Page 135 - KBHA BULLETIN 6

The Hall

I believe the preparations for turning the old pump station building into a hall suitable for
entertaining the servicemen must have been undertaken during 1940. A large tree, much

used by the local children as a tree-house, was removed from behind the pump station.
Also, a disused corrugated iron structure was removed to make way for a new kitchen. The

old floor structures were taken out and replaced by a beautiful wooden floor suitable for
dancing. A very well equipped kitchen was added at the rear of the hall. The toilets also

were modernized. (Figs. 3.15 & 3.16.)

There was a large garage at the front of the old pump station in which my father used to

park his car. Part of the planning at the time was that there should be a fire pump available.

A Coventry Climax Pump duly arrived. As there still was plenty of space in the garage, this
is where the pump plus the voluntary firemen's gear were stored. The volunteers

periodically took the pump to Fish Hoek to practise using it but it never was used to put out
any real fires. (Figs. 3.25 & 3.26).

S.A.W.A.S.

It was now time for the S.A.W.A.S., the South African Womens Auxiliary Service, to enter
the picture. Numerous local ladies took part in running the facility, preparing food,

organising dance partners, providing music and ensuring everything ran smoothly. The lady
I remember the best for her contribution towards the efforts of the S.A.W.A.S. at Kalk Bay

was Lesley Thompson.

There were many dances organised for the servicemen but the one I remember the best was

the first one! Prior to the conversion, the whole area from the Main Road up past the pump
and sub-stations and up the path to Douglas Cottage was lit up at night by the lights of the

False Bay Flats. There was also one l00 watt globe, partially obscured by a loquat tree, that

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