INTRODUCTION

Situated in the Overberg (over the mountain from Cape Town) in South Africa, is the small village of Stanford. Established in 1857 it retains an old quiet charm. Stanford is not an ordinary village. It is a village with a river running through it. It is a village watched over by a friendly mountain. Birds abound. Wine cellars, a micro brewery, local cheeses, restaurants (saves cooking), and antique shops. On the farms surrounding the village "fynbos" species flower through out most of the year. 15km down the road watch whales (in season) from the cliffs or from a light aircraft. Go shark diving. If you feel the pace is too much for you the beach is only 20km away.

Stanford is an ideal base from which to explore the Overberg region. From the southern most point of Africa to beautiful hand made candles or even a casino. To witness the kilometres of rolling green wheat fields splashed with bright yellow canola flowers that seem to form waves as the wind blows across them. Take a picnic basket to a beach that disappears in the distance around a bend in the shoreline. You will definitely not want to go home.

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THINGS TO DO

Bird watching - Take a birding boat trip down the Klein River or arrange to walk on one of the farms around Stanford. The Glendower Bird Fair is held on the first weekend in October when birders from far and wide come to Stanford to include in their check list amongst others, the Cape Sugarbird.

Whale watching - Hermanus, the best land based whale watching destination in the world, is just 20km down the road. From July to November the Southern Right Whale (sometimes over 120 of them) frequents the waters of Walker Bay to calve and mate. Daily flights or a whale watching boat can also be arranged. At De Kelders, 15km from Stanford, sit and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea whilst watching the whales.

Shark cage diving - A guaranteed adrenalin rush. See the Great White Shark from up close. For more info, visit Dyer Island Cruises.

Fishing - "Die Plaat" is a 17km stretch of shoreline forming part of Walker Bay. Sand beaches and rocky outcrops are ideal fishing grounds. As this is part of a nature reserve, a permit is required for both fishing and getting there with a 4x4. There are many other fishing areas along the Overberg shoreline.

Horse riding - Arrange to ride in the Klein River Mountain or through the "fynbos" flowers. African Horse Company at 082-667-9232.

River cruise - Whether you want to go on a sunset or birding cruise, have a braai (barbeque) on a boat or rent a canoe to explore on your own, it's all there. You may be fortunate and see a Cape Clawless Otter. A seal has also recently been spotted in the river. Platanna River Cruises at 084-583-5389 for excellent birding cruises.

Walking - Strolling along the 3km walking trail within Stanford (along the Klein River) first thing in the morning or just before the sun sets is guaranteed to sharpen your appetite when you visit the restaurants in Stanford. A historical walk through the centre of the village, which is a proclaimed heritage site, provides interesting information on the history, architecture and early life in Stanford. Maps of the wandelpad and the historical walk are available at the Tourism Bureau. Other walks can be arranged.

Fynbos - Follow the Fynbos Ecotourism Route - more info at Overberg.co.za.

4x4 route - Shannonea 4x4 and Nature Trail. Just 15km east of Stanford. At 850m above sea level you can see the southern most tip of Africa and drive through pristine mountain "fynbos". Christiaan 082-324-1133.

Klein River Cheese - You can buy high quality cheese for example Gruyere, Leiden, Raclette etc. A piece of Stanford cheese is worth a try. See the cheese vats and the finished product. Order a tasty picnic basket or let the children pet the farm animals.

Wine country - Raka Wine's Bordeaux, Pinotage, Shiraz and Spliced wines have won numerous international awards. Also visit Springfontein Cellars and many more in the Hemel en Aarde Valley.

Sample the local beer - Birkenhead Brewery with a sweeping view over the mountains, brews Premium lager, Honey Blond Ale, Birkenhead Pride and Malt Stout. All with a unique taste. Come and sample their wares.

Quad biking - If horses are too tame for you try quad biking. Telephone 082-545-5078.

Antiques and collectables - The New Junk Shop; you will need to travel far to find another antique shop carrying such a variety and quality of old "stuff". At the Art Café view a selection of art and sculptures including ceramicist Gay du Toit who displays her unique pottery or amble over to the Stanford Centre to browse through a large collection of books both old and new. The original farmhouse of Sir Robert Stanford houses art, crafts and collectables. Also visit the Stanford Trading Post if you are looking for something different to use as décor in your home. Domain du Cap and TAT provide "something old, something new". Although there is no bank in Stanford, a number of ATM's are available.

