We call on you to join the Pietermaritzburg's People's Climate March, part of the largest climate mobilization in history, where we'll be calling for a clean energy future for our City and Province, our people, our planet.

On 21 September, an Emergency Summit of World Leaders in New York chaired by UN Secretary Ban Ki Moon will meet to discuss a unified global response to climate change. They will be met by the People's Climate March, made up of local, national and international civil society organizations with hundreds of thousands of supporters. At the same time, thousands of marches and petition deliveries to local governments will take place in main cities from over 88 countries around the world, demanding a maximum push to clean energy.

We the people of Pietermaritzburg request support from you, your organization, company, school, religious group or club, by bringing your group of supporters with placards & banners to our peaceful climate march on the 21st of September and signing the petition.

WHEN: Sunday, 21 September 2014 TIME: assemble from 09h00, March starts 10h00 am, ends 11h00 am

WHERE: Participants will gather on the corner of Chief Albert Luthuli Street and Alexander Drive before 10 am, then march peacefully down Chief Albert Luthuli Street to the KZN Legislature in Langalibalele Street to meet with Provincial and City representatives to hand over the People's Petition.

In Addition, citizens unable to attend the March can make their own "green heart groups" in open spaces around PMB from Friday 19 to Sunday 21st September, and post their pictures online using #PmbClimateMarch.

WHY: The overwhelming cumulative scientific evidence of human-induced climate change can no longer be disputed.
The real effects of climate change are already being felt across the world as the number of natural disasters increase.
Business-as-usual regarding fossil fuel usage for energy generation word-wide can no longer be contemplated by any nation, because such usage rates are already on-trend to push the earth's global temperature past a 2 degrees Celsius rise, the agreed maximum safe level of increase.

Urgent action is needed by our own government to lower South Africa's greenhouse gas emissions, the vast majority of which are from coal (Eskom is the 7th largest electricity generator in the world, and South Africa is the 11th largest carbon dioxide emitter globally).

South Africa's energy policies need to change to facilitate rapid reduction of fossil fuel carbon emissions through properly taxing emitters, while simultaneously incentivizing maximum implementation of clean and renewable energy solutions.

HOW: Groups are asked to assemble into green-themed heart-shaped clusters from 9:00 am. At 10:00 am on Sept 21st 2014 the March will begin, and finish at 11 am.

Participants are requested to make placards and banners with relevant slogans expressing their group's requests to our city and indeed the World's leaders, for example "We demand a change to clean renewable energy" ,"No to More Coal-fired Power Stations", "Let all our rooftop solar systems feed the Energy Grid",
"Power to the people via local Concentrated Solar Voltaics".

More Information
Look for the hashtag #PmbClimateMarch for event-related news, and tag your own event pictures with this hashtag online at twitter, facebook or instagram.

Further information on global warming and energy issues and solutions can be found online at http://350.org;
http://climate.nasa.gov/
PMB's Climate Action and Clean Energy Awareness page:
https://www.facebook.com/ClimateActionPMB
Also see http://www.un.org/climatechange/summit/about/

Supplied by Winterskloof Conservancy

Seven Laddsworth Primary School runners and student teacher, Sonja Boyd, participated in the KZN Cross Country Championships which took place in Amanzimtoti on Saturday, 23 August. They achieved the following results:
• Under 8 – Camryn Heafield 1st; Jonathan Boyd 10th
• Under 10 – Luyanda Mbanjwa 7th
• Under 12 – Frances Forsyth 9th; Kelly Martin 10th; Natalie Rohrs 14th
• Under 13 – Leah Kriel 4th
• Mrs Boyd was placed 6th in her age group
Leah Kriel and Camryn Heafield have been selected for the KZN Cross Country team which competes at the SA Championships in George on the 13th September 2014.

Pictured L-R back: Linda Wolhuter (Junior Primary Sports Co-ordinator), Leah Kriel and Gavin Lambooy (Headmaster).
L-R middle: Kelly Martin and Frances Forsyth.
L-R front: Natalie Rohrs, Camryn Heafield and Luyanda Mbanjwa.

