General News

We had some interesting visitors at Sandstone when a group of seven Gyrocopter pilots from all over the country descended on Sandstone for an overnight visit. Today they will be taking a walking tour of Sandstone before flying off to another destination.

An autogyro (from Greek αὐτός and γύρος, "self-turning"), also known as a gyroplane or gyrocopter, is a type of rotorcraft that uses an unpowered rotor in free autorotation to develop lift. Forward thrust is provided independently, typically by an engine-driven propeller. They were invented by a Spanish engineer, Juan de la Cierva in 1923 and have quite a following throughout South Africa and the world.

You can learn more about these fascinating machines on Wikipedia:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autogyro

Sandstone Heritage Trust via its museum status is a member of the South African Museum Association (SAMA). May 18^th is International Museum Day and SAMA has produced the attached document on this event. It makes for interesting reading with the history of the event and what museums can do to celebrate the day.
Click on the link to view.

The loading area at Sandstone was very busy the other day with the loading of 1000 tons of yellow maize for our customer, Nu Pro, of Bethlehem.

Our picture shows the trucks lining up for loading. Around 30 truck loads were required to fill the order.

As you know Sandstone Heritage Trust is a member of the South African Museums Association and we have some exciting news for our younger readers from the National English Literary Museum..

Here's an exciting opportunity for young photographers, at the National English Literary Museum.

Get your kids involved, they can use their cell phone cameras.

"Youth of South Africa! Participate in the National English Literary Museum's new exhibition, 'Humanature'.

Submit photographs that look at environmental issues and/or their solutions, and your photos will appear in the exhibition.

Photos taken on any device or camera are welcome. Click here to see the flyer for details, and please share."

We could not resist this picture from Rico Viljoen of Sekonyela Mountain at dusk after a stormy afternoon.

James Hall Museum of Transport, Johannesburg, Open Day Saturday 17^th February.

The James Hall Museum will be holding an Open Day on Saturday 17^th February. Sandstone Heritage Trust has a close working relationship with the museum. The Lawley steam locomotive, NG97, at Sandstone is on loan from the museum and was restored by Sandstone to working order.

The museum is well worth a visit with varied exhibits ranging from a London bus to South Africa’s own electric car. For full details of the event click here to view

Sandstone wins the prestigious ROCCI/FNB Tourism Award for the second year running.

Sandstone Estates the 2016 ROCCI/FNB Gold Winner Award for Tourism followed up with a second Gold Award 2017 for Tourism Business of the Year 2017 at a lavish function held at the Silverstar Casino held on Saturday 18 November 2017.

ROCCI and FNB also celebrated their 10th anniversary as co-hosts of the prestigious Business of the Year Awards. ROCCI is one of South Africa’s biggest Chamber of Commerce and was the runner up in the SBi Business Chamber of the Year Awards in 2017 in the Diamond Category.

 There were over 500 nominations for the ROCCI/FNB 2017 Business of the Year Awards in various categories with 121 organisations and companies making it through to the final round.

 Sandstone is proud to not only have been nominated again but is especially proud to have won the Gold Winner award for a second year running. Sandstone thanks ROCCI/FNB and the judges for recognising Sandstone for what it has achieved in the Tourism sector in South Africa.

Click below to see PDFs:

ROCCI - Business of the Year Awards

Gold Award 2017 for Tourism Business of the Year 2017

Sandstone will be open to visitors at the forthcoming Cherry Festival in Ficksburg on the 17^th & 18^th November 2017.  
For full details on the attractions and bookings please click on the links below:

English 

Afrikaans

Very few organisations have had the opportunity to interact with David Shepherd over so many years and in the process to cover his two great passions, namely Wildlife Conservation and Railway Preservation.
 
David, in recognition of his efforts, was gifted a large South African Main Line steam locomotive in 1991.  Not long after he received it he asked the Sandstone Heritage Trust to assist him to ensure it was protected and maintained.  It has been a feature of Railway Tourism for many years and has  provided pleasure to many thousands of people. The history of our association with David and his South African   locomotive is covered in a superbly produced YouTube video.  Click here to view.
 
David was so interested in this work and his  loco Avril that he  made a number of trips to South Africa where he  always joined in the fun, participated in the loco’s operations and touched everybody with his smile.  Even in his last days he remained interested in its well-being and loved to receive photos and reports on its latest achievements.
 
On the conservation side, being in Africa, we were very close to issues which the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation was trying to deal with.  We were able to coordinate corporate events and sponsorships which benefitted the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation.
 
What impressed us so much in his later years was his unselfish commitment to the cause.  It mattered not how long he had to stay up at night but as long as there were people to talk to he would give of his best.  Essentially David was a man who never retired. 
 
On behalf of the Sandstone Heritage Trust and all South Africans who met him may we express our condolences to the family and say quite simply that he is irreplaceable and we are very sad to witness his passing.

David on the footplate of 3052, “Avril”

David with 3052 “Avril” and the original painting of the locomotive

Members of the MG Car Club from Johannesburg recently visited Sandstone while on a weekend tour to the Eastern Free State. You can read a report on their visit and thoughts on Sandstone by clicking on the link below to take you to their latest “Thumbs Up” magazine: Click here to view PDF
 
You can also visit the MG Car Club website on : WWW.MGCC.co.za.