La Motte’s classic concerts kick 2010 off in style

On Saturday, 30th January La Motte will host the first of their classic concerts for 2010 at their estate in Franschhoek. The featured artist is Polina Burdukova on cello, with piano accompaniment Kerryn Wiesniwski.

Polina started her shimmering musical career in Moscow, and has since travelled, played and studied all over the world. She moved to South Africa in 1991 and we have had the pleasure of hearing her play ever since.

In partnership with Kerryn Wiesniwski, a piano soloist in her own right, they will be presenting a programme of works ranging from Shostakovich’s Sonata in d minor for cello and piano to exuberant compositions by the Czech composer, Popper.

This concert will be presented at La Motte estate and guests will be welcomed with a glass of La Motte wine and at the end of the concert, a light finger dinner. The concert starts at 7pm and entrance is R125, 00 per person.

La Motte is situated on the R45 just outside Franschhoek, approximately 45 minutes drive from Cape Town. Bookings for the concert can be made at the La Motte tasting venue or by phoning 021 876 8801 for Angela.

Visit http://www.la-motte.com/ for more information. We regret that no refunds can be made if the booking is cancelled and the bookings are only valid after receipt of admission.

Crop Spraying - Letter to Paarl Post, from Tatib

Pesticides can cause hay fever

WE refer to the article titled "Hay Fever Blues" as published in Paarl Post on 26 November.

* It is a well documented fact that exposure to pesticides causes "hay fever" symptoms - upper respiratory tract irritation, infection, sinus problems and asthma to name but a few.

* Exposure to pesticides also causes more serious problems like central nervous system damage, respiratory problems and even cancer.

* It is unlawful to spray your vineyards in such a way that spray drift (of pesticides) is allowed to be blown into the residential areas.

* The medical effects of unlawful spray drift have been well documented in the Western Cape and internationally.

* Many of the pesticides that are used on the vineyards in places like Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek have been banned in other countries as they are considered to be highly toxic.

* Every citizen has the right to live in an environment that is not harmful to his/her health and well-being - this is enshrined in the Constitution.

* The statement that "this is a small price to pay for living in this magnificent valley" is irresponsible. One cannot and should not peg a price on one's health.

Several Paarl medical doctors actually attended The Air that I Breathe (Tatib) Foundation's recent meeting in Stellenbosch and confirmed that they have a large number of patients suffering from exposure to pesticides.

You are sitting on a ticking time bomb. You need to alert your local Municipality for the sake of your health, especially that of your children.

For more information, contact tatib-foundation@gmail.com or Prof Mark Swilling at swilling@sun.ac.za

Team TATIB

Franschhoek Uncorked

The 2671 official attendees at this year’s Franschhoek Uncorked Festival can regard themselves some of the luckiest people in the world. Not only did they get a chance to drink many of Franschhoek’s finest wines for just R60, but they were blessed with the most glorious weather for the day on Saturday and much of Sunday afternoon. Add to that the free shuttle service, food and entertainment, activities for the kids and an opportunity to benefit from some special festival discounts and the experience will go down as one of Franschhoek’s best ever. The world won’t end if you don’t get a World Cup ticket but it may as well if you don’t get a 2010 Uncorked Glass!

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5 Minutes with Derk Blaisse

We catch up with Derk Blaisse from the traditional local jazz band, the Cape Dutch Connection, as he prepares for another season of Friday night jazz at La Brasserie. We ask him about the band, how it all began and, for those that haven’t yet had the pleasure of listening, what style of music he plays..

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Not Too Far from Franschhoek: Napier

From the November edition:

... Along the main road, the charming facades of faithfully restored buildings sit side-by-side newer and less-authentic buildings. There is an aesthetics committee of sorts and it must have its work cut out! Stop at Pascal’s if you’re not in the mood for pub-fare, but again, be prepared for a chat. Local proprietors all understand the value of the personal touch and there is no shortage of time here. While there, you may even meet Daniel Pascal herself or Cape Town’s Max du Preez, who is one of the many famous South Africans who own property in the town. Pay a visit to military buff, Leon Visser, who makes very well-priced pewter chess sets and can literally chat the hind-leg off a donkey.

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Winelands Experience on the Move

The Month (TM) recently spoke to Richard Dellar (RD) from Franschhoek-based tourism company, Winelands Experience. We noted that he has become a familiar face around the Franschhoek Valley and asked him to tell us how long he’s been living and working in Franschhoek and how he’s spent his time here.
RD: Like most people, I fell in love with the valley on my first visit in the 70’s when I attended a conference at the old Swiss Farm Excelsior (now Le Franschhoek). At the time I was working for Stellenbosch Farmers Winery in marketing. My wife and I bought an apartment at La Petite Provence in 2001 but moved here permanently in 2003. I bought a share of Winelands Experience in 2006 and have spent the last three years building our presence in the Franschhoek tourism industry.
TM: But rumour has it that you’re retiring and moving on.

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Best Uncorked Festival Ever

This year’s Franschhoek Uncorked Festival in October will go down as one of Franschhoek’s most successful and well-supported festivals ever. A glorious sunny Saturday morning greeted the first of the more than two and a half thousand visitors to the 24 wineries and set the scene for much of what was to follow over the weekend. Not even the wet and chilly Cape weather on Sunday, which threatened to put a damper on things, could detract from the sense of warmth and camaraderie that seemed to flood the valley. The balmy weather, which enveloped Franschhoek and the surrounds on Sunday afternoon, made for the ideal end to a fabulous festival. It couldn’t have been scripted more perfectly.

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