News supplied.

We are now one month into our Community Security Initiative and would like to provide you with feedback on how the project is going and once again give you an opportunity to communicate any comments or questions to the project team. Please see the comments and feedback section below.

The Tactical Surveillance Unit (TSU - known as "the Eagles") has been successfully patrolling and are fast familiarising themselves with the area and residents and staff of Winterskloof. The whatsapp communication system is working well and providing useful information to both residents and the TSU. Feedback has generally been excellent from residents and staff alike.

ZERO CRIME HAS BEEN REPORTED IN WINTERSKLOOF IN THE MOST RECENT HILTON COMMUNITY POLICE FORUM CRIME REPORT. Although it is difficult to access and publish actual crime statistics, the TSU and those connected on the community communication systems (radios and whatsapp groups) have been all too familiar with constant reports and alerts over the past few months (at least 3 or 4 times a week) relating to home invasions, petty theft, fences cut, threats to domestic workers, theft out of vehicles and suspicious activity – especially at night time. The increase in violent crime and the involvement of victim's children in the home invasions was particularly disturbing. The quiet on the airwaves since the TSU began operating has been remarkable and comforting, and it appears that a clear message is being sent to criminals that to operate in Winterskloof is going to be difficult for them going forward.

Support for the Community Security Initiative

At the moment we are able to afford a small compliment of TSU operatives and a support vehicle and are heavily reliant on volunteers from within the community to help with communications and administration. The operatives are on a roster system to ensure that we at least have some coverage across the whole of Winterskloof 24 hours per day. Although their presence has made a huge improvement already, we understand that crime incidents usually occur in waves and that perpetrators are opportunistic. We do not want to become complacent and would like to continue to have a strong presence in Winterskloof to send a clear message that this area is not an easy target for criminals. This is a huge task given the many access points and forested areas surrounding Winterskloof. The team is operating well given limited resources but to provide a long-term and strong solution to the problem, more personnel will be needed, as well as other components to the project such as establishing a network of informers and covert operators to complement the operation.

Funding for the project comes entirely from residents' contributions. Although we will strive to keep ALL residents of Winterskloof safe irrespective of whether they are paying towards the project or not, we need as many contributors as possible to make the initiative sustainable in the long term. We have done our utmost to keep costs down. As you can see from the diagram below, only 58% of residents are paying for this community service, from which we all benefit not only in terms of security, but also by improving the valuing of our properties. We all need to inspire and motivate the other 36% to join in and pay their share.

Contributions to the Winterskloof Community Security Initiative as at August 2014

Please reply to this email if you have not been contacted by an Area Communicator and we will make sure that you are added to a whatsapp group.

The whatsapp groups are proving an excellent way of keeping costs of the project down as information from residents can feed into the system that the Eagles/TSU are using to build a picture of who/where and when potential threats are happening.

What Can You Do To Help?

• Sign up to Contribute the monthly fee of R250/month – this is crucial if you have not already done so. We are currently utilising the Winterskloof Sector Forum's savings to subsidise the project and within a few months this will be depleted.
• Volunteer to Patrol in your vehicle (this would be just to provide an added presence and report anything untoward to the TSU. Residents are not expected to confront anyone or put themselves in danger but to add to the surveillance capacity)
• Help with Administration / Communications for your area
• Welcome new residents to the area and tell them about the initiative and how to join
• Speak to us about helping to construct and install Community Notice Boards
• Direct any questions or comments either directly to this address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or to your local area communicator, and we will make sure that these are raised at our monthly meetings and that you are given feedback.

Here are a few of the Questions / Comments from Winterskloof residents that have come in via our Area Communicators in the last few weeks:

• "What is the point of the TSU staff walking in a group of 3? Isn't this a waste of resources and shouldn't they rather be spread out across Winterskloof"?

All movements of the TSU operators are planned and monitored by the TSU command. Decisions are made as and when the need arises for a greater or lesser presence in certain areas based on information received and areas that are regarded as high risk or require a show of force. TSU operatives are moved around the suburb constantly and dropped off to continue patrolling on foot where required, and are in constant radio contact with TSU command. Please remember that residents are welcome to contact us directly should they have comments / suggestions regarding the use of available resources and staff.

