SPRINGBOK CYBER NEWSLETTER
July 2005 edition
From time to time in the past the SCN has been criticised for being over-optimistic about future world developments, particularly concerning the future of the European Union.
We have often stated that the very concept of the EU was illogical and untenable, and that eventually the entire structure was bound to implode. Even we, however, have been surprised by the speed with which this prediction now seems to be heading for fruition.
The recent referenda victories in both France and the Netherlands in opposition to the proposed European "constitution" were not only most encouraging results in themselves, but the sizes of the victory margins were so great that they can only be described as seismic. Although the French "No" vote may have been somewhat schizophrenic, that in the Netherlands was clearly a decisive Euro-sceptic statement. Notwithstanding the slight set-back when little Luxemburg voted in favour of the "constitution" (if Luxemburgers value their independence so lightly then their country should simply be absorbed into Belgium), it seems crystal clear that there would be similar - if not more decisive - Euro-sceptic votes in Britain, the Scandinavian countries and certain countries of eastern Europe, if the people there were given the chance to speak.
But an even more fundamental development has subsequently come about. Many in Italy - even within the Italian government - have been openly voicing the opinion that Italy should abandon the Euro and restore the Lira as their national currency. Now of course at the time of the introduction of the Euro most EU-fanatics (and even some Euro-sceptics who should have known better) were asserting that once introduced the Euro was "irreversible". In spite of the fact that Italian government hasn't so far taken steps leave the Euro-zone, the very fact that such a step is now being advocated at even the highest level has let the cat out of the bag; the Euro IS reversible.
It is not only the proposed European "constitution" and the Euro which seem to be heading for oblivion however. The whole EU-edifice is so artificial that it is like a stack of cards. Once it starts to experience one set-back then others will quickly follow, until the entire "European Project" comes tumbling down.
But what of the future. France and the Netherlands (as well as many other western European nations) enjoyed great and glorious colonial pasts, yet are now plagued by massive alienated immigrant populations from the "third world". Once freed from artificial EU entanglement all the great European powers will be able to look afresh to their former spheres of interest around the globe, and to re-assert their influence accordingly. Once such a state of affairs comes about then not only will their Empires of the past gradually be able to be restored, but they will also have places where their unhappy immigrant populations could easily be repatriated. In this regard it was interesting to note during a Springbok Club visit to Amsterdam in 1999 how there seemed to be a renewed interest among the Dutch people in their former Dutch East Indies colonies. The future looks bright, ......
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SPRINGBOK CLUB'S JUNE ACTIVITY
In June the Springbok Club paid a visit to the Shakespeare Globe Theatre in London, where a special exhibition is being staged to mark the 400th anniversary of the Discovery of the Gunpowder Plot.
There was a good turnout for this event, and the exhibition itself proved to be most fascinating, being constructed in a very novel "who done it"-style police investigation format.
After the trip to the exhibition those taking part adjourned to a near-by hostelry, where they were joined by a number of other Springbok Club members for further convivial and fruitful discussions.
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FUTURE SPRINGBOK CLUB EVENTS
The Springbok Club will be making a trip to the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich in order to visit a special exhibition which they are staging to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar in July. The details are as follows:-
Date: Saturday 30th July 2005
Assembly time: 12.45 hrs to 13.15 hrs
Assembly place: Outside the main entrance to the exhibition at the National Maritime Museum (this is situated between King William Walk, Romney Road and Park Row in Greenwich, London SE10, and is only 5 minutes walk from the Cutty Sark Station on the Docklands Light Railway.)
Admission charges to the special exhibition are £9.00 for adults, £6.00 for concessions and £4.00 for children, which of course should be paid directly to the museum on the day. If a party of a certain size can be organised then a 20% discount is available, so if you intend attending please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing: springbok@falklands.org. [N.B. Although the official title of this special exhibition is "Nelson & Napoleon" - we, for obvious reasons, prefer to call it the "Nelson & Trafalgar" exhibition!].
Towards the end of August the Springbok Club will be staging a special meeting to be addressed by a serving member of the British forces who has recently seen active service in the War against Terrorism in Iraq. More precise details will be given in next month's edition of the SCN.
