If you were amongst the shoppers who braved the mist, rain and cold at Hilton's Posh Market yesterday, we want to say THANK YOU!

Our intrepid vendors stuck it out in the most challenging conditions yet and are glad they did. Every purchase you ticked off your gift list at the market put a twinkle in their eyes. Some of our vendors are also listed online for your orders.

ANEW Hotel Hilton is a beautiful venue for this annual event, with incredibly gallant  staff. Thank you for hosting another successful event.

Special mention goes to Razzmatazz, the gift shop at the Quarry Centre whose owner, Bertus is the talented artist behind our tie-dyed shirts. They looked fantastic and made it easy to spot our hard-working helpers on the day.

 

We are always happy to receive Bailee Guy’s photographs that capture the festive vibe and special moments of this annual event.

Finally, well done to the ladies from RAWE Yoga who took advantage of a misty, almost dry moment to enjoy their session at the poolside. To the shoppers who missed our other dancers, thank you for understanding that some entertainers were unable to perform due to the rainy conditions. 

Wishing everyone involved in the success of yesterday a blessed Christmas season.

 

Photo credits: Bailee Guy Photography

 

Now in stock at Top Class Hilton Bookshop: MAD MIKE HOARE - THE LEGEND by Chris Hoare

In 1964/1965, Colonel Mike Hoare led 300 Wild Geese' across the Congo to crush a communist rebellion, rescue 2000 nuns and priests from barbarity, beat Che Guevara ... and become a legend. Of Irish blood, Mike was schooled in England and, during World War 2, was the best bloody soldier in the British Army'.

In 1964/1965, Colonel Mike Hoare led 300 Wild Geese' across the Congo to crush a communist rebellion, rescue 2000 nuns and priests from barbarity, beat Che Guevara ... and become a legend. Of Irish blood, Mike was schooled in England and, during World War 2, was thebest bloody soldier in the British Army'. He demobbed as major, qualified in London as a chartered accountant and emigrated to South Africa.

Going rogue, he started living dangerously to get more out of life, including trans-Africa motorbike trips, bluewater sailing, exploring remote areas, and leading safaris in the Kalahari Desert. Here Mike got to know the CIA agent who was to change his life ... and Nelson Mandela's.

Later Mike was technical advisor to the film The Wild Geese, which starred Richard Burton playing the Mike Hoare character. In 1981 Mike led 50 Frothblowers' in a bid to depose the socialist government of the Seychelles. Things went wrong and soon Mike was to spend three years in jail for hijacking a Boeing 707.

Here for the first time, in this story behind the story, Chris Hoare separates the man from the myth in a way only a son can, and concludes his 'mad dad' was an officer and a gentleman with a bit of pirate thrown in.

More from Top Class Hilton Bookshop

Subscribe to our newsletter and read the latest issue online here.

 

Highlights in this issue; a gift from Kate-Marie Hearing Solutions and Hilton's Posh Market 2021.

Join Alma Flamenca and Latinando, on Saturday 11th December for an entertaining evening of latino music and flamenco dance. Cheese platters can be ordered from La Petite Cafe, or bring your own supper and drinks.

Tickets limited. Please call 071 275 1746 to book!!

More about ALMA FLAMENCA

Kate-Marie Hearing Solutions, is a private Hearing Healthcare Practice owned and run by Kate-Marie Butlin, a qualified hearing aid acoustician with 11 years of experience working in the hearing healthcare industry.

Kate-Marie has had consulting rooms in Howick, Hilton and Pietermaritzburg.

Kate-Marie works with all leading international hearing aid brands, she is registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and is affiliated with ALL Medical Aids.

Kate-Marie’s patient centered approach to hearing health care is linked to a focus on improving quality of life, and living a “Better life through hearing”

To celebrate the season of giving, Kate-Marie is offering a free gift to all patients who bring a copy of the advert below with them to their appointment during the month of December 2021.

'We are so excited to be welcoming Dr Naiker back to Hilton Family Dental Care as she returns from her maternity leave. 

An additional welcome to the FDC Family – baby girl Avara! 

Congratulations Dr Naiker, you are going to be an exceptional mother to Avara.

As we know, many patients have been eagerly waiting for Dr Naiker’s return. You can now book appointments with Dr Naiker every Monday, Wednesday and Friday as from 01 December 2021.' shared Hilton FDC.

Find Dr Naiker at Hilton Family Dental Care in the Quarry Shopping Centre.

To book an appointment, call 033 343 1677.

More about Hilton Family Dental Care in the KZN Midlands.

As another year draws to a close, we would like to thank you, our donors, volunteers and supporters, for the difference you have made in the lives of the 1 171 adults and 13 235 children that we have worked with in 2021. Despite the many challenges that Covid19 has brought, we have still managed to train and mentor 68 practitioners in 22 crèches and run 84 Waste 2 Toys training workshops around South Africa. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Our offices will be closed from Wednesday 15th December to Monday 10th January to enable our team to rest and recharge. Please keep your recycling until we reopen, as there will be no one available to clear the container outside the office.

