Distressed (Runaway) Dog: Glen Road Wed 10th March
Dear Geoff
There is a very distressed large brown dog running up and down Glen Road. First noticed around 11 am Long brown shaggy coat, very wet now. Appears very lost or cannot get back into his/her premises. Has a collar and we tried calling but too scared to respond. Any notices of a missing dog posted ? Regards Lesley
VOLUNTEER FIRE-FIGHTERS TO PROTECT THE FAR SOUTH
Have you ever thought of serving your own community as a volunteer fire-fighter? Well here at last is your opportunity. There is a move afoot to create a group of highly trained Volunteer fire-fighters that will be dedicated to protecting the Far South Peninsula from runaway wildfires. This much-needed initiative will be coupled with a move to strengthen community groups who wish to have some localized capability of defending their own homes against fire, by supplying basic training, technical advice and a liaison structure.
To get the ball rolling and explain what is proposed, there will be a meeting on Wednesday the 17th March at 7 pm in Glencairn at the Phoenix Hall (opposite the Total garage). Anyone resident in the South Peninsula is most welcome to attend to hear what is being planned and if you would like to think about enlisting in one of the programmes, please do not be shy, even if you are not young and fit – not everyone is needed on the fire line itself. A lot of backup people are also required for driving vehicles, communications, record keeping, equipment maintenance, catering, admin fundraising and other support tasks.
A LOCAL COMMUNITY MEMBER TAKES INSTRUCTION FROM THE VWS
Photo Rob Tarr
THE BACKGROUND
The South Peninsula is a very high risk area for runaway wildfires and has seen devastating outbreaks in the recent past that have destroyed homes, killed off wildlife and left huge tracts of land blackened and vulnerable to erosion. Many areas are currently overgrown with highly inflammable alien vegetation, just waiting for one spark to set it all ablaze.
VWS LADIES IN ACTION Photo by Rob Tarr
THE VOLUNTEER WILDFIRE SERVICES
The initiative to create a dedicated South Peninsula group of volunteer fire fighters is being made through the good offices of the VWS (Volunteer Wildfire Service), with the active support of existing local community fire-fighting units (CFUs) from Glencairn, Simonstown, Froggy Farm and Scarborough. The VWS is a highly professional fire fighting unit that for ten years has taken a leading role in fighting bush fires all over the Cape Peninsula and parts of the Boland. They operate from the Fire Base at Newlands and have recently set up a second station at Jonkershoek and intend to do the same in the South Peninsula - if enough volunteers can be enlisted to make it viable.
VWS operate a very professionally run training scheme, which requires several sessions per month, over the low fire risk winter months. The aim is to make the volunteer an effective fire-fighter, whose training and experience makes him/her safe to be on a fire line. The training is intensive and would provide the individual with a great opportunity for personal growth and confidence building, through handling tasks by teamwork and personal initiative. Besides the fire training, VWS volunteers are exposed to many useful new skills such as first aid, map reading and the use of GPS, radio operating, rope-work or chain saw operation.
GLENCAIRN: COMMUNITY TRAINING IN THE USE OF FIRE PUMPS
Photo by Rob Tarr
COMMUNITY FIRE PROTECTION
At the local level, the aim is to promote home protection through community fire fighting teams (CFUs) that will be set up and run on a neighbourhood basis by the residents themselves. These CFU groups will be trained to a much less rigorous level than the actual VWS volunteers, but over a couple of weekend sessions will be given the basic skills to enable them to put out a small fire or to at least hold the fort and keep the flames away from the houses themselves, until such time as the fully trained fire teams arrive on the scene to take over.
A further aspect of fire protection is the proposed creation of Fire Wise Communities. This is a structured programme that is promoted by the Working on Fire organisation (Wofire) and involves informing and educating communities in ways to make both their neighbourhoods and their own personal properties less vulnerable to fire danger. A short presentation to show what is entailed in all this, will be given at the meeting on the 17th by the Working on Fire team.
So please come to hear what this is all about on 17th March and any questions that you might want to raise will be welcomed. This very worthwhile community effort really needs your support to help reduce the ever-present fire danger in the Far South.
