Thursday, February 26, 2009

Notice of Special General Meeting at Croydon Lifestyle Centre on Monday the 26th of March 2009 at 17:00

NOTICE OF SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE
CROYDON VINEYARD ESTATE HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION

(“the Association”)


NOTICE is hereby given that the Special General Meeting of the Association will take place on Monday the 26rd of March 2009 at 17:00. The venue for the Meeting is the Croydon Lifestyle Centre.

Please note that registration will take place from 16:30.

General Information:

Attached please find the following:
Special Resolution 2
Special Resolution 3
Proxy Form

The Special General Meeting, as requested by several members present at the Annual General Meeting, has been called for the sole purpose of voting for or against the attached resolutions.

Note that in terms of the following Clause of the Constitution, should either resolution be passed, the amendment will still need to be approved by Council and final approval and implementation of the amendment is dependant on their approval thereof:

35.2 Further to clause 35.1 above, any amendment or alteration shall during the Development Period, shall be subject to the prior written consent of the Developer and in respect of any amendment or alteration to Clauses 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 36, 37, 40 and 41 of the Constitution shall be subject to the prior written consent of the Council.

Note that, as stated, the Developer, namely Realty Dynamix 16 (Pty) Ltd, will not utilize it’s 650 casting vote for the purposes of establishing a quorum or to vote on the attached special resolutions although it will utilize it’s votes in respect of the erven which it owns .

Quorum:

Your attention is drawn to Clause 25 of the Constitution regarding a quorum, which reads as follows:

No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum is present when the meeting proceeds to business. The quorum necessary for the holding of any general meeting shall be such of the Members entitled to vote, as together for the time being, represent at least one-half of the total votes of all Members of the Association entitled to vote, and provided further that, for the duration of the Development Period, the Developer is present in person or by proxy.

If within half an hour from the time appointed for the holding of a general meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting, if convened on the requisition of the Members, shall be dissolved, in any other case it shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week, at the same place and time, or at such other place as the Chairperson of the meeting shall appoint, and if such adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for holding the meeting, the Members present shall be a quorum, provided that, for the duration of the Development Period, the Developer is present in person or by proxy.


Voting:

Your attention is drawn to Clause 29 of the Constitution regarding voting, specifically the following clauses, which read as follows:

29.2 Save as expressly provided for herein, no person other than a Member duly registered, and who shall have paid every levy and other sum (if any) which shall be due and payable to the Association in respect of or arising out of his membership, and who is not under suspicion, shall be entitled to be present or to vote on any question, either personally or by proxy, at any general meeting.

29.6 An ordinary resolution (that is a resolution other than a Special Resolution) shall be carried on a simple majority of all the votes cast thereon as provided for in clause 29.1 above. A Special Resolution shall be carried by a majority of no less than 75% (seventy five per cent) of the total votes of the Members who are present in person or represented and who are entitled to vote. An abstention shall not be counted as a vote for or against the resolution in question. In the case of an equality of votes, the Chairperson of the general meeting shall be entitled to a casting vote in addition to its deliberative vote.

Resolutions:

Special Resolution 2 is for the amendment to clause 5.2.3 of the Constitution as attached, resulting in the extension of the building period from 3 to 4 years.

Special Resolution 3 is for the amendment to clause 7.10.2 of the Constitution as attached, resulting in the Trustee Committee being authorized to evaluate financial constraints of members on a case by case basis and if deemed fit, to defer the payment of their penalty levies for a maximum of 12 months per erf.

Note that each member entitled and wishing to cast a vote, will be requested to vote for or against Special Resolution 2, and should it be passed Special Resolution 3 will automatically become null and void. If Special Resolution 2 not be passed, each member entitled and wishing to vote will be requested to vote for or against Special Resolution 3.

Proxies:

Your attention is drawn to Clause 28 of the Constitution regarding the appointment of proxies, which reads as follows:

28.1 A member may be represented at a general meeting by a proxy, who need not be a member of the Association. The proxy shall be entitled to vote at the general meeting on behalf of that member. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing signed by the member concerned or his duly authorized agent in writing, but need not be in any particular form, provided that where a member is more than one person, any one of those persons may sign the instrument appointing a proxy on such member’s behalf, where a member is a company the same may be signed by the chairman of the board of directors of the company or by its secretary, and where an Association of persons, by the secretary thereof.

28.2 The said proxy shall be deposited at the office of the Association’s Secretary at least 24 (Twenty Four) hours prior to the time appointed for the commencement of the meeting.

28.3 No instrument appointing the proxy shall be valid after the expiration of 12 (Twelve) months calculated from the date of its execution.

For any further information in this regard please do not hesitate to contact the Association.



