Newsletter 25 August

STICHTING BEVORDERING WESTFRIESE FOLKLORE IN SCHAGEN (FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION OF WEST FRISIAN FOLKLORE).

NEWSLETTER 5 – AUGUST 2015

Two more Thursdays to go in a wonderful season that was sadly overshadowed by a serious accident during the ring tilting.

In this newsletter, once again the necessary information for the coming weeks.

The accident

What should have been a wonderful day with fine weather, a good atmosphere, lots of spectators and a varied field of participants ended in tragedy. When leaving the course a horse bolted and, despite the coachman's frantic efforts to bring the carriage safely to a halt, a collision with Simon Bakker's sjees (traditional two-wheeled gig) was unavoidable.

The result: 7 injured people who had to be taken to hospitals in Alkmaar, Den Helder and Hoorn. A disastrous day.

We wish everyone involved in this accident a great deal of strength and wish the injured a speedy and full recovery!

Many thanks are due to the many helping hands of bystanders, cafés and restaurants, participants, but above all to the professional emergency services (ambulances, fire brigade, police), who were quickly on the scene and acted swiftly and effectively.

The exact circumstances of the accident are currently being investigated by the police.

The board has agreed that chairman Rob Hogenes is the spokesman to the press and others. Should you be asked by journalists about the cause of the accident in the coming days, you are requested not to respond and to refer them to Rob Hogenes (06-53329370).

After the parade Rob can be found on the Markt.

Thursday 27 August, Collectors' Day

As scheduled, the theme ‘collecting’ on this penultimate day.

Our Miss will walk ahead of the procession on foot.

The closing day, Thursday 3 September

On the closing day we want to put all our volunteers in the spotlight.

We will do so with an open-air bread meal, roughly in front of Het Oude Slot/De Posthoorn, where stalls (with benches) and standing tables will be set up.

From around 12:30/13:00 soup will be served (please collect it yourself) and rolls and currant bread will be brought round.

Milk, buttermilk and squash will also be available.

If you would like something else to drink, that is at your own expense.

The whole event will be accompanied by songs from the well-known choir ‘Liederlijk’ and ends at around 14:00.

In very bad weather this part will unfortunately be cancelled and we hope for a new chance next season!

This bread meal is sponsored by Bakkerij Slijkerman and De Posthoorn/Het Oude Slot.

Return dates for costumes

Make a note in your diary: borrowed costumes can be returned on:

Monday 7, Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 September from 19:00 to 21:00 in the ‘folklore tower’ of the carriage museum in the Muziektuin.

Return date for prams

On Tuesday evening 8 September, from 19:00 to 21:00, also in the ‘folklore tower’.

Returning bonnets

On Tuesday evening 8 September, from 19:00 to 21:00, likewise in the folklore tower. If you cannot make it then, you can also come on 7 and/or 9 September.

For any questions: Marja Hogenes 0224-296647.

She is standing in for Petri Stendert, who due to sad circumstances is unable to take care of the collection.

Safety

For the parade to run smoothly and safely, we ask all ‘walkers’ to keep up with the parade so that no ‘gaps’ appear. So don't stop to pose for the many photographers, but stay close together.

At the end of the parade on the Laan, after the fruit stall, turn right immediately to leave plenty of room for the carriages.

A little further on, on the ‘Stille Laan’, Arie Groen and Max Hopmans will be ready to hand you your coffee voucher.

Take care when opening your umbrella in the rain. Horses can be badly startled by it, with all the unpleasant consequences that entails.

The distribution of walkers between the carriages is also important.

Not all at the front, but spread as evenly as possible over the whole parade.

That “smoelt” (looks, in West Frisian) much better for the tourists, and there is plenty of room for it.

And furthermore: don't make any sudden movements or noises close to the horses!

Safety first!!!

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