Eco Schools is an international programme that is run by the Foundation for Environmental Education. The main aim is to engage children in fun and action orientated learning as to empower them to be the agents of change our sustainable world requires. Pre-school is an ideal place to start with such exciting environmental education. Hilton Pre-Primary was recently awarded their international eco-school flag after going through a lengthy process.

The first step was the daunting task of writing a code which the school pledged to adhere to. A specific area needed to be chosen from one of the following five: Local and Global Issues; Healthy Living; Resource Use; Community and Heritage; Nature and Biodiversity.

Wildlands, based in Hilton, provided amazing support as well as the necessary recycling bins. At Hilton Pre-Primary the children are taught to recycle and these behaviour patterns are set at a young age. Other activities included walking the wetlands and learning about the insects and frogs that call it home. This was also a fun way for the children to learn about the importance of our wetlands. The knowledge gained sparks interest and from interest comes passion and another eco-warrior is born.

At Hilton Pre-Primary, Jo-Jo tanks will be installed to harvest rain water, children switch off lights to save electricity and they are not allowed to eat junk food to try and encourage a healthy diet.

The most exciting part is seeing the children embrace this philosophy and how it then filters into their respective homes. We would like to invite everyone to join us on this journey. There are still a limited amount of places available at the school.

News supplied by Hilton Pre-Primary School.

Life Coach Cherri Forsyth held a Coaches' Gathering on Saturday 21st February 2015. The event was an opportunity for life coaches to network and share ideas. This event was the first of it's kind and will be the first of many more. Local coaches were joined by coaches from Kokstad, Greytown and Durban.

Cherri Forsyth Life Coach says "The excitement and inspiration in the room was palpable. All of us working together to make ourselves better coaches."

Pictured here from Left to Right: Cherine Clark, Jason Stevens, Jen Cowie, Alison Warmback, Lynne Mc Namara, Shereen da Costa, Clyde Langley, Cherri Forsyth and Piet Bosman

New signage inside and out, higher shelves to better display stock and a more orderly layout have been included in the new look Hilton Village Build It.

Coming up today Friday the 20th February 2015 and again on Saturday the 21st February 2015 at 10.00am is a Halls' Cheese paint demonstration. Go along and learn about new paint techniques for furniture. The colour range is lovely!

A lucky draw win or spot prize could be yours if you shop at Build It today or on Saturday.

Pictured here is Blake Kershaw with Khanyiso Phungala.

News supplied by Hilton Village Build It.

The efforts of a year's worth of Eco awareness and action undertaken by Laddsworth Primary School's Eco-Committee, Eco-Club, staff, pupils and parents has earned the school an International Flag in the Eco-Schools programme run in conjunction with WESSA.

An Eco-audit, themed portfolios, collaborative bio-diversity projects, a marked reduction in electricity usage, recognition of local and global ecological events, the focus on healthy living as well as a deepened understanding of different heritages in our community were amongst the activities which culminated in an award winning Eco Schools submission.

Pictured above back L-R: Gavin Lambooy (Headmaster at Laddsworth Primary School), Callum Ross, Jenny Raubenheimer, Luke Pellow-Jarman and Sally Kelly.
Front L-R: Bianca Boshoff, Rachel Lock, Rebecca Briscoe and Gemma Hickinbotham .

News supplied by Laddsworth Primary School.

At the AGM last Thursday three new Executive Committee members were elected to fill vacated posts. Dave Trickett joins as Secretary, replacing Jean Pluke while Rob and Jean Tosen come in to replace John Pluke and Margie Garrard. We wish to place on record our thanks to the out-going members for their valuable contributions to the running of our club. Ron Buchel, the Treasurer has agreed to continue in his post for a few months for which we are truly grateful.

Johan Barkhuizen, President of the NIBA addressed the meeting on matters affecting bowls in our district. We were fascinated to hear of the burgeoning interest in bowls among young people in the area. About a dozen under 19 players are being coached. Johan then presented trophies and awards to a number of members. Jean Pluke and Dave Stevenson both successfully defended their titles as Ladies' and Men's singles champions and Doug and Gillian Robertson won the Mixed Pairs Trophy for the second year running. Awards for the most improved Lady and Gentleman bowlers went to Margie Seale and Richard Lister respectively.

The meeting ended on a cheerful note as we chatted and shared snacks.

The Artisan's Pizza and Pasta 2-4-2 tournament on Friday was won by Dave Garrard and Margie Seale. Other prize winners were John Pattrick, Lorna Allen, Tony Barrington, Julia Strachen, Mike and Janet Fairhurst, Mike and Thelma Mylne.

Thanks to Artisan's, Zevenwacht Wines and Wedgewood Nougat for their generous prizes.

Saturday saw 38 players locked in battle for meal vouchers from Rockafella's Restaurant provided by Bill Lambert. The winners were John Pattrick, Angus Snowden and Andy Hitchcock. Runners-up were Tom Hartley, Margie Seale and Tony Barrington. Neil Tainton and John Arnott won the Pairs competition.

Duties: 22– 28 Feb. OOD: Dave Garrard. Tabs: Margie Garrard & Neil Tainton. Lock-up team: Colin Watson. Teas on 28th;John & Jean Pluke. Biscuits: 24 & 26 Feb: Bernice & Taffy O'Neil-Williams.

News supplied by Hilton Bowling Club.

