GEORGE NEWS - There are many people who make the annual pilgrimage to our shores. 

Eleanor and Ben Ford make their's with fond memories in their hearts of November 1952 when they spent their honeymoon at the Wilderness Hotel. 

Eleanor recalls "Except for the years when we lived in Geneva, Switzerland, we have returned to Wilderness every November to celebrate our anniversary."

This year part of the celebrations was a lunch at Bayleaf Café at which the couple expressed the wish to make contact with a Mr Storm who gave Ben some aloe seeds (in 1989) which germinated and which were subsequently planted many years ago at the entrance to Kudu Private Nature Reserve in Mpumalanga where they still to this day grow abundantly and flower beautifully.

The Fords, who live in this nature reserve most of the year, want to convey their thanks to Mr Storm (who at that time lived in one of the Transnet Railway houses at the Wilderness Station) and send him photos to show what an act of generosity can lead to.

Before their retirement to Mpumalanga, Eleanor Ford was Executive Director of Ford Fashion Productions and well known in the South African fashion industry. 

She orchestrated fashion shows and on 1 December this year staged a vintage auction and show in association with Peter Soldatos. 

Eleanor and Ben Ford celebrated their 65 anniversary at Bayleaf Cafe in George. As they spend their annual holidays in WIlderness at their holiday home - they have a strong sense of belonging in our region. From left  Victor Saunders  Eleanor Ford and Jenny Steyn. Back John Steyn and Ben Ford.

Ben was the grandfather of the international ISO 9000 quality management standards which led to the couple living in Geneva for a few years.

ARTICLE & PHOTOS: PAULINE LOURENS, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST

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