Cecily Norden - Biography

Biography

Norden was born in Grahamstown, South Africa, on 23 December 1918. She is the only daughter of the late Dr Thomas Bourchier Bowker, Member of Parliament for Albany from 1936 until his death in 1964. He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws by Rhodes University in 1963/1964 for his work over 25 years in the initiation of the Orange and Fish River Water Scheme and the building of the Gariep Dam; his work as the Founder of the 1820 Settlers National Monument Concept; and his work in piloting the Rhodes University Bill through Parliament.

Cecily’s mother was the late Gladys Elaine Bowker (née Hart), the great-granddaughter of Robert Hart II, the founder and patriarch of Somerset East, Eastern Cape, and famous benefactor of the 1820 Settlers during their troubled years. Gladys was a graduate of Rhodes University College in Grahamstown, in a combined BA/BSc degree.

Cecily and her two brothers, John and Hubert, grew up on the farms Glen Ovis and Signal Hill, situated in the Great Fish River Valley, 36 miles north of Grahamstown, where they farmed with Merino sheep, Blackhead Persians, Holstein cattle, Arabian horses and ostriches.

Cecily started riding when she was three and has been writing stories since the age of seven.

She attended school for the first time at the age of 12, at Diocesan School for Girls (DSG) in Grahamstown where she played first teams of all sports provided, and later obtained her Tennis Colours at Rhodes University. She obtained the highest Matriculation pass of the combined Grahamstown schools in 1936. At Rhodes University she majored in English (Distinction) and Fine Art (1937–1940), and obtained her UED. She taught English at the Port Elizabeth Technical College.

She married Jack Norden (1941–1954) and has 3 children, 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

She lived for 50 years in Middelburg, Eastern Cape, district and town, where she served on the Town Council, the Anglican Church Council, the Midlands’ Farmers’ Association (Honorary Secretary), the Sports Union (Manager) and numerous councils for different horse breeds and national horse judging, and organisations for divisions of the Saddle Horse Industry.

She has had many hundreds of articles published on horse husbandry and other agricultural and historical subjects. She has often lectured on radio, and has written and illustrated technical and children’s story books. Her best known book is SHOWING HORSES IN SOUTH AFRICA, 1st and 2nd editions (1971 and 1980).

She was an equitation and show rider and breeder of horses. She owned the MAASTRICHT ARABIAN HORSE STUD in the Albany District which was registered with the Riding Horse Breeders’ Society of South Africa. At this time she was privileged to use the famous Arabian sire, Jiddan, on her mares. Details can be verified in SHOWING HORSES IN SOUTH AFRICA 2nd Edition, Chapter XIV.

After moving to Oranje Farm, in the Middelburg District, in 1950 she bought the stud stallion Boaz, a pure bred Arabian imported from England. In 1953 she won the Victor Ludorum for the most points at the National Arabian Horse Championships of South Africa held that year at Middelburg.

At Oranje she also bred several champion SA Saddle Horses and Boerperde which were winners at their respective National Championship Horse Shows. She died in Port Alfred on 27 August 2011 - refer "Talk of the Town" newspaper dated 30 September 2011.