Grace College Grade 11 pupil, Ayanda Gumede, recently  shared 1st place as Midlands Chess Champion during a tightly contested final round. Congratulations Ayanda on this outstanding achievement.  We  wish you many more wins.

Jonathan Wing a Grade 8 pupil at Hilton College has been selected for the South African Team which will take part at the World Cup of ROK Karting in Italy which takes place in October.

On Sunday, 07 August, supporters of the good work done by STEPP rallied together to partake in the STEPP Mixed Doubles Tennis Tournament. Against a snowy backdrop, competitors had a day full of fun and camaraderie. The tournament was originally arranged as a fundraising initiative to cover the running costs of STEPP, which are critical to the efficient running of the group.

A tennis tournament was chosen, as Barbara Paulo ' a part of the STEPP family ' is an avid tennis player and sees it as a sport that is fun, community-minded and geared towards gathering like-minded people for an enjoyable day in the effort of fundraising. STEPP benefits enormously from spending time with members of the community, as well as those a little more far afield; and the tennis tournament formed an effective extension of this, with people from Durban travelling to play. Participation was broad, including local and Durban tennis clubs; students from St Anne's, Cowan House and Maritzburg College; St Anne's staff and friends of the school.

The high standard of tennis played on the day never ceases to surprise, and the social matches provide an opportunity for a lot of fun.  Sanele Lungwazi and his partner Nosipho from Durban won the A Section, Nick Hainsworth and Elicia Smit won the B Section and Theo Henning and Barbara Paulo won the Social Section. The most outstanding element of the day, however, was the overwhelming support for STEPP. The generous sponsors kindly made contributions. These sponsors include Hilton Village Build-It, Wedgewood, DSTV, Ntando Lungwazi and Richard Knowles donated tennis lessons, the DIY store in Hilton, and the numerous individual donations.

For those interested in participating in the tennis tournament in 2012, or who would like to know more information about the STEPP events and the work done, please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to be added to the contact list.

Article supplied August 2011.

On Saturday, 13 August, Grace College in Hilton had Inter-house Athletics.  Nine records were broken on the day and all the athletes need to be commended for their great efforts on the sports field.  The champion House award went to Ararat, with Sinai in second place and Carmel in third place. The Victor Ludorum was awarded to Charles Huff and Victrix Ludorum to Bianca Lilje ' congratulations!

Pictured alongside from left to right are the winning House Captains for Ararat, Jonathan Fraser and Kirsty Steijl with Mr. Howard Christie.

Every year Hilton becomes abuzz with the words "Hilton Food and Wine Fair" and this year will be no exception! On Friday, 16 September, the Protea Hotel, Hilton, with its recently acquired "4-Star" status, and Quarry Spar/ Kwikspar will host this much talked about evening. Join us for an evening of fun, camaraderie and, in a more spacious setting, incorporating not only the hotel, but also a Marquee set out around the pool area, the scene is set for an evening of great wines and delicious food tasting, from a wide spectrum of Wine Estates and Food Suppliers.

The community has become an integral part in the fundraising for Hilton Pre-Primary and we thank all of your for your continuing support. Tickets are available from Hilton Pre-Primary and Quarry Spar, for R90.00 – the same price as last year.

Tonight Hilton's Erin Fourie performed Fine Again in Idols Season 7, as the 9 remaining contestants in the Top Ten compete to remain in the competition, we hope everybody in Hilton is sending their sms's through. Send 13 to 37400!

Erin is well-known by patrons of Hebron Haven where she has sung for years, Erin previously taught drama studies at Grace College, went to Carter and Laddsworth before that.

We dropped by to visit Kathryn, Erin's older sister by two years. Kathryn is an avid rock climber who does not miss an opportunity to practice her skill, she gamely climbed the large camellia sasanqua tree in the garden at home to pick us some fresh blooms, thanks Kathryn. This freelance journalist recalls the first time she became aware that Erin had a great voice, was when they were about 8 and 10 years old, they were on a family road trip when the sisters were singing together in the backseat and Kathryn remembers being asked to hush, while Erin was encouraged to sing.

