The Bergsche Battery re-anactment association is not doing well. “The association itself is doing well, but we will soon have no members left,” says Simon Corstjens. “If the decline in members continues at this rate, there will be no Bergsche Battery in ten years.”
“We depict the 16th-century city militia of Geertruidenberg, who was at war with the Spaniards in 1593,” says Corstjens. “We give demonstrations and recreate war situations from the Eighty Years’ War. Our city militia consists of pikemen, musketeers and regular foot soldiers. They are decreasing, however, because there is too little growth of new members.” Corstjens adds that in 1593 the Spaniards were defeated after a three-month siege of Geertruidenberg. “But if nothing happens, we will soon be defeated. ”
“People have chosen a different hobby because of corona.”
The Bergsche Battery is popular at home and abroad. “After the corona period, the bookings for our group started again in the old-fashioned way, but we can no longer accept everything. Simply because our company has become too small. We want to, but it’s not possible anymore.”
Corstjens also sees the decline in members in other associations. “It was already declining for us, but corona has certainly not done it any good. For almost two years we couldn’t do anything, not even get together. People have chosen a different hobby because of corona or have become ill.”
The Bergsche Battery could be seen on Sunday afternoon during the first of the five fortress walks through Geertruidenberg. The cannons of the club were fired on the field of arms.
“If they don’t hurry up, we’ll be on the street.”
The Bergsche Battery is still housed in an old city cellar under the former city hall on the Markt in Geertruidenberg. “We have been here since 1995, but because the old town hall has been sold, we also have to leave. The new owners are going to turn it into a hotel and we would then move to the old fire station,” says Corstjens. “But before we can do that, the zoning plan also needs to be changed. If they don’t hurry up, we’ll be out on the street.”
Corstjens hopes that people will sign up for the Bergsche Battery again. “Not only with us, but with all associations you can really mean something for your city or your village.”
