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Good morning, Somerset Westers!
I hope everybody’s had a good week. We’ve had a little taste of the summer weather that’s yet to come, which I’ll admit I’m quite looking forward to!
There’s some interesting stuff happening this weekend, so if you’re looking for something to do, take a quick peek at our events section and find something to keep yourself busy.
Hope you all have a great weekend. Now, without further ado, let’s get into today’s Scoop!
Strand Mystery as Thousands of Ladybirds Wash Ashore
Gordon’s Bay Resident Turns 100
A Fresh New Look at Somerset West Golf Club
Seven Generations of Helderberg Winemaking
Restaurant of the Week
Local Trivia
Events Happening
Weekend’s Weather
-Karl Berger
NEWS
Strand Mystery as Thousands of Ladybirds Wash Ashore
Thousands of ladybirds have washed up along Strand Beach, with large numbers found along the high-tide mark over the weekend. Similar sightings were also reported in Gordon’s Bay and Lamberts Bay, with some of the insects still alive when they reached shore.
Experts identified three species among those found at Strand: the indigenous Lioadalia flavomaculata, the indigenous Lunate Lady Beetle, and the Variegated Lady Beetle, an exotic species believed to have arrived in South Africa around 1967. No Harlequin Ladybirds, which are considered harmful invasive insects, were found.
The exact cause remains uncertain, but experts say ladybirds can undertake large migratory flights and may have been blown out to sea by changing winds or thermal currents. Some can remain afloat for several days before currents carry them back to shore, possibly explaining why a number were still alive.
Click here: to read more about the ladybird mystery
Gordon’s Bay Resident Turns 100
Long-time Gordon’s Bay resident Emily Christian will celebrate her 100th birthday on Tuesday, 6 October, surrounded by around 50 family members and friends. She has lived in Gordon’s Bay for more than three decades and credits gratitude, keeping busy and staying mentally active as part of her approach to life.
Emily’s life has taken her from an early job at a Cape Town bioscope to raising a family and working as a furniture saleswoman until the age of 65. She and her husband married in 1946, later moving to the Helderberg in the 1990s. She also travelled widely, including memorable trips to Mozambique and Victoria Falls.
Today, Emily keeps her mind active with books, word searches and puzzles, enjoys her garden and still attends a weekly rosary group at church. She has two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, while her son Robert and daughter-in-law Patricia have cared for her for the past six years.
A Fresh New Look at Somerset West Golf Club
Somerset West Golf Club has completed a series of upgrades to its function venue, clubhouse and kitchen, with further changes still to come. The improvements are aimed at modernising the facilities and expanding what the club can offer to members, guests and visitors.
The upgraded function venue can accommodate up to 120 guests and is suitable for events such as weddings, birthdays, corporate functions and year-end gatherings. The clubhouse has also been refreshed to provide a more modern and comfortable space for members and visitors.
The club’s kitchen facilities have also been upgraded, with a new menu expected to launch soon. The changes form part of a broader effort to improve the club’s facilities beyond the golf course and provide better spaces for dining, socialising and private events.
Seven Generations of Helderberg Winemaking
Helderberg winemaker Bernhard Bredell is continuing a family winemaking tradition stretching back seven generations, despite no longer owning the farm where he grew up. After watching the family’s Lower Helderberg property being sold and some of its old vineyards uprooted, Bredell returned to the area to establish his own label, Scions of Sinai.
Founded in 2016, Scions of Sinai focuses on small parcels of old, dry-farmed bush vines around Sinai Hill, between Stellenbosch and False Bay. Several of these vineyards were originally planted and farmed by Bredell’s family, including vines planted by his grandfather decades ago. Although he does not own much of the land, he works closely with growers and helps manage selected vineyards to preserve them.
Bredell has also returned to the original Bredell cellar, using it to showcase the potential of the Lower Helderberg’s granite soils and old vines. His story has become one of preserving the area’s agricultural heritage while creating a new identity for the family tradition through Scions of Sinai.
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Trawlers Seafood Restaurant
Fresh Seafood Right on Gordon’s Bay Beach
If you’re craving classic fish and chips by the sea, Trawlers Seafood is a long-standing Gordon’s Bay favourite, located right on Beach Road.