Kathryn applauds Erin's talent and the way she has easily adopted the entertainment scene, lapping up the crowd, enjoying the make-up sessions and above all the singing, despite having flu at the moment!

Kathryn reflected that it's as though Erin is 'living in a musical' since being in Idols, whenever they chat on the phone someone can be heard singing in the background. For a drama graduate, who has sung publically for 8 years this is living a dream.

You will enjoy reading Kathryn's blog, The Bloggery of Fourie, where she chats about Erin's departure to Idols, back in April. Creative talents are not lacking in the Fourie household, Tristan, Erin's brother plays the guitar and has a band.

Pam and Derek Fourie are away in Botswana at the moment but we hope to catch up with them soon and hear their thoughts on Erin's growing stardom.

Meanwhile we hope that everyone in Hilton will be voting for Erin Fourie, sms 13 to 37400. Keep Hilton's songbird in the Idols house because she rocks!

Pictured above is Erin with news staff from YOU magazine.

Below is Erin, looking like a rockstar!


Article published 14th August 2011

Established in 1877 by the Diocese of Natal, the history of St Anne's is a rich tapestry of events that was commemorated on Women's Day - 09 August 2011. This year, the founding of the school found added celebration in the form of the Chapel Centenary.

Running alongside the story of St Anne's is that of the school's Chapel - the spiritual life of the girls being revered as a fundamental element of the ethos underlying the school's success. From humble beginnings on the Hilton campus, the Chapel was dedicated on 01 November 1911 on All Saints Day and has undergone two extensions (one in 1954 and, more recently, in 2007) to cater for the growing number of girls at the school. The fixtures within the Chapel, and indeed the Chapel itself, is a result of the support of St Anne's girls - young and old, staff and friends of the St Anne's community; and honours those who have made a meaningful impact on the school in its 134 years.

Most notable among the fixtures are the windows that are an attractive feature of the building, as well as symbolic of the values that are inherent in the school, and take expression within the Chapel walls. These, too, bear tribute to important members of the St Anne's community and are donations and beautifully-designed donations, gifts and heartfelt additions to the structure.

The celebration took place in the form of a morning chapel service in the presence of Bishop Rubin. Geraldine Wildner was also present to unveil the plaque on behalf of her late husband, Karl Wildner, for the design of the Chapel extension. The Chapel was decorated with flower arrangements portraying the Annunciation, Nativity, Pentecost, Resurrection, Loaves and Fishes, Trinity and Crucifixion. The building was truly alight with prayer and song in veneration of the history of the school and its Chapel.

Photographs and article supplied August 2011.

The Viney's moved to Kwanyoni six years ago, falling a little more in love with their new home as each season turned. Patrick Viney happens to be a dab hand at construction and now, with two more accommodation options complete, the Viney's are able to share their stunning home with guests.

Their indigenous garden is a testament to the respect they share for nature. Besides occasional tidying the native plants have been left undisturbed to enjoy their habitat with little sprucing, except for the stern cutting back a certain adventurous freylinia bush receives each time it is cheeky enough to make an attempt to obscure the sumptuous views.

Rooms with a View at Kwanyoni says it all, the Mantis Room, the Cabin and the Reservoir room all gaze over the Umgeni valley across to the Karkloof mountains in the distance. A stay at Kwanyoni offers homespun comfort and if you book the Reservoir room, conversation.

The Reservoir room is an interesting concept; it was not built for the name, but is, in truth a reservoir that has been converted into a comfortable bedroom and en-suite with Rooms with a View at Kwanyoni's trademark vista, accessible from the bed and verandah. You will certainly leave armed with a story worth sharing at dinner tables in the future. How many of your friends have spent a night in a reservoir?

