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Monday, December 27, 2010

JOHN PEACEY DANCKWERTS 11/12/1928 - 22/12/2010


John Danckwerts (82) died peacefully on his beloved farm Chedgelow in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

John was laid to rest with Stella and alongside his father, on the farm, on Friday morning, in a celebration ceremony for his life attended by family, close friends and the Chedgelow farm management and worker community.

John will be sorely missed by all who were blessed to have known him. Go well John, and rest deservedly in eternal peace in the happy hunting and fishing grounds where the birds always fly fast and high and the fish bend rods double and scream reels.

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BONNIE LAMBERT

Memorial Service for the late Bonnie Lambert will be held at N.G.Kerk in Phalaborwa at 10.00am on Tuesday .The 28th December 2010

tmlambert@vodamail.co.za

Tom Lambert (jnr) 0027730603286

Tom Lambert (snr)0027725494400 or 0027157810942

Condolences

Graham Ralphs: Dear Helen, Hilton and Mark We are so very sorry to hear of Graham's death. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Anne and Iens Shaw - Wales


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I was so sorry to hear of the death of Jenny Brebner, a dear friend from TTC days.We had many good times together and lots of laughter. Thinking of her family and Jon at this sad time.

Love Christine Bridgman(nee Alanthwaite)

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WALDEN.--John. On behalf of the Walden family, Sally, Sue, Nicky and Ken, I announce the passing of a wonderful, loving husband, father and grandfather, on Saturday, December 18, 2010, in Framlington, Suffolk. John passed away after a short illness. Anyone wishing to contact the family, please to do so using the following email address -- peter.botwright@homecall.co.uk

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CONDOLENCES: Mike Hoffmann

People will remember Mike Hoffman from Zvishavane, and later, Esigodini, where his dear wife, Jenny, worked at the Zeederberg garage. Mike died last week in Dumfries. Such sad news Jenny, thinking of you and the family through this season which is supposed to bring smiles to our faces.

Love, Carol and Graham Mackenzie.

Friday, December 24, 2010

WALDEN.--John.

WALDEN.--John. On behalf of the Walden family, Sally, Sue, Nicky and Ken, I announce the passing of a wonderful, loving husband, father and grandfather, on Saturday, December 18, 2010, in Framlington, Suffolk. John passed away after a short illness. Anyone wishing to contact the family, please to do so using the following email address -- peter.botwright@homecall.co.uk

Monday, December 20, 2010

COLIN MCLEAN

tiger1@iwayafrica.co.zw [mailto:tiger1@iwayafrica.co.zw] DEATH : COLIN MCLEAN Colin beloved Brother of Avril died suddenly of a Heart Attack on Saturday morning. Memorial service will be held on Wednesday 22 December time TBA.


Contact Avril on 490092 or Cell 0733665537

Jen Calderwood

Coughlan's [mailto:coughlan@bsatt.com] Jen Calderwood In the early hours of Monday morning, Jen passed away in peace. Surrounded by family and in the comfort of her own home, her strong spirit finally let go. A woman of love and commitment; an incredible mother and sister; and the best friend to everyone who knew her. A celebration of her life will be held at Peterhouse on Wednesday 22nd December, 11:00 for 11:30am. All are welcome.


With love Jon, Dan and Si.

Engagement

Geoff & Yvonne Povey are pleased to announce the engagement in Wales of their only son Justin to Debby Williams oldest daughter of Carol Ann Williams and Brian Williams of Pembrokeshire Wales. Welcome to our family Debb

Condolences

Calderwood, Jennifer (nee Brebner). Beloved wife of Jon and much loved mother to Daniel and Simon slipped away peacefully at home at Peterhouse, Marondera on Monday 20th December. Jen will be greatly missed not only by her family and huge contingent of friends but by the community as a whole which she served with selflessness and grace. From the Bulawayo and Esigodini families.

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CONDOLENCES

RALPHS - GRAHAM SYDNEY. PASSED AWAY AFTER A BRIEF ILLNESS IN THE EARLY HOURS OF SATURDAY MORNING.

PARTNER AND SOULMATE TO HELEN.OUR TIME TOGETHER WILL BE CHERISHED FOREVER.

RALPHS - GRAHAM SYDNEY.A VERY SPECIAL MAN WHO WAS A LOVING HUSBAND TO THE LATE JUSTINE,SOULMATE TO HELEN AND DAD TO HILTON,MARK

AND THE LATE THERES'E. SO MANY GOOD MEMORIES,YOUR LOVE,GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT WILL BE SORELY MISSED.

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SMIT LORRAINE PAMELA A Memorial Service for the late Lorraine Smit will

be held at 2:30pm on Friday 17th December 2010 at The Rock Church (Hotel Rio).

Tea will be served after the service and family and friends are welcome

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SMIT LORRAINE. My dearest mother and best friend passed away on the

13th December 2010. My heart aches for all the times we shared, but I know

there is no more pain in your eyes. I will miss phoning you everyday and your

being there for us. Thank you for being a brilliant mother to your children and

an excellent granny to Ashleigh and Michael. We will always love and cherish

the time we had with you. Love Bel and Kev

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SMIT LORRAINE. Our precious Mommy and Granny. We are grateful we had the

privilege of being your daughter and granddaughters. You were all caring, giving,

loving and totally devoted to your family. We miss you desperately already.

