The annual cricket challenge that takes place on Boxing Day on the Village Green has an exciting line up of teams. 12 teams will vie for glory in this popular tournament, where teams are booked a year in advance. The majority of teams are from previous tournaments and some have been participating since the first game was played 10 years ago. Only if a team from the previous year cannot make it do we open the invitation to wait-listed teams. This year we have two new teams joining us.
We are very fortunate to have Robbie Fleck, Bobby Skinstadt and Schalk Burger returning again. Schalk says this is “the best
day of the year” for him.
The potjie competition was sorely missed last year, so it’s back. Every 6‟s team has to enter a pot plus any individual or team may enter. The pot has to be made from start to finish on the field. Judging times will be given on the 26th December. Anyone interested in entering a pot must please contact Johan on 0825503552.
It is a fun day for all around the Stanford S.C.G. The kids get to play social cricket or paddle in the lei water, friends and
family spend a relaxed day with picnic baskets, or supporting our local school by purchasing food from them on the field.
Ice cold refreshments are also on offer. This year the prize giving will be held on the field as soon as the final match is played. The first match is at 8.00 am and the prize giving should be at 6 pm. The after party is at KC‟s restaurant and bar in Stanford.
All proceeds from this event will be used towards the greening of the Village Square, so it is a very worthy cause that will
benefit the community of Stanford who all use the square, and it will enhance the beauty of our historical town. For more information please contact Mandy on 082 213 0512 or via email moo@omail.co.za

Last weekend was for the Whales. Thousands of visitors descended upon our neighbouring seaside town, Hermanus, and at all accessible vantage spots along this glorious stretch of Cape Whale Coast for the annual Whale festival.

This weekend, 1 - 3 October, Stanford plays host to the avid twitchers and assorted avian enthusiasts at the annual Stanford Bird Fair, proudly sponsored by Strettons Gin.

You don’t have to know your penguins from your pelicans to join in the fun. Adults can sign up for a Drama workshop, or flower painting Art workshop. The sponsored “Strettons Gin tasting” will be followed by a Sunset market and dance on the Village Green. For the energetic, there will be a fun run, touch rugby and an endurance horse race. The children have lots to keep them busy -  scarecrow building, baking classes, five-a-side soccer, magician shows, jumping castles, treasure hunts and drum majorettes.

Heritage walks will take you on an interesting tour of our historical village, through beautiful open gardens. A short river cruise will give you a wonderful view of the glorious Klenrivier mountains and enable you to spot some interesting aquatic birds. The Village Green will be rocking (when the birds have gone to sleep) with live music and cabaret shows and the Birkenhead Brewery will host a family lunch on Sunday.

Come on over and see what life is like in the countryside.

Be part of the world wide celebration of Earth Hour on Saturday 27th March 2010 at the Village Green in Stanford! After the success of Stanford’s 2009 Earth Hour,  it was decided to enhance this event and create a fund-raising opportunity in support of Overberg Conservation Foundation.

With the Cape Town Jazz Fest taking  place 3 days after Earth Hour, the timing was perfect to organise a Mini Jazz Festival in our own village.  The Stanford restaurants will function as Jazz Venues for that evening, and the purchase of a ticket for R60 will gain entrance to all restaurants bordering the Village green and the High street. You are encouraged to meander the High Street restaurants and sample all the delicious foods, company and music on offer.

The event is proud to host Chad Zerf, pianist and vocalist from the UCT school of Jazz, getting ready to perform with George Benson himself at the Cape Town Jazz Fest; Morne Katz - brilliant guitarist and vocalist/pianist; Michaela Faye Kruger in an excellent chocolate Jazz trio at the Art Cafe; Overberg’s very own icon, Piano Ben, will charm audiences with his professional smooooooth sounds at Evergrines; Les Witz at Paprika’s on Saxophone - toe tapping Dixie Jazz man, hat and all!  Johan Dowries from Hawston with the Gospel for the King Jazz Band will be on at Stanford Arms Hall.  On the Blues/ Jazz side famous SA musician Valient Swart, guitarist and vocalist, will be at Gypsies! For those looking for a great ‘knees up’, Mississipi Disco will be at La Finestra.

The Street Market begins at 3pm. The High Street will be closed to traffic and Stanford will turn into a mini New Orleans with treats and eats, pumpkins and pony rides.  The stores and antique shops will stay open late spilling their wares onto the High Street and the stoeps of Stanford.

The Earth Hour picnic on the Green will start at around 6pm. Local award winning produce will be on sale, and visitors can fill their picnic baskets.

The Church bells of the area will peal across the Kleinriver to mark the much awaited 100 million strong global movement of  Earth Hour, when the lights suddenly switch off at 8:30pm plunging the Village Green into Galaxies and Starlight.  The Hermanus Astronomy Society will have star pointers and be available for anyone interested in learning about the night sky.

At 10pm, the Jazz Fest will begin in the restaurants bordering the Green and along the High Street, introduced by a Sax playing “Oh what a wonderful world” across the Village Green. Contact Stanfordinfo or the Art Cafe to book your tickets.