JAN BERGMAN
CHAIRPERSON
CROYDON VINEYARD ESTATE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION

SPECIAL RESOLUTION 2

RESOLVED THAT:


Clause 5.2.3 that currently states:


“ensuring that the Registered owners commence construction of the dwellings to be erected on the respective Residential Erven within 3 (three) years from date of registration of transfer of the relevant Residential Erven into the Registered Owners’ name from the Developer (first transfer)…”


Be amended as follows:

“ensuring that the Registered owners commence construction of the dwellings to be erected on the respective Residential Erven within 4 (four) years from date of registration of transfer of the relevant Residential Erven into the Registered Owners’ name from the Developer (first transfer)…”


Outcome:


The amendment extends the period in which construction is required to commence from 3 (three) to 4 (four) years.




MEMBERS PRESENT:
VOTES FOR:
VOTES AGAINST:
ABSTENTIONS:

The Special Resolution is hereby________________________________________



__________________________________
CHAIRMAN



SPECIAL RESOLUTION 3

RESOLVED THAT:


Clause 7.10.2 that currently states:


“the Registered Owner shall pay double the amount of levies payable by the Registered Owner in respect of each month or part thereof beyond the prescribed commencement date that the Owner has not commenced construction on the Residential Erf;”


Be amended as follows:


“the Registered Owner shall be liable for the payment of double the amount of levies payable by the Registered Owner in respect of each month or part thereof beyond the prescribed commencement date that the Owner has not commenced construction on the Residential Erf. However, the Trustees shall be entitled to, on a case by case basis, evaluate claims of financial constraints of the individual homeowners and if deem fit defer the payment of such penalty levies for a maximum of 12 months per erf.”


Outcome:


The amendment as passed above enables the Trustee Committee to defer the payment of penalty levies for a period of 12 months per erf should the owner be under financial strain. commence construction.




MEMBERS PRESENT:
VOTES FOR:
VOTES AGAINST:
ABSTENTIONS:

The Special Resolution is hereby________________________________________



__________________________________
CHAIRMAN

Friday, February 13, 2009

Blessing of the 2009 Harvest

Passion and patience!

On Tuesday 10 February the homeowners were invited to attend the Blessing of the Harvest.

During this event the home owners were introduced to the start of the winemaking process and they tasted the day’s harvest -this is in the form of almost pure grape juice. The men had to stir the grapes giving it oxygen while the women mixed the yeast going into the wine.

They were given some wine that had started the process of fermentation already so they could taste the difference in grapes/wine after two and three days.

After all this winemaking activities the home owners were invited to a dinner and of course some wine from the farm!

The home owners all agreed this is what living on a working wine farm should be like. Informative and enjoying the harvest from your own wine farm. This is the lifestyle others just dream about and we live it! Provided by Gerhard van Deventer (Seeff Resident Agent)




Blessing of the 2009 Harvest





The Blessing of the 2009 Harvest





2009 Harvest




2009 Harvest





2009 Harvest





The 2009 harvest




Monday, February 2, 2009

Van die Landgoed bestuurder/wynmaker - From the Estate Manager/ Winemaker

Beste Huiseienaars

Dit is moeilik om te glo dat die eerste maand van 2009 al amper op sy rug le. Ek hoop en vertrou u het ‘n geseënde en voorspoedige feestyd beleef en wil ook die vertroue uitspreek dat in 2009 die voorspoed u sal verveel.

Hier by Croydon is dit skouer aan die wiel en is dit ‘n miernes van bedrywighede om als reg te kry vir die pars wat binne die volgende twee weke aanbreek. Die druiwe het mooi verkleur en ons sien uit daarna om die kelder nat te maak met ons werklike eerste vol produserende wingerde se druiwe. Hou dop vir nuus oor wanneer ons weer die jaarlikse port trap in die fontein voor die kelder gaan hou. Dit beloof om weer vol opwinding te wees soos laas jaar. Vir die wat daar was, ons het nie vergeet van julle botteltjie soetwyn nie en ons sal laat weet wanneer dit reg is. Die wyne van 2008 vertoon ook goed in die vate en sodra wyn ghoeroe Beyers Truter te vrede is om te botteleer kan jul ook verwag dat jul jaarlikse kwota binnekort beskikbaar sal wees. .

Daar is tans 10 huiseienaars woonagtig op die landgoed en vyf huurders wat huise okkupeer. Graag wil ek spesiaal vir die twee Burger gesinne, Krugers, Barnards, Steenkamp en die Wilsons wat onlangs ingetrek het baie hartlik welkom heet. Hoop u verblyf is net so aangenaam soos almal van ons wat reeds hier is dit beleef. Dit is ‘n plesier om soggens werk toe te ry en die wingerde met die mooi berge in die agtergrond te aanskou en weereens bevoorreg te voel om hier te bly. Vir die wat nog nie begin bou het nie en dalk nog planne het moet nie wag nie. Vier nuwe huise het begin oor die feestyd en binnekort sal nog ander volg.