Restaurants - Mariana's Home Deli & Bistro, winner two years in a row of the best country restaurant award. You need to book well in advance for her popular lunches. Hennie's Pub and Grill prepares mouth-watering steaks. Something traditionally English, try Havercrofts. Peregrine farm stall for tea/coffee at 10 with fresh scones and cream (from the local Klein River farm) or a farm breakfast. Paprika restaurant offers mouth-watering lunches and dinners with a Thai flavour, while Mandeli's restaurant has equally excellent cuisine. Not being licensed (i.e. bring your own wine), Mandeli's is excellent value for money. Madre's Kitchen provides scrumptious breakfasts and lunches next to the farm dam, while the "tall cakes" at the Art's Café are to die for. If these eateries are not to your taste, Hermanus has a large variety of restaurants.

Property - If you enjoy Stanford as much as we think you will, and wish to move here like we did, visit Stanford Village Properties.

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EVENTS

Village market - The village market is held every last Friday evening of the month from 18:00 to 20:00 - at the Birkenhead Brewery in winter and the market square in summer (follow the signs). Enjoy local food, wine and beer whilst browsing for crafts and listening to live music.

Baardskeerdersbos Art Route - Held on the first weekend of every month. Contact (028) 341-0957 or (028) 341-0430 for details.

Glendower Bird Fair - first weekend in October (see "things to do").

Whale watching - July to November each year (see "things to do"). The Hermanus Whale Festival takes place annually, during the last week of September.

Alive... And Kicking - 10th June - 29th July 2010:

DATE	EVENT	VENUE	TIME	DETAILS	CONTACT PERSON	EMAIL
10 & 17 June	Get Zesty Workshops	Mariana's Restaurant	10:00-15:00	Cooking with citrus workshops, held by Mariana	Mariana Esterhuizen 028 341 0272	marianas AT stanfordvillage.co.za
11, 18, 25 June, 2 July	The Overberg Table	Mariana's Restaurant	18:45 for 19:00	Mariana's open at night, special menu featuring fine local foods	Mariana Esterhuizen 028 341 0272	marianas AT stanfordvillage.co.za
9-16 June	Kiddies Adventure Camp	At school hostel, full board	Full board, must book for full 7 nights	Keep the kids busy. Sport, art & drama, cooking classes.	Gerrie 028 341 0720
14-25 June	Kiddies Playgroups	Buzzie Bees School	Mon-Fri 09:00-14:00	Ages 3-8 yrs old	Lexi 079 486 3366
19 June	Flamboyance	Stanford Arms. Cash bar and food.	20:00	Cabaret by local group	Jannie & Elmine 028 341 0701	jannie AT stanfordarms.co.za
Every Fri & Sat night	Live Music	Stanford Arms. Cash bar and food.	Approx. 19:00	Valiant Swart, Jerry Fourie, Mississipi Disco	Jannie & Elmine 028 341 0701	jannie AT stanfordarms.co.za
25 June	Stanford Village Evening Market	Stanford Village Green (no rain) OR Birkenhead Brewery (rain)	18:00-20:00	Traditional country market; local fair	Denise Inkson 028 341 0957 Bea Whittaker 028 341 0430	inkson AT iafrica.com milkwood AT maxitec.co.za
27 June, 18 July	English High Tea	Galashiels Lodge	14:00-17:00	Traditional English high tea	Rosalind Nale 028 341 0181	gslodge AT hermanus.co.za
30 June & 1 July; 28 & 29 July	The Sourdough Bread Making Experience	Blerrie Beeg Baardskeerdersbos Bakoond	08:30-17:30	A 2-day breadmaking course	Neil Jonker 082 651 7414	njonker AT opsa.co.za
2 July	Professional Whisky Tasting and Pub Supper	Galashiels Lodge Pub	18:00-22:00	Tasting by 'The College of Whisky', followed by a hearty pub supper	Rosalind Nale/ Tracy Bednall 028 341 0181	gslodge AT hermanus.co.za
3 July	Barn Dance	Stanford Hills Wine Estate	19:00 till late	Barn dance in rustic shed and delicious spit braai dinner	Jami Kastner 028 341 0841	info AT stanfordhills.co.za
3 July	Kiddies Soccer Tournament	Stanford Village Green	6-12 yrs old	Kiddies soccer games	Howard Krut 082 667 9232	omstables AT telkomsa.net
11 & 12, 18 & 19, 25 & 26 June	Special weekend getaways. Alive and Tantalizingly Tasty	Mosaic Guesthouse - 2 nights' accommodation	Arrive Friday, depart Sunday	Superb, slow food and wine weekend. Dinner at Mariana's Overberg Table and Stanford Spookhuis	Glynis van Rooyen 082 775 8843	tikari AT hermanus.co.za
TBC	Family weekend, Ready Steady Cook	Blue Gum Country Estate	Arrive Fri, cooking demos Sat, depart Sun	2 nights accommodation. Morning cooking demo for moms, afternoon session for dads, evening family cook off	Nic Dupper 082 564 5663	nic AT flyingkites.co.za
TBC	Dads and kids nature exploration	Blue Gum Country Estate	Tues-Thurs, option to extend	3 night farm getaway (Tues-Thurs)	Nic Dupper 082 564 5663	nic AT flyingkites.co.za
TBC	Winter Special	Blue Gum Country Estate	Stay 3 nights, pay for 2		Nic Dupper 082 564 5663	nic AT flyingkites.co.za
TBC	Horse cart rides through Stanford	From Village Green	Sat & Sun 09:00-16:00	Horse cart rides for 2 people	Howard Krut 082 667 9232	omstables AT telkomsa.net
June/July weekends	Accommodation Specials	Stanford Country Cottages	Midweek 3-night stay	Accommodation + meal voucher OR river trip voucher	Ansie Reitsma 082 320 0982	ansierei AT gmail.com
June/July	3-night weekend special	Stanford Country Cottages	Between Thursdays and Mondays	Stay 3 nights, pay for 2 only!	Ansie Reitsma 082 320 0982	ansierei AT gmail.com
June/July	6-night (min) Special	Stanford Country Cottages	Any 6-night (min) stay	Accommodation + breakfast hamper voucher + river trip voucher	Ansie Reitsma 082 320 0982	ansierei AT gmail.com
June/July	Accommodation specials with farm activities	Stanford Valley Guest Farm	June and July	20% off 2-night weekend stays, 30% off for 3 and more nights	Calli Williams 072 198 0862	info AT stanfordvalley.co.za
June/July	Teen pamper package	Art of Beauty Salon	Mon-Fri @ 09:00-17:00	Mini pedi, mini mani & mini facial (incl. acne treatment)	Suzelle 082 877 3322	R280
June/July	Laser treatment package	Art of Beauty Salon	Mon-Fri @ 09:00-17:00	4 x soft laser treatments	Suzelle 082 877 3322	R460
June/July	Special winter package	Art of Beauty Salon	Mon-Fri @ 09:00-17:00	Mini pedi, mini mani, 1 x soft laser treatment	Suzelle 082 877 3322	R280
10 June - 10 July	Kidz Klub	Middelburg Farm (5 mins drive)	13:00 till dusk (outside venue thus weather permitting)	A parent-friendly venue, where kids can have fun. Light meals and refreshments for all.	Janet 082 456 8091 028 341 0216	janet AT orcawireless.co.za

