The water pump on Hertog Janplein in Erp has been looking less elegant than usual for a number of weeks. Just before the carnival, the ‘golden’ button, which normally sits on top, was stolen. Although the decoration was not really made of the precious metal, Piet and Henk from Heemkundekring Erthepe know. “That was just made of wood painted gold.”
There is a lot of activity on the square in the village. There is music from hardworking pavers and people with shopping bags chat with each other. In addition, there are two gentlemen working with a household ladder near the water pump. We wanted to straighten the old pin on the pump, because it was bent,” says Henk.
That pin should actually have a ‘gold’ decoration of about 40 centimeters high. “Only now we had the problem that vandals, who thought there was ‘gold’ on top, removed it,” Piet adds.
Although the volunteers from the local history circle know that the button looks more valuable than it actually is. “No, that was just made of wood painted gold,” Henk laughs. “Although it is sad in some ways. We still have a lot of work to do with it.”
Laughable, but also sad. “It’s sad, yes,” says Piet. “We have a lot of work to do with it. And we just want it to look nice. So we made another one with volunteers.
“I’m afraid it’s burned at the stake somewhere.”
The pump has a special history, the gentlemen know. In 1982 it was donated by the Dutch Caravan Club. “The club then camped on a large site between Erp and Gemert with about a thousand caravans. They wanted to give something back for that. Then they donated that water pump.”
“Even if no water comes out,” Piet says with a laugh. “They once tried to get beer out during carnival. They liked that, but it didn’t work. And it’s not hygienic either.”
Years before the ‘fake’ water pump, there was a working one. “People liked that, so I think that’s why a new one was created. I think the mayor, who happened to be a member of the Dutch Caravan Club, had some influence on it.”
And because of that pride, the men with a ‘heart of gold’ ensure that the street scene is restored to its former glory. With a new ‘golden’ button, because Pete no longer assumes that they will find the old one again. “I’m afraid it’s burned at the stake somewhere.”
