Congratulations to Matthew de la Hey (Hilton College 2008) who has been awarded the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship.  The aim of this scholarship is to help in building leadership excellence in Africa. The scholarship is open to scholars from any African country who hold a recognised first degree and who are under the age of 30 for postgraduate study at an accredited South African university. The Mandela Rhodes Foundation offers young Africans who exhibit academic prowess as well as broader leadership potential an educational opportunity unique on the continent. While pursuing their chosen post-graduate degree, each Scholar benefits from access to leadership development programmes, rooted in the principles underpinning the Foundation.

In addition to the opportunity to interact with a diverse group of fellow-Scholars that spans the continent and academic disciplines, they become part of a wide-ranging network of young Africans of excellence who are expected to play leadership roles in their fields and societies in the years following their time 'in residence'.

The Scholarship aims at nurturing a network of young African leaders who are committed to being the best they can be; and to serving their fellow human beings, their continent and the world. In addition to paying tuition, accommodation and other allowances, the Scholarship offers an integrated programme of short residential courses that aim to develop scholars' leadership abilities; equip them with skills and tools for use in their leadership roles; and inspire them to deepen their purposes and goals.

Every Scholar receives personal mentoring by skilled practitioners that supports them to achieve their academic, personal and social goals.

During his time at Hilton College, Matthew was a keen canoeist (he was Captain of Canoeing), a rugby player and a competent academic, and displayed fine leadership skills.  He was also a fine artist having work displayed in the KZN TOP Matric Art Exhibition at the Tatham Art Galllery. 

Hilton is delighted that Matthew has achieved this prestigious award.

Article submitted by Hilton College.

Marion Lowe, a local artist from Hilton, has set herself a challenging assignment, namely painting forty pictures in forty days for Howick Hospice! From 5th November to 15th December, Marion will paint a picture a day. These unframed oils, aptly named Little Gems, will be sold for R500 each on a first come, first serve basis with part of the proceeds being donated to Howick Hospice. Marion experienced the loving care of Hospice when her father was ill and she wants to give something back.

Marion's Little Gems will concentrate on landscapes, flowers and figures ranging from traditional to modern.   Soft oils on canvas, rich in shades and textures, give life to her paintings and reflect her love of flowers and nature. Her paintings lean more towards the Impressionistic side, always leaving something to the imagination.

This artist extraordinaire seriously started her painting career in the late eighties, painting under the tutorship of widely acclaimed oils painter, Anne Lindsell-Steward and later under South Africa's best known landscape water colourist, Richard Rennie. She has had many successful solo and group exhibitions, and her paintings now grace homes all over the world.

Marion's paintings may be viewed, by appointment in her studio at her home in Hilton. She also exhibits at Sue Tarr's Summer House, Hilton.

Marion will be sending out a daily email with the Little Gem for the day.   To view Marion's paintings online or to subscribe to her daily emails visit her on www.marionlowe.com.

The World's View Conservancy had a good turn out of volunteers at their recent clean-up of the famous viewsite. The cool, misty morning saw young and not-so-young energetically gardening, picking up rubbish and removing alien vegetation.

Good job guys!

'Moustache Season is upon us, so I've decided to register for Movember and embrace the hair of the wild. I've pledged to cultivate a genuine 100% face grown moustache for 30 days to raise awareness and funds for men's health, specifically prostate cancer.

Now, I'm on the hunt for fellow trusty and fearless pioneers to join me by signing up to my team. Together we can change the face of men's health.

To join my Movember team go to https://www.movember.com/za/register/details/team_id/315922

The more people we can get to become Citizens of Movember, the more lives we can impact. You can either grow a moustache as a Mo Bro, or join as a Mo Sista to show your support and help recruit other Mo growers to the team.


Once registered, Movember will send you all the information you need to raise funds and start raising awareness for men's health as part of my Movember team.
If you'd like to find out more about the type of work you'd be helping to fund by supporting Movember, take a look at the Programmes We Fund section on the Movember website: http://za.movember.com/about

Please join me at https://www.movember.com/za/register/details/team_id/315922

Please feel free to invite as many other Mo Bros to join.'

