Lister & Lister provided prizes on Tuesday. Winners were Jean Pluke, John Bayley, Richard Lister and Andy Hitchcock. On Thursday we were washed out shortly after tea. Friday saw us playing the second monthly Investment Facilitators competition. A team of visitors under the guidance of Barry Earnshaw took the top honours, while Thelma and Mike Mylne with Dave Stevenson at lead won the second prize.

Our grateful thanks to IF for their sponsorship.

Despite not having prizes for the winners, thirty people turned out to play on Saturday. Although heavy cloud hung around all afternoon, the rain held off until we completed our games.

Thelma Mylne and Margie Garrard were in the NIBA President's team that played in the Quadrangular tournament last weekend. It was a good experience for them both and they thoroughly enjoyed meeting bowlers from all over KwaZulu-Natal.

Members are asked to bring a small plate of snacks to share after the AGM that will take place after bowls on Thursday.

Duties: 16 - 22 Feb: OOD: John Pluke. Tabs: Jean Pluke. Duty Team: Taffy O'Neil-Williams. Teas on 22 Feb: Deirdre & Bill McQuade. Biscuits: 18 & 20 Feb. Pat Bennet & John Bennie.

News supplied by Hilton Bowling Club.

We missed out on our bowling on Thursday, and the monthly prizes sponsored by Lister and Lister will be carried over. A crowd of forty-four players turned up on Saturday to play for chickens. As we had a mixture of rinks and trips, the prizes went to the team winning the highest number of ends. The winners were Chris Purchase, Colin Watson, Mike Mylne and John Bennie.

Well done gents, and thanks to Quarry Spar for the chickens.

BSA membership cards have arrived. These will be issued to players over the next week or two.

Ask Derick for your card.

The Notice of Meeting for the AGM on 13th February is on the board. Members are invited to nominate candidates for the following positions: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and two further members. Nomination forms are on the board.

The next Jaxx Roll will be played on 19th February. Entries to John Pattrick. (033 343 1931)

The next IF Sponsored Trips Competition will take place on Friday 7 February.

For the next few weeks, IF the forecast temperature for Pietermaritzburg exceeds 35 degrees, we will start playing at 14:30, but will try to confirm this by SMS.

Duties: 9 - 15 Feb: OOD: Dave Hammond. Tabs: Chris Purchase. Duty Team: John Pluke. Teas on 8 Feb: George Oldham and Janice Shipway. Biscuits: 11 & 13 Feb. Peter Bailie & John Bayley.

News supplied by Hilton Bowling Club.

Grace College pupil, Tristan White (Grade 10), competed in the Harescramble motorbiking event held at Jolivet Farm, outside Ixopo, recently. The event consisted of a 33km loop, which included forest rides, river crossings, hill climbs and an Enduro Track. It was Tristan's first race on a 125cc motorbike, having competed on an 85cc previously. He competed in the Senior category comprising 95 riders and clinched 3rd place after completing four 33km loops in 3 hours. Grace College is very proud of Tristan's achievement and wishes him well for the up-and-coming events.

News supplied by Grace College.

There is a newly published author in the village, our Deborah Don, self-esteem and massage therapist at Crossway's Health Centre here in Hilton, has a published book and has collaboration in the pipeline!

The exciting achievement has been a while in the making and was catapulted into being last year when an American scout for women's interest material discovered Deborah Don's material online and offered her a bursary to help her publish her work.

Hesitant at first Deborah did some scouting about of her own to ensure this was not a scam, she found nothing untoward and decided to jump in feet first. The result is an enlightened guide to nourishing one's self, completely.

With more than 25 years of experience in alternative healing therapies, Deborah brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her work, by teaching the mindful application of self-empowerment through self-healing and building self-esteem.

This unique little book will appeal to anyone who is interested in taking responsibility for their health care. It will guide you as to how to achieve complete health in an easy to manage way, with no diets or punishment and reward cycles.

Everything you need for this you already have in your home, so there is no large financial outlay. It gives you information that you can use with immediate effect, to increase your sense of being in control of your life.

Complete health means living fully.