In October the Springbok Club will be organising a delegation to visit Gibraltar in order to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. It is planned to stage a wreath-laying ceremony at the Trafalgar Cemetery during the day of Friday 21st October, to be followed by two events being organised by the Gibraltar Heritage Trust - a Trafalgar Day Dinner during the evening of Friday 21st October and a trip to Cape Trafalgar on Saturday 22nd October. Evidently hotel places on the Rock for this period and vacancies for the two events being staged by the Gibraltar Heritage Trust are filling up fast, so it is therefore suggested that all those who wish to join this visit should make arrangements as soon as possible. For more details please e-mail: springbok@falklands.org
In November the Springbok Club will be organising a party to visit Lewes for the annual Bonfire Festivities on November 5th - which this year, being the 400th anniversary of the Discovery of the Gunpowder Plot, has even greater significance. Again for more details please e-mail: springbok@falklands.org
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SPRINGBOK CLUB BRANCH NEWS
The Kent Branch of the Springbok Club is planning to visit the "Sea Britain" Saxon Community Fair which is being staged by the Saxon Community Group in Herne Bay on Sunday 21st August in order to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.
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LONDON SWINTON CIRCLE NEWS
The London Swinton Circle held a most interesting meeting last month which was addressed by Mr. Sammy Wilson MP, MLA, the newly-elected DUP MP for East Antrim. In spite of the last-minute notification of this meeting there was still a very good attendance, and Mr. Wilson certainly didn't disappoint, giving a most informative overview of the current situation in Ulster following the dramatic breakthroughs made by the DUP at the recent general election.
Details of the London Swinton Circle's next meeting are as follows:-
Date: Wednesday 27th July 2005
Time: 18.45 p.m. for 19.00 p.m.
Venue: The Clarence (the upstairs Parliament Room), 53 Whitehall, Westminster, London SW1
Guest Speaker: Mr. Adrian Hilton
Adrian Hilton was originally selected as official Conservative Party candidate for the Slough constituency during the recent general election, but was ordered to be de-selected by Michael Howard (aka Hecht) following a review of his book "The Principalities and Power of Europe" (which had actually been written several years previously) which appeared in "The Spectator" magazine.
The LSC will be holding their annual summer buffet in September whereat Mr. Simon Heffer, the renowned journalist, will be the guest of honour. Fuller details will be given in future editions of the SCN.
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RECOMMENDED CIRCULATION LISTS
Two leading supporters of the Springbok Club have initiated excellent e-mail circulation lists which we believe other friends and supporters might be keen to join.
John Beattie, the Springbok Club's Canadian co-ordinator, produces a regular quarterly "Springbok Canada" cyber-newsletter, which can be requested by e-mailing John at: agentj@on.aibn.com
Nick Maine, the Springbok Club's former Australian co-ordinator, now produces his own "Information Service" circulation list of press releases and political reports, and this can be requested by e-mailing Nick at: nmaine@bigpond.net.au
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RHODESIAN BRAAIS AND REUNIONS
The Rhodesians Worldwide Assistance Fund's annual UK July Braai will be held from the 22nd to 24th July 2005. Charges are £2.50 per day per person (accompanied children under 16 free, pensioners £1 per day) - this includes campers, caravaners, day-trippers and those staying in B.& B. accommodation. For more information about B. & B. accommodation contact the Broadway Tourist Office at 01386-852937. £15 per night per camping site (one tent per site) £3 hook up, £3.75 per braai pack (the very best meat and plenty of it), £2.75 per boerewors pack (slightly spiced, delicious, approx 1lb). N.B.: Please bring your own salads, rolls, and cutlery. Send cheques, made out to "RWAF", to: Mary Sawyers, The Orchard, Penbidwal Lane, Pandy, Monmouthshire, NP7 8EA, UK. Facilities at the park include a heated outdoor swimming pool, a mini-market, excellent ablution blocks, and the town of Broadway is within walking distance. The camp site is flat and superbly laid out. The famous Castle Corner Beer Tent will provide Castle at £1.25 per beer, plus a wide range of wine, spirits and cool-drinks. There will be biltong and other goodies on sale, and sufficient braais and enough fuel for them laid on. Live band every night, raffles (please bring a prize), games, lots for kids to do, and best boerewors competition. All queries e-mail Mary at mary@sawyers4.fslife.co.uk or 'phone between 16.00 hrs and 20.00 hrs on 01873-890744.
A massive Worldwide Rhodesian Reunion will be held in Durban over the week of Sunday 6 November to Sunday 13 November 2005. For more information visit www.mjvn.co.za/benefit/benefit073.html or contact Peter Morris (Chairman of the RASA Durban Branch) on 031-7015025 or 082-5744719.
