Diverse Human Resources is about people. We are passionate about maximizing the human capital ‘asset’ in your company - your single most important asset. Our team provides strategic solutions to all your people management requirements. Whether you require on-going support or once-off advisory consultations, we customize our support to your specific needs or stage of business development.

John Meyer Optometrist is an innovative new practice situated in the recently completed Hilton Health Centre, adjacent to the Life Hilton Private Hospital. The centre itself will serve as a unique, multi-functional, medical hub within the heart of Hilton with John Meyer Optometrist as one of the various medical disciplines located within the facility. As a new addition to the area, the main focus of the practice will be on building customer relations, personalised service and overall quality of service offered.

Think about this – many of us cut our lawns (or get them cut) and then use costly petrol to transport the cut grass to the local dump for disposal. We then visit our local, friendly nursery and BUY bagged compost for our garden. So why don’t we rather use that cut grass to make our own compost? If we adopt the KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) system, it is very easy to product our own “wholesome” compost.

 

The recipe is as follows :

 

Ingredients :
• Cut grass (dry) – collected from the road verges (if you are lucky enough to get yours cut in your area!)
• Lawn clippings (green)
• Garden prunings (soft wood items)
• Garden prunings (hard to semi-hard wood that has been cut into small pieces or fed through a garden shredder)
• Wood shavings (if available)
• Activator – chicken manure, horse manure or any other animal manure (Can also use existing compost or commercial activators)
• Leaves (available during Winter)
• Water

 

Items that should NOT be added to the heap, include
• food leftovers that may attract rats, dogs and ants
• weeds that have gone to seed – although most seeds would be rendered infertile by the heat of the composting process.
• Hardwood branches.

 

Tools :
• wheelbarrow
• garden fork
• spade or shovel
• elbow grease!

 

Method :
• find an area at least 2m x 3m (or larger) and preferably in a warm, sunny position
• spread the coarse garden prunings to a depth of about 150 mm on a base of about 1,5 – 2m wide and extending to a length depending on the quantity of raw

materials available
• then layer the dry grass, also about 150 mm deep
• then comes the turn of the green grass,
• followed by the wood shavings,
• next step is the important activator – which can be a thinner layer of about 50 – 100 mm.
• now add a good soaking of water to moisten the ingredients – using liquid manure made from something like chicken manure will greatly improve the composting process.
• Repeat the above steps on top of the existing layers to a height of about 1m.
• Make sure your final layer of activator is well covered by wood shavings or dry grass.
• Add leaves to the layers from your Winter sweepings – leaves, however, do take longer to break down, but putting them through a shredder will help.
• Leave the heap with a flat top, so the rain can help keep the heap moist. The heap should look like a mini Table Mountain!!
• The heap should start to warm up within 2 days – depending on outside temperatures and the amount of greenery and activator used. It can get so hot that you can’t keep you hand inside for very long.
• The next step, the “turning of the heap” should be done after about 2-3 weeks – this helps the heap to continue “working” by distributing the ingredients and aerating it. This is also an opportunity to check on the inside and add more water if necessary. Use a garden fork or better still a hay fork to do this – who wants to spend money on going to the gym?
• Continue “turning the heap” every 2-3 weeks, each time reforming the Table Mountain shape.
• If the weather stays warm and you’ve followed the recipe, you could have your own compost within about 3 months

 

If you find the “turning of the heap” a bit of a schlep (good expressive word that!), then your compost will take longer to break down (up to 12 months). There will also probably be parts that don’t decompose at all.

 

There you go!! A bit of effort and you’ve got compost that your neighbours will be envious of!
You can also set up a worm farm. All your veggie scraps, egg shells (crushed), shredded cardboard and some lawn cutting can be used to feed the worms. Onion, citrus peels and leftover food should not be added.

 

This can give you worm compost plus valuable “worm wee”. Dilute this “wee” 1:50 with water and apply to your plants once a week and watch them grow.
You can also look at getting a bokashi bin. This works by using a probiotic bacteria to make compost. Maybe worthwhile looking into.

 

We have fresh stocks of good compost and chicken manure available. There is also pine bark mulch. Another option is mulching with macadamia nut shells. These are decorative as well as very hard wearing. They will last longer than pine bark. The shells are also great for pots and pathways, where they provide a cobblestone effect.

 

We have loads of new plants for you this season. So with the early rains, we are looking forward to an exciting gardening season.

 

News supplied by Tanglewood Nursery.

The annual Hilton Quarry Super Spar Tennis Tournament was held from 25 to 26 June 2016. Laddsworth brothers Reuben and Joshua Macfarlane won the under 8 doubles category. Adam Tilbury was runner-up in the Under 10 Singles and Doubles categories. Joshua Tilbury was awarded the Sportsmanship trophy. Well done boys!

Hylton Chubb, a Grade 1 pupil at Laddsworth Primary School, took part in the Green Bus Motor Cross race on the 25th June 2016 at Bushview Bike Park. Hylton took part in 5 races and got a 1st place, a 2nd place and two 3rd place finishes in the 50cc Open Category. Well done Hylton!

