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NIEU-BETHESDA NEWS — Nieu-Bethesda was host to a varied and talent-filled number of interesting events this holiday season.
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The annual NG Kerksangdiens set the tone for the Christmas season and was attended by a record number of people. In retrospect, it was a touching service in that long-time resident of the village, Arno du Toit, sang here for the last time, as he sadly passed away last week.
One Sunday, the NG service was held in the poplar forest with music from the furrow accompanying the congregation.
Bacchus Nel, Martin Bester and the Irish Volunteer Blues band all played to receptive and jolly audiences and their dogs at 'Die Ramstal'. Charl du Toit and his children performed a classical music soiree involving violins, the piano and the clarinet one glorious evening at The Melting Pot. At the Eternity Gallery Joanne Reen and Dirkje Daling exhibited their work at a thought-provoking exhibition entitled, 'Skyshadows' - the opening was enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. Dirkje also treated guests to a piano recital as they viewed the artworks.
New Year's Eve always draws a crowd in Nieu-Bethesda and accommodation is booked out long in advance for December 31st. The Bethesda Art Centre has become world-renowned for its 'Festival of Lights'.
For days before New Year, members of the public are encouraged to make paper and wire lanterns at the Art Centre assisted by well organised and competent staff. After a show at the Centre, hundreds of participants' candles were lit, and the procession set off in a festive yet orderly fashion into the streets of Bethesda and Pienaarsig.
The spectacle is breath-taking and the Art Centre can really be proud of this beautiful, alcohol-free tradition that adds so much to the village and draws people from all around the world. With other parties taking place at Die Waenhuis, Die Ramstal, The Brewery and private homes, 2018 arrived with aplomb in Nieu-Bethesda.
Restaurants and guesthouses were packed to capacity during the season and proprietors reported that they were satisfied with the number of people who had passed through the village. The Owl House and Fossil centre also recorded many visitors and the streets bustled with tourists enjoying the freedom of life on Jakob's donkey-cart, bicycle or simply on foot.
Tourists love visiting Nieu-Bethesda because it is a village where time seems to stand still. They comment on the uninterrupted night skies, the lack of pollution, the friendly people and good service that they are offered wherever they go. A larger than usual Super Moon rose over the village in the dusk and dust of 2017, heralding a fresh new year in this unusual little place.
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