Come on guys, this is a fun way to support a great cause.

Dave says, 'Join my Movember Team - Hilton Hairies.'

Thanks to Dave for sharing!

October is rose month and Lindsay's arch is looking delightful! Pop in to Lindsay's at the Lower Quarry Centre to enjoy great cooking and order your Glazed Gammon at R110.00 per kg, a Christmas cake or Mince pies. Lindsay is taking orders early so you can get in before she sells out.

You may also be in time to book the restaurant for your Christmas function or order a platter to go. Linsday has a special magic and everthing she prepares hits the spot, just what you need when the demands of the festive season become more then you can cope with.

Hilton College held Speech Day on Thursday 20 October. The Guest Speaker was Charles Yeats (Head Boy in 1974), author, lecturer and a Hiltonian who was jailed as a conscientious objector during the time of conscription.

In the photograph above are Charles Yeats, Marc Train (Deputy Head Boy 2011), Gavin Thomson (Headmaster), Mark Burman (Head Boy 2011), Yann LeClezio (Chairman of the Board of Governors).

News supplied by Hilton College

What an overwhelming response was received for the Annual Hilton Food and Wine Fair, held on 16 September, at the Protea Hotel Hilton.

With a vast range of tantalizing wines, as well a delicious spread of snacks and food samples, in a more spacious setting, the evening was vibrant and festive. The lucky draw prizes were received with much delight, and the main Spar Raffle, a Wine Fridge - filled with wine, was won by Elly Hooper, a local interior designer.

To Quarry Spar and Kwik Spar 'Rodney, Mark, Alan and your whole team: A Huge Thank you for all your support to Hilton Pre-Primary. It is invaluable as always.

To The Protea Hotel Hilton ' Jean-Claude, Craig and all your staff: What a perfect venue for such an evening. The background support was impeccable. Nothing we asked for was too much trouble, and the staff went out of their way to accommodate us.

We would especially like to thank Knight Force for the efficient and polite security guards which they gave to us for the evening.

To the Hilton Pre-Primary Fundraising committee, headed by Jean Allen, and assisted by Denise' Plaatjies, Diaan Bromley, Trudi Moran, Debbie Whitley, and all the parents who helped where they could. For all the months of beforehand planning and co-ordinating, organizing sponsors to donate prizes, setting up beforehand, running the evening so smoothly.

And saving the best for last ' to all of you in the community, and greater area, that supported us on the evening, THANK YOU! Your support has been overwhelming and without all of you the evening would not be possible.

We hope you have already saved the date for next years Food and Wine Evening. Same time, same place, same atmosphere - We look forward to spending the evening with you.

In 2010, 12 Conservancies in the KZN Midlands got together to form the Midlands Conservancy Forum (MCF) to share ideas, knowledge and discuss common challenges. Working together will support those who are facing daunting tasks and offer advice to the newer conservancies, too. Learning from one another is a vital component of the new forum, as everyone has different experiences to share. The MCF area extends from World's View, Winterskloof and uMgenyane Conservancies in the South to Kamberg and Hlatikulu in the North West.

The aim of the Midlands Conservancies Forum is to facilitate and coordinate the activities of a coalition of KZN Midlands conservancies, focussing on biodiversity conservation, which will ensure long-term environmental sustainability in the area.

Gareth Boothway, the project manager, is relishing the task of ensuring that the four areas (Dargle, Karkloof, Fort Nottingham and Umgenyane) which are currently in the process of having land proclaimed under the Biodiversity Stewardship Programme, are officially conserved for biodiversity. Thereafter, he will work on expanding the existing area and creating Biodiversity Corridors.

MCF has just been granted $154 000 by CEPF to carry out these tasks. See www.midlandsconservancies.org.za for more information.

Marian Van Der Westhuizen shares her Spring garden and some tips.

We are sure you will love the pictures and take inspiration from the following gardening hints Marian shared with us.

In Marians words, 'Gardening does not have to be an expensive hobby, embrace it as a culture of sharing, half of my garden comes from generous friends!

