Editor
One of my child’s most cherished photographs is of herself seated on PJ Powers’ lap at what used to be called the Estcourt Trade Fair.
This was a popular annual event and Estcourt residents looked forward to it. PJ Powers was a rising star at that time (so we thought!)
Imagine my disappointment when I read Jennifer Platt’s review of PJ Powers’ biography, Here I Am (Sunday Times, August 10, 2014).
In what she calls “A powerful memoir of stardom, love and addiction,” Platt cites Powers as saying that her lows were very low: performing at a Beare’s furniture store in unglamorous Estcourt.
If it was unglamorous then, imagine what she would say now: litter everywhere. Revolting, stinking, filthy, silted gutters and pavements.
Nauseating, refuse dumps on every corner.
Dangerous bridges. Unsightly polluted Bushman’s River. Vehicle-damaging, pot-holed roads.
Defaced walls and bins in our main streets with stickers offering “Safe Abortions!”
The list goes on ad nauseum. All this in a town once hailed as the Queen of the Midlands!
Does Estcourt have by-laws?
If so, who monitors them?
What happens to transgressors?
Incorrect spelling of important place names is another thing that drives me up the wall.
Culprits should be heavily fined and compelled to take down the sign boards and correct the words. Names often incorrectly spelt are ESTCOURT (not Escourt), FORDERVILLE (not Fordeville, named after George Forder.)
The beautiful new sign at the Forderville Clinic is spoilt with poor spelling.
The sign-writer should not be paid! Street names like Connor, Alexandra and many others are often misspelt.
What about political posters? Are some parties exempted from the law?
There are many unemployed people who would gladly remove these for a fee.
Is it any wonder that road rage is on the increase?
Please Estcourt residents, let us return our town to its former glory!
Living In Hope