Greyton Sentinel Issue 1/February 2016 | Page 2

Page 2 GREYTON SENTINEL EDITOR’S SPACE Thank you for taking the time to read, and purchasing your copy, of the re-launched Gre yton Se ntine l. The great changes of 2015 continue into 2016. The migration of predominantly Syrians to Europe is the largest movement of people since the Second World War. The global climate, too, continues to change, bringing unseasonal, often catastrophic weather, that has left no continent untouched. The world economy remains brittle, falling growth in China being particularly problematic. February 2016 Continued from front page Our inaugural logo is that of an owl. This is because, as beautiful and imposing as our surrounding mountainscape is, not all news is writ large, the dramatic not all that is noteworthy. Greyton has numerous owls, always present, always watchful, of the doings, comings, and goings, of both the big and small, the overt and covert, which inhabit our rather special Overberg niche. Take a nocturnal stroll along any of Greyton’s lanes and should you come across them, you will surely smile. The Greyton Sentinel hopes to emulate our owls. If we succeed, even in part, we too shall have cause to smile. South Africa itself, our country, is a product of dramatic change. For some this has brought disappointment, for others abundant opportunity. Greyton, our small village, continually changes. We’ve had the dramatic flooding of 2007, to the lesser in scale, but the equally devastating personal trials, as described by Felicity Jervis (her speech at the opening of the Greyton Heritage Museum can be seen on page 18). Families and individuals move to, settle for a time, and leave Greyton regularly, as determined by their needs and aspirations. Many, myself included, consider Greyton their home but migrate for occupational, and other purposes elsewhere for varying periods each year. In this issue we celebrate two notable birthdays, and the unique bond of two sisters, each story a further illustration of why our Overberg hamlet is so special. The future is uncertain. It always has been. What is certain is that change will continue, and may or may not, bring what we hope for. We at the Gre yton Se ntinel are confident that whatever 2016 has in store for the people of Greyton and its surrounding communities, they will meet it with their usual confidence, resilience, and optimism. Speaking of optimism, Sam and I, having no experience whatsoever of publishing a newspaper, thought we would be fortunate to have sufficient content for 20 pages. You will note this issue is 28 pages long, primarily due to the faith of our advertisers whom we would encourage you to support, and particularly the enthusiasm and industry of our contributors, to whom we owe a very big thank you. As a community paper submissions from all sources are very welcome, so as to be of local relevance. Therefore should you have an article of interest please write to me at [email protected] or, alternatively, should it be correspondence for publication [email protected]. We at the Greyton Se ntine l wish all of our readers, their families, and our community, a prosperous and healthy 2016. Mark EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS Editorial contributions are welcomed and should include high resolution photographs if relevant. Articles will be printed under the contributor’s name or an accepted nom de plume. All contributions are voluntary. Contributions should be emailed to: mark@greytonsentinel