Golden concrete mixer 2011

The Dutch prize for the best initiative in our field of interest was awarded again this year. The winner is Stichting WO2 Goeree-Overflakkee (Association for the preservation of World War 2 heritage on the former island of Goeree-Overflakkee). Volunteers of the group unearthed a complete German Widerstandsnest.

I think it’s encouraging to see that this was a cooperation between local authorities, an environmental organization and the abovementioned association. Official organizations begin to acknowledge that German bunkers are part of history and can be of great value, both environmentally and touristically.

The award will be handed over on April 7. We will meet at 12.15 at Bezoekerscentrum De Punt. (3253 MC, Ouddorp, the Netherlands). Foreign visitors are very welcome!

The Gouden Betonmolen is an initiative by the Dutch fortificatieforum to award people or groups who are doing a special thing for fortifications in Holland. It was quickly baptised National Golden Concrete mixer by local media back then.

The first winner of the price was Stichting Bunkerbehoud for the complete renovation of the artillery observation bunker type 143 at the Oranjemolen in Vlissingen. Later winners were Bunkermuseum IJmuiden and Leo den Dulk.

Written instructions inside an unearther Tobruk. (Photo: Arthur van Beveren)