Heritage and Nature Walks

We’ve been so busy lately, arranging walks for members of the public around Seletar Camp. These walks are in such hot demand that we’re putting up extra dates to accommodate the enthusiastic visitors.

Over June, Keng Seng, our resident plant and tree expert, led a number of nature walks for happy visitors, some of whom ended up with a giant home-grown avocado as a gift to take home and enjoy. They were so thrilled and some of them presented Keng Seng with chocolates as a token of gratitude for their unique afternoon tour. These tours have appeared on various websites and of course news of them has been spread by word of mouth too. The next 3 are fully booked. 19 July has a few places left. Check with Sue at 91057778 for the next available date.

The nature walks take you for a pleasant 1.5 hour amble around the Camp, taking in residents’ gardens and the natural environment of the area. Bring along a hat, water, a good pair of binoculars for bird spotting and a sense of adventure. Living in the city, we become so desensitised to all the creatures that live with us on this island, so it’s nice to take a breather in Seletar and just relax and observe. Ask your walk leader about any of the plants or animals you observe and learn something new. To book a place, please call Sue at 91057778. Since Keng Seng does this out of enthusiasm for Seletar, we hope all groups will be considerate and cooperative with booking, punctuality and attention. We have many repeat nature walkers!

So that’s nature. What about history?

The Jalan Kayu Heritage Trail and NC have helped us organise groups of enthusiastic heritage hunters, searching this seemingly modernised city for stories from the past. This morning, we had 20 visitors in the house, full of questions about the camp. We were able to fill them in on Seletar’s past significance (first Singaporeans may have lived here! Best and biggest RAF base in the East! Target for bombing during the occupation! And much much more) and present meaningfulness (great heritage, beautiful environment, fascinating vibrant community and abundant nature!). We watched Li Xiuqi’s short film on the area and all left, saying they didn’t want to leave! They were so excited to find out about this less known “jewel” of Singapore and supported the continuing existence of the residential area for future generations to benefit from. There are many more of these tours taking place this year, so please contact Sue if you’d like to take part, or if you are a resident, if you’d like to host one of these. Tel 91057778.

Now we are all wondering what is going to happen to the lately renovated guardhouses at the front gate. We do hope that there will be some room for a museum there.

Whether you’re joining an organised tour or striking out on your own around the camp on foot or by bike, enjoy the splendours of Seletar and tell your friends.

Good Neighbours

After another packed June holiday, it’s nice to have more time to sit back and enjoy our Seletar gardens. My next door neighbours moved out some 2 months ago, and it has been interesting to see how Nature has set up as the new tenant. One resident is a 12-inch baby monitor lizard. There is also an escapee parrot. The attraction? An abundance of wildlife and flowering plants as feasts and an undisturbed tranquil life without fear of human disturbance. We can look on amused from our side of the fence. But for some time now, our gardening style has also been on the side of Nature who, it seems, knows best. Recently, the story about bees disappearing worldwide due to the use of pesticides has resurfaced with the threat of their extinction being even more imminent. Gardeners’ note: A mixture of garlic, chilli and black pepper soaked in water makes a powerful pest repellent. Discard the solids and use the spray on plants to discourage insects. Mind your eyes, though. We have bees aplenty here…

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking along the lines of connectedness lately, and this becomes more poignant when in contrast to the lilting tranquility and diversity of the garden, just over the fence, bulldozers and other heavy machinery are at work laying quantities of concrete and tarmac and cutting down trees, removing hedges and undergrowth and creating an environment bent on being devoid of life.

As I write at the window, a chameleon on a belimbing tree cocks his head as if to judge what I’m writing. An exotic escapee parrot vies with the resident green parakeets in the tembusu tree. A vivid green beetle, antenna twitching investigates my computer screen. Such a wealth of neighbours big and small I shall certainly miss.

My human neighbours from all over Seletar still stay in touch even though they had to leave here for one reason or another. All say that living in Seletar were among the sweetest days of their lives for the nature and the community, and the sense of historical continuity. They have settled elsewhere and made other lives, but Seletar still holds that special place for them. Even for those who lived here as long as ago as 1941, Seletar still draws them back.

My human neighbours may have left, but I still hope that Seletar will be home to many others in time to come. The community I treasured has spread further apart, but I am happy to see that we still have connections both in Singapore and abroad.

And I hope it will continue to be a home to my animal neighbours too. Must go now  - Nature calls!

p.s. The Seletar Chronicle is here for you. If you enjoy Seletar now or have been a member of its community in the past, do drop us a comment or add an article. Or if you think you can’t write, just drop by for a cup of tea in the garden!