For further information about the meeting contact-
Steve Coe - 0833470453 and africoe@iafrica.com
Ken Findlay - 0825708212 and kenfin@telkomsa.net
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GGVNW MEETING ON WED 10th MARCH - PHOENIX HALL 7.30 pm
AGENDA FOR MEETING TO BE HELD AT THE PHOENIX HALL
19.30 pm ON WEDNESDAY 10th March 2010
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Agenda Point |
Time allotted
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1 |
Welcome, Apologies and Approval of Minutes of Meeting held on 10th February 2010. |
5 min |
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2 |
Report from SAPS – Inspector Nick Spreeth. |
10 min |
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3
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Reports from local Security Companies
c. ADT |
5 min |
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4.
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Crime data Sheets and Report back from Neighbourhood Watches a. Glencairn Residents’ feedback. b. Glencairn Heights including Glen Ridge, Glen Beach Resident’s feedback. c. Glenroad Residents’ feedback. d. Neptune’s Close – Resident’s feedback. e. Old Glencairn including Glen Marine and Cairnside Resident’s feedback. f. Welcome Glen Resident’s feedback g. Outdoor Network Feedback. |
5 min |
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5. |
Matters Arising a. Feedback on patrol car (Manu Choudree) b. Fire Committee feed back with information on future plans and a meeting on the 17th (Steve) c. Vote for your Police Station (Arne) d. Notice Board at Spar e. Date and time of future meetings – results of Questionnaire. |
15 min
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6 |
Topic of Interest: Climate change, urbanisation and the birds of Elsie’s Peak by Dr Phoebe Barnard |
15min |
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7 |
Any other Business a. Spar gift Voucher Raffle – redeemable only at Glencairn Heights Branch b. CCTV camera at entrance to GH? c. Nominations to CPFSF
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5 min
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8.. |
Date of next meeting: To be agreed at the meeting. To include the AGM. |
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Contact the Secretary on:
021 782 2296
072 368 7571
Dates for meetings in 2010 for your diary:
14th April
12th May
9th June
14th July
11th August
8th September
13th October
10th November
8th December
Fire-Fighting Training in Glencairn
Dear Neighbour,
On Saturday afternoon (6th March) we had the first introductory fire fighting training session given to us by a team from the Volunteer Wildfire Service (VWS). Residents from Glencairn and Simonstown were instructed in the use of fire pumps, hoses and beaters and were given an explanation of the training that VWS volunteers are put through in the course of their programme.
We were also given information about the formation of a future VWS hub in the South Peninsula and told how the community fire protection units would fit into all this planning.
RESIDENT GETS INSTRUCTION IN HANDLING OF FIRE HOSE FROM VWS
Photo by Rob Tarr
There is to be a meeting at the Phoenix hall at 7pm on Wednesday 17th, where the whole issue of fire fighting volunteers in the South Peninsula will be addressed in detail. Please come – even if you don’t see yourself as a Rambo, dragging a fire hose through the bush. We will need many helpers in a support capacity, for backup with communications, driving, hydrant and firebreak inspection, fundraising and a multitude of other tasks. Regards
Steve Coe .
(Glencairn Fire Watch)
Violin Spider
Dear Neighbour,
Another view
Regards
Geoff
Warn as many people as you can.
D
ue to the good rain and hot climate the Violin Spider is moving into houses.
It is often seen as a ‘Daddy longlegs’ spider and not the dangerous Violin spider.Please take note of this spider - it is very dangerous. Please warn kids and send to everyone you know to alert them as well! This spider is breading at an incredible rate and is found in more and more South-African houses!!!!
Dear Geoff,
A couple of years ago, you circulated information about violin spiders and sachs spiders. I don’t think that the recent information is a hoax, though SANParks could have been more to the point. These spiders are a problem to our local community, being small and having the habit of hiding under beds and biting people at night. Their bite is definitely serious. The photographs show the worst case scenario, but treatment by a doctor is always suggested. Local doctors and victims can attest to the real situation.