• "Will there be a "keiverlert/clocking in" system along the route which has to be clocked in at specific random times as designated by the system"?

No – instead the TSU operators are in constant contact with a patrol vehicle which is dedicated to Winterskloof only. Their movements can be monitored via cell phone technology. As mentioned above, the operators can thus easily be moved to where they are needed at any time in order to maximise crime prevention.

• "We do not have a Smart phone as yet and so would not be able to use the Whats app and would have to rely on sms"?

The communications system is based largely on whatsapp at this stage, as it is a free service and provides crucial intelligence for the TSU/Eagles to use in preventing crime. Please keep us updated and should you acquire a smart phone we would be happy to help you set up whatsapp and join the group for your area. Residents who do not have smart phones are encouraged to obtain radios and join a radio network for your area. Please contact us if you'd like info about getting a radio and which channel you'd be able to join. You could also ask one of the residents in the area to sms you with anything urgent that comes up on the whatsapp group that has particular relevance to your household. The nice thing about a whatsapp group is that even if the administrator is away or their phone is out of range etc, all participants can still contribute to the group and post updates.

• "Gardeners and staff have been questioned by the TSU in what we feel is an excessive manner, bordering on intimidation. Our staff have been very upset by this".

Unfortunately the TSU has begun operating at a time when crime has been rife in Winterskloof and for a long time now people have been present that are up to no good. We ask residents to please explain to their staff about the TSU and that they are doing their job in asking questions. As they become familiar with those working in the valley, questioning will become less frequent. Please write down your name, address and phone number for your staff to show to the TSU if you are concerned about them being questioned.

• "With the area being divided into clusters within Winterskloof, are there going to be specific guards designated to each area"?

Unfortunately this would be prohibitively expensive. The "clusters" are for communication and administrative purposes only. The project aims to protect Winterskloof as a whole.

• "It seems the onus is on us to contact our security company for assistance and none would be forthcoming from the new proposed TSU. i.e. all we are relying on is TSU being a visible presence in the area, but not in effect carry out any arrests or assistance etc."

The TSU/Eagles are not an armed response company and we ask residents to follow the usual channels in the event of an emergency. Apart from undertaking various covert activities, the TSU overtly operate on a 24/7/365 basis with shift strength varying from time to time and dependent on the nature and demands of planned operations. As a rule, TSU tasks vary from general patrols, surveillance, roadblocks with the SAPS, occasional visible patrols with the SAPS Dog Unit, and when necessary, prearranged observations and 'stake-outs' in areas identified as "hot spots". Routine patrols both day and night include monitoring of vehicle and pedestrian traffic, follow up on suspicious vehicles and questioning of suspicious characters.

• "With the monitoring fee of R250 per month, i.e. almost R10 per day, would there be any discount for retired persons? Having been retired for many years out of necessity we have to keep to a very strict budget".

Yes! Any contribution pensioners can make is welcome. Every cent is helping at the moment to pay for the monitors and we are on a very tight budget. We have endeavored to keep the cost to R250 per household per month although other areas such as Wembley are being asked to pay in the region of R500 per month (excluding Armed response and personal home security) towards community policing. However, we are open to giving concessions – please speak to Penny Maitland-Stuart or Sharon Gilbert on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in this regard.

Our boundaries are from the Knoll to the Sweetwaters Taxi Rank (Hlope Butchery). We cover Winterskloof, Worlds View, the centre of Hilton, part of the N3, Hilton Gardens, part of Mount Verde and all the farming areas up to and including Hilton College. We also cover part of Mondi Forest and the whole of Cedara College.

Sweetwaters does not fall into the SAP Hilton precinct. SAP Plessislaer covers the greater Sweetwaters area.

Below is a map of SAP Hilton boundaries.

Spring is here and with it new beginnings. We at Gwyneth Gosling Properties would like to help you get your fresh start by allowing you to advertise your properties, which are available to rent, on our Private Property page, free of charge for the month of September.