 

News supplied by Laddsworth Primary School. 

At the AGM of the Hilton Ratepayers' Association, a presentation was given by Kevin Meier, Manager of Planning Services at Umgeni Water. The presentation shows that we are fortunate in having the high quality of engineering expertise at the various institutions responsible for our water supply. Without long term planning and current emergency measures, the water supply situation would be considerably worse than it is. The presentation can be downloaded here.

Zumba kids classes at Velocity Sports Lab Hilton features kid friendly routines as well as fun games and activities which all fit into a 45 minute class. These classes help develop a healthy lifestyle by making fitness fun from a young age. It also helps with coordination, leadership, team work and confidence.

 

Price: First class FREE and there after R50 per class.

 

Zumba kids classes:
Wednesday at 4pm-4.45pm (Age 7-12 years old)

 

Zumba kids jnr classes:
Friday 1.30pm- 2.15pm (Age 4-6 years old)

 

News supplied by Velocity Sports Lab Hilton.

 

 

Book your tickets now to an organ and flute recital by David Orr (organ) and Petra Conrads (flute) at the Church of Ascension. 

 

Velocity Sports Lab Hilton, the all new modern, upmarket gym with the latest equipment is conveniently located on the ground floor of the Hilton Health complex.

The Laddsworth First Team Hockey took part in Boys Hockey Festivals at Hilton College on 23 July and at Michael House on 24 July. Our team showed great sportsmanship and teamwork during adverse weather conditions. They managed to draw 2 and lose 2 matches on Saturday at Hilton College. On Sunday they won 2, drew 2 and lost 1 match. Well done boys we are very proud of you.

 

L-R: Junior Mncwabe, Kelvin Taylor, Lwazi Biyela, Scott Harvey and Connor Baldrey.

 

News supplied by Laddsworth Primary School. 

 

Justin Pillay, a Grade 7 Laddsworth pupil was graded Orange belt by IBMA Kyokushin Kaikan Karate on Wednesday 20 July 2016 in Pietermartizburg. Justin was also awarded a trophy for the most improved student. Well done Justin!

 

News supplied by Laddsworth Primary School. 

 

 

Wheeler is one of the organisers of the Winterskloof Trail Run/Walk, being held on August 14 in aid of the local conservancy and community security initiative.

 

The 8,5km route will cover rustic country lanes, forest paths and part of the old railway line that used to wind its way through Hilton down to Pietermaritzburg. With the tracks long gone, the path is now cleared regularly by Transnet and provides a trail with panoramic views for runners, walkers and nature lovers.

 

Details: On August 14, starts 7.30am at the old municipal office in Valley Rd. Online entry R60 adults, R40 children. R80 entry on the day. See www.hiltonvillage.co.za for more details, and click here to enter.

 

News supplied.

Hilton Health founders gathered to celebrate the long-awaited opening of Hilton Health on Wednesday 20 July. The result of their endeavour has provided Hilton and surrounds with a new choice of gym, restaurant, optometrist and pharmacy to highlight a few of the new tenants.

Mondays will never be the same again. 

 

Visit Nova Spa on Mondays for an express manicure and pedicure for just R330.00.

 

On Wednesday, 20 July 2016, Hilton Health officially opened with an informal celebration for the founders and invited guests.

 

Guests were hosted in the Elements Market Café, owned by Lana Koning. This third phase of an extensive build houses numerous health aligned facilities including; Velocity Sports Lab, The Local Choice Pharmacy Hilton, John Meyer Optometrist, Mist Hair and Beauty Spa, Dental Zone, Dr Ralph Gilbert Medical Practice, Innovative Dieticians and Perfect Health. Consideration to supportive practitioners and the comfort of clientele using these services is clearly evident.

 

Poised for future expansion, this modern structure will ably supply the greater Hilton community with a plethora of healthy lifestyle support, all right on its doorstep.

 

 

 

Looking for something to do for #MandelaDay2016? What if we collected 67 books (or 670!) for kids in Sweetwaters to use through our home-based and site-based programmes?

You can give online through our website (reference is MANDELA DAY) or bring books to our office. Pre-loved books are welcome, as long as they are in good condition, bright and colorful, and appropriate for 2-5 year olds. 

 

Please be advised that as of 1 July 2016 the new financial year commenced. The application fee for a clearance certificate, is R 296.00 plus Vat = R 337.44.

 

Full rates for the year 16/17 became due and payable from 1 July 2016, so please adjust your payments accordingly.

Wilady Salon is a newly established Nail Salon, in the heart of Hilton. The salon is home based, offering a quiet and relaxing experience. And for the very busy ladies who struggle to get out the house, I offer home visits as well. We offer a selection of gel overlays, manicures and pedicures. Specializing in the Evo Bio Sculpture Gel, while also offering other Bio Sculpture products. We also stock the beautiful Twisted Sister Jewelry. Pop over to our Facebook page to stay up to date on our specials. So don't hesitate, contact Rayne Guy 082 550 5744 to book your next nail appointment. Available on Facebook and WhatsApp.

 

News supplied by Wilady Salon.