Good wishes,
Geoff Brundrit
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Lost Parrot
Hi Geoff,
Its our turn to ask for local community help, our Indian Ring Neck, female, green got out this evening, we almost had her then she flew off again, her wings are clipped but she does fly quiet well. Last seen flying towards the back of the Southern Right Hotel and we heard her squeaking but could not find her at about 7pm this evening. If anybody hears or sees her please call me on 083 789 1944 or Monica on 983 789 1548.
Just added a photo
Richard Tappenden
From: Richard Tappenden [mailto:globaltelemetry@telkomsa.net]
Sent: 05 March 2010 07:20
To: Geoff Neden
Subject: Ring Neck
Morning Geoff,
UPDATE:
We were up at day break this morning and back to where we last heard her at the Hotel just before dark, she called a few times and then took off back towards home, Main Road, just past Dixies and Cairnside. Her name is Nibbles and she goes crazy for a Round Plastic Bucket with a small towel inside, this will be the way to catch her.
From the attached Pic you will understand why she is so special.
To ALL that helped yesterday evening and those that phoned last night, THANK YOU.
Richard and Monica.
Global Telemetry Systems cc
Take Control from your Mobile Phone
Interactive Management Systems
SMS & GPRS Communicators
Wireless Alarm Systems
Handheld GPS Trackers
Tel: 021 786 4097
Fax: 0865571046
Cell: 083 789 1944
Suspicious Car Buyer
From: Doug Drysdale [mailto:ddales@telkomsa.net]
Sent: 03 March 2010 10:52
To: gneden@googlemail.com
Subject: Suspicious car buyer -GCH
Importance: High
Hi Geoff,
There is a chap in a (new) white Mazda 323 driving around Glencairn Heights this Wed am trying to buy cars ‘from the driveway“. His car reg is CA 14952 and he claims to want to buy quality used cars, but wanted to buy my daughters 25 year old rusted steed!! He has a leaflet naming himself as Vernon Harrison.
I have alerted Simons Town Police Station (Insp Spreeth) and they are following through with a patrol van immediately.
Regards,
Doug
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Fire Season - Tip No 2
A Friend in Need
Get rid of trash and undergrowth around your home
You can decrease your personal risk of having your house catch fire in a runaway wildfire with a few elementary precautions: -
If possible, keep a cleared space or lawn around the building itself.
Make sure that your gutters are free of leaves and trash that might catch fire. In the event of an approaching fire - block the down pipes and try to fill the gutters with water - windblown embers can land in a gutter and ignite your roof timbers. Downpipes can act as flues - venting up fire and sparks. PVC gutters, downpipes and fascia boards, in particular, can burn very fiercely and are strategically placed where this would cause maximum damage.
Remove all uncontrolled undergrowth from your garden - especially alien bushes. Avoid planting large flower bushes or ornamental shrubs close to the house. Succulents such as Aloes are a better bet, as they contain a lot of water and are not easy to ignite.
Clean up piles of fallen leaves regularly.
Trim off the lower branches from trees and shrubs. Try to have reasonable gaps between the tree canopies.
Do not have any creepers clinging to the walls of your house.
Keep stacks of wood and other combustibles away from the house and preferably covered up- never place them against the walls of the house. Try to avoid having wooden fences, gates or trellises attached to the house itself. Fabric canopies over windows are also a risk in a fire situation. All these fire risk items should be thoroughly wetted down, if a fire approaches.
If you have wooden decks or balconies against the house, think about installing an emergency water sprinkler system. Always keep decks free from clutter. In the event of an approaching fire, remove all garden furniture and cushions and wet the deck thoroughly.
Visit the Cape of Fire (COF) website, where you will find more useful advice together with an Australian ”U-tube” film clip, to show you how to make your home more fire safe and there is also a section for assessing your personal fire risk - just click on the following link: -
> > > > GO TO CAPE OF FIRE WEBSITE
Regards
Steve
Attempted Break-in at Clan Stewart Rd on 1st March
Sent: 01 March 2010 05:36 PM
To: Geoff Neden
Subject: [Greater Glencairn Valley N Watch] Attempted break in
Dear Neighbour,
Early this morning (between 12 midnight and 1.00am), there was an attempted break in at 52 Clan Stewart Street, Glencairn Heights. Two people were involved. They tried to enter via the garage door and a window but were scared off when the residents (who were still up having come in late from work) shouted at them. They ran off quickly and were possibly kids.
