Carole Law writes:

Lots of very exciting things are happening in Central these days! As you know Mrs Claw has always been and always will be passionate about her beloved stomping ground.

The Valley is the very latest hip and happening hot spot in PE! Whoop whoop!!

What with the craft beer breweries, restaurants, markets and other exciting projects all now finding a new home there, it certainly is one of the Bay’s best kept secrets!!

The beautiful Donkin Village is an awesome newish enclave where many young creative minds have chosen as their new home, conveniently close to the CBD which is part of the urban revitalisation project so skilfully being managed by the MBDA.

On “The Hill” the gracious Edward hotel stands majestic as always, overlooking the stunning Donkin, where Mrs C in her younger days happily ran the many functions as her job as banqueting co-ordinator for the late great Roy Lombard!

Whites Road is home to the beautifully and stylishly renovated Opera House which Mrs C believes is one of the oldest if not the oldest theatre in the country.

Across the road from the Edward you have the newly renovated grand old lady The Grand Hotel! Many happy memories here Skatties and ready to make many new ones!

Along Belmont Terrace the magnificent Atheneum beautifully restored, housing an Art Gallery, small restaurant and the little Theatre amongst other things.

Bird Street is fast becoming the “Art Route” of this beautiful part of Central envisioned by the MBDA, home not only the NMMU Art Department & Artec but many other art Galleries including Anthony Harris’ Gallery at the top of Bird Street and if rumour is to believed, shortly, Colin Wells famous picture framing business!

The majestic High Court previously Mrs Claw’s old School – Collegiate (let’s not go there dolls lol) is at present undergoing major renovations – (also situated in Bird Street) – this is where where Shirl and Mrs C tend to while away the day almost daily, hoping not to miss any drama at present unfolding ………

Anthony Adler has chosen his beautiful property in Russell Road as the newish home to his extremely successful National Glass Distribution now expanding into the space previously home to Colin Wells Framing …….

Kudos to all who have made and are making Mrs Claw’s dreams come true!

The Gutsche family with the PE Club, Ken Denton with Donkin Village, Anthony Adler for always keeping his properties in pristine condition , Mark Stemmett for the Grand Hotel and many others who are all making a huge and positive contribution towards establishing Central as an area to be proud of (thanks Tony Jones for your assistance with this last sentence!!)

The next step towards really making Central the most desirable place to be is obviously the creation of their very own SRA! Successful cities globally are now being run by SRAs!

This concept, as residents of Richmond Hill will confirm, is definitely not structured to replace the work the municipality is responsible for and what ratepayers pay for, but to enhance the area putting in place very necessary additions such as manned security cameras, proper waste management i.e recycling, dedicated Crime Prevention patrols etc etc not included in the municipal responsibilities. SRAs are run by the homeowners and are completely non political/racial/sexual etc etc!

To this end Mrs Claw is urging and imploring all property owners to attend the vital meetings arranged to inform the uninformed about the proposed SRA for Central which will be hosted by a very hardworking dedicated, enthusiastic passionate interim (note interim) committee who have worked extremely hard nearly every week for over a year to come up with an awesome plan which will not hurt your already overburdened pockets! The small amount of money it will cost you will be worth spending as it will also increase the value of one of your most expensive assets!

Keep an open mind and BE THERE – you will be surprised and inspired!