The books are available from Deborah at R120.00, call her on +27 (0)33 343 3226 or +27 (0)82 228 7943 to order.

Keep an eye on HiltonVillage.co.za for news of future book signings in Hilton.

The final two club championships for 2013 were decided last week, and Doug Robertson was the victor in both the open singles, and with Gill, the Nominated Mixed Pairs. Congratulations to you both.

Winners of the Jaxx Roll on Wednesday were Denis and Kathy LaRiviere and Clive Fryer. Plate winners were Brian Ravno, Bill Ralph and Bernice Shaw. Well played to all the winners, and thanks to our generous sponsors.

We will be playing our annual match against Umgeni on Friday 24th January at Umgeni.

On Saturday we were pleasantly surprised to have Ann Roberson, a past president, join us for tea. She has moved back to Hilton and will probably re-join the club soon.

Duties: 26 Jan – 1 Feb: OOD: George Oldham. Tabs: Dave Hammond. Duty Team: Colin Watson. Teas on 1 Feb: Pamela & Des Morrish. Biscuits: 21 & 23 Jan. Peter Ayerst & Jill Bannatyne.

News supplied by Hilton Bowling Club.

Angel Goge is welcomed to the 2014 school year at Laddsworth Primary School in Hilton by two Grade 7 boys, Liam Wedge on the left and Brogan Tedder on the right.

News supplied by Laddsworth Primary School.

No, this is not a case of inaccurate product information, but something much more dire. The rookie explorer Phoebe has expanded her wanderings from the colossal terrain of the couch and disappeared into the wild unchartered territories of Hilton. Please help us get her home, her absence disturbs the equilibrium and everything is topsy-turvy. Due to her inexperience in travel, it is uncertain whether or not she knows where Steers is to fill her tummy, and her good nutrition is of the utmost importance.

She lives at 500 Celtis Road, and we can be contacted on 082 453 2929/033 343 3879. Alternately, if she is found by you, gracious Samaritan, the two vets in Hilton can also be kindly used as drop-off points.

PS Don't bother calling her by name, she only answers to bugle calls and the Carte Blanche intro song.

36th Annual Ronnie Davel to be held on 12th Janiary 2014, Registration will take place on Saturday 11th at Laddsworth Primary School from 10h00 to 13h00 and from 05h30 on race day.

Never Never Land Creche in Hilton is headed up by Zandile, the founder, who began this initiative about 12 years ago. Highlights of the last term at Never Never Land Creche include a trip to Crafty Duck and then the very important Graduation Ceremony which was held on Saturday the 23rd November 2013.

Melany Sanchez, a volunteer teacher at Never Never Land Creche shared these photos with us and more have been added to their gallery.

Now is your chance to experience the fantastic cuisine and exquisite ambience of MENDOLA which is situated at the start of the Midlands Meander. Start the weekend off with a romantic Evening and stay over at Mendola, with the person you would most love to be with and enjoy their company!

Make this Valentine's Day one to remember. Not because it is commercial, but because the one you love will appreciate being spoilt and what a wonderful surprise you can both share...BECAUSE YOU'RE WORTH IT!

We would love to host the evening and allow you to enjoy a super special VALENTINES DAY!!

For any Genuine Proposals on the Evening at Mendola, we will offer a Free bottle of CHAMPERS!! (Kindly note that we need to know in advance please.)

We are a Wedding Venue with Accommodation, so this will be the perfect time to see if this is the venue you have always been dreaming about!

DINNER AND STAYOVER

R600 per person Sharing- in up market,
2 Bedroom, self-catering Chalet. (FULL BAR FACILITIES)

DINNER ONLY

R275 per person for a Romantic Dinner by Candle Light with Champers and
Roses

BOOKING ESSENTIAL : 0792871619 - Linda or 082771344 -Gill

---OoO---

MENU

STARTERS
Smoked trout mousse in a phyllo basket with a baby salad or

New Zealand mussels with a herb topping baked and served with garlic mayonnaise

MAINS
Farmhouse roast chicken and mushroom pie or

Roast rare fillet of beef with a luxurious pecorino cheese wine and cream sauce

Roast leg of lamb with minted gravy

Slow-roasted lamb shanks in a red wine sauce with baby onions and carrots – served on mashed potato

