After a brief discussion how the ship cannon should look, the archaeologist gives the redeeming answer. “A bit more slanted, towards Ter Apel, because there they came from.” On top of the Valerschans a group of volunteers is helping to get two guns on the North and Southwall.
Ten years ago the plan was to put the guns that were there four hundred years ago again on top of the Schans. A ship cannon came through the Steam Museum in Zuidlaren. After a substantial restoration by six to eight volunteers, it could be lifted on the Zuidwal this morning.
On the other side on the Noordwal is a field gun, they have bought it in Belgium. The thing was used there for film recordings. With a supporter they crossed the border to pick it up. Although it turned out to be just as exciting on the way back to Valthe. “We had an open trailer and we suddenly thought: if we cross the border with a cannon, we will get stuff with the Marechaussee,” says Rinus van Venrooij. He is the coordinator of the volunteers.
“But luckily the loop was able to get rid of it, we put it in the car and we put the Aftfuit, the chassis, on the trailer. That’s how it looked like a farmer’s cart and we could quietly cross the border again.” Because the field cannon was used on film sets, it was hollow inside. The volunteers spent hours restoring and weighting the cannon.
That there are two guns on the Schans was a great wish of the village of Valthe. “It is of course the appearance of your village. And four hundred years ago there were just two guns. We are proud of that history,” explains Van Venrooij.
One of those volunteers who has done a lot of man -hours on the cannons is Leffert Nijboer. He is a bit proud to see the two replicas on the Schans. “I think it’s great. It is a ramp, and on a ramp, Teen Kanon is a wonderful replica of everything that is in Valthe. A real tourist attraction.”