With their “signature” red wheelbarrow displayed at their various projects, the newly-established Aston Bay Dorp van Drome has remained committed to uplifting their community, one section at a time.
To continue with their multiple beautifying projects, they are hoping to raise much-needed funds for equipment, and to employ local labourers to assist.
Margaret Otto, convenor of the organisation, said Aston Bay Dorp van Drome started out of a passion for gardening and a love for the village they live in.
She said they decided to add “Dorp van Drome” to their name as they were inspired by the work done by the Jeffreys Bay Dorp van Drome team.
Otto said that Loulita Vosloo from the Jeffreys Bay team offered their team valuable advice to get them started with their projects.
In addition, she said they were generous enough to provide them with equipment, plants, gable stones, and all the necessary contacts.
Otto further said that Councillor Sakkie Murray also helped with gardening, and managed to provide various items with the help of the Kouga Municipality.
She said that in April they began clearing the ground and placing a small red boat at the Aston Manor Centre.
“The space needed a lot of love, and the area has been cleaned and planted. The red boat is the start of our vision. Various garden beds have been planted around the trees, and the municipality has helped by cutting down the overgrown and sick plants,” said Otto.
Despite working only on Thursdays from 09:00 to 13:00, she said it has been astonishing to see what they have accomplished in such a short time.
Otto said they had since continued to work on beautifying the surrounding areas of the Aston Manor and the Aston Bay Hall.
As part of their “trademark” she said they will be placing a red wheelbarrow at various locations.
“The “Red Wheelbarrows” will eventually form part of a walking route that visitors and locals can follow. We want this route to highlight all the communal parks in our area,” said Otto.
“All the wheelbarrows, plants and even much of our equipment have been donated by local residents.”
She said they have many more ideas for the town, but unfortunately, they do not have the necessary funds.
To continue their good work throughout the town, Otto said they are selling raffle tickets for R20 each to raise much-needed funds to purchase a bush cutter and trailer to transport their equipment.
Furthermore, she said the funds will also be used to hire local labourers to assist with labour-intensive tasks like preparing gardens for planting.
The winner of the raffle will receive a lamb which has been cut, packaged, and frozen, while the runner-up will receive a gin and wine hamper with accessories, and third place will win a R150 voucher to be enjoyed at the Lagoon Restaurant.
The winners of the raffle will be drawn and notified on July 15.
Otto said they are thankful for the assistance they have received from Johannes van Onslen, Aston Manor Liquors, and At the Lagoon Restaurant, who have generously offered to sponsor the three prizes, while Beesland Butchery has offered to process the lamb.
She said they were also thankful for the help received from Kouga Waste and Environmental Manager, Christa Venter, who has assisted with mowing grass, Hannes Bekker for lending his trailer to move gables, Vlakteplaas Quarry who donated beautiful rocks, Aston Carwash who generously donated water for the gardens, and the assistance they have received from the Aston Bay Neighbourhood Watch and the Aston Bay Rate Payers Association.
Otto said the biggest thanks, however, go to the community of Aston Bay.
“We can also see the people buying into our vision when holidaymakers, like the Kruger family from Pretoria, who come and lend a helping hand during our Thursday project. Also, positive feedback from people driving past finalised projects makes all the hard work worth it,” said Otto.
For more information contact Margaret Otto at 079 502 0511.
