The Van Plettenberg Historical Society

18/08/2026

As well as the iconic Mungo Mill and the hustle and bustle of The Wednesday Market, the complex is home to a number of owner-run stores which showcase their unique products every day of the week.

Old Nick Village and Mungo Mill have over many years, developed into a landmark destination.

Please join us at The Nice Neighbour, Old Nick Village, on Thursday 17th September when Janet Holding will take you through the historic families involved and how The Holdings eventually came to own the land.

She will also highlight the catalysts that enabled them to create this ‘must visit’ spot on the Garden Route.

The ticket price includes the talk and a selection of snacks prepared by chef Cieran McCarthy of The Nice Neighbour.

A cash bar will be in operation .

The Nice Neighbour is a family run restaurant which prides itself on using the freshest local ingredients and a fusion of flavours inspired by food cultures from across the globe.

18/08/2026

INTERWOVEN
THE FABRIC OF GENERATIONAL
PASSION AND ENDEAVOUR

Thursday 17th September 2026

Alongside the N2 Highway and set amongst indigenous trees and rambling gardens lies the complex of both historic and iconic modern buildings well known to residents and visitors to Plett as “Old Nick”.
As well as the iconic Mungo Mill and the hustle and bustle of The Wednesday Market, the complex is home to a number of owner-run stores which showcase their unique products every day of the week.

Old Nick Village and Mungo Mill have over many years, developed into a landmark destination.

Please join us at The Nice Neighbour, Old Nick Village, on Thursday 17th September when Janet Holding will take you through the historic families involved and how The Holdings eventually came to own the land.

She will also highlight the catalysts that enabled them to create this ‘must visit’ spot on the Garden Route.

The ticket price includes the talk and a selection of snacks prepared by chef Cieran McCarthy of The Nice Neighbour.

A cash bar will be in operation .

The Nice Neighbour is a family run restaurant which prides itself on using the freshest local ingredients and a fusion of flavours inspired by food cultures from across the globe.

BOOKING: Online via QUICKET : https://www.quicket.co.za/events/382599-interwoven-the-fabric-of-generational-passion-and-endeavour/?ref=events-list #/
or in person at Barney's Kiosk, Market Square

On the side of the N2 is a collection of buildings in a beautiful setting which is well known to all residents and visitors to Plett .

19/06/2026

Through the Lens

The historical Plettenberg Bay Timber Store and other local history through the lens of its builder's direct descendant.

Please join us at Barringtons, , Piesang Valley Road on Thursday
16 July 2026

Werner Jerling, a direct 9th generation descendant of Jan Jacob Jerling, one of the first residents of what was to become Plettenberg Bay.
will be sharing unique Plettenberg bay history with us through the Jerling family lens

19/05/2026

13/04/2026

THURSDAY 14th MAY 2026
5.30pm for 6.00pm
At FORMOSA GARDEN VILLAGE
R220 PER PERSON
BOOK: Online via Quicket, or in person at Barney's Kiosk at The Market Square
Rodney Grosskopff will tell us stories of the British Settlers who established Plettenberg Bay.
He will tell us how after the British captured the Cape from the Dutch in 1806, they set about populating the bottom of the continent of Africa.
The British government raised vast funds and actively promoted the “Cape Emigration Scheme”.
This scheme provided free passage to South Africa for successful applicants plus supplies for land. It was primarily aimed at strengthening the eastern frontier and providing a boost to the English speaking population of South Africa .
The people whose applications were successful became known as The 1820 Settlers .
A few years later in A SECOND WAVE of the Emigration Scheme, attention was turned to populating the smaller coastal villages like Plettenberg Bay.
By 1830 Plettenberg Bay was in full swing and these wonderful people and their families brought life, culture and prosperity to our town.
These families are still with us today ..
You may know them or even be their descendants.
Names like Newdigate, Derbyshire, Toplis, Harker and Sewell spring to mind.
Please join us at Formosa Garden Village on Thursday 14th May to hear Rodney tell their stories.

08/04/2026

THURSDAY 14th MAY 2026
5.30pm for 6.00pm
At FORMOSA GARDEN VILLAGE
R220 PER PERSON
BOOK: Online via Quicket, or in person at Barney's Kiosk at The Market Square

Rodney Grosskopff will tell us stories of the British Settlers who established Plettenberg Bay.

He will tell us how after the British captured the Cape from the Dutch in 1806, they set about populating the bottom of the continent of Africa.

The British government raised vast funds and actively promoted the “Cape Emigration Scheme”.

This scheme provided free passage to South Africa for successful applicants plus supplies for land. It was primarily aimed at strengthening the eastern frontier and providing a boost to the English speaking population of South Africa .

The people whose applications were successful became known as The 1820 Settlers .

A few years later in A SECOND WAVE of the Emigration Scheme, attention was turned to populating the smaller coastal villages like Plettenberg Bay.
By 1830 Plettenberg Bay was in full swing and these wonderful people and their families brought life, culture and prosperity to our town.

These families are still with us today ..
You may know them or even be their descendants.
Names like Newdigate, Derbyshire, Toplis, Harker and Sewell spring to mind.

Please join us at Formosa Garden Village on Thursday 14th May to hear Rodney tell their stories.