I am busy collecting research on Craighall Park (where I grew up). My aim is to write a semi-fictional story but I do want the places in the novel to be as factual as possible. I really would appreciate any help. My mother, Sheila Timmermans, wrote some pieces on the history of Craighall Park (click here to read) but they are too far back for me. My story needs information from the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s. 

The specific sites I am interested in are the following:

• Giles restaurant on the corner of Grafton Avenue which used to be a small cafe and next door was a horse meat shop. I have heard it was run by a Mr and Mrs Bocus but can’t be certain. Most residents bought meat for their pets from there. I also heard that they supplied carcasses for the Johannesburg zoo;
• On the corner of Lancaster and Clarence Avenues where there are now some shops, used to be a big unused building/warehouse. It was like that when I moved into the suburb in 1974, but I don’t know what it was used for before then;
• At the top of the hill where there is now the backpackers, initially was used as a lookout point during the Anglo/Boer war and later was referred to as “the castle” and lived in by a very interesting German couple, Baron and Baroness von Oertzen;
• In Buckingham Avenue where there is now a restaurant and some shops was a small cafe run by Mrs Mcdonald.
• The Nursery which supported the epileptics is also a place of interest.

I think maps may also be helpful if anyone has any. Any additional information about the suburb is welcome. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Email - sdalais@icon.co.za