CBRRA has reached 152 votes in favour of this adjustment to the name.
A request has been made by the community of Camps Bay and the friends and family of the late Arthur Shephard, to rename the Little Glen Nature Reserve in Camps Bay to the Arthur Shephard Little Glen Nature Reserve. Arthur Shephard in his personal capacity and mostly at his own expense, both financial and time wise, coordinated the transformation of the Little Glen Nature Reserve from a run down unsafe public space to an area that is well landscaped, secure and a community attraction, particularly for children. He achieved this with the cooperation of the community, volunteers and, particularly, City Parks, City of Cape Town. The CBRRA would like to propose the re-naming ceremony to take place through the planting of a tree and installation of a bench with a plaque in Arthur Shephard’s honour.According to the Chairperson of the City's Naming Committee, Councillor Brett Herron, in terms of Council's Naming Policy, names are considered if they are seen to enrich cultural diversity, commemorate historical events or celebrate Cape Town's rich and diverse biosphere. We believe that through his dedication over years to transform the Little Glen Nature Reserve, Arthur Shephard has caused more than just a celebration of Cape Town’s rich and diverse biosphere.At two public gatherings, the community of Camps Bay and the various civic groupings (Camps Bay Watch, Camps Bay Business Forum, Camps Bay Community Security Initiative and the Camps Bay Police Forum) firmly endorsed this proposal. We request permission from the City of Cape Town to officially change the name. We also seek the support from the City of Cape Town to donate a tree in his honour, which we would respectfully consult his widow, Paulene for preference. The CBRRA and community of Camps Bay look forward to a positive reply.
Cast your votes ‹‹here››
___________________________________________________________________
From: Sandra Hustwick
Subject: RE: Renaming the Little Glen to the Arthur Shephard Little Glen Community Park
Date: 04 February 2016
To: CBRRA, Justin Smit
Cc: Pauline McConney, David Curran, Julia Wood, Ronelle Clarke, Chris Willemse, Keith Angelo Hartnick, Dalton Gibbs
I will happily support the renaming of the Little Glen Arthur Shephard nature reserve, if this is what the majority of local residents want, but rather not to ‘community park’. Perhaps ‘community nature park’ or ‘community nature reserve’. He has certainly helped to beautify the area.
Some additional thoughts on this matter ….
I think it’s important that the nature reserve / biodiversity aspect of the park not be substituted for a ‘community park’ in the usual sense of the word. There are instances where ‘landscaping’ for a ‘community park’ can destroyed the local biodiversity and hence, the ecological richness afforded to the community (and of course the fauna) which previously added to the amenity. Not to say that this is such a case.
We must teach our children awareness of nature and ecology and it’s important that all the principles for this be adhered to in any landscape planning / management of the area, and that kids understand sustainable landscaping.
In terms of the City’s biodiversity network, the Little Glen, should function as a ‘critical ecosystem support area’ and ‘other ecosystem support area.’ This is one of Camps Bay’s mountain to sea river corridors and must first and foremost function as a biodiversity area that children and residents can also enjoy, as an extension of the mountain habitat through the suburb, providing opportunities for kids to see porcupines, birds, rainfrogs, etc.
Some basic management principles could include (amongst others):
- Reinstate natural gradients on the edge of the river and its floodplain (rather than steep walled sides) for habitat creation and improved flood management;
- Water quality management
- Use only locally indigenous species in new landscaping interventions – ideally propagate them from local seeds and cuttings.
- Don’t over manicure the area. Keep it wild and natural as far as possible.
- Keep certain areas free from trampling (for the Cape Rain frog habitat), i.e. don’t create too many paths or trim trees up with bare trunks;
- Allow tree canopies to extend to the ground (for roosting / nesting bird safety / chicks) and to keep the tree root zone moist in summer;
- Allow leaf litter on the ground;
- Preferably don’t use irrigation (long term) in order to retain the original geohydrological regime for the locally indigenous species;
- Allow shrubs and bushes to grow in their natural shapes for faunal habitat.
Certain landscaping actions can run contrary to the needs of biodiversity and river management if not informed carefully by sound riparian ecological practices. For example, if kikuyu lawn is not carefully contained to a small area, it can invade the surrounding indigenous vegetation over time, eventually resulting in loss of habitat and species. Walled river edges / building into flood river plains can increase flow velocity, exacerbating streambed scouring, and exacerbating downstream and upstream flooding (as occurred in this river).