The annual rendezvous hosted by the Rhodesian Services Association in New Zealand will take place over the weekend of 11, 12 & 13 November 2005 in Tauranga. For further information please contact the secretary, Hugh Bomford, at hbomford@clear.net.nz
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NEW BRITAIN NEWS
New Britain staged a most successful celebration last month in order to commemorate Canada Day 2005. A procession took place from St. Paul's Cathedral to St. Catherine Cree Church in Leadenhall Street, led by the Canadian flag and including many standard-bearers from the Royal British Legion. At St. Catherine Cree Church a short service took place at which Canadian poems were read and a special choir sang. Afterwards a garden party was held in an adjacent garden, where strawberries and cream were enjoyed by all.
Arrangements for New Britain's annual Australia Day celebrations for next year are already well in place, and will be held on 28th January 2006.
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BONFIRE BEACONS
During Trafalgar Weekend, 21st/23rd October, a national chain of beacons is being planned to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. The beacons will be lit on Friday 21 October, focusing on the National Beacon at HMS Victory at Portsmouth. We don't know at this stage how many beacons are being planned, but there will be a huge one at Firle in Sussex.
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HOME BILTONG MAKERS
Biltongmakers.Com! Runs a monthly competition which is free for anyone to enter. There are some great prizes to be won each month. Some of the prizes during the last couple of months have included a Skottel Braai, Biltongmakers, Barbecue Utensil sets and Potjies!
To enter please go to: www.biltongmakers.com and follow the competition link!
Biltongmakers.Com! Have created a special order page just for readers of the SCN at:-
http://www.biltongmakers.com/biltong09_sc_orderplacing.html
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FLAGS etc.
The Springbok Club is now retailing full-sized real South African and Rhodesian flags. They are priced £6.00 each for Full Members of the Springbok Club, £8.00 each for Associate Members and £10.00 each for non-members (please add £1.00 for p.& p.).
We are pleased to be able to announce that we now have stocks of the 2005 edition of the annual Ulster publication "The Twelfth", which is published by Glenwood Publications. Copies are available priced 50p each, though please add 25p for p.& p..
Payments should be made to "The Springbok Club" and sent to: BCM SAPAT, London WC1N 3XX, UK.
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BOOK OFFERS
"WAY OUT OF LINE" by Trisha Jackson is a novel which tells the story of the profound impact that an innocent youthful love affair has on the lives of two young lovers. The plot moves from a cult and a maximum security prison in the US to the savannah grasslands of Mozambique and Zimbabwe - this makes for adventure, suspense and melodrama. Packed with conflict and sexual tension, anyone who loves romance, passion and excitement should enjoy reading this story.
Trisha Jackson was born and grew up in Rhodesia. She immigrated to the USA with her husband and three children in 1990. She and her husband live in a unique, rural community in the Tonto National Forest in the eastern mountains of Arizona.
Copies of WAY OUT OF LINE can be ordered from Amazon.com.
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"THE GREAT SOUTH AFRICAN LAND SCANDAL" by Dr. Philip Du Toit is a vital piece of work. South Africa can do without many things, but it cannot survive without its farmers. Thirty-five thousand commercial farmers feed 45 million people. Read what has happened to many productive farms which have already been handed over under the government's restitution and redistribution programmes.
It is available priced R150.00 in South Africa from: Jack Loggenberg, TLU/TAU, P.O.Box 91251, Silverton, Pretoria, 0127, Transvaal, South Africa (payments to "TLU/TAU"), or priced £9.95 (+ 15% p. & p.) in the UK from: The Springbok Club, BCM SAPAT, London WC1N 3XX (payments to "The Springbok Club").
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"GOVERNMENT BY DECEPTION" by Jan Lamprecht details the disasters of Mugabe's Zimbabwe, and illustrates the similarities between Mugabe's rule and that of Mandela/Mbeki in South Africa. It can be ordered on-line at: www.AfricanCrisis.org
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"OF RICE AND MEN", by Jimmy Walker
111 pages. Illustrated. With excellent cartoons by Fusilier Norman Lambert, produced whilst in captivity. Soft-back £5.00 (cover price £10.00)
An irreverent, left of centre, look at life as a POW by Jimmy Walker, who was captured by the Japanese following the fall of Singapore in 1942. Jimmy takes us through incarceration at the notorious Changi jail, forced labour on the railroad, and deportation to Japan, where the Japanese exploited the mining skills of the boys from Northumberland. Norman Lambert’s sketches are both amusing and frightening at the same time. Through the bitterness and resentment, and physical trauma of captivity shines the humour and the indomitable spirit of the British soldier. An enjoyable and educational read, with a surprise ending.
