Get to know your local history by joining the fun of Talana Live

Join top Museum curator, Pam McFadden, on a day of learning:

Says Pam:

“We will start the morning with a talk at 7:00 from a superb viewpoint on Lennox hill. Very few people will have seen this view over the Talana museum and battlefield, as the position is on private property.

Listen to the tale of the battle of Talana standing in the positions which the Boer forces occupied and understand why the British soldiers were caught in that murderous cross fire.

“Please arrive early and leave your car in the Ingudlane Lodge reception parking as we have to transport guests up to the lookout point – steep roads and extremely limited parking on the top of Lennox hill are just one of the challenges facing us that day.

“For those  who would like to follow the talk with a 5 star breakfast Ingudlane Lodge from 8:00 – 9:00. Contact the lodge at 082 879 7734 to book at a cost of R65.

“At 9:30 meet in front of the War Memorial in Victoria Street wearing comfortable walking shoes. Pam McFadden will guide you around the central Heritage Trail with a piper and wreath laying at Gen Penn Symons grave in the St James Anglican cemetery and also at the memorial to the Boers who died on Talana hill at the Dutch reformed Church. Admire the superb Anton von Wouw memorial tablet.

“And there is still more. At 11:30 meet at the information tent at Talana Museum for a tour to places which once again you may not have had the opportunity to visit as they are on private property.

“Thornley farm, on the eastern slopes of Talana hill, used by the Boer commandoes as their headquarters, hospital, store and off saddling post for their horses, (the farm is still in the same family as in 1899), Adelaide farm, scene of the skirmish between the 18th Hussars and the Boers ( the old bluestone barn still bears the marks where the pom pom shells exploded against the building) and then onto the heights above the Buffalo flats. Here we have found stone construction from the Anglo Boer war but exactly what it was we are still investigating – maybe you might have some answers!

Come and hear the full story and much more. Learn about historical events in an interesting and different way.

For details of the weekend’s programme and how to book your tickets

www.talana.co.za or facebook.com/talanamuseum