The St Georges Park Brass Band

The St Georges Brass Band has become an institution at the St Georges Park Cricket Ground over the years. Some people join in with them singing their lungs out while others despise the noise. Regardless of this it is hard to deny that the band has given St Georges a very unique atmosphere and once … Continue reading The St Georges Park Brass Band →

Prince Alfred’s Guard sergeant-major

On top of the Prince Alfred's Guard Memorial in St Georges Park stands a guy with a gun. Who or what is he? Not to leave the question open ended and you all wondering what the answer is, here it is. He is a life-size figure of a sergeant-major of Prince Alfred's Guard, in full dress and standing at … Continue reading Prince Alfred’s Guard sergeant-major →

The fountain in the Pearson Conservatory

I swung past the Pearson Conservatory last week while looking for a Geocache in St Georges Park and was happy to see that the fountain inside had a new lick of paint. Whatever they put on it after the Conservatory's renovation started to get ugly. The fountain itself wasn't working but I'm hoping its a case of … Continue reading The fountain in the Pearson Conservatory →

Pearson Conservatory structure

The structure of the Pearson Conservatory in St Georges Park actually makes for a great photographic subject with all its symmetrical lines.

The green green grass of St George’s Park

I took a walk around Park Drive a day or two before the cricket test between South Africa and the West Indies were due to start and decided to pop into the St George's Park Cricket Stadium quickly. I love the fact that one can get in and right onto the field without anybody stopping and … Continue reading The green green grass of St George’s Park →

The lions’ heads at Prince Alfred Guard Memorial

It's surprising how few Port Elizabethans know that the Prince Alfred Guard Memorial in St Georges Park stands on top of one of the city's oldest reservoirs. The 2 million gallon reservoir was completed between 1906 and 1907 at a cost of £15 525 back in the day. This memorial actually forms the central ornamental feature … Continue reading The lions’ heads at Prince Alfred Guard Memorial →

St George killed the dragon

The Cenotaph outside St Georges Park was unveiled in 1929 and was erected to the memory of the men from Port Elizabeth that fell during the First World War. After the Second World War memorial panels were added to the walls. The memorial was the work of James Gardner of the Art School. On two sides … Continue reading St George killed the dragon →

Old Port Elizabeth coat of arms

A week or so ago I went for a walk around St Georges Park and at one stage spent a little time at the Prince Alfred Guard Memorial. On the memorial I found this old Port Elizabeth coat of arms and I decided to go and do a little research about it. Turns out this one … Continue reading Old Port Elizabeth coat of arms →

The St Georges Park war memorial cross

People interested in history in Port Elizabeth should know the war memorials around St Georges Park. The Cenotaph, the Prince Alfred Guard Memorial and the bronze plaque where the South African Heavy Artillery Memorial used to be. Not many people know though that there is a fourth war memorial in the park. Right behind the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan … Continue reading The St Georges Park war memorial cross →

Port Elizabeth Lawn Tennis Club

The Port Elizabeth Lawn Tennis Club in St Georges Park was founded on 1 September 1879, making it the oldest active tennis club in South Africa. The club hosted the first South African Lawn Tennis Championship in 1891 and today the club is still situated on its original site.Check out the St Georges Park website for more info on … Continue reading Port Elizabeth Lawn Tennis Club →