Hundreds of people gathered at Meijersbrug to watch a traditional baptism service in the Klein Olifants River.

In addition to the spectators on the bridge, there were many along the river, while a tent was also put up near the bridge.

However, it is not the town’s homeless who have suddenly left their structures to be baptised.

@middelburgobserver

Carol Hardijzer of the Hardijzer Photographic Research Collection talking about the importance of preserving historic photos and postcards in order to frame history. The lecture was delivered today at the National Heritage Simposium hosted in Middelburg.

♬ original sound – MiddelburgObserver – MiddelburgObserver

The interesting picture was part of Carol Hardijzer’s presentation on Wednesday morning at the National Heritage Association’s symposium in Middelburg.

His topic was ‘Middelburg through the eyes of two deltiologists. With a reflection on the history of photography and postcards’.

Deltiology is the study and collection of postcards.

• We would like to share a few of Hardijzer’s postcards with our readers:

Some of the postcards are 110 years old and older.

Middelburg is the third town that Hardijzer has documented with his postcards. The other two are Heidelberg and Standerton.

Another interesting postcard is from the old Market Street (OR Tambo Street), where two women are walking on one side with a small boy on a tricycle, and on the other side, a man on a bicycle. Those who think there were potholes in those years, no, it was still a dirt road.

And if you think Middelburg is only in the recent past a town with a warm heart, a caring town, hear what English shopkeeper JW Henwood said.
Henwood arrived in the town from London on May 27, 1879, and said the following about the residents, “Of the people who lived here in the early days, I can only speak of them with the greatest respect and admiration – in fact, the genuine hospitality and friendship I have received from the Africander can never be forgotten.”