Fish Hoek celebrates its centenary this year and a newly formed voluntary organisation, Fish Hoek 100 and Beyond, wants to ensure that the town’s milestone is celebrated in style.
The non-profit organisation was recently established with assistance of local attorney and committee member, Cris Riego de Dios, to organise activities and events that will contribute to the success of the centenary year – and beyond.
Fish Hoek, originally known as Vissers Baay or Visch Hoek appears on the earliest maps of the Cape. The first land in Fish Hoek was granted to Andries Bruins in 1818 and was sold several times thereafter before being bought by Hester Sophia de Kock in 1883. She later married Jacob Isaac de Villiers, who came to live with her on the farm and after their deaths; the land was sold off, the first sale taking place in 1918 thus establishing the town of Fish Hoek.
Fish Hoek 100 and Beyond chairperson, Richard Valentine, said the group was established by business and community members in Fish Hoek who are committed to ensuring that the centenary is celebrated well and as inclusively as possible.
Mr Valentine said a public participation process, also known as Open Space Technology, was held on Human Rights Day, March 21 and attended by more than 50 residents.
The aim of the day was to exchange ideas around what social and community issues could be addressed as part of the Fish Hoek centenary milestone as well as beyond.
The outcome indicated that safety, security, tourism, greening, methods of addressing the growing homeless population in Fish Hoek as well as revamping the main road of the broader Fish Hoek Valley and surrounds, were among residents’ main concerns.
He said the role of the group’s organising committee was to organise certain key signature events and encourage and help facilitate residents and other interested parties to organise other activities and events that will help make a great success of the celebrations as well as contributing to the upliftment of the Fish Hoek Valley beyond this year.
The group aims to build on work already done during the initial phase of the centenary celebrations including the 2017 Spring Splash, Bash and Art Auction, and the recent plaque unveiling and commemoration of Mrs Balls’ birthday. The following events have already been earmarked for the remainder year:
* Tuesday April 24 – Plaque unveiling and commemoration of the centenary of the sale of the first plots in Fish Hoek at the civic centre, SA Navy Band will be in attendance.
* Friday August 31 – Spring gala
* Saturday September 1 – 5km fun run in Fish Hoek followed by a market and music festival
* Sunday September 2 – Spring Splash and lifesaving / beach activities.
* Saturday October 20 – 1000 children’s massed choir and music, arts and culture festival at Fish Hoek High School.
Ian Eagan-Fowler, Fish Hoek 100 and Beyond co-chairperson, said the committee members are all voluntary and passionate about the future of the Fish Hoek
Valley.
He said the group welcomed any assistance in making this milestone in Fish Hoek’s history a significant and memorable one. The committee would like to encourage all residents and stakeholders to share any further ideas for the Fish Hoek 100 and Beyond initiatives via email at info@fishhoek100
andbeyond.co.za
For more information visit their Facebook page: Facebook.com/FishHoek100andBeyond