June Holidays in Seletar

Events are filling up the days in June to make the school holidays memorable. Check out Sabine and Isabelle’s websites for detailed information on their holiday workshops. And don’t forget the fair at the Orientus Resort - inside Seletar Camp at Mornington Crescent - on the 14th of June. We’ll be sending flyers around with all the June events, but in case you don’t get one, email Sue at sue@postcardsfromseletar.com

Even the days without events are always fun in Seletar! Just come and take a stroll around this unique corner of Singapore. See how many different birds you can spot, how many wild and cultivated flowers and plants and trees there are and how many small planes you can see taking off. Talk to residents and ask them about their experiences of living in this natural wonderland. Seletar - a great community, history, nature - so much to offer!

June Calendar

Date & Time    Event and description                                  Location

27th May Tues    Introduction to Printmaking 7-12 yrs, 2pm    Isabelle
30th May Fri    Petites Vitrines    Sabine
31st May Sat    Ceramics workshop    Steven
1st June Sun    Ceramics workshop    Steven
2nd June Mon    Petites Vitrines    Sabine
3rd June Tues    Print your Book, for 7 to 12 years old 2pm  Isabelle
Petites Vitrines 9-12pm Sabine
Open House 12.30   Sabine
8th June Sun    Ceramics workshop    Steven
10th June Tues, 2pm    Fun with Paints, for 5 years and older    Isabelle
14th June Sat    Seletar fair, fun games competitions and flea market at Orientus. BBQ at Beavers restaurant, children eat for free!    Community- Sue 91057778
17th June Tues, 2pm    Design your own Notebook, for 7 to 12 years old

Seletar Children in June

Seletar - A child’s natural choice for the holidays

June holidays are around the corner and the wise have probably booked their holidays by now. It’s great to get away, but so disappointing when you hear about all the great things going on in Singapore during that month. Now we have the solution! We have events for children running all through the holiday period, so you’ll be sure to catch something in Seletar Camp on one of those 4 weeks. On the cards are a set of races and other sporty events, a shadow puppet show and play, nature walks, flights over Seletar, tree naming competition and art, craft and pottery workshops. Stay in touch with this website for more news. You can also email me at sue@postcardsfromseletar.com if you would like to know more, or if you would like to take part. See you around the Camp!

A special day for children

Our Spring Fair last week has inspired us to plan the next event - one just for children

New Year News

Dear residents and Seletar Camp admirers, happy new year 2008!

Although this is slated to be our last, we are determined to make the most of this beautiful environment while it is still here. But first, the bad news. It has always been our policy at the Seletar Chronicle to look on the bright side of things - because there always is a brighter side. However, we can’t overlook the bulldozers creating a hill of mud over on the golf course, nor at the site of the demolished hangar next to Haymarket. And now a couple of other serious things have so continuously been brought to our attention that we felt it necessary to write about them.

Many of you may have noticed an increasing number of tissues, used condoms and packets and other litter left by night visitors in cars. One resident even saw a couple doing it in his front garden! This kind of intrusion and litter we really don’t need. The police have been told, but can we urge you all to call the police whenever you a strange car parked in front of your house at night? In addition, we are considering organising a vigilante group that from time to time (esp weekends) patrols the camp around 2-3am. This is not to confront the unwelcome visitors directly, but to alert the police when they are seen. Please help by calling the police when you see such activities. The number to call is (Sengkang Police Post) 1800-3438999

The other bad news is also a police case. Since last year, the Chronicle has had several calls and has heard rumours of other cases concerning someone who has been stealing underwear from Seletar Camp washing lines. It might sound harmless to you, until you think about someone watching your house and coming into your garden, perhaps when you are alone in the house. Again, the police have been alerted, but we ask all residents to keep an eye out for an odd individual with a perverted interest in these items.

And now for the good news - phew. Many residents enjoyed a wonderful new year party in the camp - where better to celebrate the new year. Going around the camp that night, it was delightful to see all the lights and gatherings in gardens and the merriment. Xavier and Sue’s joint party at Haymarket saw all generations hopping onto the dance floor, and the champagne flowed! This was the night for celebrating exuberantly the wonders of Seletar. The night was clear and breezy and the stars were visible in our broad sky. And residents gave one another especially meaningful hugs - how much longer will our community be allowed to stay together, we wondered. We also welcomed Graham and Michelle of Haymarket, who have come to live in the camp for this last year.

To keep up the exuberance, and to show all those not living in the camp what a fine place this is, we’ve lined up quite a few events for 2008, which you will be hearing about shortly. Two dates to mark on your calendar will be Chinese New Year, when we’re planning another big garden party at Xavier’s or Sue and Oliver’s, and an Easter weekend with fairs, walks, talks and competitions. If you’d like to take part in either, do get in touch and let us know. Tel 91057778.