Deborah, Megan and Jessica

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SMIT LORRAINE. Our very special Granny gone to be an angel on 13th December 2010

We will miss our sleepovers and munchies in bed till late hours into the night. We will

pray and keep the memories in our hearts for ever and ever. "Why if we live after we die,

why do we have to die then?" You were the best Granny anybody could ever wish for.

Love, your special grandchildren Ashleigh and Michael Van Zyl

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SMIT LORRAINE. Our dearest Aunty Lorraine. To know you was to love you and we will

miss you dearly. Deepest sympathy to Debbie, Kevin, Belinda and family

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Junior, Paula, Dillon and Gregs

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Please be aware

Sandy Grant [mailto:trio@zol.co.zw] Please be aware to all shoppers using TM Borrowdale and parking in their carpark.  On Wednesday my tyre was slashed with a knife, realising I had a flat I stopped in Breach Road and a "kind" gentleman changed the tyre for me. Once back in the car another chap came to my window, distracted me and I saw my ruck sack being taken out.  I gave chase but very conveniently a car was now at the intersection and drove away.  A lady in a 4x4 gave chase - many thanks to her.  Of course I lost money, ID, driver's licence etc.  All doors and windows were locked except the driver's window. They are a very experienced, smooth talking gang.  I was told if one gets a flat tyre drive on it to a safe place i.e. garage - never mind the tyre its damaged already.

DAVE BANKS

Dave Banks died peacefully after battling courageously with motor neuron disease on Thursday 16 December surrounded by his family. He was buried on the farm on the same afternoon. A quiet passing of a giant of a man.

Rest in peace our dearest husband and Dad.

Contact: banksdw@junglecomms.com

Friday, December 17, 2010

Tax rates in Zimbabwe

Dear Sir/Madam


I have listed the new tax rates applicable for PAYE calculations in 2011 as well as those that we had for 2010

These new rates will be included in the next release of our Payroll Software program, Adaski, and will be posted to our web site in the next day or two

Best Regards

Mike Garden

Managing Director

Softrite

Harare

.///////////////

Individual Tax Rates

Taxable income from employment

Tax Year - 2011

Rate bands from 1.01.2011 to 31.12.2011

Basic income tax payable

US$ US$ US$ % US$

0 - 2 700 0 0%

2 700 - 6 000 0 20% of excess over 2 700

6 001 - 12 000 660 + 25% of excess over 6 000

12 001 - 18 000 2 160 + 30% of excess over 12 000

18 001 - and over 3 960 + 35% of excess over 18 000

There is a 3% AIDS levy on tax: effective top rate of 36.05%.

The above tables apply to the tax payable by individuals, deceased or insolvent estates and

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Tax Year - 2010

Rate bands from 1.01.2010 to 31.12.2010

Basic income tax payable

US$ US$ US$ % US$

0 - 1 980 0 0%

1 981 - 6 000 0 20% of excess over 1 980

6 001 - 12 000 804 + 25% of excess over 6 000

12 001 - 18 000 2 304 + 30% of excess over 12 000

18 001 - and over 4 106 + 35% of excess over 18 000

There is a 3% AIDS levy on tax: effective top rate of 36.05%.

The above tables apply to the tax payable by individuals, deceased or insolvent estates and

estates of individuals under legal disability.

James Mutasa

Please be aware of James Mutasa id 48 057200L 48 JC Thatching. He appears charming and compentent .  His partner is Ignatius Jagada = do not have any business dealings with this people.  They did the thatching at Golden Stairs nursery.  Please contact me for full information.  Happy festive season.  Tess jtkageler@zol.co.zw

Martyn, Barrie Kathleen

Martyn, Barrie Kathleen, loving mother of Anne, Elizabeth and Susan and much beloved grandmamma to the Milne, Buttenshaw and Fawcett families, passed away peacefully in Harare on 11 December 2010 aged 95. A memorial service will be held at the Borradaile Trust Chapel, Marondera at 3pm on Friday 17th December 2010

Contact: Jennifer +263 772 286 115

Bruce, Stuart

Bruce, Stuart. Our Darling Beloved Stuart tragically taken from us on Thursday 16 October. Fly High in the Sky our darling where you love being most. From Mom and Dad, Rosey and Bill. Funeral Arrangements to be announced later.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

From Bally Vaughan

The first rains have fallen at last, bursting out of a lowering sky that has been blackened and bulging with the promise of rain for weeks. As the river roars into life again, the dusty ground snatches up the moisture and the first brilliant green spears of new grass appear, to be immediately nibbled flat by Martha the sheep and her woolly cohorts. The usual rustling, scurrying plethora of winged and multi-legged creatures arrive, buzzing through the windows and rioting round the lamps. At night the symphony of nocturnal sounds expands to include the liquid notes of the burgeoning waterfall at the bottom of my garden and rain on the roof, and the calypso band sounds of a thousand tree frogs and crickets reverberate above the roaring of the lions and the rhythmic sawing cough of Khan the leopard.




