Still Packing a Punch After 31 Years! The annual Hilton Arts Festival will be held at Hilton College, just outside Pietermaritzburg, from 11 to 13 August 2023. Now in its 31st year, it is the largest festival in KZN and one of the leading festivals in SA. This year’s event will take place five weeks earlier than usual, which organisers hope will result in better weather. “Our aim is to bring the pick...
Rolling hills, the African bush and a guide through history. Roughly an hour and a half outside of the Midlands, you start to enter the beautiful Drakensberg area, a perfect escape to reset and have a breather surrounded by nature and spectacular views. The Drakensberg Experience kindly invited us to explore the area for a fabulous weekend! Our trip started with a visit to the cosy The Pig & Plough in Winterton. They...
Getting to Know the People Who Work at Our Favourite Spots It goes without saying that most of us love frequenting coffee shops or going out for a bite to eat, and there is always someone at the ready to take our order with a friendly smile. These are people who keep our great local restaurants and cafes running. But, how often do we stop and chat with the waitrons who serve us, and...
We check in on several musos in the area, how they started, their style, and what inspires them to keep on jamming. Tim Maddock How did your music career start? High school was a challenging time for me, so I picked up the guitar as means of escape. Weeks passed and I just couldn’t put the thing down. I fell in love. I studied the music of the classic rock era – Pink Floyd,...
Despite the challenges, we all love the Midlands area and everything that it offers. Matt Hogarty from Love Howick and Tommy Deuschle share with us how they are changing the ‘Midlands story’ to a positive one filled with magic. We all love a good story. Whether it’s a bedtime tale told while tucking children into bed, a casual exchange in the checkout line, the motivational talk from a coach before a sports team takes...
We celebrate three local schools that have reached incredible milestones this year by taking a deep dive into their history and how far they’ve come. Epworth honours their rich 125-year legacy this year. 125 years ago, two pioneering women, Miss Emily Lowe and Miss Emma Mason, boarded a ship from England and arrived in Pietermaritzburg to set up a school called Epworth. Named after the birthplace of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, the...
The new Care Centre at St John’s Village Lifestyle & Retirement Estate now offers 24-hour, professional, person-centred nursing care under the expert guidance of Sr Elaine Langlois and Sr Dianne Duckworth. Many will remember Elaine as the founder of Wembley House Sub Acute Hospital, and Dianne is well known in the area as a highly qualified and experienced career nurse. Embodying the essence of a KZN Midlands farm lifestyle, the centre has the warm...
We’ve got loads of stuff you’re going to love! Janet Carter: Forest Pine Bath Oil This aromatic, therapeutic herbal bath oil contains the essential oils of aromatherapy products such as Siberian pine, sweet almond, rosemary, lemon thyme, juniper berry and lavender oil. It will stimulate and relax, improve your circulation, and relieve muscular aches and pains. Ask for it at a pharmacy, bath shop or health and beauty shop near you and online on...
The East Coast Radio House + Garden Show is back, and this year it promises to be a haven for craft enthusiasts and those seeking interactive DIY experiences. Crafting has come a long way from scrapbooking and papier-mâché, we have an incredible lineup of specialist crafters that will expand your imagination! With a focus on engaging activities for all, this year’s craft traders will offer a variety of hands-on experiences at their stalls. From crafts...