About Ballots Bay
Nestling between steeply falling green hills, lies Ballots Bay, a tiny cameo of a beach carved out of the rugged Southern Cape coastline. Sheltered from most winds it is the perfect retreat for angler, beach lover or nature enthusiast. Ballots Bay is a place where yesterday and tomorrow blend into a today where time doesn't matter at all.
It was originally known as Christina Bay but was renamed after Ds. J.S.S. Ballot, the second mini ste to George congregation. Cape born Ds. Ballot served the community of George and district for 35 years, from 1827 till 1862. It was his first and only parish, and on retirement he stayed on, eventually to die in the area he so much loved.
Ballots Bay was part of his special dream for the area and he hoped it would become a harbour for George. He alsowanted to develop a self sufficient fishing village there to help uplift the Coloured community. One of the oxcarts used to transport fresh fish for sale to George is now in the town Museum. Ds. Ballot was a man of energy and foresight. Just as he had himself supervised the building of the firtst NO Church in the face of tremendous finan cia stringency, so he built the stone road down the steep hillside to the little bay, using his own funds to make - his dream a reatlity. He even had a township Ballotsdale, the plans of which can still be seen, laid out above the Bay. Near bankrupcy, lack of experienced anglers, small boats and strongcurrents lead to the eventual abandonment of the indefatigable ministers plans, but individual fishermen still find the area a paradise, as yet completely unspoiled. The old saying has it that all true happiness is touched with sorrow, and Ballots Bay also has its sad memories -offishermen drowned and even memories of boats such as the Mabel Youngwhich foundered outside the Bay. Seven of those on board drowned hying to reach shore, others were given shelter by the kind people of Sandkraal, one of the historic old farmsteads at the top of the hills.
Pieces from that wreckwerewashed to shore and are still memorials to the power of the sea, as are the little graves in St. Marks Cathedral grounds in George. Ds. Bal lot while he had the academic advantages of theological training at Leiden, was obviouslya man of practical talents and a man willing to take a chance. No dyed in the wool killjoy he, and happy memories of him abound, such as the time when the shocked the solemn traditionalists byinviting a brass band to play at the conscecration of the church -but won the daywhen all agreed to finding their music as spiritually moving as any organ. Ballots Bay retains something of the spirit of its early developer. It is not for the person who only wants to follow the stream. It is a place of powerful beauty and great tranquility. Its unspoilt simplicity is its special charm. New development will take all this into account and Ballots Bay will continue to share its timeless joys with all those who respect and love Natures uncompromising patterns.
GILLIAN CARTER
1990.