Roast baby potatoes

Roasted mixed vegetables

Green beans snap peas and peas with garlic butter

Courgettes

Broccoli with a sour cream and chive dressing

Honey glazed carrots

Baked butternut

DESSERT
Ice Cream with either our own caramel sauce or berry coulis

Apple crumble

Malva Pudding and Custard

Chocolate pots

Hilton College celebrate their most recent Springboks, Protea Hockey players Nick Spooner and Tim Drummond.

Image supplied by Hilton College.

The name Sh'Zen means natural in Japanese and reflects our philosophy and simple approach to beauty. We carefully select essential oils and plant extracts to formulate therapeutic blends that promote harmony for not only the skin and body, but for the mind and spirit as well.

Michelle Robinson is the Hilton based agent for Sh'Zen who will ensure that all your orders received before the Monday deadline are available by the weekend!

It's summer and bodies are out there so Michelle would like to share the special below...order on +27 (0)83 375 5302.

The Committee of the Hilton Ratepayers' Association (HRA) decided at its meeting in December 2013 to distribute a Newsletter every quarter in order to publicise more widely its activities, and also to obtain further feedback from the ratepayers and residents of Hilton. This first Newsletter gives a summary of past and current activities, possibilities for further activities, committee membership, and communication details.

Membership of the HRA is open to all ratepayers in Wards 6 and 7 of the uMngeni Municipality at a membership fee of R200.00 per year.

Recent activities have included the following:
• Participation as an Interested and Affected Party (IAP) in the Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for developments in Hilton. The aim is to ensure that development is carried out in such a way that the ambience of Hilton Village is enhanced while at the same time recognising the need to support appropriate development and progress.
• In particular as an IAP in the proposed Hilton – Mondi development by Larusco Developments the HRA was involved in appointing specialists to assist in the first stage of the EIA, and most recently has instructed attorneys to appeal the approval granted for the provision of wastewater treatment facilities. A decision on this appeal has not yet been made. Participation of the HRA with others in the EIA process contributed to the removal of any industrial sites from the development, and the requirement for the HRA and others to be authorised to give oversight on detailed progress on the development;
• The HRA participated strongly in the property valuation roll carried out in 2011 and 2012, including the preparation of a detailed analysis which was submitted to Council officials;
• In dealing with infrastructure services, members of the HRA Committee were involved in the planning, design and construction stages of the new power line, preparation and submission of a detailed survey of road conditions, and water supply refurbishment and upgrade planning;
• The HRA has always adopted a constructive and cooperative approach in its dealings with officials and councillors of the uMngeni and Msunduzi Municipalities and the mutual relationships are therefore generally good;
• The Committee is working with other representative residential organisations in the uMngeni Municipality for the development of a joint forum to deal with issues where a combined effort may be beneficial.
The Committee currently has eight members with an acting Chairman, a Secretary and a Treasurer. Increased membership is desirable and is entirely voluntary. Communications with residents and ratepayers are by email (1,250 addresses) and Facebook (800 addresses).
The Committee meets once a month and as required when dealing with specific issues. The Councillor presents a report on Council activities and receives input from the Committee which can be referred to the Council. This includes a summary of the financial position of the uMngeni Municipality. It was noted at the last meeting that the payment of rates by Hilton residents is in arrears in the amount of approximately R9.5 million!
Membership funds have been used to pay for specialist advice, for the preparation and printing of reports, and for the hire of facilities for the AGM.

These three amazing cruise packages are available from Hilton Travel. Book now and set sail during 2014!

Cruise One
April – June 2014
Flights + Venice Hotel + Cruise + Airport Taxes
Your journey begins with a flight to Venice with Emirates. You will be transferred to your Venice hotel for 1 nights stay which includes breakfast. You will then set sail on a 9 night cruise onboard the lovely MSC Armonia from Venice and visiting Ancona, Santorini, Izmir, Istanbul, Cefalonia, Split and back to Venice. Your journey ends with a flight back home.

