Once upon a time

“Once upon a time”

Story & photos by Loftus Viljoen

“Once upon a time in a land far, far away there was a princess, enchanted by a magical spell, who slept for a 100 years to be awaken by the kiss of a prince” – and so the story goes.

  (Photo above: “The princess at the Castle” Bride-2-be Laura P in September 2015 at Riverside Castle poses for an e-shoot at the picturesque chapel.)

In the time before man could write or read, stories have been told and shared in every culture as a means of entertainment, to preserve their cultures and a way to instill moral values of their kinsfolk. Some of the well-known stories are 1000’s of years old. And even in this day and age, most families continue the tradition of telling stories from generation to the next generation.

Stories are often told to young children. And while stories can be told any time of the day or night, in the classroom or at home, the bed time story is often the most memorable as a young child. Despite the influence of television, computers and the like popular stories for children today range from fairy tales, tall tales, and fables. Many of these stories have survived oral tradition and continue to influence children centuries later.

 Story telling isn't only a means for entertaining children or helping them to fall asleep at night. Storytelling helps teach children important lessons and moral values. In fact, many studies have proven that storytelling helps preserve culture, family history, and ways of life.

Many kids have a fascination with tall tales. Tall tales are short stories with an unbelievable plot line. Storytellers read tall tales as if they were true. Tall tales usually have exaggerations of actual events. In addition, many tall tales take place in an existing location, such as the American Old West, a European country, or at the beginning of a major historical event.

Most of us grew up with stories of castles, princes and princesses and all sorts of fairytales. What makes the fairy tale different from folklore, fables, and tall tales is its use of magic and fantasy.

Many a young girl growing into a young lady dreamt and fantasized of getting married in a real castle, but there are not many castles in South Africa.

HOWEVER, there is a real castle in Pretoria East. Riverside Castle is situated in Pretoria on the well-known Lynwood Road Ext [called Graham Road] on the east about 5 kilometres from the Solomon Mahlangu Rd [formerly known as Hans Strydom Rd] towards Zwavelpoort. Hidden amongst the African Bushveld the towers of the castle rises above the trees with the chapel and the banquet hall very prominent.

Riverside Castle has a very distinctive architectural style or character, based on medieval castle architecture, although the architectural features and details are simplified. The detail finish to the venue is also at certain places very rough, adding to the mystery of castles of years gone by.

The modern bride  loves the idea or concept of a castle and it does not need to be the old classical castle or castle with medieval decor – the decor of Riverside Castle is minimalistic and opens the field for a wide range of decor ideas. Riverside Castle falls in the niche of an old castle or a new castle.

 Riverside Castle offers mystery and romance for the bride to be and caters for bridal showers, parties, matric dances, year-end functions and conferences. The newly added The Butler Restaurant, is a function restaurant but generally will be open on Wednesdays, Fridays-Sundays for all function related activties or tea/coffee garden. The Butler has organized a couple of private functions with its Mystery Murder Dinners over the last couple of years.  Read more about it in our next Newsletter/blog.

Riverside Castle offers mystery and romance for the bride to be and caters for bridal showers, parties, matric dances, year-end functions and conferences. The newly added The Butler Restaurant, is a function restaurant and will be open on Wednesdays, Fridays-Sundays for all function related activties or tea/coffee garden. The Butler has organized a couple of private functions with its Mystery Murder Dinners over the last couple of years.  Read more about it in our next Newsletter/blog.

Riverside Castle offers mystery and romance for the bride-to-be and caters for bridal showers, parties, matric dances, year-end functions and conferences. The soon to be added The Butler Restaurant, is a function restaurant and will be open on Wednesdays, Fridays-Sundays for all function related activties or tea/coffee garden. The Butler has organized a couple of private functions with its Mystery Murder Dinners over the last couple of years.  Read more about it in our next Newsletter/blog.

At this stage Riverside Castle has two Bridal Festivals per year. The one is in January and the other is usually round about May. The second and last Bridal Show for 2015 will take place on the 16 & 17 th May 2015 starting at 09:00 and closing at 15:00 on both days.

The theme of this Bridal Show is  ‘Once upon a time’  and Riverside Castle wants to make the dream of all brides to be to come true. Various vendors/exhibitors will showcase their services/products and all of them want to become part of the dream.

Riverside Castle has given a 30% discount on selected packages [T&C’s apply] helping the cost and budget consiscious brides to make their dream more affordable. This is a limited offer.

With a new and expanded marketing and management team Riverside Castle is set to becoming the place not only for weddings, functions, conferences, but also they will be introducing The Wedding Gown Exchange as a hub where former brides could hand in their adorned and much loved wedding gowns to be sold and thereby help making another bride-to-be’s dream come true. A showroom/fitting room is set aside for this venture.

Ngonyama Photography will make Riverside Castle their new home adding more diversity to the activities in and around the Castle.

Visit Riverside Castle website at www.riversidecastle.co.za  or phone them for enquiries or booking on 012-8092676 or email info@riversidecastle.co.za