ARCHITECTURE

The old village of Stanford is a proclaimed heritage site in terms of the South African Heritage Resources Act. Strict building rules apply to maintain the architectural heritage of the village.

More information...

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HISTORY

Robert Stanford was born in 1806 in the Irish village of Ballina in county Mayo. At the age of 32 he resigned his commission from the British Army and retired on half-pay. He and his wife emigrated to the Cape Colony and purchased the farm Kleine Rivier's Valley the present site of the village of Stanford.

Robert Stanford was a progressive farmer so much so that instead of transporting his produce over the mountain by ox wagon he purchased a small ship a sailed to Cape Town from a cove 12 miles from his farm. Apart from Kleine Rivier's Valley he purchased seven other farms in the Colony.

In 1849 the British Government decided to send 300 Irish "convicts" to the Cape. The Colonists resolved that if the "convicts" were to arrive, the Government or anyone associated with them would not be supplied with provisions or services. In this way they hoped to force the Government to send the "convicts" to Australia. The convict ship Neptune did arrive and the resolution was brought into force. So effective was the blockade that the Governor approached Robert Stanford, who was still in the employ of Her Majesty, to supply the government with provisions. If he refused a state of martial law would be declared and the supplies taken by force. Realising that people could be killed he agreed to supply the provisions.

The Neptune sailed away with the "convicts" but the people of the colony blamed Stanford for going against the resolution of the whole community and he was completely ostracized. His children were barred from going to school and even when his youngest daughter fell ill the doctor refused to attend to her resulting in her death. His exclusion from the community was complete.

He sailed to England to ask for compensation for his losses and was knighted and paid 5 000 pounds. On returning to the Cape he found that his farms had been stripped and through devious means many of them sold. His future in the Cape was bleak and he went back to England where he died a virtual pauper at the age of 70.

Phillippus de Bruyn bought the Kleine Rivier's Valley farm from Stanford at an auction. On 30 September 1857 he sold the first plot of the new village he decided to call Stanford.

(Reference: Stanford Stories 11)