Equally, public access for pedestrians should not be in the hands of local gatekeepers holding the keys to ‘gated’ public space, who sometimes deny access to the public. Public access must always be freely available for pedestrians from the adjoining roads. This has been an issue in the Little Glen.
There should ideally be a Little Glen Management Plan for this area to ensure appropriate biodiversity principles and river management principles are adhered to in any landscaping initiatives. The area requires management as a “sensitive natural area” in terms of the types of parks City Parks is managing. It cannot be managed only as a community park which may have different objectives not necessarily compatible with the biodiversity functions of the area.
The community could be involved in biodiversity management and some environmental interpretive signage could be erected to promote awareness of habitat types of the Peninsula Granite fynbos vegetation type and its related faunal species.
Naturally, the stone pines, stone paths and steps, and old community Halls are also important elements of the cultural landscape and community functioning of the area and should be conserved as part of the overall Management Plan. Or the Management Plan could be part of the Blinkwater River Maintenance and Management Plan.
Kind regards
Sandy
Sandy Hustwick
Principal Environmental Professional
Environmental and Heritage Management (Table Bay District)
___________________________________________________________________
From: Chris Willemse
Subject: Re: Renaming the Little Glen to the Arthur Shephard Little Glen Community Park
Date: 04 February 2016
To: Sandra Sandra Hustwick
Hi Sandy
Thank you for your valuable insights which we will take on board.
Cheers
Chris
___________________________________________________________________
From: Dalton Gibbs
Subject: RE: Renaming the Little Glen to the Arthur Shephard Little Glen Community Park
Date: 04 February 2016 at 4:44:38 PM SAST
To: Sandra Hustwick
Hi All
I am not integrally involved with this topic but would like to point out that as part of the City biodiversity network the area should preferably carry the term” Conservation Area” in its title. This helps to delineate the site as an area with biodiversity attributes, compared to an urban park which has infrastructure which is primarily built in nature. The area is thus not called a “nature reserve”, a title which is linked to a formal and legal proclamation Examples of such “Conservation Areas” elsewhere in the City are: Glen Cairn Wetlands, Princess Vlei, Die Oog, Rondebosch Common which have “Conservation Area” in the site title.
Regards,
Dalton Gibbs
Regional Manager South
___________________________________________________________________
From: "Janette Hodgkinson"
Subject: Renaming The Little Glen Proposal CBW Sector 1
Date: 17 February 2016 at 9:01:59 AM SAST
To: "'Chris Willemse'" , "'CBRRA'" , "Ian Merrington", "Mark Myerson", "Bernard Schafer"
Dear Chris
I have read your CBRRA email about the proposal to rename The Little Glen, and as a follow up to my telephone call to you, I would like to clarify:
At the time of your writing said email to the entire CBRRA data base, CBW had not endorsed the proposal.
As Sector Head for Sector 1, I know that we have not had a meeting to discuss, nor have we yet asked our members, volunteers and management.
Therefore I feel that it was not acceptable that you stated that CBW firmly endorsed the idea. There may very well be members of CBW who feel it is a wonderful idea, but that does not mean that we as an organisation have endorsed it yet.
Due process has therefore not been carried out, and to be correct and fair to our members, we should have a chance to first discuss this and make a decision as an organisation before you make such a statement on our behalf.
Whilst I cannot comment overall for CBW, I feel that once we have discussed as an organisation, we can let you know whether Camps Bay Watch - or certainly Sector 1, have endorsed the proposal with their support. Until then I feel that the statement should be retracted and respectfully request that you do same.
Thanking you & kind regards
Janette Hodgkinson
Begin forwarded message:
From: Janette
Subject: Objection to renaming the Little Glen to the Arthur Shephard Little Glen Community Park
Date: 15 February 2016 at 5:13:24 PM SAST
To: "'CBRRA'"
Cc: Various
Dear all
My personal objection to any renaming of The Little Glen:
As a resident of Camps Bay and having lived here for more than 40 years, I have a very fond attachment to The Little Glen, and many wonderful memories of attending Brownies, Girl Guides, have enjoyed walks and picnics through the Little Glen, and still enjoy it to this day. My sons are lucky enough to have participated in The First Camps Bay Cubs Pack while dearly remembered Anne Hill was the Pack Leader, and they now attend First Camps Bay Scouts which is a thriving troop. Anne served the cubs and scouts for about 40 years in this glen and the scouts have had the longest association with The Little Glen.