Simply send us 5 pictures of your property and a brief description, as well as the price you will rent it for and your contact details. We will load it onto our page on Private Property. We will forward the details of the interested tenants on to you and you can take it from there, no payments of any kind need to be paid to us. So why not let Gwyneth Gosling Properties help you to get your fresh start this spring!

The hugely successful Laddsworth Night Relay is back. This relay run and walk will take place on Thursday 2^nd October 2014 starting at Laddsworth Primary School in Hilton at 6pm. Every participant will receive a glow-in-the-dark stick. Individuals and corporate teams are invited to participate.

Participants will run or walk a 2,4km marshalled route through the St Anne's wetland area.

There will be prizes to be won, sponsored by local businesses. Food and drinks will be on sale.

Book online at HiltonVillage.co.za or download the registration form here.

Entries close on Friday 26 September 2014.

At the Cowan House Inter House Athletics event, Dominic le Sueur, aged 11, broke the school high jump record for his age-group, clearing 1.43 metres. His sister, Jolie, aged 9, broke the long jump record with a jump of 3.39 metres. The photo shows Dominic in action.

News supplied by Cowan House in Hilton, KZN.

Laddsworth Primary School children donated a bakkie load full of pet food to the SPCA and also collected R4200.00 in coins for the 'paw' ones, as part of their contribution to the 1000 Paws Campaign. Tess Fernandez from Umgeni SPCA thanked the children in assembly and acknowledged Laddsworth as one of the top school supporters in the area.

Pictured L-R Gavin Lambooy, Headmaster at Laddsworth Primary School, Sally Kelly Head of Department Junior Primary, Bentley, Tess Fernandez and Njabula Hlongwane from SPCA.

News supplied by Laddsworth Primary School.

Grace College pupils, Celani Mchunu (left) and Ki-An Kambaran, have been selected for the KZN U16 Girls' Soccer Team. Celani and Ki-An are very gifted sportswomen and have been great ambassadors for the school on the sports field. Grace College congratulates them on this well-deserved achievement.

News from Grace College.

Our Headmaster, Peter Ducasse, accepted the ALS Ice-bucket Challenge from his Head of School, Tom Webber and Deputy Head of School, Jono Smithers.

Funds raised will go to Old Hiltonian and ex-Sharks scrum-half Ryan Walker.

Ryan Walker was born on the 5th of October 1978 in Pietermaritzburg and grew up on a beef and dairy farm in Mooi River.

He attended Merchiston Preparatory School as a young boy and then moved onto Hilton College where he completed his schooling in 1996. Ryan enjoyed his time at Hilton and excelled on the sports field, playing for both Hilton XV and Natal Schools XV at scrumhalf as well as being school prefect.

After school Ryan studied a BCom through Damelin, while playing rugby from 1997 to 1998 for the Blue Bulls under 21 side, as well as participating in the Vodacom Cup for two seasons. He also played for Landsdowne Road, Ireland, where his team became the All Ireland under 20 championship winners.
In 1999 he moved to Natal, representing the under 21 side as well as College Rovers for a season. From 2000 to 2001 he was appointed the Natal Wildebeest Vice Captain and represented the Natal Duikers and the Natal Sharks 7-a-side, which he captained.

For the seasons of 2002 and 2003 Ryan played for the Natal Sharks in the Currie Cup and Super 12 competitions. In the 2003 and 2004 seasons, he left the Sharks to join Leeds Tykes, representing the team in the UK Premiership and Heineken cup competitions.

Ryan really enjoyed his rugby, but decided that he wanted to pursue a career in other fields.
Ryan is now 35 and lives in Nottingham Road with his wife Paula and two-year-old daughter Molly. They have a new baby arriving in June. He farms in Mooi River on the family farm.

In April 2012 Ryan was working on a dairy farm when he became very ill. A GP presumed that this was a result of a tick or spider bite. He began taking antibiotics, but by day four his headaches, nausea and stiff neck became so bad that he collapsed and was rushed to St Anne's hospital in Pietermaritzburg. After three days, many blood tests and a lumbar puncture he was diagnosed with Bacterial Meningitis.