Rooms with a View at Kwanyoni  is the solution for visitors to Hilton who want to escape their bustling schedules knowing all modern amenities are a few minutes away. Breakfast, lunch or dinner is available in Hilton or you can visit a deli and the Viney's will set up an outdoor picnic for your mealtime.  After which you can take a walk around the garden or stride out and clock up a few kilometres exploring the extended property.

 For accommodation in Hilton visit Rooms with a View at Kwanyoni soon, let the big sky full of fresh country air fill your lungs, while your mind is calmed and your soul soothed with a hint of a simpler life.

Pictured above to the right 'Enjoy your picnic baset in comfort' and 'Resorvoir room construction'

Eco Education at Hilton Pre-Primary at it's best!

Top Tots in Hilton host regular sessions for mothers and children aged from 3 months to 4 years to socialise and learn together. Activities are enjoyed in a structured yet joyfilled workshop which creates opportunities for skill development on all levels appropriate to your childs age.

Ashleigh, the owner of Top Tots, is a qualified teacher who interacts with the parents and children in a professional and dedicated way, guiding them through social interaction, creative messy play, perceptual development, massage, sensory motor activities, fine motor activities, obstacle courses and music. The various elements of education presented during a session take place indoors as well as in the child friendly outside play area.

Ashleigh has limited space available, call her on 083 415 9903 to sign up for fun times with your child.

Above moms and tots bounce balls on the parachute and below you can enjoy snippets from a session at Top Tots.

Erin Fourie performed Halo by Beyonce in Idos Season 7 on Friday night in the live show. Those of us who had  to wait until tonights recorded screening on Mnet we were not disappointed, Erin's lovely voice was a treat to hear. Well done Erin!

The field according to the judges is wide open and with early voting being hugely unpredictable we really want to encourage everyone in Hilton to support our local Idols Top Eight singer, Erin Fourie. Show your support and SMS 13 to 37400 to ensure Erin stays in the competition, she has a whole lot more singing to do for her fans. Keep voting!

Emma Botha from Mother Nature's Nursery School proudly shows that she attends a "sun safe" school by wearing a hat and applying sunscreen everyday – Yes even in Winter!

Submitted by Mother Nature's Nursery School in Hilton.

St Anne's has been busy with many things in the Vlei area and would like to give you an update of what has happened, and what is planned in the near future.

They have carried out an exercise of cutting down the old grasses, and more importantly the alien plant species. The purpose of this is to systematically remove the alien plants and allow the indigenous plants to take hold of the area.

They have just completed an Environmental Assessment, with the assistance of an external environmental consultant. He is busy finalizing the report complete with recommendations.

One of the recommendations is that they carry out a controlled burn of the Vlei area. This will assist in destroying the alien vegetation and at the same time promote the germination of the natural flora. This is scheduled to take place on Thursday the 18th of August from 9am till 4pm (Weather and Fire Danger Index permitting). The burn will be carried out by a professional team from the Lions River Fire Protection Association.

Please could you ensure that you keep your doors and windows closed, swimming pools covered, and washing off your wash-lines, on that day.
Another recommendation that St Anne's will be acting on in the next few months, is the systematic removal of some of the alien trees. They intend running a two for one replacement programme where we will plant two indigenous trees for every alien we cut down.

Please do not hesitate to contact Clair Lock or Mark Duncan at St Anne's should you have any questions, concerns or suggestions.

Photograph of Vlei taken September 2010.

At the last HiltonVillage.co.za Business Network Meeting held at Lindsay's at The Lower Quarry we presented a survey which has since been emailed to our subscribers and we have received a good number of replies with some interesting responses. Thank you to all who participated. If you did not receive the survey and would be interested in giving us your feedback, simply This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.now with SURVEY in the subject field.

This website, HiltonVillage.co.za will celebrate its first birthday in September and we will be doing some revamps, housekeeping and dusting away  of cobwebs. If you have any suggestions or comments beyond those prompted by the survey, we really would like to hear them before Wednesday the 17th August 2011 so we can consider them as we finalise the websites look and feel for the next year.