Dog walkers traverse the area, and I and my children and many others have and will enjoy it as a beautiful part of Camps Bay for many years to come.
I would imagine that The Little Glen is affectionately and officially known as such because its smaller than The (Big) Glen.
Arthur Shepherd and a team has done a terrific job making this public open space more beautiful, and together with collaboration from nearby residents, for donations and fundraising, the Little Glen is much improved in many ways including safety, beautification, planting and landscaping. I am thankful to Arthur and all those other people who helped him achieve this, some of whom are cc’d herein, such as Terry Chicken, Arthur’s wife Pauline, Bernard Schafer, neighbours to The Little Glen, and parents, members, and friends of Scouts and Cubs over the years.
The CBHS rugby team apparently carried down the stone furniture which was donated by a Rontree resident and another lady in Rontree over a period of several months systematically developed the upper part of The Little Glen at her own cost with her own labour. There was also rebuilding of stone steps;
1. Strathearn flight by Scouts
2. Ronald flight x 2 by Bernard Schafer
3. Willesden flight by Arthur Shepherd
I am happy to stand corrected, and for anyone else to add to the numerous contributors and donors as Im sure there are many many more who contributed.
I believe that Bernard Schafer as Chair of the Camps Bay Community Police Forum, started and initiated The Little Glen Clean Up Project as it was then called, in August 2009. This was done with the help of a group of keen residents including Arthur who came on board to help I recall from about May 2010. However a great many good people have impacted favourably on our community over the years and many more will follow. After the next 5 or 10 years there may be another community member or members who might have done as much work, would we then campaign to rename the Little Glen all over again?
I personally feel that it would be a tragedy to rename the Little Glen after anybody. There is no doubt that Arthur should be remembered for all his selfless work, and perhaps a plaque, or a bench, and a tree planting in his honour would be a lovely idea, but to rename an entire glen, I feel is over the top, and inappropriate. In addition I feel that even with a name change, the new suggestion is so long that everyone in Camps Bay would probably still call it The Little Glen for ease and out of habit and therefore all the red tape involved in getting this passed by City of Cape Town would be pointless.
Renaming The Little Glen may cause controversy and debate between Camps Residents and Arthur’s good name remembered less affectionately, depending on how many people are not in favour. There are too many other people who have in the past and shall hopefully in the future, be involved in this and other projects, to justify naming our Little Glen after one person.
I feel we should leave well alone and allow Arthur’s memory to be a peaceful and uncontroversial one.
Yours sincerely
Janette Hodgkinson
From: "terry.chicken"
Subject: Re: Objection to renaming the Little Glen to the Arthur Shephard Little Glen Community Park
Date: 15 February 2016 at 5:28:04 PM SAST
To: Janette Hodgkinson
Cc: Various
I agree with Jannete.
Little Glen should keep its name. My family have been in and around tbe area for over 100yrs now and its The Little Glen.
Please don't bring Arthurs name up for debate. He is and was amazing. He was however only involved here for a short period of time.
He would never have wanted The Little Glen to be named after himself for his selfless service.
Let Arthur rest in peace.
Terry Chicken
From: Mark Myerson
Subject: Re: Objection to renaming the Little Glen to the Arthur Shephard Little Glen Community Park
Date: 16 February 2016 at 8:28:10 AM SAST
To: Janette
Cc: various
Janette thanks for taking the time to be the voice for those not in favour of renaming the Little Glen. From a personal point of view I agree and support your view.
Regards
Mark
Begin forwarded message:
From: Carole Elliott
Subject: Re: Objection to renaming the Little Glen to the Arthur Shephard Little Glen Community Park
Date: 16 February 2016 at 11:16:29 AM SAST
To: Mark Myerson
Cc: Various
Hello,
We agree with both Janette and Mark.
Carole and Mike Elliott
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Carlos Litved"
Subject: Re: Objection to renaming the Little Glen to the Arthur Shephard Little Glen Community Park
Date: 16 February 2016 at 11:53:51 AM SAST
To: "Carole Elliott", "Mark Myerson"
Cc: Various
Me too ... I agree ... As much as we all loved Arthur ... Janette is correct – Carlos.
