A ban on weddings at Paddadam

THE Paddadam Park is not available to be used as a wedding venue any longer, according to chairperson of the Paddadam Committee, Dawid Beetge.

The committee was forced to rethink its decision to allow weddings to take place at this scenic and tranquil recreational facility, after it came under fire recently. This was due to the fact that members of the public were denied access to the park for five days for the setting up of a wedding, the actual ceremony and then the clearing up.

Mr Beetge said that, while the organisers of the wedding had paid a small fee to secure the venue, the main aim of developing the Paddadam was not for profit but for families to have a safe place for entertainment and recreation.

“Turning families away from Paddadam to allow for weddings to take place defeats that objective,” he explained. “From now on the Paddadam will be used solely as a recreational facility to ensure that the general public always has access to it. We encourage schools and groups to visit the Paddadam for educational tours. It is a great opportunity to study the flora and fauna, and remember that we do not charge an entrance fee for children up to 18-years. Entrance fee for adults is R10.”

Mr Beetge wished to thank the sponsors that made the stage at Paddadam Park possible, as well as Doug Grewar and Gert Fray for supervising the construction.

“I also want to thank Marelise Harmse for all her hard work in arranging the Paddadam Market Days. The late Spring Festival was a great success and we are now planning our Christmas themed December market, so we urge local business people to start getting ready. I want to thank Alta de Kock and her team of public safety officers, Buurtwag members, municipal officials and police officers for their help in relocating the squatters that had taken up residence at the Paddadam. Most of all, we owe a lot of gratitude to our sponsors. Without sponsors, we cannot run this project,” he concluded.

Residents who wish to make a donation toward the maintenance and development of the Paddadam Park can use the following banking details:

Account Name: Paddadam Association

Bank: Standard Bank, Vryheid

Account Type: Savings Account

Account Number: 086532774

If you are visiting the Paddadam soon, be sure to look for the eight adult geese and nine goslings that have made their home among the reeds. One of the geese is still incubating her eggs and the committee is looking forward to welcoming more goslings to the family soon.