Die funksie lokaal is aan die gang en al hoe meer mense gebruik die fasiliteit. Indien u sou belangstel om te gebruik skakel Charmaine vir verder inligting. Dit was aangenaam om ‘n hele paar families saam hier op kersdag te kon hê met ons eerste jaarlikse kersdiens gehou deur ons eerste inwonende dominee MC Engelbreght. Ons sal voortaan meer sulke geleenthede met bv. Paasfees ens. hou.

Die feestyd was beslis goed vir baie van ons te oordeel aan die gebruik van die gimnasium. So die wat nog gewonder het of hulle die ekstras nog wil afskud die gimnasiumm is 24 uur oop vir u gebruik. Volg asb die huisreels soos u sou doen by enige ander gimnasium Geniet die gebruik van u eie gimnasium.

Ek is bly om te kan se dat daar nog geen voorvalle was waar die sekuriteit van die landgoed onder gedrang gekom het nie. Ons is van plan om dit so te hou en is voordurend besig is om die gehalte van diens te verbeter.

Water water water is al wat die tuine nodig het. ‘n Bietjie reen sal welkom wees. Ons woel egter om by te hou met natmaak en is tans besig om die winterwerk te beplan. Kyk uit vir die voels en as jy ‘n liefhebber is kontak my gerus ek sal graag ‘n opname wil laat maak van al die spesies. As jy vroeg oggend ons besoek of laat saans kyk uit vir die hase in die pad. Dit is goed om nog so stukkie natuurlewe oor te he. Vir julle met honde en katte wat hier bly moenie vergeet om hulle aan ‘n halsband te hou nie en aan julle katte klokkies te sit nie. Dit sal hartseer wees as ons ons voellewe en ander lewe bedreig indien ons onbedagsaam is.

Vir alle huiseienaars wat betyds betaal en getrou hul heffings betaal. Baie dankie. U stel ons in staat om die landgoed netjies te hou en op te bou.

Ek sal voortaan u meer op hoogte hou van wat aangaan op die landgoed. Kontak my gerus indien u enige navrae het. Ek sal dit sover moontlik beantwoord.

Landgoed bestuurder/wynmaker

Corius Visser

Dear Home Owners

It is hard to believe that the first month of 2009 is behind us. I hope and trust that you had a blessed festive season and wish you the best for what lies ahead in 2009.

Here at Croydon we are putting shoulder to the wheel and everything is a hive of activity as we prepare for the pressing of the grapes that will occur within the next two weeks. The grapes have developed great colour and we are looking forward to getting the cellar wet with grapes from our genuine first full production off the vines. Keeo your eyes open for the news about when the next annual port stomping that takes place in the fountain in front of the cellar. It promises to be as exciting as last year. As far as the year that passed it concerned, we have not forgotten about your bottles of sweet wine and we will let you know when it is ready. The wines of 2008 are presenting in the vats well and as soon soon as guru Beyers Truter is satisfied that we can begin bottling, and you can expect you annual quota to be ready.

There are currently ten home owners living on the Estate and five families occupying rented homes. I want to especially welcome the two Burger families, the Krugers, Barnards, Steenkamps and the Wilsons who moved in recently. We hope your stay with us is as enjoyable as everyone else has found it to be. It is a pleasure to drive to work with the vineyards and mountains as a backdrop and a privilege to live here. For those of you that have not begun building and who have not yet made plans do not wait. Four new houses have begun over the festive season and more will soon follow.

The functions venue is being used increasingly. If you are interested in using it call Charmain for further information. It was a pleasure to have a few families with us at the Christmas service given by our first in-house dominee MC Engelbrecht. We hope to have more Christmas occasions like this.

A good Christmas for a lot of us will also mean that the gym can be useful for shedding those extra pounds and remember that it is open 24 hours a day. Please observe the house rules as you would in any other gym and enjoy it.

I am pleased to report that there have been no security related incidents on the Estate. We plan to keep it this way and we are always looking for ways to improve matters.

Water water water is all that the gardens need. A little rain will be welcome too and we will keep planning for winter while keeping things watered. Look out for the birds if you are a birdlover and feel free to contact me with what you have spotted as I keep a list of the species. If you are up early, look out for the hares in the road. It is great to have some wildlife around. For those of you with dogs and cats please remember to place a small bell on the collars. It would be a pity to threaten the wild life it we are not careful.

To all home owners that pay their levies on time – thanks. You make it possible to keep the Estate in good condition.

I plan to keep you informed of developments on the Estate. Please feel free to contact me if you have any enquries. I will help with as many as possible.

Estate Manager/winemaker

Corius Visser