Tuesday 27th April to Friday 4 June 
Sunday 11th July to Friday 6th August Sunday 11th July to Friday 6th August |
9th August to 23rd September 3 October to 10 December |
2010 Pensioner’s Midweek Rate Note: Pensioners special rate applies in standard accommodation, midweek & in the low season only. This rate cannot be used in conjunction with another special |
A Brief HistoryThe corner stone in our dining-room is the beginning of a nostalgic trip into the past. This significant block dates back to 1910 when a Mr Rogers farmed the Cavern, which he hired from the first registered owner Charles Putterill, who purchased the Cavern land in 1907. Walter Coventry and his wife farmed on the south side of Surprise Ridge. They ran a 'Hostel' where folk used the hostel as a base for hikes into the 'berg. When the area in the Amphitheatre Valley was proclaimed a National Park, Coventry was appointed the first warden of the Royal Natal National Park. In the 1930s they moved to the Cavern where they used the land for cattle ranching and a small guest house. Guests were his personal friends who knew him from the hostel. In 1941 Judge Thrash, a close family friend of Dr Carte, bought the Cavern from Mr Coventry. His intention was to develop a ranch, but the sour veld of the 'berg made this uneconomical. William Carte was employed by the Judge as the farm manager. He had met and married Ruth Blyth at The Oaks, at Byrne, near Richmond. Bill, as he was known, was an enthusiastic farmer and Ruth, having completed a domestic science course in England, was keen to establish herself in the hospitality business. In 1942 the young couple bought The Cavern from Judge Thrash. The guest house could accommodate 15 people in thatched rondavels with separate ablution blocks. Bill started a quarry where, using his own explosives, he blasted sandstone for the main building. The stone was transported to the main building on a sleigh with oxen and later by Ford truck. Josias Gambu, who lived at Langkloof, was trained by Joe Ball senior to cut and dress stone, and the main building still has the charm of this stone craftsmanship. The farm supplied fresh produce for the guest house. Farm animals often confronted guests amongst the buildings. Life was not without its problems: There was no refrigeration for eleven years, and meat was stored in a water cooler, jelly set in bowls carefully placed at the edge of the stream. A pelton wheel, which was located in the glen where you will now find the trampoline, provided minimal electric power to light the farm house. Bill installed a small diesel engined power generator, but only in 1976 was Escom power available. For many years the water runway down the mountain was the only water supply for the house. 'Rhodesian Boilers' (44 gallon oil drums suspended over an open fire) provided hot water to the rudimentary ablution blocks. Evening entertainment included games of wit and action, favourites being dumb charades and carpet bowls. The Saturday night dance was a highlight! A radiogram powered with an extension cable through the lounge window to a car battery was used for music. Sadly, Bill became ill and died in 1954 leaving his wife and four young children: Ros, 12; David, 9; Peter, 7 and Anthony, 6. With the encouragement of her family and the help of many Cavernites and her strong faith, Ruth persevered. She successfully faced all the hardships of impossible roads, difficult communications, inexperience in building and untrained staff. She took chances and with the guidance of regular customers who had become her friends, she developed the guest house into a successful holiday venue. The foundations she laid are evident in the beautiful resort today, and her influence is evident and respected still. In 1972 Peter, Rhona, Anthony and Jean bought the Cavern and have carried on Ruth's successful recipe which makes the Cavern (in a phrase coined by guests in the 1950s), The Resort of Many Happy Returns! |
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