Maathuis listens carefully. That the tower, on the Grote or Mariakerk, from 1437 is the oldest building in the city, and is owned by the municipality. “So a rich possesses,” the mayor responds. In the tower, all framed banners hang on the wall, from all kinds of associations. “Which are still active?” He asks Jakobs. “The Christian Men’s Choir Meppel and the Meppeler Mannenkoor are still active,” Maathuis replies his own question immediately. “But most are already gone,” says the city guide.
The tour continues in Nijeveen. “The nice thing as Meppeler is that we have also spent money on the restoration of this fantastic mill,” says Jakobs. “Molen de Sterrenberg is this called this, isn’t it?”, The mayor asks. This mill is the only one in the Netherlands whose blades adjust themselves to catch the best amount of wind. Originally the mill dates from 1786, but in 1977 it was brought from Germany to Nijeveen. Since then, the municipality has been the owner. Three years ago a major renovation waited and a new hood was added.