After our Golf Day in October, we were able to attack the endless repairs and wish lists for improvements with renewed vigour, thanks to the funds we raised. The small predators all got duplex housing – snug wooden structures with ladders and balconies. A new deep freezer for predator meat arrived (bringing the total number of meat freezers to 18!) and the freezer room was re-wired. We painted the animal hospital and put in infra-red lights, and solar lights into other buildings. Our pick-up truck that carries such heavy loads to and from the Sanctuary every day has ahd extensive work done and at last it starts without the hazardous Grand Slalom run down the hill with half the staff pushing from behind and the rest sprinting frantically in front to scoop jay-walking donkeys, dogs and chickens from my path whilst I frantically pump the accelerator and screech expletives out the window. Bruce Maclaughlin’s team of master craftsmen from Trotters arrived – a donation of labour and materials from Bruce for the second year running to repair and maintain the Sanctuary buildings. All our funding gets gobbled up by the animals immediately and it is very difficult to find money for basic structural maintenance. The Trotters team take care of this for us and we are extremely grateful to them for their generous support.



The animals continue to consume massive amounts of food, the sick and injured and abused new arrivals need veterinary treatment and vitamins and blankets and toys and shelters, and we need more enclosures all the time. There are owls everywhere – in the hospital, in the owl pen by the river, in an aviary, and still we need more space for new residents. As fast as we rehabilitate and release them, more arrive. Nine guinea pigs and an adolescent vervet monkey missing one eye come in from the S.P.C.A, then five guinea fowl, two tiny thrushes and a gymnogene that has been hit by a car. Alfie the monkey is brought in after his mother is killed by dogs. He is tiny and blue with huge ears and cold pink hands. He has to share a nursery enclosure with our darling, doted upon Angus the determinedly bottle-fed genet and Angus’ constant companion, Morag the kitten. This is not working – Angus files vociferous complaints as Alfie pulls Angus’ ears and gloriously fluffy, striped tail and steals his food and toys. When Angus complains, it’s hard to ignore him – he stands on his plushly furred back feet, front feet tucked into his chest like a meerkat, gossamer whiskers fanned about his sharp little face, pink ears twitching and dark eyes glowing directly at me, and he utters a series of tiny, breathy mews. “See how vulnerable I am,” he is saying, “Please help!” Appealing, heart-melting, irresistible. (Shortly afterwards I know he will return to his ferocious wrestling match with Morag, but it still gets me every time). So, Alfie has to go. He moves into a new enclosure.

And then the bush babies arrived.

When the innocuous-sounding Didi and Percy arrived, we were entranced by the bush babies extravagant grey fluff, their little pink muzzles and their ridiculously big, crumpled ears. Having been pets since they were babies, now middle-aged, and with Didi sporting less than half a tail, we felt they were unsuitable for release and hastily constructed yet another new enclosure whilst they took up temporary residence in a nursery pen. As we released Didi from his carry cage, his owner warned me to get out of the pen. “I fear for your life,” were her words. I thought she was joking.



Later that day he launched his first assault. Emerging in sinister slow motion from his sleeping quarters, placing one meaty five-fingered paw in front of the other as he inched down the branch, I was lulled into a foolish and false sense of security by his lack of haste and overall fluffy cuteness. Then in one graceful move, Didi leapt onto my calf and buried his extremely long and viciously sharp teeth into my flesh. He raised his furry head, clutching my leg with surprisingly strong fingers and gazed at me with cold calculation from beneath his beetling mono-brow, and then leant carefully to the left and bit me again, even harder. I knew that if I tried to grab him he would savage my hands so I stayed stock still and avoided his confrontational glare as he jumped onto my shoulder and threw his fluffy arms around my neck, bestowing on me the sort of ebullient hug one reserves for long-lost friends. Having punished me for whatever transgressions he believed I had committed, Didi was now prepared to let bygones be bygones...until a week later when he did it again, growling and snarling like a dog as he bit me nine times on my other leg and leaving me trembling with shock and pain whilst he sauntered off to pick meditatively through his bowl of raisins whilst shooting me the occasional glinting glance of triumph laced with menace.



There are now standing orders with regard to the care of the bush babies, and it takes more of us to feed and clean their enclosure than it does to take care of the lions daily needs. Visitors seeing us shuffle past swathed in heavy blankets and elbow length gauntlet would imagine that we are off to face the scariest super predator. And indeed we are. The bush babies, on the other hand, are blissfully happy in the enormous, treed enclosure we have constructed for them, with a separate sleeping and dining area where we lay out feasts of black cherry yoghurt, fruit and teeming bowls of flying ants with the occasional pink marshmallow thrown in as a bribe.



One October afternoon, our foreman returned from town with three very small tortoises and two baby jackals. The jackals were about three weeks old, with thick brown fur and little foxy faces punctuated with fearful eyes. They were soaking wet and covered in red mud, despite it being the middle of the dry season. As I lifted the smallest one from the box she jerked in terror and water trickled from her ears. Absolutely overwhelmed with fear and panic, they scuttled into the nearest corner and huddled together with their faces to the wall. Too young to eat solid food competently, and too terrified of human contact to suckle on a bottle, they lost condition rapidly. Eventually we managed to get small quantities of baby formula into them. But the crushing fear remained. At the first sign of a person, they would scuttle, little heads hunched between sharp shoulder blades, to wedge themselves face first into a corner. It was as if they hoped that if they couldn’t see us, we couldn’t see them. Most of the times they just sat apathetically with their heads hanging, so bewildered and frightened and full of instinctive horror that they couldn’t even fall asleep. In all the years that I have been involved in animal welfare, I have never seen baby animals in such a state of chronic stress.



