2013 Clanwilliam Wild Flower Show: 29th Aug-8th Sept.
Clanwilliam is nowhere near us at Dempsey’s! but well worth a visit at this time of the year when it is ‘wild flower’ time in the Western Cape, the Cederberg, Namaqualand and along the West Coast of South Africa. The photos here are of our visit and viewing in 2011.
Set against a backdrop of majestic gothic architecture in the historic Clanwilliam church, the Flower Show, which will open on Thursday 29 August, and run until 8 September 2013, is the easiest and most dramatic way to see all the flowers from the region, conveniently collected in one spot for your viewing pleasure.
Since the 1940’s various groups of people have organised flower shows on an irregular basis. At a church board meeting in 1965 it was decided to donate the building to the Clanwilliam Nature Conservation Society for preservation and maintenance. Today the building belongs to the Clanwilliam Heritage Trust and was declared a National Historical Monument in 1978. The Clanwilliam Wild Flower Association strives to collect and make funds available for the restoration of this church building as well as for the support of the Ramskop Wild Flower Garden.
Owing to the tremendous differences in topography (Cederberg, Karoo, Sandveld, Wetlands and Coastal area), Clanwilliam is blessed with an exceptional variety of wild flowers. The greater part of the district falls within the world-renowned Fynbos Biome. Certain species in the district are found nowhere else in the world. These include the yellow Leucospermum reflexum (geel Perdekop), Proteaceae cryophila (Snow Protea), blue Lachnaea filamentosa (blou Bergaster), Widdringtonia cedarbergensis (Clanwilliam Cedar tree), Aspalathus linearis (Rooibos), Yellow Sparaxis (Botterblom), pink Cyanella alba (pienk Handjie) and the Proteaceae glabra (Kreupel Waboom). About 400 species from 32 families are exhibited at each show.
Flowers are not the only beauty in this part of the world. Visit the Rooibos tea house, an Art exhibition, a traditional Moravian village, walk through beautiful flowers and fynbos, take a Rock art tour or a Wild Flowers “drive” in a game vehicle. The Clanwilliam Dam too is worth a visit.
Info and church photo taken from: http://www.clanwilliamflowerfestival.co.za/index.php/a-bit-of-history
Clanwilliam church
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