From: Sandra Hustwick
Subject: RE: Objection to renaming the Little Glen to the Arthur Shephard Little Glen Community Park
Date: 16 February 2016 at 12:19:58 PM SAST
To: terry.chicken, Janette Hodgkinson
Cc: Various
I agree with the sentiments expressed too. Kind regards Sandy
Begin forwarded message:
From: Helen Phillips
Subject: Re: Objection to renaming the Little Glen to the Arthur Shephard Little Glen Community Park
Date: 16 February 2016 at 11:27:39 PM SAST
To: Janette
Cc: Various
Hi - I agree with Janette - it will always be The Little Glen - a bench in memory of Arthur is a great idea.
Helen Phillips
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Bernard"
Subject: RE: Objection to renaming the Little Glen to the Arthur Shephard Little Glen Community Park
Date: 17 February 2016 at 5:23:07 AM SAST
To: "'Mark Myerson'" , "'Janette'"
Cc: Various
Reply-To:
Ditto - having seen many responses to this email below from Janette, agreeing with her standpoint, as well as having received many emails independently direct to myself with similar sentiment, I have to say I agree.
Having worked side by side with Arthur on much of this project, I am only too aware of the great effort he made and dedication he had to his role in this project. My personal feeling towards renaming anything with people's names however has been sent to local gov. before when roads and bridges were being renamed etc. and has nothing therefore to do with Arthur but rather the principle in general.
Added to that is the strong logic of all the points raised by those that have shared their thinking with me to the end that the LG name should remain as is - unchanged.
Last but not least - the controversy that is bound to erupt when any existing place is renamed may very well detract from the otherwise "perfect" memory we have of Arthur and his contribution. Recent city controversial issues have attracted sentiment and outcry from far afield - e.g. Clifton Development - where folk living miles away have weighed in on the issues at hand or decision being presented - rightly or wrongly so - they demand unrelenting scrutiny and may not share our knowledge or love for Arthur as a person.
Already it is clear that CB is not in unison or one-minded on this issue (let alone the rest of Cape Town who will feel entitled to an opinion) and I for one would not want to see Arthur's memory or legacy torn in two.
I do however feel that Arthur's contribution should be memorialised in some special way and therefore fully support the idea of a memorial object (bench, tree, table bearing a remembrance plaque etc) - in addition even a memorial garden bearing his name - the obvious choice would be the fantastic garden he created almost single-handedly on the land between First Crescent and Finchley. This land has no name yet (and therefore does not fall foul to the renaming saga) and a memorial sign could be erected detailing Arthur's full contribution to the area as a whole including this area and reference to the Little Glen and his special contribution to that ongoing project.
Alternatively a memorial garden area within the Little Glen itself. These options would be something unique that would bear Arthur's name and only his name, rather than having a long clumsy sharing of names to try and reach compromise on the difficult task of renaming the Little Glen as a whole.
Bernard
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Hodgkinson, Peter"
Subject: RE: Objection to renaming the Little Glen to the Arthur Shephard Little Glen Community Park
Date: 17 February 2016 at 9:05:51 AM SAST
To: Helen Phillips , Janette
Cc: Various
Hi All,
Having lived in the area for many years and seen Arthurs efforts in greening this area of Camps Bay, Little Glen and corner of Finchley and First Cresent, his huge contribution is enjoyed by the whole community.
I agree with the suggestion to place a permanent bench complete with plaque (under a tree to be planted) on the green space, at the corner of Finchley and First Cresent in his memory. Arthur spend many hours reshaping this corner into what it is today and it would certainly be a fitting tribute to him.
I do not however support the renaming of the Little Glen or any other area in any one persons name.
Regards
Peter Hodgkinson Pr Eng
Managing Director
From: "terry.chicken"
Subject: Re: Objection to renaming the Little Glen to the Arthur Shephard Little Glen Community Park
Date: 17 February 2016 at 9:07:33 AM SAST
To: Bernard Schäfer
Cc: Various
I feel Bernard has a practical solution on the subject and that the little park next to his house in 1st Cresent would be a fantastic place to name after Arthur.
On 17 Feb 2016, at 11:07 AM, Mark Myerson wrote:
I couldn't agree more.
Regards
Mark
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: Zaan Claassens
Subject: Re: Objection to renaming the Little Glen to the Arthur Shephard Little Glen Community Park
Date: 17 February 2016 at 11:48:38 AM SAST
To: Mark Myerson
Cc: Various
Brilliant solution Bernard!