Helena, the smallest one, got sick first. Her throat swelled up with a sudden, virulent infection and she could barely swallow. Stress ravaged her immune system and she did not respond to treatment. We took her in to the veterinary surgery for further treatment and as I opened the basket and lifted her out, she stopped breathing. Without Helena, Ursula simply did not want to carry on. She had been the bigger and stronger of the two pups, protective of her little sister and braver. But now it seemed that without Helena, Ursula no longer had a reason to live, and she too slipped away despite desperate efforts to save her.



This case weighs down upon us all. The jackals were defenceless babies. They had been born in a den on a piece of land in Harare where generations of jackals have lived and raised their young. Orders were given that the jackals should be eliminated. Workers flooded the den, no doubt as the babies lay sleeping in the place they considered a safe haven, and they were then dug out. The terror and incomprehension suffered by these little animals as the water poured into their den and earth rained down on them as the shovels ate away at the earth above them is unimaginable. Soaking wet and filthy, they were then driven back and forth across Harare whilst the workers tried to find someone to take the jackals. Taken to a place that should be a place where animals like this receive care and treatment, they were sent away ‘for fear of rabies”. Eventually they came to us; too late.



Two generations of jackals have been wiped out by this barbaric exercise. Surely we should feel privileged to share our city with the servals and genets and mongooses and jackals that have made a life for themselves against all the odds in our urban sprawl? Amidst the rubbish dumps and rain-eaten roads and bloated drains that deface Harare, should we not feel a sense of wonder and delight to see the shadowy shapes of wild animals braving the walls and gates and razor wire of this suburban citadel? The people that destroyed these jackals would probably be appalled if someone killed domestic dogs in the manner in which these jackals lost their lives, but the vicious eradication of the jackals was complacently justified because jackals are, apparently, vermin. The memory of the wide-eyed, trembling babies that died at the Sanctuary will haunt us.



The delightful Bart the side-striped jackal shares my home with my two caracals and a serval cat. He is immaculately groomed, fastidious in his habits and a truly beautiful and astonishingly intelligent animal who has brought us great joy as we have watched him grow from an orphaned baby to the enchanting, glossy character that he is now.



Two weeks after the devastating loss of Ursula and Helena, another baby jackal arrived. Found by the Wakefield family beneath their trampoline, Sofia was malnourished and covered in small, healing laceration. She had probably escaped from an encounter with a small predator and perhaps lost her mother in the process. Enormous brown eyes and an elegantly long nose dominated a delicate, angular face with thick pale brown fur was yet to exhibit the spectacular markings of a side-striped jackal. Sofia was wary of us, but having been handled with compassion by the Wakefields, she showed none of the debilitating signs of stress that killed Ursula and Helena.

Sofia is now boisterous and playful, indulging in wild, gambolling games with her companion Olympia- a rescue puppy who has proved to be the ideal companion for our little jackal. Bart is enraptured with this potential girlfriend and postures and preens outside her enclosure, arching his glorious, bushy tail and throwing coy glances over his shoulder to check she is suitably impressed with his magnificence.



Five barn owls have arrived recently, four of them happy to share our tall, treed owl pen by the river until ready for release, but Margot is a different story. Thin and frail after living inside someone’s house for a long period of time, she seems frightened of the other owls and happiest in human company. Content to potter about the Gazebo with the curious, hunched gait common to all owls (like someone walking bare-foot on a pebbly beach), she takes occasional sorties into the air, usually with disastrous consequences. During a fit of pique because I had stopped her eating a teabag in the coffee shop, she flew straight into the crocodile pen and disappeared into a bed of reeds. In the distorting silver light of an approaching thunderstorm I had to pick my way past the huge, ominous form of our crocodile to her rescue, only to have her fly straight past my ear and into the lion pen. Fortunately Nduna, who is a darling but terribly thick, failed to notice this feathery snack plummet into his territory and she took off again without incident. She eventually came to rest in the middle of the dam, mistaking the water weed for solid ground. So into the dam I dived, swimming through clutching skeins of slime and feeling the anonymous, slippery swirl of aquatic creatures against my skin. Swimming across a murky expanse of water in a thunderstorm is unpleasant, swimming back with a very angry owl in one hand is a feat I hope never to repeat.

Just to end off a fabulous day, as I was sluicing the slime and pond scum off in the shower, the geyser on the roof was hit by lightning and a bolt of electricity shot up from the metal shower drain and catapulted me, screaming and wild-eyed from the shower to fall over the ever-present Harry the caracal who squatted damply on the bathmat. Thank goodness he had already got out of the shower because I cannot think of a more potentially disastrous situation than being trapped in a shower stall with an electrified predator.



Harry is my constant and sometimes overwhelming companion, together with his fellow caracal, Arthur, punctuating my life here with their endless antics and endearing personalities. Stretching their considerable bulk alongside me on the bed each night, throwing my clothes on the floor because they like to nap in my wardrobe, knocking my cosmetics off the dressing table so they can sit in front of the mirror and admire their astonishing, tufted ears, even hogging the shower and helping themselves to whatever they fancy whenever I open the fridge. Each morning they leap onto the breakfast table to poke their huge paws into my cereal and slash holes in the newspaper; it’s as if they consider their job to prepare me for the many travails and challenges of the day ahead, caring for our ever-increasing family of animals and birds that now numbers more than three hundred.