Inside Cabin @ R20,999 per person
Outside Cabin @ R21,599 per person
Balcony @ R25,599 per person

Cruise Two
October-November 2014
FLIGHTS + 4 NIGHT'S HOTEL LAKE GARDA + 3 TOURS + VENICE HOTEL + CRUISE + AIRPORT TAXES
Your 12 night journey begins with a flight to Venice with Emirates. You will be transferred to your hotel at Lake Garda, your home for 4 nights which will include breakfast and dinner. Tours are included of Lake Garda, Verona and Milan. One nights accommodation in Venice including breakfast. You will then set sail on a 7 night cruise onboard the spectacular Royal Caribbean's Splendour of the Seas from Venice and visiting Dubrovnik, Kusadasi, Santorini, Katakolon, Venice. Your journey ends with a flight back home.

Inside Cabin @ R28,999 per person
Outside Cabin @ R32,999 per person
Balcony @ R39,999 per person

Cruise Three
October 2014
FLIGHTS + 4 NIGHT'S HOTEL LAKE GARDA + 3 TOURS + VENICE HOTEL + CRUISE + AIRPORT TAXES
Your 12 night journey begins with a flight to Venice with Emirates. You will be transferred to your hotel at Lake Garda, your home for 4 nights which will include breakfast and dinner. Tours are included of Lake Garda, Verona and Milan. One nights accommodation in Venice including breakfast. You will then set sail on a 7 night cruise onboard the luxurious Queen Elizabeth from Venice and visiting Korcula, Heraklion, Rhodes, Kusadasi and Athens. Your journey ends with a flight back home.

Inside Cabin @ R31,999 per person
Outside Cabin @ R38,999 per person + FREE UPGRADE TO A BALCONY CABIN
Grill Suite @ R54,999 per person

Subject to availability at the time of booking.

The results for the 36th Annual Ronnie Davel held on 12th Janiary 2014 can be viewed here. The prizes awarded can be viewed here.

The images below are by sportpix and runners/walkers can follow them on twitter@sportpix_KZN or tag themselves on their facbook page. To order photos visit www.sportpix.co.za.

A Happy New year to all our members and to all who read this column. On Friday we launched the IF Sponsored Trips competitions. Twelve teams took part. The games were organised as three skins of seven ends, the same teams matched throughout the morning. Winners were Tom Hartley, Peter Bailie and Lorna Allen. The second team consisted of Chris Lake, Graham Appleby and Arthur Daugherty. David Mason and Lloyd Rowlands from the sponsors, Investment Facilitators, presented the winners with packs of meat. Joan Byrom won a meat pack on a lucky draw.

Joan, Olga Hutt and Margie Meek scored a nine during the morning. Well done to all the victors and very sincere thanks to IF for their support.

Saturday saw another full field of thirty-six players, including new bowlers Nina and Mike Guest, competing in the Quarry Spar Chicken Run. This time Thelma Mylne, Des Morrish and Richard Lister collected a full house! Winners of the chickens were John Pattrick, Pamela Morrish and Brian Newton. Thanks to Quarry Spar for donating the prizes.

Duties: 5 – 11 Jan: OOD: Ron Buchel. Tabs: John Pluke. Duty Team: Chris Purchase. Teas on 11 Jan: Pat Bennet & Chris Lake. Biscuits: 14 & 16 Jan. George Oldham & Fred Palmer.

Duties:12 – 18 Jan: OOD: Jean Pluke. Tabs: Jill Bannatyne. Duty Team: Fred Palmer. Teas: 18 Jan: John Arnott & Dave Stevenson. Biscuits: 21 & 23 Jan: John Pattrick & Joan Anderson.

News supplied by Hilton Bowling Club.

Hilton garden club member, Jacqueline Kalley, has just released two new books for gardeners. Previously Jacqueline co-edited the award-winning Veld, Vlei and Rose Gardens: An Inspiration for South African Gardeners published by Otterley Press in 2011.

