Bathurst (G15)

Name:Bathurst

Google count: 286,000 for Bathurst
Date: 21 July 2008

Historic fact:
The little 1820 Settler village of Bathurst survivedturbulent times in its infancy, to emerge today as a peaceful haven situatedin the midst of green hills intermingled with patches of natural bush andmagnificent trees, in the centre of a district famous for pineapples andcattle...

It was established by British settlers in May 1820, andwas named after the British Colonial Secretary, Lord Bathurst. Itwas for a brief period the magistracy of the district of Albany with CaptainCharles Trappe of the Seaforth Highlanders (after whom the valley to thenorth of the town is named) was installed as the first magistrate. However, in 1822 the administrative headquarters for Albany was transferredto Grahamstown because of its superior military position.

The Settlers in Bathurst were left to cope with droughts,floods, wheat rust and stock raids by neighbouring tribes. A seriesof Frontier Wars further decimated their families, their homes and theirlivestock, the Wesleyan Chapel and St John?s Church both serving as sanctuariesand forts during attacks.

However, Bathurst survived and is now populated by descendantsof that sturdy Settler stock, as well as daily commuters to Port Alfredor Grahamstown and many retired people who enjoy its English-village atmosphereand quiet charm. The large township on the outskirts of the town is calledNolukhanyo.
http://home.intekom.com/african_lioness/Bathurst.html

In Bathurst you’ll find the world’s biggest pineapple. It stands on Summerhill Estate - one of the district’s many pineapple farms.

Surrounded by the valley bushveld, the region has many malaria free game reserves. Bathurst houses the country’s oldest pub and offers attractions such as an ethnic village, curio and craft shops and Water’s Meeting Nature Reserve with its magnificent ‘Ox-Bow.’ Adventure options include game viewing, hiking, canoeing, mountain biking, horseriding - trails include 4x4 and hiking. Fishing, birding, abseiling and botanical, historical and cultural excursions are also on offer.
http://www.ectourism.co.za/city/21/Bathurst

Other interesting info:

In 1970, a small group of people interested in preserving the heritage of agriculture in the Eastern Cape, formed a committee to establish a home for the many valuable items which would otherwise be lost forever

Starting with a mere 30 items, the collection has grown to more than 1400, many of which are both rare and unique and all of which have been donated

There is something of interest for everyone as the collection ranges from ox-wagons, horse drawn vehicles, agricultural implements and tractors, steam engines, dairy and household utensils, veterinary equipment, ostrich incubators to name but a few of the exciting exhibits the Museum has to offer!

http://www.bathurst.co.za/Museum.htm


Bathurst is situated on the fringes of both the Sunshine Coast and Frontier Country, a scenic half hour drive on the R67 from Grahamstown or 10 minutes from Port Alfred, half way between Port Elizabeth and East London on the R72

It is a quiet pastoral village most widely known for its famous (and infamous) pubs! Also in the village centre you will find craft shops, galleries, pottery studios, antiques shops, nurseries and plenty more to keep the day visitor entertained. There’s a growing number of restaurants to choose from

http://www.palamino.co.za/bathurst.html

Railway story:

On April 22 1911, the train left on time. Behind the engine was a coal tender followed by five trucks of stone, from Bathurst, for the completion of the Grahamstown cathedral. A fifth truck carried a loose cargo of pineapples, that crop of lower Albany that spikes the lands with pale sage coloured leaves against mulberry earth. Four passenger coaches and a guard's van were coupled behind this, the black passengers crammed together in the last coach, en route to stock-fair day in Grahamstown. Two-thirds of the way across there was a sudden lifting and lightening of the load. The sound of metal, the flump of steel on steel, smoke and dust rising. The fourth truck had uncoupled. One can only guess at Robinson’s the train driver, horror, at the moment of turning his head, and seeing the fourth truck rail-jump, fall on its side, the grind of steel as the passenger carriages and guard's van plummeted into space, the roof of one detaching, the last coach in which theblack passengers were travelling, somersaulting once before it hit the rocks more than 60m below. The roof of a carriage spiraled down, providing a safer landing place for a passenger, a lampholder caught in the girders, a man's coat fluttering on a spar.

http://www.martinsguesthouse.co.za/portalfred/train/index.html
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