We wish you a safe and restful Festive Season and look forward to connecting again in the new year.

 

Kind regards
The Singakwenza team

We look forward to welcoming you to Hilton’s Posh Market on Thursday, 16 December 2021. For our food lovers, visit the garden on the left-hand side to find The Olive, The Big Cheese, The Great African Grater Plate and Bubbles Tea.

Terrier Trading will present a choice of dried fruit and nuts, you will find their table at the entrance to the Hotel on the right-hand side next to the food court. In the food court Loving Cup, Lions River Craft Brewery, Muchos Nachos, Homemade in Midlands, A Taste of Portugal and our Raptor Rescue Supporter, Vashnie, will be serving coffee, muffins, toasted sandwiches, juice, craft beer, craft gin, Mexican food, dairy ice-cream, sugar-free ice-cream and vegan ice-cream. specialised Portuguese bakes, pancakes, curry and biriyani. Eighty percent of the profits Vashnie makes will go to Raptor Rescue.

In the Tudor Hall you will find delicious hand crafted Belgian chocolates, nuts, fudge, kombucha, preserves and sauces from Chocolate Sensations Hilton, BMS Biotics Homemade Kombucha, Ramjammy’s Artisan Foods, Squirrels Nuts, Tasha’s Fantastic Fudge and Lincoln's Sauces.

 

ANEW Hotel Hilton welcomes you to enjoy a coffee poured by their masterful baristas or to settle in for a meal at Ellingtons Restaurant. 

Enjoy the bonus shopping hour from 8am to 9am and you could win a lucky shopper prize.

Covid protocols will be in place, wear a mask and use sanitisers.

For your enquiries call 072 654 9779.

A group of Hilton business owners gathered at La Popote for the first in a series of public addresses which the HRA will host to engage the Hilton community regarding the proposed Hilton Village UIP. Mike Tarr, Chairman of the Hilton Ratepayers Association welcomed the new Mayor of uMngeni, Chris Pappas, who addressed the gathering to reinforce his support for an Urban Improvement Precinct to be established in Hilton with the intention of serving as top up over and above the services which the current rates structure is obligated to deliver.

Key points which our mayor highlighted regarding the creation of this first UIP for the uMngeni District were that it must be inclusive of any social challenges in the demarcated area, it must be what the majority of ratepayers desire and that the necessary municipal procedure must be followed.

Councillor Pam Passmoor advised that currently 83% of the Hilton rates owed is sitting at 60 days in arrears.

Chris Pappas advised that Tourism and Agriculture are areas which our uMngeni district have identified as growth opportunities as they carefully balance development and transformation in prioritising where the budget spend is directed. The Municipality aims to attract economic investment by making uMngeni a preferred destination for remote service industry relocation.

Ian McMillan spoke more about the Special Rating Area concept, highlighting that these structures are successful not just in South Africa where there are more than 100, but also in several countries around the world including the United States, Canada and Japan.

The general response from the business representatives in the room was supportive of developing Hilton’s Urban Improvement Precinct. 

Pictured here L-R: Ian McMillan (Hilton UIP Steering Committee), Mayor of uMngeni Chris Pappas, Janet Channing (Hilton UIP Steering Committee) and Mike Tarr (Chair of HRA)

Dear UCSI Supporters

The UCSI continues to play a significant role in our community fight against crime. The support offered to Security companies, SAPS and Law Enforcement and even the CPF groups is critical in monitoring who is moving in and out of our areas. The UCSI has been able to assist SAPS and the community with valuable support and information.

UCSI Operational Stories

01 Nov: A vehicle was spotted in Damagtenburg with people and dogs. This is a big red flag so vehicle was loaded to system for observation and movement in the Karkloof and surrounding areas. It was eventually stopped in Karkloof by local resident and Magma security. Vehicle occupants found to be actually looking for a missing person involved in separate poaching incident from previous month. This vehicle has been cleared and removed from system.
A quick informative photo sent to the local security and a vehicle is cleared

01 Nov: A suspected stolen vehicle activated a camera between Mpophomeni and Merrivale. Security companies and SAPs quickly responded by setting up watch and monitor posts on the N3 off ramps to Pmb. Vehicle evaded all off-ramps from Merrivale to Pmb. Sompisi security followed and spotted vehicle in Hayfields area on N3. A stop was made with assistance from another security co from Pmb. Vehicle was eventually escorted to Alex SAP for processing.
Well done to our partner Sompisi Security.

