Residents near the old Amphia Hospital on the Langendijk in Breda will have the unique opportunity to robbery on Saturday. And in the literal sense of the word, because they can dig out the greenery around the hospital for free and take it home with them. You don’t have to tell the local residents that twice: dozens of people are busy in the morning with a shovel and wheelbarrow.
People drive back and forth with trees, plants and shrubs that they have dug up and brought to their car in a wheelbarrow. For some, the trunk of the car does not even close anymore. Fortunately, they are willing to do it to save the green.
“The plants deserve a second life, it would be a shame if they were destroyed. I brought a large apple tree with me, I’m going to look for a place for it in the garden,” says Marijntje.
The action is organized by Struikroven, an initiative that wants to prevent greenery from being lost throughout the country. A new district is being built on the site of the old Amphia Hospital. When the old hospital is demolished, a lot of material is reused, and so are the plants.
“We think it’s a shame that plants, trees and nature are destroyed for construction, so this is a way to save it,” says Bernice Kamphuis of the organization. “I’m super happy and proud to see how many people are standing up for this and saving nature.”
Local resident Piet is also happy with the action. He is happy to lend a hand. “My garden is quite full, but I still like to take something small with me. It’s good for the environment, but it’s also a nice keepsake for me. My children were born in this hospital, so it’s extra nice to have something of this in the garden.”
Anouk has a large hydrangea plant in a wheelbarrow. She thinks the action is absolutely fantastic. “I received a flyer in the letterbox about the promotion and thought: I have to be part of this. This is a unique opportunity to save greenery from demolition, I like that. I saved a large hydrangea. It cost a lot struggled to get it out of the ground, but a strong man helped me with the last bit.”
Irma is also busy digging out plants between the plants. She will soon be moving to Breda and would love to have some plants from the city in her garden. “This promotion is great. It took a while, but I have everything. Fortunately I have a big car, so it fits.”