After our very successful first function of the tear when Dr Jean Moorcroft Wilson addressed us at the end of  January we are pleased to inform you that the author David Hilton-Barber will be speaking to us on  Saturday 19 March 2016 at 10am at Constantia Place on Southern Cross Drive, Constantia.  His subject will be “Among my Ancestors: the pursuit of family history” and some of David’s books may be bought from him at the function.

As usual, please RSVP before 17 March 2016 Graham Giles or telephone 021 852-8480 or 082 820 0334.  This is essential both for security and arrangements regarding tea, coffee and biscuits.

David Atherstone Hilton-Barber is a fourth generation member of 1820 settler stock.  After completing his BA Hons degree at Rhodes University, he trained as a journalist following in the footsteps of his maternal great-grandfather, Frederick York St Leger, founder and first editor of the Cape Times.  He later became a public relations consultant and for 15 years was involved in a wide range of programmes for the private and public sector.  He retired to Tzaneen in 1989 but now lives in Hermanus.  He has written four books, a history of Tzaneen, a history of Haenertsburg, a history of the Tati Concession (the first gold rush in Southern Africa) and a biography of Len Hobson.  he is presently researching two other historical projects.  He also writes for local and national media on conservation and local government.

Details of some of David's books:

Hobson's Choice which is ‘a cameo of Len Hobson’s memories of growing up in the 1930s, the early days of farming in the Karoo, his youthful exploits, his exposure to the poverty of the poor whites at that time and his grief at losing his sibling and later, two of his wives. Len Hobson is a humble soul who has never lost touch with the simple side of life. He is a down-to earth man of the soil’.

Footprints - On the trail of those who shaped Tzaneen's historywhich is ‘an idiosyncratic view of one of South Africa’s loveliest districts.  History is certainly revealed, but the book is much more than dry-as-dust fact and chronologies. The mountains and valleys and abundant vegetation of the northern Drakensberg have inspired many people. Their stories enliven almost every page’.

The Baronet And The Savage King 

Greetings from Graham Giles

Hon Secretary