12 Nov: Another suspected stolen vehicle activated cameras in Howick area going towards Hilton. Hilton response group activated by member of Knight security. Vehicle followed by KSS and SAP, Backed up by Magma, Sompisi and MI7. Vehicle stopped on Cedara rd. Shots fired and one suspect fled on foot. A search for single suspect unsuccessful. 3 suspect detained by SAP. Vehicle used actually not stolen, the number plate used on front was from a stolen vehicle. Firearms and ammunition confiscated.
Well done Lance and Hilton response team.

13 Nov: I have found a vehicle that continuously travels through Currys Post area during curfew hours. It also seems to be around during the times that farmers report livestock missing. Now I have loaded this vehicle so that we can monitor it in future but here is our problem, There is no response group available to report suspicious movement too.
Without a response our information is void.

13 Nov: Hilton response group held a training exercise using cameras and groups to track and observe suspect vehicles.
A fun and informative morning was had by all.

17 Nov: Today we did not make use of our camera system. Today our operational WhatsApp group was used to co-ordinate teams to assist with a farm attack in Boston area. Information and positions shared by all teams to get medical attention on scene as fast as possible and security teams to form net to catch perpetrators. Unfortunately suspects not caught but victim was treated on scene and taken to hospital where full recovery was made.
Sharing of information and pooling all resources saves lives.

24 Nov: Deon traveling through Karkloof area spotted dogs and handler in the veld next to road. A call onto Karkloof response team we had two Magma vehicles searching the area. Person found and cleared, he was looking for his cattle that had escaped. Magma suggested that dogs be returned to home and not used in the search.
I could have saved an Oribi today....

25 Nov: A suspect stolen vehicle activated cameras in Hilton area. Confirmation of vehicle been sought was made and search of Hilton area located the vehicle within half an hour. It was impounded by Flying squad police, assisted by KSS member.
Quick communication, quick arrest.

November was a quiet month on the positive activation. But this did not mean that it was a quiet month for Security services and SAPs. There is a substantial increase in vehicle crime towards month end. We are expecting Livestock crime and poaching to increase during the festive season as well.

Be safe and vigilant at all times. If something feels "off" report it to your local CPF, Security or SAPs member, no matter how small.
You could be saving a life that you will never know about.

Other news from the office: We are moving our office desk down the hall to form a hub point with HDLA, Fire protection and Midlands security. The projected Ops room is almost fully kitted out, so soon we will have a centralized point of contact for all information sharing.
Thank you to HDLA for assistance and I-Uncapped for moving all our communication'into the new office

Affiliated security companies
The UCSI welcomes Magma Security who have joined Sompisi Protection Services, Knight Security Solutions (KSS) and Ballid Security as subscribing security companies to the UCSI.

How can you get involved?
The UCSI will not be sustainable without monthly community support from business entities, shopping centers, hospitals, schools, estates, security companies and private individuals. Please join the UCSI as a contributing member. There are still some critical gantries that need to be erected – primarily in the Merrivale and Mpophomeni areas.

Contact Deon from the UCSI by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or whatsapp 063 068 9652 for more information on how to join and contribute. Private individuals from R50pm and business entities from R300pm. Affiliated members have access to ask for assistance in any reported crime involving a vehicle.
We may assist, to look for wayward teenager children, but they could end up cutting our lawn for a couple of months.

The UCSI is also able to issue Section 18A certificates for CAPEX and OPEX donations of any amount.

Stay safe – we got this!

Yours sincerely
Deon Tegg Operations Manager

The UCSI Board of Directors
Themba Ndulini (Chairperson), Krish Ramkuber and Terence James

More about UCSI

Even though we are closed on certain days during the festive season we do offer 24-hour emergency service. Our after-hours are referred to our main branch in Pietermaritzburg.

Vet House is always here for you 24/7 365 days of the year‼

More about Umgeni Vet in Hilton, KZN Midlands

With the festive season coming up, holidays are being planned and often, sadly, our pets cannot come with us. Although we have responsible house sitters and safe arrangements made for our furry loved ones, please make sure that your pet is micro-chipped and that your pet sitter has our phone number at the ready.

Anything can happen and it is always better to be prepared so that you can come home to all those wonderful hugs and kisses that you know will be waiting for you.

Call 033 343 4602 to book.

More about Hilton Veterinary Hospital

The final month of 2021 is upon us! We can hardly believe it! This was the year that our tiny little business went from a dream in the heart of our owner Lydia, to a reality in the lives of our beautiful clients. A year of many losses, but also so much to be thankful for. It's almost time for us to take a much deserved break, so please take note of our festive season closing period.

 

If you would still like to book for this year, call or WhatsApp Lydia on 082 714 1258 for a fitting at eL Intimates, Hilton's tasteful lingerie and mastectomy boutique.

 

You will also find eL Intimates at Hilton's POSH Market on Thursday, 16 December 2021 at ANEW Hotel in Hilton.