Umtamvuna Views: Port Edward enjoys bumper festive season
An estimated 35 000 people converged on Port Edward on New Year’s Day.
MONDAY’S traffic was back to normal as most holidaymakers have headed home. By all accounts it was a busy festive season. Water woes affected some areas on some days, and refuse collection services were lacking a bit, but generally crime and litter seemed minimal.
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This could well be attributed to the added, efficient efforts of police, GP Security, ratepayer and conservancy associations and volunteers. The NSRI reported that an estimated 35 000 people converged on the main beach and surrounds in Port Edward on New Year’s Day. The well-manned roadblock at the beach entrance ensured that alcohol never made it onto the beach. There were no drownings reported.
Sad tidings
Theresa MacPherson of Trafalgar has been a Munster Bowling Club stalwart for many years. She was an active playing member until she was a centenarian and used to be invited to roll the first bowl of every new season. Sadly, she died on December 17 – at the amazing age of 104. Theresa lived with her daughter Elaine and son-in-law Peter Bauchop and will be sorely missed by her family, friends and fellow bowlers.
Impromptu serenade
Jeanie West from Port Edward celebrated her birthday on January 7, but arranged a casual bring and braai with friends under the Milkwood trees at Palm Beach last Sunday.
An impromptu item of entertainment arrived in the form of a ‘wandering beach troubadour’ who saw the gathering and decided a little serenade for Jeanie was in order.
He strummed his guitar and sang ‘happy birthday’ to the amused group. He also managed to earn himself a couple of rands by passing his hat around. It was a quirky and sociable celebration.
Incredible job
Marc McArthur (29) grew up in Port Edward and attended Creston College. After school he attended hotel school and from there he embarked on his dream of seeing the world and working on a cruise ship. He made that happen and is currently head ‘mixologist’ (which means a professional mixer of alcoholic beverages) for Norwegian Cruise Lines.
He was also the winner of the 2017 Global Travel Award and a finalist for the 2019 Bacardi Legacy Cruise Competition, which takes place in Puerto Rico in February. His parents, Mandi Knee (who now runs a B&B in St Helena Bay on the West Coast) and Graeme McArthur (of Waterworld fame) are justifiably proud of their only son. Marc, who has travelled extensively, still feels that the Umtamvuna region is a beautiful corner of ‘paradise’!
All news to Philippa.
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