Fidler in the Hood: Your vote could tip the scales for Uvongo
The highlight of the week was attending the annual reunion of former members of the BSAP, a very special brand of brothers.
GREETINGS, one and all. The weeks are whizzing by and it will be the winter solstice quite soon – mid-winters day and the second half of the year will take over. So, make the best of it. There’s a whole lotta livin’ to do, especially down here on easy street, potholes notwithstanding. On with the show.
ALSO READ : Fidler in the Hood: Life is beautiful
Vote now
Last Sunday night, the last of nine finalists was announced in the Kyknet Kwela ‘Dorp van die Jaar’ competition. KZN. The finalists are Uvongo; Stilbaai, Western Cape; Patensie, Eastern Cape; Vrede, Free State; Potchefstroom, Gauteng and Northwest; Sutherland, Northern Cape; Phalaborwa, Limpopo; Swakopmund, Namibia, and Dullstroom, Mpumalanga.
This means that voting is now open to determine the final winner. To vote, sms Uvongo to 33157. Every person can send as many as 30 votes from the same phone. Voting closes this Friday, May 31, at noon. The winner receives a first prize of R1m worth of television exposure on Kyknet and a big party for the town, sponsored by Kia.
Friendly territory
The highlight last week was attending the annual BSAP reunion at Cinder City Moth Shellhole in Umtentweni. Your scribe has to admit he’s never been a ‘when-we’, retaining only the fondest of memories of that place to the north of SA.
However, a couple of years back he was asked to follow up on the local Blue and Gold reunion. It turned out to be a memorable occasion and it’s been happy attendances ever since.
This year’s event was attended by some 80 ex-BSAP veterans and wives who were warmly welcomed by organiser Barry Woan.
My buddy
A poignant eulogy was read by Nigel Triggs on behalf of his late BSAP buddy Brian Hutchinson, ending with military honours being afforded to wife Jenny. Nigel briefly narrated how their lifelong friendship was formed and stood the test of time.
The ‘esprit de corps’ was still there. Looking around, it was moving to think that once upon a time they were all young men, full of adventure, ideals and promising careers.
Where have all the flowers gone?
Kabul nights
For some the sense of adventure has not disappeared.During Barry Woan’s welcoming address, ex-BSAP member Laurie Wasserman and his wife, Mar, were singled out for attention as they had travelled all the way from Afghanistan to attend. Afghanistan? Maybe I had misheard? Afghanistan? Who the heck wants to go there? What on earth he was doing in Kabul? After all, he could have retired to more peaceful pastures.
He replied ‘I work for the Afghan government.’ he replied. Enough said. How long has he been there? Eight years. What’s it like living in Kabul, Afghanistan? Your scribe was wondering if they might need a neighbourhood news scribe. You never know: there might be a need for a bolt-hole if potholes are not filled or ‘Uncle Cyril’ doesn’t keep his promises.
Meet Jack
Upon meeting Jack Parker, he emphatically denied he was the ex-Belle Vue Aces speedway star of yesteryear. But he was a career officer with the BSAP for some 25 years. Chris Cummings, ex-BSAP cop on the beat, part-time Tottenham Hotspurs fan and now career parkrunner, was there, who has reached the 100 parkruns milestone.
ALSO READ : Fidler in the Hood: After The Ball is Over …
Winning ticket
The CO and your scribe did walk off with a bottle of French champagne won in the raffle. Cheers to the Band of Brothers (and sisters) who made the BSAP and its fine reputation. A lost generation, perhaps, but the men and women who served in the force will always be part of the Blue and Gold. Till we meet again.
This sporting life
Right now, there’s a lull in life: the English football season is over and withdrawal symptoms are kicking in. Spanish and Italian league football just isn’t the same and Scottish football is like watching Macbeth – comedy at its worst. So, how about taking part in the Southern Shoreline Challenge. If you missed the first leg, you can ‘catch up’ this Sunday (June 2) at Lucien Beach. All good fun.
Alternatively, diarise the 35th annual Grandparents’ Walk on Wednesday, July 3, starting from St Mike’s beach. Of course, you have to be fit for the ‘Old Folks’ walk, so maybe entering the Southern Shoreline Challenge is better?
All’s well…
To end the week: a feel-good story. The CO’s ‘pride and joy’ – her precious Mercedes, lost its wing mirror cover. Visions of coughing up a couple of thousand to replace it crossed our worried minds. Step in Harriet Vatsha and Simon Sandile, who help make our ‘Home and Garden’ such a delight to live in.
It just so happened that Harriet and Simon had seen a black thing lying in the long grass nearby. The search party (Simon) went to seek and find and returned with hands behind his back to tell us no luck – it had gone. Then, voila! Simon brandished the coveted cover. Smiles all round and thousands saved.
Thank you, Harriet and Simon. Another day, another week, living with the super people down here on the Hibiscus Coast. See you, Rob.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