After 10 days in quarantine and intensive treatment Ryan was discharged from the hospital. The recovery was slow and he was very weak for 6 weeks. Ryan began to have fasiculations (twitches) in his biceps and triceps while in hospital, but had no other symptoms until September 2012. "We were told that the tremors in my arms would go away once I had fully recovered, but they never did and have progressed to my legs, particularly my right side and my back".

"I began to get clumsy and lose my balance and found going downstairs challenging. I also began to get wasting and weakness in my right hand. I'd trip and fall over easily." Being an active person and sportsman, Ryan found this very disconcerting and sought medical help. In an attempt to trace the symptoms back to a cause he sought further advice from doctors, with the only reasonable explanation being a tick borne disease.

He then sought the advice of a neurologist, Dr. Wolpe in July 2013. He was admitted into hospital for five days and had extensive blood tests, nerve tests, M.R.I and more lumbar punctures. All the results came back clear. Ryan then went for his follow up appointment with Dr. Wolpe four weeks later who told him that he had Motor Neuron Disease, commonly known as MND or ALS, and that there was no treatment available and that the prognosis was two to five years.

Not willing to accept this diagnosis, Ryan's family doctor, Dr. Grant Lindsay decided to treat him for Lyme disease (to eliminate the possibility) and he went through four months of intravenous and oral antibiotics. But the symptoms continued to slowly get worse.

On the 18th February Ryan had a second opinion with Dr. Jody Pearl at Sunninghill Hospital in Johannesburg. She did further blood tests for MND mimics but results showed nothing significant and she made the same diagnosis of Motor Neuron Disease. Ryan is currently awaiting a plan from Dr. Jody Pearl who is investigating available treatment options both locally and abroad. (http://ryanwalker.co.za/)

The Ice Bucket Challenge, sometimes called the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, is an activity involving dumping a bucket of ice water on someone's head to promote awareness of the disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and encourage donations to research. It went viral on social media during July–August 2014. In the US, many people participate for the ALS Association, and in the UK, many people participate for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, although some individuals have opted to donate their money from the Ice Bucket Challenge to other organizations.

The challenge dares nominated participants to be filmed having a bucket of ice water poured on their heads and then nominating others to do the same. A common stipulation is that nominated participants have 24 hours to comply or forfeit by way of a charitable financial donation. (Reference: Wikipedia)

News supplied by Hilton College.

Deborah Don recently addressed parents at Laddsworth Primary School on current issues facing parents globally, such as the impact of technology on family life. The information shared was based on a popular series of books written by Izabella Little-Gates. Parents left empowered with new parenting tools and an increased awareness of what can be expected during the different life-stages of parenting.

L-R: Gavin Lambooy (Headmaster at Laddsworth), Deborah Don, Devon White and Janet Anderson.

News supplied.

This is one of the MAIN fundraisers for Hilton Pre-Primary, and after the recent water disaster, and all the extra repairs and renovations that are now being needed, we are relying on this being a bumper Food and Wine Fair this year, with a lot of ticket sales.

It is a fun filled evening of much laughter, fun and friendship, not to mention loads of delicious food and wine to ensure that everyone can find something they like.

On the evening there are many different types of food, juices/dairy products, and alcohol to be sampled. (Something for everyone). Many of the products that are to be tasted can be found on sale in the Hilton Quarry Spar, so this also creates an awareness for many who are marketing their products on the evening. Some items can be purchased on the evening, or you can go along to Hilton Quarry Spar to buy them there on a more regular basis.

This year we are also going to have the support of Old Main brewery (Crossways) which should delight some of our parents/ supporters.

Tickets are on sale as from Monday, 08 September at Quarry Spar, and at Hilton Pre-Primary.

Tickets are also available on the evening, at the door, at Protea Hotel Hilton.

See you all on 26 September!

Members and other bowling friends are advised that we will be closing our green for its annual spring treatment on 30th September. There are many other tasks we wish to attend to during the closure, including painting the inside of the club house and felling a few trees. If you are able to lend a hand please speak to one of the committee members.