Rupert the Tortoise found a home at the Sanctuary after his owners of sixteen years moved house. Rupert is actually a girl and became as coquettish and coy as it is possible for a tortoise to be when she met Humphrey, our large male tortoise. The spark must have fizzled however, because today she is sharing her portion of grapes with a much younger man, who is also a tenth of her size, but no doubt true love will find a way.



Eleven baby mongooses have been born this season, expanding our band of free-ranging banded mongooses to thirty three. A white-faced owl arrived with a broken wing. These birds have spectacularly beautiful copper-coloured eyes that burn hypnotically within their mask of white feathers. Moto (meaning fire) has a ferocious temper and will launch himself off his perch at my face while I am serving his dinner of two whole rats. Fortunately Moto should make a full recovery and will be returned to the wild, which will be a great relief to us both! Two more white-faced owls have come in; sadly one was so badly infested with a pox virus that she died, but an adolescent with a head injury is showing signs of improvement.



It is thanks to our wonderful friends and sponsors that our animals and birds enjoy such exceptional quality of life at the Sanctuary. We are truly grateful to George Kille and all at S&P for exceptional support of our Farm Animal Rescue Project, Di Finn and Golfing and Giving, Fresh Pro, Fruit and Veg City, Afro Foods, Trinity Ncube, Montana Meats, Linda Chant and Gletwyn Farm, the Bingley family, the Bean family at Douglyn, Carswell Meats, Jolly Jongwe, Crugs Chooks, Kim Devlin and all at 9a Drew Road for sponsorship of Babu the baboon, Mike Garden and Ndeipi, Zimtrader, Hello Harare, Lesley Duncan, the Wilson Family, Stan Higgins, Sue Roberts for hay and poles, Jackie Cocksedge, Paul Mitchell and all at Centra for a very generous and regular donation of stockfeed, Rose and Rogan Maclean who sponsor our dear donkeys, Vera Taylor, Emma Robinson and family who are long-term sponsors of Cruella the caracal, Cathy and Iris Carter – sponsors of Kevin the Greyhound, Feedmix , ML Safaris, Samir Shasha, Jonny Laughton and friends, Miles Bennet, Darren Lanca who so kindly and competently rehabilitates many of our wild bird rescues, Anesh Ramlaul, Dr Mark Lombard, Meryl Harrison, Helen Wroe, Dave Adams of Radiator Services, LonZim and Belts ‘n Hoses, who fails to hide his great kindness and generosity behind the occasional grumpiness, Robyn Joughin, Sunspun Bananas, Alliance Insurance who donated so generously towards our new enclosure building project, the Ilsink Family, Beverley Bridger, Brookfield Farm, Dianne Twiggs, Steve Watt, WebDev, Yo Africa, our friend Scott Parker and Rat Creek Productions in Canada, Theo fro, Cold Control who donated a free installation of solar lights, the Friend Foundation, Joe Leese, Ashley-Kate Davidson, Richard Lombard and the Ultimate Diary who donate beautiful diaries and calendars each year, Thibauld, Pauline and Lionel Goffin Goemans who sponsor Jacob the donkey, Pepsi the Serval and Ngozi the lion, Sophie and Alexandra Bean who have sponsored Khan the leopard so generously, Avani Mooljee who sponsors the marmosets, Tom Hill and Jake Mallon who spent two weeks living and working with us at the Sanctuary, Gina Everson who makes it possible for the irrepressible George the monkey to enjoy sumptuous treats of cashew nuts and watermelon and supports us in so many ways, the Twenty Four Hour Veterinary Surgery who care for our animals, Shane Zangel who donated a Christmas cake for our raffle, the photographer Tim Griffith for the very generous donation of a superb camera for us to record the daily adventures and events at the Sanctuary, Sharon Nicholls for exceptional support in so many ways, Scott Rae and Express Print Shop, Alona and Yaviv from Israel who took such devoted care of the Terrible Alfie the monkey, Kat Bijlsma – friend, sponsor and volunteer who returned for her third sojourn at the Sanctuary from San Francisco and coped so admirably with the diva demands of our mercurial little genet Angus and his friend Morag and who was such a source of moral support during the heartbreaking loss of our two baby jackals, and as always, Vinay Ramlaul.



The Sanctuary is open throughout the holidays from 9am to 5pm. Predator Feeding is at 4pm every day and monkey feeding at 10:30am. Half day trips are available by prior booking, but there is NO NEED TO BOOK to visit the Sanctuary. We rely on you to keep the Sanctuary functioning as a safe haven for animals in need – thank you for making it possible for the animals to have a bright future.



With love

Sarah and all at the Sanctuary

THE BALLY VAUGHAN SANCTUARY

ZIMBABWE

Tel: 263 912 592 944 263 733 436 239

email: sarah@ballyvaughan.co.zw

www.ballyvaughan.co.zw

Zimbabwe Conservation Tak Force

14th December 2010


As 2010 draws to a close, we realize that it hasn't been a very good year for the wildlife or the environment. It has also been a very sad year with the deaths of Steve Kok, Don Hornsby and Pete Evershed who were all killed by wild animals. Hopefully 2011 will be better. We wish all our readers a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

RESTAURANT AND BAR IN THE VICTORIA FALLS RAIN FOREST

A 120 seater restaurant, bar and merchandise shop has been established in the Victoria Falls Rain Forest. Victoria Falls is a National Heritage Site and one of the seven natural wonders of the world and the establishment of this commercial enterprise is in violation of the rules governing National Heritage Sites. The rules state that there shall be no further infrastructural development in the rain forest, apart from the upgrading of existing structures. It is also ruled that in a National Monument such as the Victoria Falls Rain Forest, there shall be no outlet that sells food and beverages.

