The current COVID 19 legislation published after our February and Easter events were advertised prohibits all indoor and outdoor events as of 28th December 2020 and was subsequently extended on January 15th 2021. This legislation has been reviewed on February 13th 2021 and published in the Government Gazette and the restrictions on gatherings have been extended and therefore remain in force until March 15th 2021 and now extend over a period that covers the end of February and the proposed event. The event scheduled for February 26 to 28 has been cancelled.

Depending on whether such legislation is changed at the next review on March 15th 2021, prior to Easter, will determine as to whether the scheduled Easter weekend event (April 2-5) will be able to take place.

Businesses have to make tough decisions during this pandemic era.  At Sandstone Estates we have tried to maintain a level of normality.  None of our African staff have been retrenched and we are in fact working hard to create a positive job environment for as many people as possible.  Obviously this is always subject to financial constraints.  One of the initiatives that we have taken is to equip all of our staff with proper work wear which includes full overalls and work boots.  We have colour differentiated the different divisions which includes livestock, arable, workshops and security.  Our staff asked if they could have a group photograph which they have proudly sent to us this week.

January has seen good rainfall at Sandstone and the mealies are growing. At the same time the 1915 built NG10 locomotive stretched its legs for a private charter. The muddy road is indicative of the rainfall. 

The rain had another positive in that staff were generally confined inside and were able to do a huge tidy up of the exhibits in the  Heritage sheds. Also trapped by the rain our 60 year old Fordson Major was repaired and was soon out cutting the newly grown grass!  Sandstone is looking good!

The Covid 19 Pandemic has changed the way we work and we have extended our report from the pure Steam Report to include all heritage activities at Sandstone.
Enjoy the first edition for 2021 - Click here to read

There is no doubt that the Covid 19 pandemic reduced the number of visitors compared with previous years but given that there was no Cherry Festival in 2020 we were very happy at Sandstone with our event. Covid 19 seems to have closed down many things but not Sandstone! Watch this space for our next event in January 2021!

Here are some statistics from the weekend:

James Atwell attended our Spring Festival and produced a wonderful album of the event. Click on the link:

https://spark.adobe.com/page/hNg30TaINQFXF/?w=0_256&fbclid=IwAR0_6Sk2GfbnkNs74U_MIOztMGsGQavabjKA4gOWGkXWHTiDVFZ92yD1SSM

With the festival over on Sunday 22^nd November, it was time to put NGG16 number 153 to bed. Not many people realise the hard work required in preparing a steam locomotive for storage after a hard day’s work. Driver Mark Ruddy sent us this video and two still photographs of the effort required to dispose of the fire and ash in NGG16 number 153 by himself and fireman Shawn Spaan so that she may rest until her next assignment.

Watch Short Video Here

The final day of our very successful Spring Festival with a wrap up gallery for the day.

The third day of our Spring Festival. Our gallery shows more visitors together with a fly in guest today. NGG16 number 153 was the loco on our train for the day.

The second day of our Spring Festival. Our gallery shows more visitors today with NGG16 number 153 on our train for the day and a number of other attractions that were seen on the train travels at Sandstone. You can still join us as the Spring Festival runs through Saturday ending on Sunday November 22^nd.  

You can see full details on: https://www.sandstone-estates.com/index.php/railway-heritage-58/39-railway-heritage/3485-the-sandstone-spring-steam-festival-19-22-november-2020