Image: Fancourt
The following site was recently activated by Corne ZS1COR. Several other radio amateurs were also present in support of the days activities. The images underneath reflect the history and activation of the site which was registered on H.O.T.A.
Image: Fancourt
History of Fancourt
The history of Fancourt, its families and people, begins in 1860. British engineer, Henry Fancourt White, settled with this wife, son and daughter at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains near George. Here, he built an elegant family home, known as Blanco House. It was designed in the style of an old Cotswold mansion.
Henry White played a vital role in the development of the commercial infrastructure around the area’s Montagu Pass. Shortly after his passing, the property was auctioned and sold to his son, Ernest Montagu White. He renamed the house “Fancourt” in honour of his father and made extensive restorations. Montagu passed away in a tragic incident of wild mushroom poisoning, which saw the property fall into a state of disrepair.
In 1960, after almost 30 years of neglect, Dr. Roland Anthony Krynauw, a South African brain surgeon, purchased the property. He began to restore it to its former glory. Today, the refined Manor House is a national monument and a testament to his dedication.
In 1989 the estate passed hands again and was transformed into a top-class hotel and golfing destination under the direction of Andre and Helene Pieterse.
Today, the extensive Fancourt estate is owned by Dr Hasso and Sabine Plattner. Fancourt offers a luxurious, contemporary and relaxed environment, perfectly blending the charms of its family origins and rich heritage with modern convenience. With award-winning golf courses, fine dining, wellness and family-friendly facilities, all Fancourt guests, from the youngest to the oldest, are assured that they will feel at home.
More information visit the website of Fancourt by clicking HERE
Images: (Click on images for larger view.)
Corne would like to thank all those who contacted the station and
also who assisted him during the activation.
What is HOTA?
H.O.T.A (Heritage on the air) is an amateur radio group that strives to motivate radio amateurs to learn more about history, and to keep history alive by activating a multitude of historical sites by using SSB, AM, FM, CW and even with Heliographs. Radio amateurs have great fun going out in the field and visiting places and areas where once history was made. Even if you do not like history there is places that were visited that might be of interest to you. You can even combine your other hobbies with H.O.T.A. Now that you have a faint idea of H.O.T.A it is time to learn more about H.O.T.A and the fun radio amateurs have and can have in activating historical sites. If you want to learn more about H.O.T.A you can visit the Heritage on the Air website by clicking HERE.