Share your slips between friends, even roses which are quite dear to buy can be successfully propogated from a cutting. Make your own compost.

Enjoy your garden and work with Mother Nature, if a plant is not thriving simply move it to a more suitable position.

When you are ready to spend a little, do visit Tony and Carlene Clark at Tanglewood Nursery for the most extensive range of fuchsias!'

The garden is a celebration of roses, arums, fuchsias, hydrangeas, orchids, begonias, birds, fish and more!


Marian does not spray, preferring to maintain the garden as naturally as possible and as a result her garden has lots of cheerful ladybirds in residence.Well done Marian, you are an artist whose medium is plant matter.

Marian is our local Sportron lady who shares news on health and nutrition information at her HiltonVillage.co.za page each month, read the latest in from Sportron today.

Hilton's rainfall makes gardening so much easier than in many dry areas of South Africa. If you feel bucked with your Hilton garden this Spring, give Desiree a call on 072 654 9779 and we will be happy to showcase your achievements.

Mum's Country Meals launched late in April 2011 providing healthy home-cooked frozen meals and baked treats in Hilton. Happily sated with delicious goodies their clients began to ask for more options and new opportunities have literally popped up for Mum's Country Meals. The resourceful owner Michelle Robinson quickly found new recipes, additional local cooks and quality suppliers in order to meet the fresh demands.

Mum's Country Meals deliver light lunch meals to local offices, bake cakes for all occasions, and cater for picnics, private dinners, birthdays and board meetings.

The high point of their cooking experience to date was catering for the Grace College Grade 10 Ball.

Extract from a Thank You letter sent to Mum's Country Meals by Sean Moore, the Headmaster at Grace College;

Thank you so much for stepping in at the last minute and doing all the catering for our Grade 10 Ball on Saturday. I really appreciate the work that went into preparing the food at such short notice. We really appreciate your friendliness and enthusiasm, and the food was great!

This success brought home the fact that they have huge potential and are poised for expansion. Watch this budding business for some innovative developments. Michelle is a self-confessed procrastinator who felt she did not see her ideas through, until now. Has this wife and mother of two charming little girls found her true calling? Try Mum's Country Meals next time you are too busy to cook or need help hosting a large group of guests and you can decide for yourself.

Mum's Country Meals will be at the Karkloof Farmers Market from the 5th November 2011.

We are thrilled to share this exciting news with you and glad that we can provide and give back MORE to you!

As from the end of November, beginning of December, eZali beauty will be in for an upgrade! We will be moving downstairs into apartment 13, which has a delightful small garden as well as treatment rooms facing Garlington's gorgeous country view. As from January/February 2012, we will then occupy 2 apartments and have 5 treatment rooms that will face the country view! We look forward to treating & offering the mini-spa feel within the new premises to you.

As a result of the upgrade, builders are currently refurbishing apartment 13 and we want to apologise in advance for the noise and the unprofessional state the entire apartment block will be in. Please do be careful when you enter the building as there may be cords or small tools lying around. The builders do try work neatly, but dust is a difficult one to control!

Refurbishing is taking place throughout Garlington and hopefully it will be completed by January 2012. We will notify everyone if we are asked to close for a day or two for major refurbishing events, but we hope that that won't happen.

Grace College celebrated their Valediction Service on Wednesday, 19 October 2011 in Hilton. This occasion is used to reflect on and thank the current Matric class for their contribution to the life of our School. The guest speaker, Dr. Mark Manley, addressed the pupils on timeless virtues. Mrs. Manley presented the Grade 12 pupils with their various awards.

The Dux Trophy was awarded to Brendan Ball and the Headmaster's Trophy (For living out our School's motto My utmost for His Highest in every area of school life), to Kerry-Lee Black.

Grace College would like to take this opportunity to wish all the Matrics the very best for their final exams.

Pictured right from left to right: Dr. Mark Manley (Guest speaker); Kerry-Lee Black (awarded with the Headmaster's Trophy); Mr. Sean Moore (Headmaster) and Brendan Ball (2011 Dux).