OUR TOWN
by THORNTON WILDER

"It is a little play about all the biggest things in life." Thornton Wilder

"Our Town" describes the everyday lives of two average American families in the early 20th Century to illuminate the timelessness and universal themes of young love and the eternal cycle of birth, life and death." (www.weathervaneplayhouse.com)

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1938, Our Town may be the most popular American play ever written. It explores traditional American values of religion, community, family and the simple pleasures of life, while employing innovative elements such as minimalist stage sets, a Stage Manager who narrates and controls the action, and a character who speaks from the grave. Although the setting, characters, and events are commonplace, Our Town addresses such universal themes as mortality, the human condition, and the value of everyday life. Wilder wrote, "Our Town is not offered as a picture of life in a New Hampshire village; or as a speculation about the conditions of life after death ..... It is an attempt to find a value above all price for the smallest events in our daily life" Our Town may be the most frequently staged American play of the twentieth century. It is continually in production at regional, community and college theatres, was filmed with most of the original Broadway cast, and has been televised more than once.

Emily: Oh earth, you are too wonderful for anybody to ever realize you.
Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it? – every,
every minute?
Stage Manager: No. The saints and poets, maybe – they do some.

News supplied by Grace College.

As part of their leadership programme, the Grade Seven boys and girls at Cowan House Co-educational Preparatory School recently enjoyed three days at the Spirit of Adventure leadership camp at Shongweni.

Pictured abseiling on the dam wall is Emily Vermaak, with Lisa Berndsen below.

News supplied by Cowan House.

Sincere apologies for the error in last week's report.
There are no league matches until 21st February.

On Friday we held the IF Trips competition. Winners were George Oldham, Anton Leisegang and Tony Barrington. Runners-up were Derick Hull, Barry Best and John Aubrey. Thanks to Investment Facilitators for the very generous prizes of meat packs.

Also on Friday two teams from Hilton played in the Eddie Telfer tournament at Maritzburg club.

A small number of bowlers turned out on Saturday afternoon for the monthly Quarry Spar Chicken Run. Chris Purchase, Mike Mylne and John Bennie scored a runaway victory and took home the chickens. Basil Fann also won a chicken, having clocked up the highest total of touchers. Our thanks to Quarry Spar for their sponsorship.

Thelma Mylne played for the NIBA in the Quadrangular Tournament in Durban last weekend.

Members are asked to wear club uniform to the AGM on Thursday. Please also bring a small plate of savoury eats to enjoy with your bowling friends after the formalities.

We will be holding a closed competition this Saturday. The format will be Drawn Trips and the prizes are substantial vouchers from Rockerfellas Restaurant. All members are welcome to enter.

The Jaxx Roll will take place on 18th February.

Duties: 15– 21 Feb. OOD: Margie Garrard. Tabs: Dave Garrard & Andy Hitchcock. Lock-up team: Fred Palmer. Teas on 21st John Pattrick & Chris Purchase. Biscuits: 17 & 19 Feb: John Fowler & Pat Bennet.

News supplied by Hilton Bowling Club.

Kobus Pieters, the new Maintenance Manager at Laddsworth Primary School and his wife Natashia have a long association with Laddsworth and the Hilton community. They first moved to Hilton in 1976 and Rohan, their son is a Laddsworth old boy.

News supplied by Laddsworth Primary School.

Laddsworth Primary School entered the Kids Literature Quiz which was held on Tuesday, 17 February at Athlone Primary School. Our senior team of avid readers ranked third in the contest.

Pictured Above Back L-R: Luke Holtzhauzen and Sharon Houghting.
Front L-R: Chelsea Gillitt, Sthandiwe Cele, Zoë Von Fintel and Olivia Barry (reserve).

News supplied by Laddsworth Primary School.

Nestled in the hills above Pietermaritzburg is the beautiful village of Hilton which lies in close proximity to the Worlds View Conservancy. The Conservancy is home to the critically endangered Hilton Daisy. The views from this beauty spot is nothing short of spectacular. Photographer Alan Jackman was once again kind enough to share his photographs of this stunning venue that we as Hilton residents are so fortunate to have in propinquity.                            

The St Anne's Form 5 Social Functions Committee sold over 1000 Valentine's roses to raise funds for this years' Matric Ball. A record number that will result in lots of happy hearts this Valentine's Day.

Pictured left to right:
Back Row: Chrissie Rattray, Rebecca Throssell, Fikile Ntshanga, Claudia North

Front Row: Nombuliso Mkhize, Kwenzeka Mathe, Chumisa Mbande

News supplied by St Anne's.

Di's CD is out and available at Jewellery by Diana for R100.00. Tracks recorded include The Gambler, Blowing in the Wind, Under My Skin, Gentle on my Mind, Quando Quando, Knock three times and Strawberry Fields.

Last night Danny and Di Veness played the CD and had a dance to their favourite track. Danny said, '47 years ago when we got married I never knew that we'd be dancing to a CD with my wife singing. It's wonderful.'

View DI's musical story here.

The Victor Ludorum results for 2014 have been announced; Josephine Clewlow a Laddsworth Primary School pupil and her pony Chuckleberry Finn have won the KZN Victor Ludorum for both Novice Show Pony and Novice Working Pony. To be awarded the victor in both categories is a fantastic achievement.

News supplied by Laddsworth Primary School.

New parents at Laddsworth Primary School in Hilton received a warm welcome from Headmaster, Gavin Lambooy on Wednesday evening in the school Hall. This annual event is a wonderful opportunity for parents of children joining Laddsworth to get to know the staff and other new parents. The function is enjoyable and as always was well attended.

Pictured L-R: Harry Shaw (Chairman of the School Governing Body , Bryn Pollard, Janine Pollard and Gavin Lambooy (Laddsworth Primary School's Headmaster).

News supplied by Laddsworth Primary School.