Prices include p+p. Payment can be made by credit or debit card. To order on line, log on to www.paypal.com and enter postmaster@gcartwright.demon.co.uk as payment destination.
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"THE BLIGHT OF BLAIRISM" by Francis Bennion is a devastating indictment of the "new" Labour administration. For more details about the book visit: www.francisbennion.com
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"KING'S GOLD" by Glenn Macaskill, a former member of the Rhodesian BSA Police, is an adventure novel set in Zimbabwe and South Africa in 1983 and 2000, involving espionage against Mugabe's regime and the exciting quest to unravel the secret of an ancient priceless relic. Considerable historical research makes the work informative and entertaining and current sales show interest by all Southern Africans. Sells at £9.95 plus registered p&p. Contact Glenn at mjmac@mweb.co.za or order on-line at: www.geocities.com/goldking992000/index.html
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BILTONG SALES IN THE UK
Biltong Brother produces top quality, handcrafted biltong. 100% British beef is used, no artificial flavourings or preservatives.
There are 5 types, Traditional, Garlic, Pepper, Hot & Spicy and Ostrich.
To order, just click on: www.biltong-brother.co.uk
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EXOTIC HOLIDAY OPPORTUNITY
John Hardcastle reminds us of exciting holiday opportunities which he can provide in the Philippines:-
I am from Rhodesia, educated at Chaplin, Gwelo. Left in 1984 for South Africa, and then in 1995 for the Philippines. I've lived in the small village of Coron for the past eight years, and bought a dive shop "Dive Calamines" several months ago. If you would be interested in having a holiday in this part of the world please contact me. The following is a sample list of price breakdowns:-
2 dive day US$ 45.00
3 dive day US$ 60.00
Equipment rental/day US$ 7.00
Nitrox tank US$ 7.00
Accommodation from US$ 4.50 to US$ 80.00
Average meal US$ 2.14
Beer/soft drinks US$ 0.45
Domestic flight US$ 46.00
Check our web-site for more details at: www.divecal.com
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L.P. OF SPEECH BY DR. VERWOERD FOR SALE
An L.P. of a speech by Dr. H.F. Verwoerd is for sale for only £15.00. This includes a super full-colour dust jacket showing only a large portrait of Dr. Verwoerd himself with no writing - so if you wish to obtain a good colour photo of Dr. Verwoerd this is your opportunity. If interested then please contact Alexander von Tutschek at: vontutschek@onetel.com
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WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
No.80: Mr. MICHIEL FALCK of Durban.
Michiel Falck was an administrative and organisational genius. Although originally from the Transvaal he lived most of his life in the Sherwood district of Durban, and held the position of Head Administrator at the University of Durban/Westville. He was a keen and dedicated member of the HNP, but his political activity didn't end there. He was the leading-light in the Sherwood Action Group (which successfully campaigned to keep the suburb of Sherwood White during the 1970s) and of the original White Rhino Club, and was also the de facto deputy editor of "S.A.Patriot". After he retired from the University of Durban/Westville he took on the position as the HNP's regional agent for southern Natal, but shortly after this defected to the Conservative Party of S.A. where he also held high rank - a move which alas caused great misgivings among many of his former colleagues. He was a man who couldn't suffer fools easily, and indeed had a very bad failing when it came to personal relationships - a fault which even he readily acknowledged! Alas nothing has been heard from him since 1990 so we therefore fear the worst, but even so would be very keen to learn what became of him.
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RECOMMENDED WEB-SITE OF THE MONTH
The Sanwild Wildlife Trust is a most praise-worthy organisation founded by Louise Joubert (originally from Namaqualand, and subsequently of Cape Town) which provides protection and sanctuary for injured, traumatised and orphaned wild animals in South Africa, and for their rehabilitation. Their excellent and very extensive web-site is well worth a visit, and can be accessed at: - www.sanwild.org
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
PAISLEY PATTERN
Sir,
Fantastic news of great importance to us all out of the British general election is the victory of Dr. Ian Paisley and his DUP Comrades.
The 'Old War Horse' is still shaking them up with his total dedication forever with British Union.
Whilst the world tumbles, Ian marches on.
God bless him and his DUP! A Divine inspiration to us all.
Yours etc,
John Beattie, Minden, Ontario, Canada.
