Newsletter

In this newsletter: Inge van Dijk, our new Miss; Rienk Mud, our new chairman, introduces himself; the last date for costume loan; plus some “housekeeping” announcements.

MISS WEST FRISIAN FOLKLORE 2018

You will have heard and read it from all sides: during a well-attended election evening in Alpha, Inge van Dijk was chosen as Miss West Frisian Folklore 2018. From Thursday 28 June she will sit on the box next to Simon Bakker for ten Thursdays. We wish Inge lots of fun and success in the coming season. It was the first time the election was held in Alpha; Alpha had everything perfectly organised, even a free cup of coffee for all the “supporters” and a tasty snack during the interval and afterwards.

LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF....

Readers of De Kroniek will already have read a fair bit about me, but in this newsletter I would also like to introduce myself as the new chairman of the Westfriese Folklore.

Born in 1952 in Drachten in Friesland, I have been married for almost 38 years to Nel, a true Schagen native. We have lived together in Schagen since 1983, with a three-year break when I was posted for my work as a public prosecutor to the island of Sint Maarten in the Caribbean.

Nel and I are the proud parents of a son and a daughter, and also the proud grandparents of two grandchildren. When our son was still a little ‘purkie’ (little one), Nel already walked in the parade with him, and now, years later, it is the grandchildren's turn.

Over the past year I have sat in on the board to get into the swing of things. Because of my work I could not take over the baton from Rob Hogenes straight away, but Siem Huijberts fulfilled the role of interim chairman excellently. This allowed me to get to know the ins and outs of the folklore quietly behind the scenes.

And now, this year (in which I retire), it is for ‘real’ (‘echie’).

On 14 June my work as chairman began with the splendid, very well-attended Miss election, and on 28 June the folklore season bursts into life in full force. I am really looking forward to it. The weather gods seem to be reasonably well disposed towards us, so I am counting on lots of enthusiastic participants in the parade and a large number of visitors to our first West Frisian Thursday of 2018.

I wish everyone a wonderful folklore season.

Rienk Mud

chairman, Westfriese Folklore

IMPORTANT DATE

There is one more opportunity to borrow West Frisian clothing from the Foundation: on Tuesday 26 June, from 19:00 to 21:00, in the folklore tower of the Rijtuigmuseum (carriage museum), entrance via the Muziektuin.

COFFEE VOUCHER

As last season, the “coffee voucher” is a DISCOUNT VOUCHER.

The participating hospitality businesses may therefore always ask for an extra payment for more expensive drinks. Some will do so, others will not. The voucher is worth a maximum of €1.50 and will again be handed out by Arie Groen and Max Hopmans on the Laan, at the end of the parade.

RULES FOR PARTICIPANTS

The Stichting bevordering Westfriese folklore in Schagen (SWF) aims to promote West Frisian folklore and thereby keep an important part of the local heritage alive.

We work with ‘livestock’ (horses); for the safety of participants and the public, the rules below must therefore be observed.

Participants wear appropriate West Frisian regional costume from the end of the 19th century (c. 1890-1910): see the information fan “Tien Tips bij het dragen van westfriese kleding met bijbehorende hoofdtooi” (Ten tips for wearing West Frisian clothing with matching headdress)

The SWF board is entitled to refuse participation in the parade if these conditions are not met.

Participants take part in the parade at their own expense and risk.

The “walkers” must keep up so as not to leave gaps in the parade. Do not “pose” for the many photographers, but keep walking calmly.

Always follow any instructions from coachmen and/or board members.

Do not make sudden movements that might startle the horses. Never open an umbrella right in front of a horse's head!

In the event of an emergency: look after your own safety first and follow the instructions of the emergency services and/or board members.

For the walkers, the parade ends on the Laan (Town Hall); that is where the coffee vouchers are handed out.

Clear the way immediately here, so that the passage of the horse-drawn carriages is not blocked.

See our website for more info.

FINALLY…

We wish you all a great deal of enjoyment in the new folklore season!

Do you know people who love the folklore but do not yet subscribe to this Newsletter? Then refer them to www.westfriesefolklore.nl