“The 2005/06 Meander Guide, published by the Midlands Meander Association, has been launched and is already freely available at selected sites throughout South Africa.

The 2005/06 guide includes new information and new services to the general public and visitors to the meander. New features include contact details for the long-awaited Midlands Meander reservations service, which will assist visitors exclusively with enquiries and bookings for Midlands Meander products,” said association General Manager Karen Jonsson.

A Midlands Meander help line has also been introduced to help travellers in the area locate and contact emergency and other services.

This service includes contact details for medical services, towing vehicles, ATMs, Laundromats and reservations throughout the meander area.

Special “butterfly” status is awarded to members who make more than 80% of their own products. Those establishments are identified in the guide by a butterfly symbol.

A section of the guide has been used to highlight community initiatives and the rural school education projects that the Midland Meander Association supports. Dates for the 2006 Midlands Meander Creative Festival are also publicised in the new guide.

Pick up the Midlands Meander Guide at the ArtStand at Essenwood Craft Market on Saturday mornings (see separate article).

For more information, telephone the meander’s office at 033 3308195 or visit www.midlandsmeander.co.za.