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Archiver > SOUTH-AFRICA > 2004-03 > 1078314317


From: mary <>
Subject: Re: [ZA] My home town
Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2004 06:46:01 -0500
References: <014a01c400d7$6967de80$6799ef9b@TelkomSA2156>
In-Reply-To: <014a01c400d7$6967de80$6799ef9b@TelkomSA2156>


thank you for this, Becky, I really enjoyed reading it as PE is my home
town too.

mary
in London ON Canada

Becky Horne wrote:

>Port Elizabeth has a rich legacy of an area that saw the first meetings of
>Khoisan, British, Dutch, German and Xhosa peoples. She has every right to
>boast of a unique historical heritage.
>
>With the ocean behind you the first National Monument of note is the
>Campanile. It is a 51 metre high brick structure completed in 1923 to
>commemorate the landing of the 1820 Settlers. It has a spiral staircase of
>204 steps, and when reaching the top, offers a spectacular view of Algoa
>Bay. On the left hand side is the Railway Station and behind you the
>Harbour. The airport is not too far off and Port Elizabeth is the only city
>in South Africa (that I know of) that has all forms of transport, namely,
>sea, air and rail, in close proximity.
>
>Our City Hall stands with proud splendour in the Market Square. To the left
>is the Feather Market Hall, once used as an auction centre for ostrich
>feathers wool, hide and fruit during the 18th and early part of the 19th
>century, but has now been refurbished and converted into an outstanding
>concert hall and conference centre. To the right is the Main Library, which
>opened in 1902 and is regarded as an epic example of Victorian Gothic
>architecture. Keeping a watchful eye on those who enter Govan Mbeki (was
>Main Street) is the Sicilian marble Statue of Queen Victoria.
>
>There are plenty of other National Monuments to see - Donkin Reserve and
>memorial pyramid erected in memory of Sir Rufane DONKIN's wife Elizabeth and
>after whom our city is named. Number 7 Castle Hill, where Father McCLELAND
>once stayed. Fort Frederick which overlooks the old landing beach at the
>mouth of the Baakans River and from where a shot was never fired. The King
>George VI Art Gallery, a Conservatory, an Open Air Theatre, Churches, a
>Horse Memorial, to name but a few, and all of which have deep roots into our
>past.
>
>And then there is the Opera House. A fine example of a Victorian theatre and
>the only one still in use in South Africa. I have spent so much time here
>due to my children's involvement with the stage. Running up and down stairs
>from one dressing room to the other, making sure that everybody is ready for
>their curtain call.
>
>Port Elizabeth might be known as the Windy City, but its the place I call
>home. The place that way back in 1820 vessels started to arrive from the
>United Kingdom with our ancestors who had such high expectations, but
>instead had to endure so much hardship. The Chapman was the first settler
>ship, arriving in Algoa Bay 9 April 1820. Its about that time of the year
>that we are reminded that approximately 184 years ago, this was the place
>that many of the 1820 Settlers first set their foot on South African soil.
>Just look how we have grown!
>
>Referring back to the Opera House, congratulations to Charlize THERON
>for bringing home the Oscar and to our New Zealand buddies - be proud
>of your wonderful performance of almost a clean sweep of the converted
>award. Surely this wonderful accolade makes up for all the bad weather you
>have had to endure recently.
>
>SOURCE: My home town by Becky HORNE
>
>Best wishes
>Becky
>Port Elizabeth, South Africa
>
>Researching: HENWICK; HILL; HORN(E); MEREDITH; MORGAN; WILLMORE; WILSON;
>LYNAR; MILLS; STERLEY; THECK; BEST; BRAUN, GREENER; GLANVILLE.
>
>
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>
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