Today the Langlaagte Stamp Battery is part of the well known Main Street Mall where thousands of locals and tourists can admire it. Ten years ago, however, the Stamp Battery was fighting for its life, a victim of neglect and vandalism.
Earlier today Sarah Welham from the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation was given rare access to the burnt out Hall of Holy Family College. Below are the very eerie photographs that she took as well as a short update on the situation:
We have just visited Holy Family College / Parktown Convent. The iconic main building is safe and so is the priceless Johannesburg Heritage Foundation archive and research centre. The school is buzzing with talk of the events of last night and while most people are somewhat critical of the fire department the overall atmosphere is one of relief.
Our way of processing what is going on. What a magnificent building. Let's see what the morning brings.
Words from Henry Paine during the last restoration:
These photos are from Henry Johnson who lives across the road from Parktown Convent. We can only hope that when the fire is brought under control things aren't as bad as they look right now. Fire started just before 21h00. Firetrucks arrived on the scene pretty quickly.
The Blue Plaque this week goes to five regular contributors to the Heritage Portal. Their expert input is driving a new level of education and awareness. We are incredibly grateful to them: Roger Fisher, Corlie Smart, Herbert Prins, Chris Snelling & Adrian de Villiers.
A big thank you must also go to Flo Bird, William Martinson and Brian McKechnie for keeping us informed of their heritage activities.
The Gauteng Geological Community is up in arms about the increasing threat to the Province's GeoHeritage. Illegal dumping and vandalism are on the rise and as far as we are aware very few perpetrators are caught and fined. Given the history of the region GeoHeritage should be a major tourist attraction making a significant contribution to the local economy.