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BUILDING COLLAPSE
Sir,
A prominent building firm in Cape Town is about to bite the dust as a result of Black 'verneukery'.
The contract was for several million, but shortly after the tenders had been opened the successful tenderer (White) was told that he had to go into partnership with a second (Black) builder, as well as form an association with COSATU, the Black trade union body, as there were two hundred Blacks on his staff. The White builder began to have his doubts, but decided to sign the contract. In due course a certificate was prepared for two million Rand. This was awarded, not to the White builder but to the Black. The latter saw no necessity to notify his White colleague thereof, but paid the entire amount into his own bank account instead of that of the White builder, who had of course single-handedly financed the undertaking. But when the White builder advised the PWD that he now had no option but to go into liquidation, he was immediately told he could not do this without the consent of his "partner" and the Trades Union Congress! Such consent was not of course forthcoming. He has given the Public Works Department notice that he is now winding up his business. He was told that he could not do this either, but of course he has no alternative.
This is one of the inevitable results of Mr. Macmillan’s 'Winds of Change' speech. He cheerfully consigned South African Whites to wholesale victimisation in order to preserve his "democratic" image. A large amount of the blame must also be laid at the doors of those Whites who put the interests of the Blacks before that of their own White fellow countrymen.
Yours etc,
Richard Deane, Cape Town, South Africa.
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ALL BLACK BEHAVIOUR
Sir,
The recent disgraceful, unsporting and probably illegal behaviour of certain "New Zealand" players during the First Test against the British Lions was a disgrace and a blight on the sporting relations between the Dominions.
How can civilised and patriotic British people even watch New Zealand play rugby again without a full apology and suitable punishment being administered to the "players" concerned?
Yours etc,
Dermot Kendal, London, U.K.
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ROGUES GALLERY
Many readers may remember the name of a certain notorious Mark Cotterill. Cotterill made contact with our movement shortly after we were forced to relocate to the U.K. during the early 1990s - though it has never been certain how or why he originally made contact with us, as he doesn't appear to have any direct connections with Southern Africa whatsoever.
Prior to the merger between the White Rhino Club [mark II] and the Rhodesian Forum to form the Springbok Club, Cotterill invited the White Rhino Club to hold a weekend's activity in Devon (where he was then living) at a country inn which he assured us was run by a family who were supportive of our aims and objectives. The result of this weekend proved catastrophic however, for Cotterill turned up with a 'village-idiot' friend and promptly proceeded to sabotage and wreck the entire weekend - to such an extent that several genuine supporters who had travelled many miles to attend decided to leave early. Furthermore, it subsequently came to light that the proprietors of this Devon inn most certainly did not share our own neo-Imperialist ideals as we had been assured!
Shortly after this we learnt that Cotterill's flat in Torquay had been savaged twice, and that he himself had been badly beaten up - thus seeming to suggest that the man managed to collect enemies like other people collect postage stamps. Shortly after this, however, we heard that he had fled to the United States of America.
Over subsequent years we received several reports about him, and we learnt that he had connected himself to a succession of "weird and wonderful" organisations, until he evidently fell out with each of them in turn. A few years ago, however, we learnt that he had been deported from the United States because his immigration papers were invalid.
That we thought was the last that we would hear about this wretched creature - but a few weeks ago one of our supporters informed us that not only had he resurfaced in the U.K., but had furthermore become politically active once again, based at Blackburn in Lancashire. Evidently he originally tried to connect himself to the neo-fascist 'British' National Party, but then - inevitably - fell out with the leadership of this outfit. He then evidently inherited a large bequest upon the death of his mother (rumoured to be part-Chinese) and, with more money than sense, founded his own factional off-the-edge 'Little Englander' party called "England's First Party". Furthermore it seems that he has also launched his own publication called "Heritage & Destiny". Now of course "Heritage & Destiny" was the name of an excellent British patriotic magazine which we marketed through Patriotic Press in South Africa during the 1980s. We wonder therefore whether those behind the original "Heritage & Destiny" are aware that their name has been stolen?
Be this as it may, we would like to emphasise that the SCN has absolutely no connection whatsoever neither to this upstart “Heritage & Destiny”, nor to any other facet of Cotterill's little organisation. As Alice said in "Alice in Wonderland" - curiouser and curiouser ....
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OBITUARY
Sir Edward Heath
It is often said that if you can't say anything good about anyone upon their death then you should say nothing.
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See you again next month!
