but please register before your first run. Only ever register with parkrun once. Don't forget to bring a printed copy of your barcode (request a reminder). If you forget it, you won't get a time.
How fast do I have to be?
We all run for our own enjoyment. Please come along and join in whatever your pace!
Constantia Greenbelt parkrun needs you!
It is entirely organised by volunteers - email constantiagreenbelthelpers@parkrun.com to help.
We're friendly!
Every week we grab a post parkrun coffee in Mugg and Bean Constantia Village - please come and join us!
Dear residents and stakeholders,
A meeting was organized by Cllr Liz Brunette to address to issue of baboon management in the Price Drive residential area and surrounds. Minutes of the meeting can be found on here www.dropbox.com/s/6m8dq4h6nzmgcq3/High%20Constantia%20Fence%20%20Mtg%20Points%2027.01.2020%20%280...
Jean Naude from Groot Constantia, has kindly offered to host a follow up meeting regarding the proposed Price Drive Fence at 18:30 on 25 February at Groot Constantia in the Bertrams tasting venue.
The purpose for the meeting is to follow up where the first meeting ended. Additionally we will be discussing setting up an initial group of residents to commit to driving the process for funding and form a steering committee (three or four residents).
If you are interested in attending please notify me asap and if possible spread the word and bring two or three other community members along to the upcoming meeting.
Kind regards,
Fanus Ferreira
B.Tech Nature Conservation
Area Manager - North
HUMAN WILDLIFE SOLUTIONS
Email: fanus@hwsolutions.co.za
Tel: 021 712 9544
Cell: 0843211165
Web: www.hwsolutions.co.za
Human Wildlife Solutions | Specialists in wildlife management
www.hwsolutions.co.za
Human Wildlife Solutions: A team of highly qualified, dedicated, passionate and innovative conservationists to meet environmental and wildlife needs.
Closing date for comments on new proposed BMW garage is today, see article in the Constantiaberg Bulletin below. Comments can be sent to comments_objections.southern@capetown.gov.za
Garage for restitution site - Constantiaberg Bulletin
www.constantiabergbulletin.co.za
The City of Cape Town is considering the application for a “motor repair garage” on the remainder of Erf 4724 and Erf 14038.What do we expect the family who have been deservedly returned their land to best do with this piece of land? It is in an unsuitable position for residential development. So commercial development is their best choice. Whether they build a factory, an office block or an upmarket BMW workshop as long as it is done tastefully and planted with lots of trees and greenery we should be grateful that the family are now benefiting after what they have been through and we have an acceptable and hopefully well planted development on this difficult site. Lets be positive and supportive and show those looking at us Constantia residents that we are open and part of the change that must happen.
Funny those complainers had no problem with the rich man's parking garage sorry art gallery built on a sensitive wetland in the heart of their beautiful valley. Wonder why?
This is just another invidious piece of urban sprawl - Retreat Main Rd and Constantia will soon be indistinguishably hideous. What is actually going to be built In that land is going to be an absolute eyesore! @constantiaratepayersandresidentsassocuation , why do you only mobilize objectors the day before objections close? Seriously
We do not need a show room or a Garage ...tastefully designed Garden would have looked better ...surely the Rentals at this centre is enough to generate cash for the family ..a paying garden would also have made money ...also an upgrade at the school also would have been a nice gesture ...the road cannot withstand another business ...
From a completely architectural point of view, how does this steel and glass edifice speak to the rural nature of the area? Even commercial buildings in the area previously had to be designed to human scale, single story, with reference to the environment. Will this building have the lights on all night like most car showrooms? Will the signage and interface with the M3 be backlit? This building as shown would be better suited architecturally in Johannesburg on the airport approach road. Where are the architects who designed this from, and why is there zero sensitivity in the design to the nature of the area?
Justice shall prevail . The wheel turn slowly but it’s turning , time to embrace reality.
This post has not cared enough to share all that’s going on ..on this piece of ground ...Squatters living behind Checkers ...Taxis now parked in front of Constantia Primary ..making a mess on the road ..who cares ...NO ONE...litter all round Checkers building too...
Quo Vadis
What on earth do we need a BMW repair garage for on Ladies Mile?
Recycling
Did you know that the proceeds of your recycling at The Constantia Village go towards helping the Friends of Constantia Valley Greenbelts.
Location: Depot near Exclusive Books end of Constantia Village
Mon-Sat: 8am - 5pm
Sundays: 8am - 1pm
Recycling info:
Home owners to separate their containers ;
Glass – bottles & jars
Paper- flattened & folded
Plastic- bottles , milk containers & food packaging
Cardboard – flattened & folded
Please pop all items in clear plastic bags
Don't think Valentines Day is the only day to treat yourself to one of the Valley's awesome restaurants, why not treat yourself at The Alphen Boutique Hotel , they are hosting their monthly Supper Club at Blanko Restaurant.
RSVP: +27(0) 21 795 6300 or email events@alphen.co.za
DATE: 21 February 2019
18h30 for 19h00
Groot Constantia is one spot we all love to explore, if you are up for the challenge why not join the TrailFun team for their run.
This is one beautiful run.
Start through the gardens and climb to the most spectacular view of False Bay as you run through the forest and down the vines. Run through history on this magnificent Estate. This is a great entry level run if you are looking for an introduction to trail running.
Entries include a R50 voucher that can be spent anywhere on the Estate. We recommend Jonkershuis as they supply the coffee and breakfasts on the day. Its an amazing morning out.
Date : Saturday 22 February 2020
Venue : Groot Constantia Wine Estate
06h30 Registration
07h30 10km start time
07h45 5km start time
Entry fee :
5km R 70 Juniors
5km R180
10km R180 (5km x loop)
MEDALS TO ALL FINISHERS !
Contact : Rodney Russell
Tel : 074 900 9235
Email : rodney@trailfun.co.za
We love exploring the valley and what better reason than to appreciate some great pieces at The Cellars-Hohenort, who are hosting their ANNUAL ARDMORE EXHIBITION 13 - 16th February.
he Hohenort building will once again play host to our annual Ardmore exhibition. This year’s theme will be The Sabi Collection, with Sabi Collection Fabrics launching at the show. Pieces from both Ardmore Ceramic Art & Ardmore Design will be featured.
View the issues we are discussing & add your own comments
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PLEASE DONATE TO STREET CLEANING:
R200 pays for one cleaner per day!
Council have an extended PublicWorks Programme which allows for some cleaning of the main roads, but as you can see from the amount of litter everywhere, this is not working and despite our best efforts, Council will do nothing further. SO HOW CAN YOU HELP US TO SUSTAIN THE CLEARING? SNAPSCAN THIS CODE ON THE LEFT!!
Simply scan this code into your Snapscan application on your phone and enter an amount to donate.
The Future of Constantia is in your hands.
