Rick bought a 100-year-old whirligig, but will he be able to get it running?

It shines in a warehouse in Purmerend, the 100-year-old whirligig. And despite its age, it is still in perfect condition. “It’s still 99 percent original,” says whirligig enthusiast Rick with some pride. “That makes it so unique. It was made by Walon from Friesland and he also painted it. It was shown at fairs until 1963. After that it was in storage for a long time.”

Until three years ago, when Rick struck. “I knew about it and wanted to buy it before, but we couldn’t make it financially. How much did it cost? I’m not allowed to say,” he says with a loud laugh. “I actually bought it for the collection.

Rick Braak is part of the well-known West Frisian fair family. He owns two whirligigs, a shooting gallery and an oliebollen stall, with which he now stands in De Goorn. With the help of friends and family – who, like Rick, have a great interest in fairs and whirligigs – they built it up. His brother-in-law in Purmerend still had some room. “He was there within five hours,” he said. “That wasn’t disappointing.”

But how do you get a whirligig from 1923 running again? “I hope to use it at fairs, but it must first be inspected. The mill must meet today’s requirements. Electrically it is not good and the motor is old. It may not be used. But also consider safety , the suspension of the bins, for example. A lot has changed in 100 years.”

Tomorrow, Walon’s whirligig will be subjected to an inspection for the first time. “Then I know what it will cost to get it running again and I can decide whether that is feasible or not. Actually, it should run on special occasions, such as nostalgic fairs. Not at those farm fairs, that’s where it is.” too beautiful for that, I think. But at special moments: that would be nice.”

And what if the whirligig doesn’t work?

But then the whirligig must of course be approved and start running again. But what if you can’t get it working again? Rick is clear about that. Then the attraction goes back into storage and disappears behind closed doors (for the time being).