Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Climbing Frame is up!


The children couldn't wait to try out the new climbing frame, put up by Wallace and other residents of Woodwind Circle. The tyres, poles, bolts and concrete were all donated. Thanks to all who contributed.


Games for the children

Our very dear friend Leeart uses his gift with children to play some games with them. It's school holidays this week and all the children are excited to be on the Circle every day, and be part of the changes happening here.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Grass is planted

Another volunteer helps to plant grass on the new hill.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Volunteers come to help...

Sarah has come all the way from Denmark to be with us for a whole month, just to help us with the Children's Garden! She brought some volunteer-friends along too, and they immediately start digging and shaping the hill.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Our Court needs tar!

This is our multi-purpose court, which needs a covering so that the children can play on it. Tar is the cheapest option, and we have had a wonderful offer from a friend who owns a tarring company. He is willing to tar the court for R7,500 which is equivalent to 600 British pounds or 900 US Dollars roughly. This is a quarter of the original quotes we received! If anyone is able to help us raise this amount, or would like to contribute towards it, please contact us urgently at ivanandamy@telkomsa.net. Thank you!

Friday, September 18, 2009

The Food Garden begins...

The area for the Food Garden is measured out. We are so happy that Soil For Life has agreed to teach us how to do it organically! 10 Residents have signed up for the 3-month course, which will be demonstrated on the Circle and put into practice in our home gardens.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Pathway stones complete

This is the view from the central court towards the entrance. Looks neat, huh?

Pathway being upgraded

The idea is to have stones on either side of the main pathway leading into the Gardens, with attractive plants on either side. We're thinking of aloes, but where will we get them?

Thursday, September 10, 2009

The Children love to work too!

Here they are busy preparing the areas alongside the main pathway.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Our children are so creative!

After Planting Day, some of the children got together to make a poster at our house under the guidance of our 13 year old daughter, Sarah. They enjoyed it so much that it looks like this will become a regular event!

Sunday, September 6, 2009

1pm: The Day is done!

One of the Committee members surveys a job well done.

And more planting...

Brothers, neighbours and friends helping each other.

Still Planting...

Three sisters experiencing the joy of gardening.

Watering

Husband and wife watering the new gardens with enjoyment.

Planting...

Old friends share a memorable moment while planting a tree.

Planting...

Mother and daughter share the joy of gardening for the first time together.

Planting...

A special moment for father and son, who have never had the opportunity to do something like this together before.

11:30am Planting begins!!!

Residents get their hands in the soil, helped here by one of the American volunteers who joined us for the day.

11am Refreshments are served

The children enjoy their treats while the adults stand around chatting and snacking.

10:50am First Tree planted

Mr. Morkel has the honour of planting the first tree in Woodwind Circle Community Gardens!

10:45am Ribbon cutting

This wasn't included in our original program for today, but one of the Committee members thought of it, and it added a nice 'formal' touch to the ceremony. The Gardens are now officially opened and named!

10:30am Mr. Morkel's speech

Mr. Morkel suggests we have a memorial day each year on this date, to commemorate the beginning of the gardens. What a brilliant idea!

10:20am: Speeches begin

Left to right: Mr. Busby (the M.C.) and Ivan Beckett.
Ivan thanks everyone that was involved for their contribution to make this a memorable day for our community.

10:15am Guests seated

The residents and invited guests, including Mr. Morkel (our City Councillor), are seated as the program begins.

10am: What's this? A Band?

We are surpised by the happy sounds of a local street band. Steenberg Community Entertainers march around Woodwind Circle with their mascots performing body twisting feats.

9:30am Food arrives

All the residents bring snacks, fruit and cakes to add to the celebration.

Court area prepared

Gazebo's, chairs, tables are being set out for the ceremony at 10am.

Plants placed in position

Ready for planting. Plants are placed all around the border area, and trees put in place.

Saturday, 5 September: Planting Day begins...

7:30am The residents are up early to begin preparations for this special day in the community.

One of the residents helps to distribute plants where they will be planted later today.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Playground equipment repainted

Friday: The old playground equipment gets a new coat of paint.

Neil Major

One of our most helpful supporters, Neil Major of 'Friends of Zeekoevlei and Rondevlei', not only donated plants but also came to advise us how and where to plant them.

The Plants arrive!

Friday: A truck load of plants arrive. Plants were donated to us by Friends of Rondevlei and Zeekoevlei, The Garden Shop, Ferndale Nurseries, Kirstenbosch Gardens and the City Council. We are so grateful to you all!

Compost arrives

Thursday: 3 loads of compost being spread around the border areas, ready for planting.

Community really get involved

Thursday: Lots of helpers from the Community dig away some excess sand.

We have a bench!

Wednesday: One of the residents tries out the new bench.

Footpaths

The footpaths go right around the squircle (a square that's called a circle) :)
First a layer of plastic sheeting, then the bark chips are laid. Doesn't it look neat?

Bark chips arrive!

Tuesday: The Council delivers a truck load of bark chips to line the footpaths.

31 August 09: The Final Week...

It's countdown to Saturday! We have 5 days to complete the basic structure of the gardens before the official opening. There is much to be done...

Monday: The Council workers arrive and begin to lay pipes for water.

Management Team

Left to right: Ivan (Chairman of WCCG Committee), Asanda (Project Coordinator) and Basil (Foreman), both from the City Council. This is the team that have worked together for the past few months managing the project.