CAROL Lane, a former SABC award-winning journalist who now runs her own private investigation business, has spent several years uncovering local stories.

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Fascinated by life in her hometown of Kingsburgh, she has been relentless in her quest to document its past by “going down memory lane”.

Her tireless detective work has culminated in the launch of her unique book, A Meander Down Memory Lane – Echoes of the Past in Kingsburgh, KwaZulu-Natal. While researching the book, Lane conducted hundreds of interviews with people who live or once lived in the Kingsburgh area, which stretches from Doonside to Illovo Beach. She captured their recollections alongside her own memories.
In the book, she describes what it was like to grow up and live in the area during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, as well as the history that came before.

“We grew up in a paradise straight out of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn’s world, and I wanted to capture the era from the memories of residents past and present, in their own words,” said Lane.

Among the many stories she recounts is how people would travel miles to a house in Almond Road, Warner Beach, just to admire the plumbing in what was one of the first homes with indoor toilets. She also tells of the tradition at the Winklespruit Lifesaving Club, where members still raise a toast from the prosthetic leg of a late local man who lost his limb during a great white shark attack.
The book includes the poignant account of the dying words of a 12-year-old boy who was fatally attacked by a shark in local waters: “Tell my mom that I love her…”

Lane also shares the story of her late husband, Raymond van Staden, who raced to save the life of a teenage boy swept away in a rip current at Warner Beach. Although he saved the teenager, his bravery cost him his life, leaving his young son without a father.
Finally, Lane has unearthed definitive proof regarding the long-standing debate over how Winklespruit got its name, and why it is not called “Winkelspruit,” as many believe.

“There are some interesting recollections, and I thought it was high time to get these memories down in print,” she said.

Information about the book:

The launch of the book will take place on July 4, from 15:00 to 18:00 at Lords and Legends, Hutchison Park, Amanzimtoti. The book sells for R280 and can be obtained at Readers Rest Book Shop, 143 Kingsway Road, Warner Beach, Facebook: Readers Rest Book Shop, and at Baggies Kiosk, 3 Warnerdoone Way, Warner Beach, Facebook: Baggies Kiosk. It can also be ordered via the Facebook site: Echoes of the past from Kingsburgh KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, or by emailing casey@c-lane.co.za.

Competition:

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