With its casual atmosphere and seaside location, it’s the kind of spot made for a relaxed lunch after a morning at the beach or a quick seafood dinner.
Here’s what you can expect:
🐟 Fresh fish and chips
🦑 Calamari and seafood favourites
🍤 Seafood platters and combos
🍟 Generous portions of classic takeaway-style seafood
🌊 A great location right across from Gordon’s Bay beach
With a 4.2-star rating from more than 1,500 reviews, Trawlers remains a popular choice for straightforward seafood without the fuss.
📍 35 Beach Road, Gordon’s Bay
🕐 Open seven days a week
Click here: to check out Trawlers
Did you know? The man Gordon’s Bay is named after, Robert Jacob Gordon, did far more than explore the Cape. During the late 1700s, the Dutch military officer travelled thousands of kilometres through southern Africa, carefully recording the landscapes, animals and communities he encountered.
Gordon was also a skilled cartographer and artist. His expeditions produced detailed maps, journals and drawings documenting a part of the world that was still poorly understood by Europeans at the time. His records included illustrations of wildlife and observations from journeys deep into the interior.
More than two centuries later, his name lives on in Gordon’s Bay, creating a direct link between the modern seaside town and the age of exploration at the Cape.
Events coming up next week (28 Sep-4 Oct)
Annual Shelter Art & Wine Auction | 18:00, October 2
Location: Helderberg Estate Centre, Somerset College, Bredell Road, Somerset West
Description:
Enjoy an evening of art and wine at the annual Shelter Art & Wine Auction, bringing guests together for a special fundraising event in Somerset West.
This year’s theme is Tokyo Harajuku, with guests encouraged to dress accordingly. The evening features an auction of art and wine in support of Shelter. Tickets are available through Quicket.
Christmas Lights and Market Festival Stellenbosch 2026 | October 2–4
Location: Stellenbosch – Venue to be announced
Description:
Get into the festive spirit at the Christmas Lights and Market Festival Stellenbosch 2026, a three-day celebration bringing Christmas festivities to Stellenbosch.
Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees-Langtafel | 18:30–22:30, October 2
Location: Ryneveld Street, Stellenbosch
Description:
The Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees-Langtafel returns beneath the historic oak trees of Ryneveld Street for an evening of festive food, music and community.
Hotel California – Eagles Tribute | 19:30, October 2
Location: The Drama Factory, Strand
Description:
Back by popular demand, Hotel California: The Ultimate Eagles Tribute celebrates more than 20 years of unforgettable Eagles music with a talented six-piece live band.
Rocksteady – Woodstock & Beyond | 16:00, October 4
Location: The Drama Factory, Strand
Description:
Take a nostalgic musical journey through the sounds of the ’60s and ’70s with Rocksteady – Woodstock & Beyond. The show blends folk, psychedelic rock and classic rock while celebrating some of the era’s most influential artists.
Events coming up this week (5-11 Oct)
Walk for Wagging Tails | 10:00, October 10
Location: Goedeverwachting Estate, Western Cape
Description:
Grab your four-legged best friend and enjoy a morning of fresh air, fun and wagging tails while supporting a great cause at Walk for Wagging Tails.
Fairview Goat Run 2026 | 06:00–14:00, October 10
Location: Fairview Wine and Cheese, Paarl
Description:
Get active for a good cause at the much-loved Fairview Goat Run 2026. The event brings together runners, wine lovers and nature enthusiasts for a morning of fitness and fun in the beautiful Paarl Winelands.
Flavours of the World 2026 | 10:00–16:00, October 10
Location: Ayama Wine Farm, Voor Paardeberg, Paarl
Description:
Experience a celebration of international food, culture and traditions at the 3rd edition of Flavours of the World at Ayama Wine Farm.
New Moon Night Walk | 20:00, October 10
Location: Helderberg Nature Reserve, Somerset West
Description:
Explore the Helderberg Nature Reserve after dark on a guided New Moon Night Walk with Andreas. With minimal moonlight, the walk offers a unique opportunity to experience the reserve’s nighttime atmosphere and discover its nocturnal surroundings.
Meet at the Reserve Gate at 20:00. Booking is essential. Tickets cost R50 for members and R80 for non-members.
