THE Kloof Conservancy celebrates the Welcome to Kloof sign on the Pioneer Road off-ramp from the M13. The sign’s history dates back to 2001, when the late Ian Pattrick, then conservation manager at Krantzkloof Nature Reserve, made and donated the original sign as a gift of thanks to the Kloof Conservancy and the Kloof community for their support for the reserve.

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In 2017, the sign was severely damaged when a driver crashed into it. Kloof Conservancy chairperson Paolo Candotti said the first sign was erected by local landscaper Phil Page who also kindly designed and installed a garden near the sign on behalf of the conservancy.

“The main sign was replaced with a new one. The wood was donated by Hans Schneemann from Eco Timber Traders who sourced the wood from an alien Cedar tree harvested on a farm in the Midlands which had to be felled as a result of a change in farming practices.

“Kevin Williams from Vimar Timbers did the engraving and Kloof Conservancy vice chairman, Bruce Crouch, did the painting which took over two weeks to ensure correct application. At that time, we were able to recover one small section of Ian’s original donation and that was the section which had the words: ‘A Kloof Conservancy Project’. Unfortunately, time and the weather have taken their toll, and this section has had to be replaced as well,” he said.

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The Kloof Conservancy said they hope that all residents and visitors will enjoy the spruced-up sign and always feel welcome when they arrive in Kloof.

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