In view of the number of people that the restaurant can accommodate, there will now be a greatly increased number of people wandering through the rainforest and there are not sufficient ablution facilities to cater for them.

Of greatest concern is the possibility that Victoria Falls Rain Forest is now in danger of losing its status as a National Heritage Site.

COAL MINING IN HWANGE NATIONAL PARK
I recently travelled to Hwange National Park and was dismayed to discover that on the road into Sinamatella Camp, you now travel through an ugly coal mining area. There are great deposits of earth alongside the road as well as heavy duty mine vehicles. We have also had reports that there are two more coal mines inside the National Park near Robins Camp.

CHINESE MINING IN THE MAVHURADONHA MOUNTAINS

Mavhuradonha means 'place of the falling water' and is a natural environment of great beauty with crystal clear water and fresh mountain air.

Residents of the area, however are desperately concerned about the illegal mining operations being conducted by the Chinese in their search for chrome. The Chinese are literally ripping up the beautiful countryside just outside the wilderness area but they are closing in fast.

According to reports, they are mining without prospecting orders or permits and no Environmental Impact Assessment has been done.

Further reports have been received that the Chinese are also starting mining operations in the Nyamaneche Game Park in Mvurwi. Apparently there were 9 rhino in the game park, 6 of which have now been poached. The remaining 3 were supposed to be relocated but it is believed that they too have been poached.


THE MAVHURADONHA WILDERNESS

DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE MINING OPERATIONS

Johnny Rodrigues

Chairman for Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force

Landline: 263 4 339065

Mobile: 263 712 603 213

Email: galorand@mweb.co.zw

Website: www.zctf.mweb.co.zw

Website: www.zimbabwe-art.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=15148470211

Temporary website: www.zctfofficialsite.org.
Congratulations to all our 2010 Afdis Awards Nominees. If you would like to attend the awards ceremony on the 26th of February 2011, please contact Erin in the office for tickets.



AWARD NOMINATION ROLE PRODUCTION

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE Martin Bolt Rene Allo Allo

The John Keeling Award Stephane Thomas Snoopy Snoopy

Kevin Hanssen Jean Miss Julie

George Gukuta George Are There Tigers in the Congo

Kevin Hanssen Sergeant Trotter The Mousetrap

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE Fiona Garrity Judith Bliss Hay Fever

The George Barnes Award Jamie McLaren Miss Julie Miss Julie

Shamiso Gukuta Shamiso Are There Tigers in the Congo

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR Alex Fairlie Hans Allo Allo

The Alan Parkinson Award Dean Jones Linus Snoopy

Richard Sticklen Charlie Brown Snoopy

Paul Shephard Christopher Wren The Mousetrap

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Kyla Render Miss Casewell The Mousetrap

The Allan Shaw Award Erin Cooper Peppermint Patty Snoopy

Karen Howard-Beard Helga Allo Allo

Thea Cutler Jackie Coryton Hay Fever

Collina Mvududu Kristin Miss Julie

BEST MINOR PERFORMANCE Roger Fairlie Leclerc Allo Allo

The Prentice Trophy Blessing Fire Hairy Ishmalite Joseph

Josh Ansley Pharaoh Joseph

Craig du Preez King Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead


BEST JUNIOR PERFORMANCE Amy Bolt Jane Babes in the Wood

The Reps Award for best performance by a junior under 12 years

BEST COMEDY PERFORMANCE Michael Thomas Woodstock Snoopy

The Alastair and Wendy Booth Award Larry Greeff Calvin Babysitting Calvin

Richard Sticklen Charlie Brown Snoopy

Alex Fairlie Hans Allo Allo

Larry Greeff Lt. Gruber Allo Allo

Ryan Lawrence Aperient / Felix 50 Golden Years

Alex Fairlie Flying Circusssisses


MOST OUTSTANDING MUSICAL Kirby Chipembere Joseph Joseph

PERFORMANCE Dean Jones Seasons in the Sun

Dave Roberts memorial trophy

BEST TECHNICAL Tim Garrard Set Design Allo Allo

sue greener technical award Sue McLaren Décor Babes in the Wood

Munya Magwaro Set Design & Décor Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead

Tracy Garrard Sound Snoopy


BEST FIRST PERFORMANCE Danielle Connolly Yvette Allo Allo

The Hugh Dornhurst Trophy Anne Stack Sally Brown Snoopy

Roger Fairlie Leclerc Allo Allo

Zoran Zec Simeon Joseph

Kirby Chipembere Joseph Joseph

Nicola Kinnaird Flying Circusssisses

THE DENNIS GRANGER AWARD FOR BEST CONTRIBUTION TO DANCE AND MOVEMENT June Cloete Choreography Seasons in the Sun