Events planned for September include IF Sponsored Trips on 5th, Chicken Run (6th) Jaxx Roll (17th) Quarry Spar Queen's Cup (20th) and Lindsay's Afternoon on 27th. Check the notice board for details.

Duties: 7 - 10 Sept. OOD: Jean Pluke. Tabs: John Pluke. Duty team: Colin Watson. Teas on 13th Sept: John Arnott & Dave Stevenson. Biscuits 9 & 11 Sept: Jill Bannatyne & Andy Hitchcock.

News supplied by Hilton Bowling Club.

Meet Laney Augustyn of MAXTRAX Music School, Hilton's new piano teacher with a focus on making music FUN. Laney says' "I have been playing the piano from the age of 9. Some of my high school years were spent in the UK, where I continued to develop piano skills, and was part of a local music outfit.

I began teaching pre-school children and private students in 1997. In addition to the music, between 2000 & 2007 I ran a Section 21 Trauma Centre & headed up the SAPS victim support.

In 2009 I opened up an Agency in Sandton, Johannesburg where I was able to offer sax, drum, guitar, piano, singing, harp & flute lessons. The agency also provided live entertainment for any function - Jazz bands, Solo Artists, Blues Bands etc.

Early in 2014, I had a nasty fall resulting in a broken back. Shortly after this my husband passed away. I came to Hilton where I have family, and after a lot of healing, fell in love with the village and decided to stay."

We welcome Laney and wish her much success growing MAXTRAX Music School, her Hilton based business, in the KZN Midlands.

Below Laney entertains  pre-schoolers.

FIRE FIGHTERS KNOCK OFF AT 6PM LEAVING FIRE TO RESIDENTS AND TO LOCAL FARMERS

Residents on Monzali Drive and William Younger Road arrived home after work on Friday to find their homes in danger of being ravaged by an uncontrolled fire. Neighbours grouped quickly together in Monzali Drive with hosepipes and buckets in an attempt to control the fire which had already spread to the tops of the trees and fence line. By passers also stopped to assist. One of the residents who wish to remain unnamed had reported this fire which allegedly started in a vacant plot surrounded by tall gum trees at around 1.30pm to the fire brigade. When a resident phoned the Brigade again around 16.00 they were informed that the Fire Brigade team was attending an accident scene near Howick and is unavailable to Monzali Drive. At 16.30 the fire, still unattended, had spread to the neighbours' gardens threatening their homes.

Residents took their fate in their own hands and continued their efforts in the gusting winds and acrid smoke to control the fire. The fire then jumped a block and a second fire started in William Younger Drive. The Municipal Fire Brigade arrived at William Younger drive around 16.45 to douse the fire which had already caused damage to the neighbouring fence and garden; neglecting the fire in Monzali Drive. Local Farmers and Property Developers, Ralph and Andre Voigts, from Mount Verde Estate, arrived in their fire fighting truck and successfully put out the fire in Monzali Drive.

A Monzali Drive Resident said 'The Municipal fire truck arrived at Monzali drive after fighting the fire at William Younger to tell us that they are clocking off at 6pm so they are unable to help us but they will send another fire truck when they get back to base. We carried on fighting the fire as best we could while we continue to wait for the next fire truck. Thankfully the wind died down'

Another reported "Precious, the municipal fire truck manager did a good job at the William younger fire. They had a small crew but worked well. Many thanks to Voigts for their assistance. Much appreciated. Thanks to residents for working together"

It is reported that the same fire in the vacant plot had been smouldering during the week which had been repeatedly reported to the Fire Brigade. He added "Pity the fire department did not put the fire out properly earlier in the week. They are good with buildings but forest and veld fire fighting skills need attention".

Another Monzali Resident praised the efforts of the community in their selfless act to assist each other. She added "some of us met each other for the first time today, whilst we all fought for the same cause. It is this sense of community that brings all South Africans together and gives us faith for a brighter future. Our utmost gratitude to the Voigts family who arrived with their fire fighting equipment to assist us in our efforts to save our homes."