The gorgeous new book, KwaZulu-Natal is My Garden provides a fascinating insight into the differing ways in which people choose to use their space, whether it be tiny or stretching across the countryside; high in the mountain regions, in the superb gardening conditions of the Midlands, or dreaming in the coastal warmth; gardeners with little cottages or grand mansions collectively organising their surroundings according to location, soil diversity and climatic conditions – and their personal preference. Thirty-eight gardens have been selected to show something of the wide spectrum of gardens in the province; their stories inspire, entertain and educate. Beautifully illustrated, these gardens and their relationship to the homes on the properties are ample proof that KwaZulu-Natal is indeed our Garden Province.

Eric Cornhill is the chief photographer of this lavishly illustrated book.

Retail price for KwaZulu-Natal is My Garden is R395 with trade discount for booksellers

Also available now is The Essential Garden Notebook, another Otterley Press production.

Gardeners dream in the poetry of colour, design and fragrance. They think in words such as romantic, lavish, or scented. Gardening in reality, is very hard work, requiring forethought and planning, the all-important budget and, sometimes an aching back. This Gardening Notebook is the essential extension to your garden tools – a mini reference book that cleverly interweaves Phyl Palframan's gardening thoughts together with practical tips on how to achieve the desired results. It also provides space for your personal observations and so becomes a record of your gardening aspirations. The illustrations are beautiful, whimsical and remind one of all the joys that gardening can bring.

The Essential Garden Notebook is priced at R150.

You can order via email, fax or snail-mail using one of the addresses detailed below;

EMAIL This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. OR

FAX +27 0867198397 OR

POST Otterley, 5 Wimbledon Gardens
18 Frances Staniland Road
Montrose
Pietermaritzburg 3201
South Africa

In Hilton? You can save R45.00 on KwaZulu-Natal is My Garden! Get your copies from Penny Purchase, order by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We all associate the Christmas season with wonderful feasts of festive food. Large joyous meals and rolling around with full groaning tummies. Mince pies, turkeys, chocolate and other decadent treats. Many of us want to spoil our pets too and add special treats to their bowls. Herein lies the problem though and all too often an over enthusiastic well-meaning owner ends up at the vet with a rather unhappy pet. What should you be careful of?

Pets are not small humans and unfortunately many of the things we consider treats can be harmful to your cat or dog. Never feed your pet anything very rich such as turkey skin, marinated meats or cream.

Feeding your pet large amounts of anything (even lean meat) can lead to digestive discomfort.

Onions, Garlic and Chives should never be fed to animals as it causes the breakdown of red blood cells and can make your pet severely ill. Alcohol is dangerous as pets are influenced by a much smaller amount than we are and can be made to feel very uncomfortable. Raw eggs can cause salmonella infections which can in turn affect the entire family. Fat can lead to pancreatitis and bones can break teeth, obstruct or even tear the intestines.

What about sweet treats? As with us, excessive calories lead to obesity and its resulting problems.

Once again, what may seem like a small amount to us has a much larger effect on your pet. A small biscuit is equivalent to a hamburger. Now imagine eating a hamburger every day on top of your normal meals!

Cats and dogs are unable to digest grapes and raisins and eating these may lead to kidney failure. Remember not to feed your beloved animal Christmas Cake.

Chocolate can make your pet fat, but the theobromine in it can also lead to serious consequences such as heart murmurs, tremors, seizures and death. Dark and cooking chocolate is the most dangerous, but all chocolate should be avoided. Caffeine may also lead to seizures and hypersensitivities. Never feed you pet raw dough. The dough will expand in the cat or dog's stomach and cause extreme discomfort. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in diet foods, some kinds of candy and toothpaste. In animals this product can lead to liver failure and seizures.

These are but a few of the things we may eat commonly that may affect your pet. Don' t feed foods that were not designed with pets in mind. Read the labels closely and always feed, even dog or cat food, in moderation.

Last Christmas most of our emergencies were food-related (old leftovers, turkey bones, too much fat).

There are several healthy treats available for pets. If you want to include your dog or cat in the celebrations feed it a safe and healthy treat and make your holiday a happy, stress free time.

Article by Dr Lillian Hirzel of Hilton Vet Hospital.