Blessing Fire Joseph

Mitzi Carruthers Choreography Jose

Econet Info

Dear Sir/Madam


You may be interested to know a few tips about using the Econet Broadband Dongle

1. They are a whole lot faster than Dial up using telephone lines

2. Cost for a dongle is about $80

3. You pay up front for time – similar to a buddie card

4. Youngsters downloading all sorts from the internet should buy a 1GB at a time – cost +- $100

5. Normal users accessing the internet every day to see news web sites – probably buy $500 mb at a time - $75

6. If you just want to download emails you could buy 200mb for $40

7. All time only lasts for a maximum of 30 days

8. To check what you have left call *141#

9. This can be done by taking the simm card out and dialling as per normal cell phone or by clicking on the US$ sign and entering the *141# alongside ‘Input Code’

10. To have the best access call up Settings (Middle Icon) and then Preferences – choose the middle one UMTS / HSPA only and then Apply

11. There are certain times of the day when the access is slow – probably because lots use it at 8.30am and 6pm

12. Once the dongle is placed in the USB port and self loaded you click on Connect

13. There are 2 arrows displayed when Connected – if the one on the right has a speed of 0 KBPS then nothing is downloading – sometimes helps to disconnect and reconnect

14. Useful numbers for Econet - 703-672 / 704059

15. If you want to reduce the amount downloaded considerably then you need to switch off the automatic downloads of Windows – in Windows XP click on Start / Control Panel / Automatic Downloads – turn off automatic Downloads – Windows 7 – click on Start / Control Panel / System Security / Windows Update

Hope this helps your surfing!
Regards
Mike G

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

ROBERTSON, COLLEEN (NEE WALSH)

ROBERTSON, COLLEEN (NEE WALSH) born 23 November 1920, died peacefully in her sleep on 6 December 2010.  Wife of the late Jimmy, loving mother of Miles, Judy and Pete, Grant and Lyn, Clare and Dave and Kim and Shelley.  Granny to Grant, Emma, Kimberley, Lauren, Simon, Sam and Miles.  She was an inspiration to all, and a lady to the end.  Requiem Mass to be held at Nazareth House at 11am Saturday 11th December.  Clare 0772605321 garnett@coweb.co.zw    Kim 0772307712 kimrobertson@zol.co.zw

Monday, December 13, 2010

Reps news

This is just a reminder to all Reps members who haven’t yet paid their 2011 subscriptions that the early payment discount expires on Wednesday the 15th of December. You can pay your subs either directly to the office (9am – 4.15pm) or to the bar staff, who will pass the payment along to the office on your behalf.


As of 8am on Thursday, 16 December the discounts will no longer be valid and the bar staff will be instructed as such. Please bear in mind that the bar staff have absolutely no ability to authorize extended discount periods or to process subs – this can only be done by speaking to Erin in the office. We also have payment terms available for 2011, again these can be discussed with Erin.

A reminder of the subs with the discount:

Ordinary - $100

Spouse - $50

Country - $50

Senior 1 - $40 (over 60 with 10 or more years membership)

Senior 2 - $60 (over 60 with less than 10 years membership)

Correspondent - $20

Repteens - $24

A reminder of the subs without the discount:

Ordinary - $120

Spouse - $60

Country - $60

Senior 1 - $48 (over 60 with 10 or more years membership)

Senior 2 - $72 (over 60 with less than 10 years membership)

Correspondent - $20

Repteens - $24

CONDOLENCES

JACK CUMINS - a true gentleman in every sense of the word and a stalwart honorary member of the Matabeleland Irish Association for many, many years. We were all sad to see you leave Bulawayo as you were the rock of the Association and full of valuable information. You shall be sorely missed our dear Jack. Our sincere condolences to his family and the many friends he has.
Jenny Leach
Matabeleland Irish Association
+++++++
Mrs Othelia 'Tess' Burke
The service for Tess will be held on Monday 20th December 2010 at 3pm at the St Andrews Presbyterian Church (behind the Hillside Post Office).
Friends please come and share in our goodbye.
Tea will be served in the hall afterwards.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

CFU'S ZJIRI SCHEME

In 2000 we were identified and approached by the then CFU Chairman (and only by CFU) to put forward a farm for the Zimbabwe Joint Resettlement Initiative (ZJIRI), a CFU project. It was "for the farming community", and we would be paid in full by the CFU, we were assured.

Remember in 2000 we had no idea of the Jambanja's of 2001-2002. We were, in hindsight it seems, innocent and naive. We relinquished the farm for ZJIRI / CFU initiative. We have waited patiently all these years in the expectation of full payment from the CFU.

For the past two years we have been persistently asking the CFU about our payment for this farm.

We have been passed from the CEO to the President, from President to CEO, from CEO now, to the CFU lawyer. Nobody at the CFU wants to talk to us about this or explain their position.

Is there anyone else out there, in a similar predicament, waiting for payment for the CFU's ZJIRI programme. Some people, we believe, were paid. We did not give up a farm to save a farm, nor cede this farm in any way - it was a bona fide business transaction involving full payment at market value.

Anyone out there in a similar position re ZJIRI please contact annhelmahein@gmail.com.

Clive and Ann Hein. / The Midlands

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Joan Reed (Fynes-Clinton)

Joan Reed (Fynes-Clinton)


It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Joan Reed on the 27th November 2010 in England, Wife to Ben and mother of Shirley, John, Jill and Paula.

The memorial Service will be held on Thursday 9th December 2010 at the Highlands Presbyterian Church, at 11am. Tea will be served after the service.