Representatives from  Argilla, The Antique Rose, Forever Roses, CG Carers, Harcourts, Nicolson's, Jeffares and Green, Howick Hospice, Honey Fashion Accessories, REAL Communication Consulting, Avidity Real Estate, Cherri Forsyth Life Coach, Maypers Bed and Breakfast, Wise Eye, Stepping Stones Bemer Centre, Niche Website Solutions, Sportron and eZali Beauty are amongst those in the photographs, all having a fun time networking and enjoying Lindsay's delicious snacks. Thanks Lindsay, we had a fun time. Lynn's long-lasting roses from Forever Roses were eye-candy on the tables and Antoinette from Honey Fashion Accessories displayed items from the Honey Ultimate Collection. Our featured speakers were Lynn from Forever Roses and Desiray Viney of REAL Communicaton Consulting.

Grace College hosted its annual Masihambisane – "Walking Together" - Girls' Soccer festival last weekend. This event forms part of Grace College's outreach to community High Schools to give them an opportunity to compete against local High Schools on the sports field. In spite of cold and wet weather, the girls produced great soccer on the day and are to be commended for their skills and enthusiasm. Grace College wishes to thank Mr. James Crawford from Build It, for sponsoring the trophies, bibs, water bottles as well as soccer balls for each girl. A special thanks also goes to all the staff, coaches, parents and teams involved in making this festival a successful one.

Pictured here: Soccer action at the festival

News and photograph submitted August 2011.

Lynne and Zara of Happy Hills recently hosted a milestone birthday worthy of a memorable celebration, they have shared some news and photographs below.

'We had a 99th Birthday party at Purple Pear Cafe on the 9th of July. I have attached some photographs of the day and the decor at Purple Pear Cafe for an example of what we can do with functions. We do bookings at Purple Pear Cafe for day or evening functions. We love doing themed evenings and have already booked a few high teas (croquet and all),hens parties, kitchen teas, 50ths with live bands, djs and lots of fun and not to forget a couple of family birthdays and reunions.

Our Chef will customize a special menu for you and your FANTASTIC function. We also cater for children and can organise children's entertainment so that you and your family can relax and enjoy your evening/day at Purple Pear Cafe.

If you need anymore information please do not hesitate to contact me on 0332344469.' said Zara.

On Friday, 5 August, Jes Foord came to give a lecture to the St Anne's girls. Well-known in the area for her traumatic story, Jes was gang raped in front of her father while they were walking their dogs near Shongweni Dam in 2008. An informative talk on the best ways for young women to protect themselves, as well as conveying the important message that there is life after rape, the lecture was deeply inspirational for the girls.

Jes has turned her devastating story into one of hope, teaching an important lesson in the strength of spirit combined with the right attitude in achieving success and overcoming pain and difficulties. Her candid recollection of the events, together with her young age made her a figure the girls could easily relate to, and the impact of the message was that much stronger.

Jes has set up the Jes Foord Foundation, aimed at raising awareness and providing support to survivors of rape and abuse.

News submitted and photograph supplied.

On the 4th and 5th of August the KwaZulu-Natal Schools' Golf Championships took place at Victoria Country Club.  Hilton College won the Schools' Trophy by 11 shots which is a remarkable victory considering they have a very young team with only 2 boys in matric. Two of the Hilton College boys, Mike Ryan and Jarryd Edy, were selected for the KZN Schools' A team with Matt Lauryssen and Chris Saunders being selected for the KZN B team.

1.  Hilton College A
2.  Kearsney
3.  Westville
4.  Maritzburg College
5.  Michaelhouse
6.  Hilton B
7.  Clifton
8.  DHS
9.  Glenwood
10.St Charles

Pictured alongside are (L-R) Keagan Thomas, Keaton Bottriell, Tyrone Searle, Mike Ryan (Captain), Jarryd Edy, Chris Saunders, Matt Lauryssen,  and Thomas Hattingh.