Regards
Geoff
GGVNW _ Questionaire
Dear Neighbour,
I attach below the Questionnaire discussed as the recent meeting.
Please complete and return it to me in time for the next meeting on 10th March
Kind Regards
Geoff
Greater Glencairn Valley Neighbourhood Watches (GGVNW)
QUESTIONNAIRE
AIM
A) To increase the level of attendance at our monthly meetings at the Phoenix Hall, Glencairn Heights. To do this by changing the time and/or day of the week on which they are held and by finding means of communicating with the rest of the valley residents who do not attend the meetings for whatever reason.
1. Present situation
We regularly get around 30 people to our meetings. The total population of the valley is approximately 5000 to 30 (less than 1%) is an extremely small sample.
2. Day of the week
As you will know, we normally meet on the second Wednesday of each month.
We have recently been approached by a number of residents who would like to attend but who have other regular meetings on the same Wednesday evening.
We wondered therefore if a different day of the week would reduce the number of clashes and free up more people to attend our meetings.
We spoke to the manager of the Phoenix Hall who informed us that the only other possibility on a regular basis was the second Tuesday of each month. The only two options available are therefore the second Tuesday or the second Wednesday of each month (assuming that whether it is the first, second or third week of the month is immaterial). Please register your preference where indicated below.
3. Time of the meeting
The meetings used to be held at 6.30pm all year round. Last year it was decided to look at changing this with a view to attracting more members. It was felt that people working in town might prefer a later start. A referendum was held with several alternatives and the chosen one was to start at 6.30pm in the winter (April to September inc) and 7.30pm in the summer. This was implemented last year but has not led to any increase in the attendance figures. The time now seems ripe with the change to winter times not far away to re consider this issue. Please register your preference where indicated below.
4. Communications
We can easily pose the above options to those residents with e mail (we have over 300 members on our Google Group – still less than 6% of the total population) and those who attend our meetings, but this still represents only a small fraction of the total valley population.
We need therefore to find a way of putting these options to those other residents who
· have e mail but are not on the Google Group or
· do not have e mail or
· do not attend our meetings for some other reason
5. Discussion on means of communication
Nearly all of our communications are carried out by e mail. This has so many advantages that there is no real alternative. However this leaves us with the problem of contacting those who do not have access to e mail. We feel that by not being able to easily contact those residents without e mail, we are missing out a large number of putative members. We have in the past tried to overcome this problem in a number of ways:
* By asking those with e mail to print out copies of messages and handing them to neighbours who are without e mail but given the number of messages and their nature, this is not practical.
* Another idea was to have a central place with public access where messages can be displayed. This might work with the more “administrative” ones such as Minutes of meetings, Agenda etc but would not work with urgent alerts etc.
* A further idea was to ask the local Press to publish excerpts of say the Minutes but again this would take up much space and we do not think they would go with it.
* Even arranging drops into post boxes would only work for Minutes etc and is extremely labour intensive.
* We were shown a system which works by giving alerts by SMS and of course most people have a cell phone even if they don’t have e mail. However when we investigated this system it had several shortcomings and we were not in favour of it. (It may improve in future to a state where we could re consider it).
Our present thought is (with permission of the management) to arrange for a copy of the Agenda and then the Minutes to be displayed in the Glencairn Heights Spar – a central location visited by many residents – for people to read there. (To make many hard copies available for people to take away with them would be too expensive)
We are rather at a loss as to how otherwise to deal with this and would welcome (practical) suggestions where indicated below. In the meantime we will discuss possibilities with the management of the GH Spar.
6. Voting
This Questionnaire will be circulated by the Google Group. Please vote where indicated below and return this document by e mail to : gneden@googlemail.com before the next meeting on 10th March.
7. Preferences
a) Day of the week Yes/no
I would prefer the meeting to be held on
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
b) Time of meeting Yes/No
I would prefer the meeting to be held at
6.30 all year round
7.30 all year round
c) Means of communication
My suggestions for better communications is
Geoff Neden
Secretary
12/02/2010