St George’s Wild Fig Trees

There are a number of giant Wild Fig Trees in and around St George's Park, all well over 100 years old. The one in the centre of the park next to the Pearson Conservatory must be one of my favorite trees around Port Elizabeth. I always marvel at it's size and love walking over the … Continue reading St George’s Wild Fig Trees →

Then and Now: Pearson Conservatory Fountain

The Pearson Conservatory was originally built in 1882 and restored to its former glory between 2009 and 2011. The centre piece of the Pearson Conservatory is an ornamental fountain made by Andrew Handyside at the Duke Street Foundry "Britannia Iron Works" in Derby in the UK around the same year the Conservatory was built (1882). … Continue reading Then and Now: Pearson Conservatory Fountain →

Then and Now – Pearson Conservatory

The Victorian conservatory in St George's Park was completed and opened on 12 September 1882 and named the Pearson Conservatory after the then Mayor of Port Elizabeth, Mr HW Pearson. The conservatory cost £3,800 to put up and arrived in South Africa as a 'kit of parts' and was constructed in the park. This conservatory was imported … Continue reading Then and Now – Pearson Conservatory →

St George’s Park water lilies

I took a walk around St George's Park the other day. Yes, alone and with my camera in hand. It really isn't as bad as so many people would like to make it out to be. It's just important to stay alert and observant but I didn't notice any unsavory characters hanging out in the … Continue reading St George’s Park water lilies →

The St Georges Park Oak that isn’t anymore

In 1861, Mayor William Smith planted an Oak tree at the spot in the then new St Georges Park to commemorate the visit in 1860 of His Royal Highness Prince Alfred. The tree unfortunately blew over in January 2001 with the original inscription then being moved to the Parks Division offices nearby. Today the spot … Continue reading The St Georges Park Oak that isn’t anymore →

An evening at St Georges

The cricket season is in full swing and the Warriors were playing the Knights in a T20 match in PE tonight. Having a cricket mad daughter we headed over to St Georges for a bit of action and action we got. The Warriors totally outplayed the Knights on all fronts and we even got to … Continue reading An evening at St Georges →

Picnic in St Georges Park

Two Saturdays ago I joined the local Geocaching community for a picnic event in St Georges Park. I just realised again what an amazing place we have right here in the city where we can go and picnic while the kids run around and play on the park equipment. Really something more people should do.

St Georges Park Wild Fig

There is a number of Wild Fig trees in and around St Georges Park that is over a century old. This one stands between the PE Bowling Club and the Park Drive Bowling Club.

Have you ever visited the GFI or Ron Belling Art Galleries?

Do you know any of these two art galleries? The Ron Belling Art Gallery and the GFI Art Gallery. Perhaps the former sounds familiar. Not sure about the latter? Well, they are one and the same thing.The gallery is housed in a landmark Art Deco style building across from St Georges Park on Park Drive. The building, … Continue reading Have you ever visited the GFI or Ron Belling Art Galleries? →

The Fugart Kite

The iconic South African playwright, Athol Fugard, has very close links to Port Elizabeth. His famous play Master Harold and the Boys is set in St George's Park where his mother ran the St George's Park Tea Room. An important part of the play includes a kite which the character Sam makes Hally (Fugard). Here is my question for … Continue reading The Fugart Kite →