At the risk of exposing myself, here is a letter I wrote which was published in the Alberton record some years ago about exactly this area .... despite promises from the said 'singer chap' it all came to nought! How many of the statmeents in this letter have come true ... uncanny that not? Angry mountain bike rider !!!! Having been a resident of Alberton for more than 20 years it saddens me to have to write this letter (my first) to the local newspaper. Myself and many others I have observed over the years have been training with our mountain bikes (without mentioning the many runners and persons walking their dogs) in the Meyersdal koppies. This has provided great pleasure and also kept many a youngster out of trouble. This morning at 6am upon entering the ‘koppies’ as they are affectionately known we were rather rudely turned away and refused entry by 5 or 6 security guards. When questioned why suddenly without notice we were not allowed in we were told that the ‘owner’ does not want us on his property. I believe that the said owner, who’s name I have heard is synonymous with a certain forgotten singer whom I dislike as much, is currently developing almost any piece of available land despite the impact it may have on the local community. The youngsters I have mentioned earlier are being provided less and less facilities to be able to keep occupied in a constructive manner (in this case even physically fit). When these youngsters turn to alternative activities (i.e. drugs, alcohol and other ‘non’ constructive ones) my comment is shame on you for taking away one of the last facilities they have been able to make use of !!!!!! Surely the impact of some mountain bikes, runners and dog walkers cannot be of such an extent that we should be rudely turned away? Or is the risk perhaps that we will leave the area with a pallet of bricks, toilet or basin strapped to our backs? The impact on the land sir is way lower than that of the graders, diggers and back hoes that you are using to turn these areas into ‘faux’ Italian villas and nature reserves (exclusive for the use of residents of the complex of course!) I can understand that it may be necessary to keep ‘undesirables’ out but surely a judgment can be made for example in this case where persons are obviously not out to do any damage or steal anything. Perhaps a bit more thought should have been given to this than a blanket ‘the owner does not want you on his land’ statement. Again I say shame on you and all those who will purchase those properties as they will be the owners of the future refusing entrance to us ‘rabble’ into their posh nature estates.
