Bob Veldman, now a former resident of Frederiksoord, received the medal of honor from the municipality of Westerveld on Saturday. Mayor Rikus Jager handed it over in the former horticultural school as a thank you for Bob Veldman’s selfless efforts in many areas.
Bob Veldman and his family exchanged Frederiksoord for Prudhomat in the French Dordogne in June. On Saturday he was back on Drenthe soil for a while and the mayor took advantage of that to reflect on Veldman’s special commitment as a volunteer for the region.
This commitment was found in all sorts of social, historical and economic areas in the municipality of Westerveld, such as the Welfare Oord Foundation, the historic horticultural school gardens, the improvement of relationships between Veenhuizen Boeit, the Appelscha Entrepreneurship Circle and the Weldoen Oord Foundation, the Makker van een Akker project and finally as a guide during guided tours.
He combined this with his work as owner of Het Huygens Huys, specialized in the purchase, sale and restoration of exclusive clocks and watches. This company, formerly located in the monumental post office in Frederiksoord, is continued in a historic castle in the Dordogne. POSTEN Nordic cuisine has now opened at the old site in Frederiksoord.
“In short, we can therefore say that you have made a special effort for many years, especially for the preservation of the history in this area and therefore for the unique character of our municipality,” said Rikus Jager.