And last but not least, we would like to remember those residents we have lost in 2007. Those who, because of the changes - the end of the camp as we know it, and those whose rents were vastly increased during the price hikes. And especially those who left on their last journey, dear Khattar and John, both of whom felt that Seletar was their real home. Our thoughts are with their families during this painful time. Be comforted knowing that so many people in the camp had great affection for them.

Please send us articles, pictures, comments and free ads. We’d love to hear from you! Email to amy23s@pacific.net.sg

Lost Cat - Help Milky Get Home!

Have you seen a white cat in your vicinity who you don’t recognise? It could be Milky, beloved feline of Jezreel Mok and family. Jezreel is a pilot cadet at the flying college here. He thought Milky would like to explore Seletar one day, but unfortunately a dog barked and Milky ran off. If you have seen a cat like the one in the picture, please contact Jezreel 98227352. 31 Lambeth Walk

Bird Walk, Christmas Shopping and New Year Party

This is a great time of year to see birds in Seletar! The Nature Society will be hosting another bird walk on 16th December, from 8 to 11 am. Meet at the car park of the former Seletar Airbase Golf Course. For more details, please contact Dr.Ho by email or on 64571196.

Seletar will be represented when we take part in the flea market next weekend at the Post-Museum at 107/109 Rowell Road. We’ll be selling Postcards from Seletar notebooks, greetings cards and posters. There will lots of other great gifts on sale too. Post-Museum, located in a 1920s renovated shophouse is a gallery with a difference, and there is a restaurant next door with remarkably innovative organic dishes. If you’d like to take part in the flea market, check out the details on http://www.post-museum.org/

Pasar PM

12-8pm

Browse and purchase new and pre-loved items from local artists and creatives. Get great Christmas presents while supporting the local arts and creative community!

Free entry

Our Seletar New Year Party is ON! Come and join in the fun. Some of you have already confirmed you are coming, but if you haven’t yet, please email me at sue@postcardsfromseletar.com

Details: 31st December 7pm

Come dressed festive, bring a bottle and if you can a musical instrument. We are catering food, but if you’d like to bring a dish, we’d be happy!

Looking forward to all the December fun - see you there!

Welcome to the Seletar Chronicle Online!

For all of you who made it from the paper Chronicle to the online Chronicle, Welcome! Yes, this site is decidedly primitive at the moment, but give me December to set up the necessary stuff so that you can advertise here for free. In the meantime, do add your comments and suggestions.

Don’t forget the Map of Seletar Residential Area on December 8th with special discounts only on that day (21 Hyde Park Gate 3-6pm)

And tell us if you can come to the 2007-2008 New Year’s Eve Party!

Parameswara in Seletar, c.1402!

Seletar 1402 –
Parameswara was here!
While googling information on the Malay Annals the other day, I stumbled upon the story of Parameswara, the Majapahit prince who came from Palembang.
Prince Parameswara, described by poet and author, Daren Shiau as the Macbeth of Singapore’s history (rather like Richard III of England too), came from Palembang. After various disputes, he fled Sumatra and asked for refuge in Singapura. The Raja of that land was delighted to meet another Sumatran prince and welcomed him with open arms. At that time, the king’s fort was on Bukit Larangan (Forbidden or Protected Hill), or Fort Canning, as it was later called. Parameswara took the Raja’s open hospitality literally, and helped himself to one of the King’s concubines. One day the Raja came in and found them together. He was naturally outraged. Parameswara is said to have drowned the king in a bowl of water. He then fled the palace. And where did he go after that? The Malay Annals record that he fled to Seletar. What was Seletar like in those days, we wonder?
The earliest references to Seletar state that the name refers to native coastal dwellers (called Orang Laut or Orang Seletar) who resided on the edge of the Johor Straits and at the mouth of the Seletar River. The Orang Seletar were hunter-gatherers in a land which was principally mangrove swamp (yes, the British had to do a lot of draining, and still bits of the camp get very soggy!).
The river is said to be named after these original residents (or vice versa!). Later, these people are thought to have migrated from Seletar to Sungai Pulai in southwest Johor. There are still some groups in Johor, according to Malaysia’s Orang Asli census. Why did they leave Seletar, do you think? We are finding it pretty hard to leave, but then Seletar is probably a lot nicer nowadays, without the tigers and the swamps…
In Chinese, Seletar is koon kung (“naval base”). This may more properly refer to the west bank of Seletar River on the Sembawang side.
So did Parameswara stay with the Orang Seletar when he fled here? Some time after, he left Singapura and went off to found Malacca. Now supposing he’d met the mousedeer in Seletar instead and set up his trading post here?

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.