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GRAAFF-REINET NEWS — On Saturday, 7 April, the Spence family celebrated 100 years of farming on Kriegerskraal.

John Spence emigrated from Scotland to South Africa in the mid-1800's.

His son Thomas John Spence bought Beaconsfield in the Camdeboo in 1890. Thomas John Spence's eldest son, Trenly Spence bought Kriegerskraal (between Graaff-Reinet and Aberdeen) in 1918 and currently his grandchild Trenly Spence the son of the late Godfrey Spence is farming on Kriegerskraal.

The youngest sibling of Godfrey Spence, Merle Geyer (neè Spence) now 91-years-old, fellow farmers and family members, even from as far as Switzerland, came to join in the celebration.

The celebration started with a poem read by Trenly's daughter, Caitrin Spence.

The poem was by the Scottish poet and lyricist, Robert Burns, "My heart's in the Highlands".

Caitrin adapted the poem to a more South African version. Trenly wore the traditional Scottish kilt with the tartan material from the Spence Clan, but being South African now, his sporran was made from Nguni Cattle skin. Trenly is a very proud Nguni Cattle farmer.

Trenly Spence gave a brief history of his time as a farmer on Kriegerskraal. Experiencing the worst drought in more than a hundred years in 2010 on the farm was very difficult. He thanked friends, family and farmers who helped him during this period. Thankfully the rain eventually came and the veld recovered.

Tommy Spence who used to farm on the farm Beaconsfield with his wife Tish Spence, in the Camdeboo gave a brief history of the Spence family in South Africa.

The guests were treated to some fine wine, Mitchell's draught beer and good Karoo food. Trenly and Wilmari would like to thank everyone who helped to organise the event and all the family members and friends who joined them in this milestone event.

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