EVERYONE knows about Pêrel van die Boland.

Now for something different from the Volks family who lived in Paarl for approximately 100 years.

My grandfather, Barney Volks, arrived in Paarl in the mid 1890s, but after the death of my mother in 1990, my father relocated to Cape Town.

My father, Abel, was elected first Jewish mayor of Paarl in 1959 and he and my mother Hilda, successfully represented Paarl as mayor and mayoress for the traditional two year period.

My brother Johnny, my sister Linda and I were very keen swimmers and represented Paarl and our respective schools at many galas held at Paarl, Worcester, Sanlam, Long Street and Sea Point.

Johnny and Linda ultimately were selected for Western Province Schools.

Linda has lived in Canada with her husband Steven Newstead for more than 30 years and they recently became grandparents when a little girl was born to Allan and Chris Newstead who live in Worcester City, Washington State, USA.

Allan and Chris, in recognition of the long association of Linda and her family with Paarl, have named their daughter Paarl Virginia Newstead. So now there are two Pêrels!

Ricky Volks

Cape Town