At 8pm the fire in William Younger Drive, reignited in the unfavourable weather conditions. The neighbours quickly alarmed each other and evacuated their homes whilst they continued in their attempts to control the fire until the Fire Department returned.

News supplied by Brigid Scheuer of Voigts Property Group.

With thirty-eight players turning up to play in the Lindsay's voucher competition on Saturday, we were obliged to use seven rinks. Winners were Dave Garrard, Arthur Daugherty and Pat Bennet. Runners-up John Fowler and Olga Hutt received a bag of potatoes by courtesy of Graham Appleby.

The Jaxx Roll last Wednesday was won by Norman Chemaly, Brian Ravno and Trish Elliott. Second prize of vouchers from Dulcѐ was won by Olga Hutt, Margaret Meek and John Aubrey. Other winners of lucky draw prizes were Chris Purchase, Ann Marnoch, Janet Fairhurst, Denis and Kathy LaRiviere and Peter Freer. All the sponsors and donors of prizes are thanked most sincerely.

Three of our lady players, Joan Byrom, Margie Garrard and Thelma Mylne, played in the NIBA Senior Masters Invitational Singles at Howick over the week end. Thelma faired best of all, winning all her games on Saturday and losing a key match by just three shots on Sunday.

The IF Sponsored Trips will be played on Friday 5th September followed by a Chicken Run on 6th.

Duties: 31 Aug – 6 Sept. OOD: George Oldham. Tabs: Chris Purchase. Duty team: Anton Leisegang.

Teas on 6th Sept: Chris Lake & Pat Gordon. Biscuits 2 & 4 Sept: Graham Appleby & John Aubrey.

News supplied by Hilton Bowling Club.

Diabetes Mellitus means "siphon honey" and was so termed by the "Ancient Doctors" around 2000 years ago. The reason being is that one of the most common symptoms of Diabetes is polyuria – lots and lots of urine/ passing frequent urine, usually accompanied by polydipsia – thirst that does not seem to be quenched. The "Ancients "used to have "water tasters" or taste the urine themselves to make the diagnosis – sweet tasting urine. (Up until the 11th Century).

What they lacked 2000 years ago was a cure and certainly type 1 or Insulin Dependant Diabetes (where you have no production of Insulin in the body) was not compatible with life. There was no Type 2 Diabetes in those times for Type 2 Diabetes is a "lifestyle-induced" as well as genetically predisposed disease which in our modern day is sky-rocketing in incidence. Year on year the incidence is multiplying.

Type 2 Diabetes is a "relative" lack of Insulin, a situation where supply of Insulin seems to be outstripped by demand for it (your pancreas is still producing Insulin but not enough to metabolize the glucose molecules in your blood stream). There is new evidence that strongly suggests that the fat we ingest is a huge contributor to the development of type 2 Diabetes. This is contrary to the traditional view that it was caused by too much sugar. The fact is that it is definitely more complex and seems to involve more than just eating too much sugar or refined carbohydrate.

More than a third of people walking around with Diabetes are totally unaware of the fact. Unfortunately this gives the disease a long time where the raised sugar levels in your blood cause damage to your organs and in particular : eyes, kidneys, heart and the blood vessels all over your body but also the ones that supply your limbs. This is called end-organ damage and leads to blindness, kidney failure (needing transplant or dialysis), heart attacks and failure and gangrene and amputation once the damage is at its end point.

So who is at risk of developing type 2 Diabetes? If you have a family member that has Diabetes your risk is much increased. If your mother of father is Diabetic your risk is 1:2. If your sibling has Diabetes your risk is 1:3 and if you have both a parent and a sibling your risk is 3:4. The other risk factors are: sedentary lifestyle (if you exercise – and we are talking about proper exercise where you actually sweat and get your heart rate up you drastically reduce your risk – also once you have developed Diabetes EXCERSISE is part of the treatment and it works and will contribute to bringing down sugar levels and preventing end-organ damage), smoking, Obesity, Diet of fatty foods and the Metabolic Syndrome. The Metabolic Syndrome is a group of conditions: Hyperinsulinaemia, Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), High bad fats (LDL) and Triglycerides, decreased good fats (HDL), visceral obesity and Hyperandrogenism. One does not need to have all criteria to have Metabolic Syndrome.

