The Ellen Bird

WHAT IT IS....
The Ellenbird is a family centre, that gives children a safe and healthy environment to play in whilst parents can relax and enjoy something indulgent at the Coffee Shop, or browse through the gift shop. It’s a place where you will be made to feel welcome, all the time. A place to rest, or take a breather, in between the hectic schedule of your day. A place to catch up with old friends, and to make new ones. A place for small business meetings or conferences. With everything under one roof, a convenient setting and a willingness to go the extra mile for whatever it is you may be looking for – we hope The Ellenbird will be somewhere that suits everyone’s needs.

WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER NOW...
CHERRY TREE COFFEE SHOP – the main coffee shop is based at the Lower Quarry, and they will be extending a branch to join us at The Ellenbird, and will cater for everyone’s decadent requirements.

On the premises we have two therapists:
JANET ANDERSON – Remedial Therapy (HDE, FDE)
Well known too much of the Hilton, and greater, community, loved by all for her spirit and passion, Janet Anderson, is married to Graydon, and is a mom of two children, Megan and Ross. Janet has been teaching for 20 years, including working and running a play school in Joburg before moving to KZN, and has specialised in remedial for the past 16 years. She is passionate about helping children, from Pre-Primary to Grade 7, especially in English and Maths. Her approach to teaching is multisensory, and she can assess and assist children with remedial Maths and English, as well as give learning support in those areas. Her passion and love for the children she works for is inspiring, and we are sure her practice is going to flourish.

LAURA COLE – Speech Therapy (B.Communication Pathology – Speech-Language Pathology)
Being no stranger to the area as she went to school in PMB, Laura Cole recognised her passion to help people and studied Speech Therapy through UKZN (Westville). She has been working at St Apollinaris hospital, in Centecow, and has now spread her wings and is opening up her practice in Hilton.
“Setting up the practice has been nothing short of an adventure and I could not have been more blessed with the doors that have opened. I am excited about returning to the area to need a demand and offer a much needed service”

THE ELLENBIRD GIFT SHOP – we will also host our own gift shop, which will incorporate many smaller shops being managed by us. This will give smaller businesses an opportunity to be able to display and market their goods. Also including already established businesses in Hilton and surrounds, they will be able to offer their patrons a convenient one stop, under one roof, shopping experience. Stocked full to the brim with some special, tasteful items – it is bound to be a shopping wonder for many.

FUN AND SOCIAL DAYS are a must – and having somewhere close by to bring the children for a day of fun is something that we hope you will enjoy as much as we will. Watch this space as details are posted as these POP UP Fun days are going to not be planned too far in advance and will be just that – Pop up, and fun!

THE PARTY AREA is an outdoor, covered and paved, venue in the garden – you have a blank canvas to create a party which suits your wishes, or we can assist you with the planning, catering and decorating of the party for you – taking all the stress out of an already very busy week and month.


WHAT TO EXPECT FROM 01 JNE 2017…
The need to expand is already evident from the support we have received and so building is already underway to double the size of The Ellenbird. Please bear with us during this time as from 01 June the building will be ready for us to spread into – giving us space to also incorporate a safe Toddlers play area, situated directly off the verandah, so that moms can watch their children playing, and know that they are in sight, but out of harm’s way.

From 01 June we will also have space to host workshops, small business meetings and conferences, events, markets, more fun days, and space to use the facility on a daily / weekly rotation – as you require.

WHAT IT MEANS …
“The Ellenbird” is named after my grandmother. She was a very big part of every adventure I tackled and was always my biggest supporter. I was blessed to have both of my grandmothers for a long part of my life, and they taught me to stand tall and proud, that working hard could only make me stronger, and that having a heart that wants to give will only stand me in good stead wherever I might go. I felt it was only fitting to share this new adventure with Gran as she had listened to me dreaming of this idea for so many years. I’ve nurtured this plan for a very long time, and have finally been able to see it bloom into what it is about to be. Gran passed away a few years ago at the age of 91, but she is still always close by me in all that I do. It is only fitting that her place of honour in my heart, is now also on the wall of my dream come true.