Begin forwarded message:
From:
Subject: Re: Objection to renaming the Little Glen to the Arthur Shephard Little Glen Community Park
Date: 17 February 2016 at 12:02:38 PM SAST
To: "Zaan Claasens","Mark Myerson"
Cc: Various
Dear Bernard
Thank you for the great suggestion and lovely email and I agree with all your sentiments.
I think this is a healthy happy dialogue that is producing good ideas and opinions.
Janette
Sent via my BlackBerry
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Jill Leslie
Subject: RE: Objection to renaming the Little Glen to the Arthur Shephard Little Glen Community Park
Date: 19 February 2016 at 11:07:48 AM SAST
To: "'Zaan Claassens'", "'Mark Myerson'"
Cc: Various
Fully agree with all sentiments expressed. The Little Glen is the Little Glen, the garden idea of Bernard is much better.
Jill Leslie.
Begin forwarded message:
From: Janette
Subject: RE: Objection to renaming the Little Glen to the Arthur Shephard Little Glen Community Park
Date: 21 February 2016 at 11:38:19 PM SAST
To: "'CBRRA'"
Cc: "Various
Dear Janette,
Please see that this gets to the necessary parties.
We concur with your and Bernard’s sentiments.
A beautiful bench in Arthurs name for an incredible man is most fitting but not a rename of the Little Glen
Kind Regards
Michele and Colin Harvey
Begin forwarded message:
From: Cara Kahn
Subject: Re: Objection to renaming the Little Glen to the Arthur Shephard Little Glen Community Park
Date: 22 February 2016 at 7:54:21 AM SAST
To: Janette
Cc: Various
I agree with Janette and Bernard
Let's keep the little Glen , the little Glen
Regards Cara
Finchley road
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Dave's Plumbing"
Subject: RE: [!! SPAM] RE: Objection to renaming the Little Glen to any name
Date: 05 March 2016 at 12:56:46 PM SAST
To: "'Jill Leslie'", "'Janette'" , "'CBRRA'", Bernard
Cc: Various
To Whom it may concern,
After much thought and originally sentimentally agreeing to the Little Glen name change I feel in the best interests of the community, what’s left of it in Camps Bay, it would be the wrong decision to change the Little Glen to any name. I am not as attached to the name of the Little Glen as many others are but it has been a part of my life as I have lived on the slopes of it all my life. To me it’s always been “The Glen” and always will be.
I think naming any park or road after anyone in this country will always cause division so let’s leave the name intact. Having firsthand experience of having my grandfather, Jack Muller, having a park named after him in Bellville I feel as much as a family find it a wonderful honour the time will come when the name will come up for changing as the community changes and this can and will cause heartache for the remaining members of family. I would rather suggest a plaque with all the names of those who have helped and sponsored being erected somewhere in the Glen itself.
Yours faithfully,
Dave Gruneberg
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Dr Mark Vella ND"
Subject: RE: Objection to renaming the Little Glen to the Arthur Shephard Little Glen Community Park
Date: 06 March 2016 at 7:50:33 PM SAST
To: Various
Hello all
The Camps Bay Business Forum/ Camps Bay Improvement District has taken note of the circulating emails around the request to rename the Little Glen in memory of Arthur Shepard
We have taken note of the marked preference that his worthy contribution be honoured with a bench and plaque etc. Given that the CBBF/ CBIID were not as involved in the little Glen and had little interaction with Arthur whose reputation preceded him, we feel it is only best in this matter that we trust the more informed views of those stakeholders, and give support to these.
We feel that canvassing the CBBF/ CBID members would not give an educated opinion, and would tardy the process, given that our members were not as familiar with Arthurs effort
We particularly favour suggestions made by Bernard Schafer and would certainly like to see Arthurs memory honoured in this way.
Kind thanks,
Dr Mark Vella ND
Begin forwarded message:
From: "barbara"
Subject: FW: Objection to renaming the Little Glen to any name
Date: 07 March 2016 at 2:36:20 PM SAST
To: "'Janette'"
Cc: Various
Thanks for copying us in on this. We also support a bench with a plaque dedicated to Arthur, as opposed to the re-naming of the Little Glen.
Kind regards & thanks
Barbara & Mark Thompson
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