by Noetzie | Jan 31, 2013 | Blog
Chris Everett’s book, “Noetzie – An Illustrated History”, was launched in December 2012 and was very well received by the Noetzie community. The history covers a wide range of geological, geographic and environmental aspects, archaeology, the history of Noetzie’s establishment and development, politics and details of all the erven and the families who have owned them. In addition personal recollections and stories as well as a range of artwork by Noetzie’s people are included, together with a wide selection of historic and picturesque photos.
An illustrated History
by Chris Everett
Many people were surprised by the quality and degree of detail and the comment that it considerably exceeded their expectations was made by several. Owners particularly enjoyed the “scoop” of the previously unpublished archaeological digs and the details recorded about the mystery Doctor and his shack up the river. Anita Fabians’ lovely sketches dotted around the book were also greatly appreciated.
The NCOA Committee decided to award the Conservancy Award for 2012 to Chris for his efforts in recording Noetzie’s history and this was done at the AGM.
All available copies were snapped up fast but a copy can be found in the Knysna Library, thanks to the well known Knysna historian Margaret Parkes.
by Noetzie | Nov 27, 2012 | Blog
Noetzie has always been difficult to reach, but once there, it is always worth it. The archaeological evidence confirms that Noetzie was inhabited by the Southern Cape’s earliest inhabitants.
Thousands of years later, modern man discovered Noetzie, and they used ox wagons to build the Old Wagon Road to the beach and erect iron and timber holiday cottages on the edge of the beach and river. They were oblivious to environmental concerns like rising sea levels and building in flood plains. The cottages were small and were visited mostly during warmer months. So Noetzie stayed a secret and remote destination for local fishermen, determined campers and a few holiday makers.
In the 1940s the castle builders built a private road to the new castle on the west end of the beach, and the public steps to the beach were also built joining up to this road. From the 1970s, river cottage owners have been able to access their properties but have to cross private land.
In 2000, when the remainder of Noetzie farm was sold to a developer, gentlemen’s agreements from bygone days fell away, and for the first time, access across the Noetzie farm to the beach was threatened. We all wished that the public parking area, the public and private access routes to Noetzie had been formalized before the sale.
Soon after approval of the development, access was used as a threat because the Noetzie homeowners had objected to the developer’s plan to abstract water from Noetzie River (for the development’s golf course at Sparrebosch).
Then the Pezula developer purchased the Noetzie Castle and closed off the access via the steps. Thanks to a loud and passionate public outcry, a public protest on Heritage Day 2006 and a court case, the developer was forced to re-open the access to the beach via the steps, and this access will remain open into the foreseeable future.
(See the SC Legal Opinion and several other documents on the Noetzie website for more information)
Just because there are always fresh challenges at Noetzie, since the public steps access was sorted out, the other route to the beach via the Old Wagon Road now ends in the air, with the river a few metres below. Although environmentally friendly solutions are being considered, so that property owners with 4x4s and permits can access their houses via the beach again, this access will only ever be possible as long as the sea, river and high tides allow it.
“You cannot command Nature, except by obeying her” Francis Bacon
by Noetzie | Nov 27, 2012 | Blog
We have had a number of enquiries about weddings on Noetzie beach. This is a copy of our usual response. Noetzie is a public beach and cannot be booked for any private function. However permission needs to be obtained from the Knysna Municipality – 044 302 1605. If you choose to take your vows on the beach please keep the following in mind:
- No alcohol may be consumed on the beach
- No amplified music or loud hailers
- No vehicles on the beach – any vehicle in violation of this regulation may be confiscated and the driver fined.
- No structures may be erected
- No parking on the Old Wagon Road – only in the public parking area at the top of the hill.
- All litter (yes we are including rose petals, etc.) must be removed and placed in refuse bins in the carpark
- No disturbance to other members of the public or residents
- No commercial activities
- No digging or disturbance/removal of sand, rocks, driftwood or any fauna and flora
- All other National, Provincial and Municipal regulations, not listed above, must also be adhered to at all times.