On Thursday 27 October, the world's current top all-round cricketer, Jacques Kallis, visited Hilton College. Jacques had a question and answer session with the boys and staff in the Theatre and this was followed by tea with this great legend, for all the school's cricket captains and the 1st XI at the Cameron Pavilion.

Jacques commented that he has had immense joy and satisfaction from playing for South Africa. He said that there are some very promising young cricketers coming through the ranks and that South African cricket is in good hands in the future.

The boys thoroughly enjoyed his address and the opportunity to ask questions of this great legend.

Pictured on the left is the Hilton College 1st XI with Jacques Kallis

Get a head start on your Christmas shopping at the Howick Hospice Festive Fair on Saturday the 29th October 2011 from 09h00 till 13h00.
There will be STALLS GALORE, including;

9am - Hans the Clown
11am - Robbie the Robot
Face painting & kids fun
10am Howick High Jazz Band

Cake sale, food, tea garden
Xmas goodies, plants, books

Outside stallholdersThere will be a R5 entrance fee payable and if you'd like more information you are welcome to call Kate on 033 330 5257.

''Stop in and join us for honest food, authentic beer and great company'' - Old Main Brewery

Do you want to take a minute out of the rush of your everyday life to stop, sit back, relax and enjoy life's simple pleasures? Then Old Main Brewery is the place you need to be.

Part of the Midlands Meander, Old Main Brewery is located in Hilton at the old Crossways Hotel. It's the perfect environment to enjoya wood burning fire,sip on a crisp, cold beer, and enjoy our authentic country cuisine. We offer an honest 'English Pub' experience, where you walk in and feel at home whether you are wanting a quick pub meal or prefer to settle in for the afternoon with family or friends and enjoy each others company.

Old Main Brewery is not only an authentic English pub ' but also boasts numerous other facilities such as a beer garden, bistro, and a function hire area ' all built around a working micro-brewery. Look out for local and seasonal specials on the bistro menu.

Old Main Brewery is the brainchild of local businessman, Rob Mitchell who is CEO of the RD Mitchells franchise group. Together with the brewmaster, he has developed a range of exclusive, small batch beer namely: Foxx Lager, Honeybadger Imperial Stout and 1806 Real Ale. These brands are fast becoming popular choices at Old Main Brewery and are an absolute must for all new comers.

The company has numerous other brand's and site's available for those interested in becoming part of the dynamic and rewarding hospitality industry.

Do not be alarmed if you spot some diminutive, yet dangerous looking characters about Hilton village this afternoon. It's the Grade 3 Pirate Day at Laddsworth Primary School and luckily for us all the only Booty they are after will be the treats on the Cake Sale tables.

Enjoy the slideshow below, thanks to Laddsworth for sharing.


















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The recent publicity regarding concern about severe damage caused by motorbike riding in the conservancy plantations appearing in this and other newspapers and forums seems to have had the desired effect as the number of motorcyclists abusing the conservancy area appears to be subsiding.

The damage caused by motorbikes is severe ' it is even visible on Google Earth! On the 8th October World's View Conservancy (WVC) members, with the assistance of Ezemvelo's Thurlow Honorary Officers, held a policing exercise, the objective being to patrol the plantation area informing and warning any erring visitors ' motorcyclists, game hunters, people littering or dumping etc ' and generally noting any damage or areas requiring attention. The officers spoke to several people, most of whom said they were not aware of the restrictions within the conservancy area. Afterward members enjoyed a braai at the view-site picnic area where it was noted that the area was clean and litter free ' hats off to Umngeni Municipality....As darkness fell WVC members undertook the first official game count, noting position and other information of various animals and birdlife. This will be repeated annually.

WVC are holding a clean-up of the World's View outlook-site on Saturday 29th October starting at 07h30. The intention is to clean up the gardens, removing alien vegetation and litter plus repairing nearby motorbike damage. Afterwards, at about 10h30, a bring and braai will be held for members and other interested people ' fires will be provided. Anyone interested in helping to beautify one of Pietermaritzburg's treasures is invited to come along ' please bring along garden tools, a black rubbish bag, your picnic and hear more about the aims of the World's View Conservancy. Membership forms will be available.