(Estcourt 1962 to 1976)
I am sure that many residents of Estcourt will remember the Forder family – in particular George Forder (Snr) who was the mayor of Estcourt for a number of consecutive terms in the 60s and perhaps early 70s.
To refresh a few memories – George and Marge Forder lived at 5 Felgate Road in Estcourt -just opposite Braeside off Wagon Road.
He co-owned a very successful estate agent business – Tucker, Egeland and Forder. They had four children – Leslie-Ann (1945) Denise (1947) Colleen (1948) George ( 1956) all were educated at Estcourt Junior and Estcourt High School. (George, I think may have matriculated at Michaelhouse).
George (Snr) was very instrumental in encouraging industry into Estcourt and many existing and historic businesses can be attributed to his efforts including the development of Forderville and the school named after him.
My early recollection of him when I first moved to Estcourt was when he was part of the official representation that opened Wagendrift Dam in the early 60s.
Leslie-Ann married John Craig – an accountant in Ladysmith and the family moved to USA. Denise moved with her family to the Eastern Cape.
Denise died of cancer some seven years ago. George (Jnr) was tragically killed in a fatal car accident about three years ago in the Mooi River area.
George married Penny who still lives in the family home in Pietermaritzburg. They had two sons. Colleen, who was more my age, studied at Natal University and thereafter worked at Lever Brothers in Durban.
In this period she shared a flat with my wife Totsie for a number of years. Colleen married Neil Duerden (a pom) and lived in Cape Town for a while before travelling in their yacht to the Caribbean thereafter New York and UK where they settled.
They had a son Blake, who is currently living in Brisbane, Australia. Colleen unfortunately succumbed to liver cancer some two years ago after having her breast removed as a result of the same disease 20 years ago.
This after successfully nursing Neil to recovery from prostate cancer. Totsie and I have had the honour of hosting Neil from England, Blake from Australia, Penny and Axl from Pietermaritzburg for a commemoration gathering for Colleen where her ashes were spread locally in accordance to her wishes.
We were joined by many of her friends and family for a very pleasant afternoon and evening.
I noted that Penny had her own way of keeping the name alive. The registration on her motor vehicle is 4DAH.
In loving memory of Colleen and the Forder family who contributed greatly to the development of Estcourt.