John Fynes-Clinton ; fynesjames@zol.co.zw

04- 334764

InnSider Card

The Spotlight is now a sales venue for the InnSider Card, a benefit card scheme run by the Inns of Zimbabwe group and open to anyone who wishes to purchase one. Holders of the card access discounts of 20 percent on accommodation at a number of hotels, inns and lodges around Zimbabwe, including the three Inns of Zimbabwe operations in the Eastern Highlands and a large number of affiliates around the country. In addition, City and Town Lodges in South Africa offer a 50 percent discount on accommodation, subject to room availability. Several restaurants, including Adrienne’s in Belgravia Shopping Centre, offer discounts on meal prices. Reps offers a 10 percent discount to card holders for sales of full-price tickets for main stage productions. By having this facility, The Spotlight will earn additional income for Reps to help with running costs of the complex. The cards are available ONLY during Spotlight opening times (ie Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm and Saturday 9am to 12 noon) and not in the box office opening times just before and during performances. New cards cost $20 (they are valid for a year) and renewals are $10.

Condolence Notices

CUMMINGS. John McMillen (Jack)


Passed away on 4th December, 2010, in Bristol, UK, in his 89th year.

Respected colleague and one of Zimbabwe's most upstanding and supportive residents.

He was able to spend some time with his family and see Alan settled in Sheffield.

Our thoughts are with John (Bristol), Maureen, Gary, Kim, Kyle and Erin (USA) and Alan.

Paul and Elspeth Goodwin. boomerang@gatorzw.com

++++++++



RILEY - JUNE - It is with regret that the family advise the passing of their beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother on Thursday last 2.12.2010.

Please note that a service of thanksgiving for her life will be held at Farley's Chapel on Wednesday, 8.12.2010 at 2pm. All friends will be welcome.

A wake will be held following the service at McDonald's Club and it would be appreciated if those attending would assist by bringing a plate of snacks.

DAVE RILEY - Enquiries to rickwood@gatorzw.com

++++++++



CONDOLENCES

Mrs Othelia 'Tess' Burke

The service for Tess will be held on Monday 20th December 2010 at 3pm at the St Andrews Presbyterian Church (behind the Hillside Post Office).

Friends please come and share in our goodbye.

Tea will be served in the hall afterwards.

From reps

Dear Fellow Members


We are coming to the end of a very busy and eventful 50th Anniversary year. Whilst I know that you have all been kept very well informed about what has been happening on the stage in terms of our own productions and hire shows, and in the bar and elsewhere for social events, I thought you might like to know what else has been happening “behind the scenes” to keep the Theatre complex a safe, welcoming and pleasant place to visit.

Water is a continuous problem for us. The issues faced by the City Fathers are well known and simply roll down on to us. The Belgravia area has had many burst pipes in recent years and all too frequently, the response has been to simply switch off the water supply. Originally we installed a five thousand litre water tank to take care of the days when there was no water, but this has proved to be insufficient, so we have had a second tank installed together with a pressure tank, pump, piping and the necessary electrical connections.

Repairs have also been made to:

• Theatre air conditioning

• Bar fridges

• The floor of the main stage


We have repainted the front of the theatre building, installed a new geyser in the bar kitchen, replaced stock of lighting supplies and I am sure everyone who uses the bar has noticed the increased amount and range of bar stocks. All of this is in addition to the normal run-of-the-mill repairs and maintenance.


Over the World Cup, Peter and Betty Hobbs ran an extremely successful fund raiser for bar refurbishment. To date, and from the funds raised, new optics have been purchased; energy saver light bulbs have been bought to replace the current bulbs in the bar (which means that the bar can be lit from the standby generator); and quotes have been sought to refurbish the bar fridges, new carpeting, covering the bench cushions and replacement of the curtains. The funds raised from the recent Golf Day will also go towards bar projects. The bar sub-committee would dearly like to have the bar “garden” put in order – so if you are an avid pot plant gardener and have some spare time, please get in touch with Tim Garrard on 0712 617 119 or tim.garrard@yahoo.com and become our very first official bar pot plant person!

The recent high wind lifted the flashing and roof sheets of the downstage right corner of the flying tower – this will also be attended to as soon as possible.

Our beloved theatre is a 50 year old lady, and needs constant care and attention to keep her happy, hygienic and hospitable.

We have many smaller children visiting the premises for various reasons – ballet lessons are held in one of our rehearsal rooms during the week, we have Preps on Saturday mornings, parents come to rehearsal with their children, or visit the bar. Katie Cooper (the convener of Preps) has raised the funds from the Preps parents and with an amount from the main account and has had the playground refurbished and made more safe. Please don’t let your inner child rule – if you are over 12 years old, don’t swing on our swings or see on our saws.

On stage, the Pantomime has opened, the Christmas spirit has invaded us, and the bar is getting ready for carols on Christmas Eve and fun and games on New Year’s Eve. From me and all of ExCo and the staff – Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

See you at the nOughties on 31 December!

Dramatically yours

Teri Grimmel
CHAIRMAN

Deirdre Swire-Thompson

Deirdre Swire-Thompson


A memorial service for the late Deirdre Swire-Thompson, much loved wife of Anthony, mother of Jeremy and Leigh Anne, Andrew and Jessica and grandmother of Kyle, Gemma, Nicholas and Sophie will be held at 2.30 pm on Monday 12 December at the Chisipite School Chapel.

After the service, the Swire-Thompson family invite friends and family to tea and refreshments at Ant and Dee's home: 7 Brentford Road, Ballantyne Park. Please bring a plate of eats.