The incidence of Diabetes in South Africa in 2004 was 43 Million people (according to Diabetes Voice article written by Dr Larry Distiller in 2004). The Global Prevalence rate is 246 million people with Diabetes in 2006 (the WHO had predicted a prevalence of 216 million by the year 2010 and the actual no was already 246 million in 2006 ! The point is that type 2 Diabetes is fast on the rise and the 21 sty Century is the most diabetogenic environment in history.

Once diagnosed, the most important thing is that treatment must begin as soon as possible. Traditionally in the past the treatment was a lifestyle change to start and to measure parameters a few months later (if not at target then to start medication). The new approach is that as soon as diagnosis is made the treatment is lifestyle change plus medication to reduce sugar levels in the blood. So early treatment is EXCERSISE, EXCERSISE and exercise, diet – healthy eating plan in consultation with a Dietician, exercise, and medication usually Metformin ( a drug to reduce Insulin resistance, reduce liver output of glucose and improve fasting sugar levels (which lessens the risk for end organ damage).

There are very clear targets that need to be tested more frequently initially (looking at your glucose levels over the preceding time period – HbA 1c (a blood test)) and then 6 monthly to ensure that your glucose remains at target (around 7 %). In the past targets were a lot higher but research has proven that the better the control the less: blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks and amputations. Obviously these targets are individualized and each patient is evaluated according to their own set of parameters but the aim these days is for tight control.

Diabetes is a multi-organ, multi-facetted disease that requires an approach involving a team. All Diabetics need to be seen at least yearly by : a Dietician (more frequently initially), a Podiatrist (specialist in foot care), an Ophthalmologist (eyes need to be examined and especially the back of the eye), a Biokineticist (exercise needs to be specifically prescribed according to each individual in terms of what you need to get your heart rate up without causing damage – it gets stepped up as you get fitter), a Diabetic counselor (who provides advise and information about your condition and treatment and how to use your Insulin/treatment) and your GP or CDE Doctor.

Insulin has only been around since 1922 (before that Type 1 Diabetese was a death sentence) and our knowledge of Diabetes has increased dramatically and management of Diabetes is continually evolving. This wonder, life-saving substance which initially was only used for type 1 Diabetics is now having a life changing effect on the management of type 2 Diabetics that need it.

The shear numbers involved in this Epidemic (as it is rightly being referred to) speak very loudly for themselves. The scary reality is that the numbers are increasing alarmingly. There are factors that are out of your control: your genetics, your environment with its stressors – mentally and physically and partly the food which we have available to eat (less nutritious than in years gone by). However there are many factors that are very much within your control and need to be prioritized: your state of motion (the presence or absence of exercise), the food you do eat, the early detection of diseases and optimum treatment of them. You are the manager of your own health and in no other disease as much as with Diabetes. Take the challenge to manage it well!

Written by Dr Claudine Lee (26 Hilton avenue) GP with an interest in Diabetes and Ophthalmology.

At the SASMT 25th SASMT 25th Music Eisteddfod, held recently in Pietermaritzburg, the above girls each received a GOLD (A+) in their respective solo categories.

Pictured here back: Chelsea Kisbey-Green (Saxophone Grade 7), Phillippa Manners-Wood (Piano Grade 7), Robyn Barnard (Saxophone Grade 5), Kessia Theron (Piano Grade 5)

Front: Erin Crossman (Saxophone Grade 5), Jemma Aldworth (Saxophone Grade 5) and Tatum Pead (Violin Grade 7)

Absent: Ntombifuthi Shezi (Saxophone Grade 7).

In addition, the following girls have subsequently been invited to perform at the Best of the Eisteddfod Prizewinners' Concert on Wednesday 27 August in Pietermaritzburg: Chelsea Kisbey Green, Robyn Barnard, Erin Crossman, Jemma Aldworth, Tatum Pead and Ntombifuthi Shezi. It is set to be an outstanding evening of performances from our provinces' best young musicians.

News supplied by St Anne's.