How to go Off the Topic by Rhona & Mike!

[Ricky Barron (RIP)]

Once upon a time.......1779 actually, a Scottish Dutchman (I kid you not), Robert Jacob Gordon, a commander of the garrison at the Cape, after having visited the area two years earlier, decided to rename what was then called the Gariep (which simply translated means "River"). He named it the Orange River in honour of Prince William V of Orange. This saved thousands of people the indignity of growing up in Gariepmund! (This will probably be the curse of the next generation, as I believe that the river is reverting to its original name)

Fast forward.......In 1920 Ernest Oppenheimer initiated Consolidated Diamond Mines (CDM) in which Anglo American, a new organisation of which Sir Ernest was chairman, held the controlling interest.

Fast forward......While there had been much excitement regarding diamonds on the Southern side of the mouth (Alexander Bay), it was approximately 1928 that prospecting got under way north of the river, and in January 1935 operations, on a minor scale, began in "G" area. By 1936 rough buildings had been established and marked the inauspicious beginnings of a settlement called Orange River Mouth (actually references to this name date back to 1930). In 1940 the "River" was dropped and it became affectionately known as "Orange Mouth"
Question: When (month and year, please) did the name Oranjemund become official?

More next week..........

[Michael Alexander]

Nice History lesson Ricky, but where's the quiz?

[Ricky Barron (RIP)]

Don't be greedy now, at the moment I can only muster one question at a time!

[Rhona]

Answer the first question first and then the second will appear - hence the quiz!!! Geez the nerve of some people

July 1909........

[Michael Alexander]

You see what drinking does to you at this time of the morning..... 1909...Geee! where did you get the date from? On the bottle of whisky that you are drinking from?

[Rhona]

Oooops! did I just answer a pub-quiz question............ 

[Michael Alexander]

Yes! You did, but to answer a pub question.... you gotta be in a pub.... and sister...You ain't!     

[Rhona]

You reckon I'm not in a pub, hey? What part of 'wedding today' slipped your ind??? 

[Michael Alexander]

Ja, but is'nt there a law in Eire that says you cannae marry before 11.59...... Huh? Is There? Is There?  and the last time I checked , that Pope of yours did not approve of marriages in Irish pubs....

[Rhona]

Well now Mr. Know it all but in fact I know nothing - the law has changed and us irish are allowed get married where ever we like - only last month a couple married in their local and pubs can open at anytime they want, most open at 10:00am - just for the early risers..........and of course the Sunday afternoon compulsory lock-in is gone as the pub stays open all day....... 

Why yes Mr. Barkeep - I'll have me another of your finest beverages 

[Michael Alexander]

Are you guys allowed to divorce yet?   

What about Gay marriages?

Can Gay people get divorced?

So many questions, such little time....... 

[Ricky Barron (RIP)]

Now, now children, please try to concentrate on the question at hand!

[Michael Alexander]

Ooops! We did it again.... Sorry Ricky! (it was Rhona)

[Rhona]

We sure are allowed divorce - have to be seperated for a minimum of 2 years first though......Gay marraiges are being fought in court - I'm not too sure if they are recognised just yet but give it time.......oh the times they are a changing! - who sang those words? I'll give you a clue......there is a mouth-organ instrumental after they are sung!!!

Oooh! do you think this could be classed as a history lesson or are we in trouble? Honestly Ricky it wasn't me - I gave my answer to your quiz and then that fella running around without his kilt on started teasing me.........Uhm! Mike made me do it - he's such a bully.........

[Ricky Barron (RIP)]

I do understand, I think it's probably because the Scots haven'y really been able to see off the Irish on the rugby field for a wee while........However, I did give a few dates in my lesson, assuming that the class would appreciate that the name "Oranjemund" was adopted after the name "Orange Mouth".