Stalwarts say fond farewell
After a stay of nearly 50 years, stalwarts of the Ermelo community, Ted and Dorothy Griffiths are retiring in Pretoria.The couple endeared themselves to the people of Ermelo over the years by becoming involved in many different activities within the community.
When the time comes to say goodbye to dear friends and family, it’s never easy.
After nearly 50 years of active and sincere community involvement, it’s so much harder.
For a well-known and much loved couple of Ermelo, Ted and Dorothy Griffiths, the time to say goodbye has sadly arrived.
The couple have decided to move to Pretoria where they will take up residence in the Huis Herfsblaar retirement centre.
Ted and Dorothy came to Ermelo as a young couple at the beginning of October 1965, after Ted was transferred here to take up a position as area manager for an insurance group.
The couple soon settled and quickly endeared themselves to the Ermelo community by becoming involved in various social activities.
Ted later entered the real estate business and he and Dorothy formed the then Alpha Estate Agency.
Dorothy was in her own right a businesswoman of note and was later appointed area manager of a courier service.
Ted was instrumental in starting the Ermelo Chess Club in 1972 and is still known for his keen interest in the game and especially for coaching youngsters in the finer aspects of chess.
“It was the same year that Bobby Fischer became the world chess champion,” recalls Ted.
As an amateur magician and puppeteer Ted soon trained Dorothy as his stage assistant and for many years they entertained and delighted young and old in Ermelo and all over the Highveld with their marionette and magic shows.
Other spheres of community activity with which the Griffiths name was synonymous included running the roller skating rink on Friday nights, the original Ermelo Flying Club, the model airplane club and their committed involvement in the activities of the Ermelo Methodist Church.
“We’ve had a wonderful stay in Ermelo and have made many friends and acquaintances over the years.
We would like to take this opportunity to say goodbye and thank you to each one of them.
“Ermelo and its people have been good to us and have supported us through good times and sad times and for that we will be forever grateful,” said Ted.
