“Symbolic” is the word often used to describe the Dorpspomp Aalsmeer these days. But there’s more to this village pump than meets the eye. It stands on the corner of Kanaalstraat and Dorpsstraat.
The Dorpspomp Aalsmeer you see now isn’t the original. Let’s journey back in time. There once stood an old cast-iron pump nearly in the same spot. It was under the shade of the Wilhelmina tree. This was before a devastating fire in January 1940. The fire consumed Café-Bakkerij Van Raay and Harry Peeters’ farm.
After the blaze, homes were rebuilt and a new space emerged. It became Burgemeester Bourbonplein. Sadly, the old Dorpspomp Aalsmeer wasn’t returned during this reconstruction. Its whereabouts remain a mystery.
Fast forward to 1986. A new Dorpspomp Aalsmeer was erected. Arie van der Linden, with help from Thé Bisseling, welded the handle knob. This pump became a symbol of village pride.
In the nineties, neighborhood associations organized soccer tournaments. S.V. Estria donated a Dorps Wisseltrofee. Peter de Ridder crafted the trophy in 1992. It was shaped like the Dorpspomp Aalsmeer.
For years, water ceased flowing from the Dorpspomp Aalsmeer. E.Z.V. took action. In August 2015, an official drinking water point was installed. The water meets environmental standards. It is regularly checked.
However, disaster struck. One early morning, the water basin shattered. Vandalism was suspected but no culprit was found. For a while, the Dorpspomp Aalsmeer stood without its basin. Recently, a new basin was installed, restoring its completeness. Yet, remember that the Dorpspomp Aalsmeer is purely symbolic. You cannot draw water from it. It serves as a reminder of Aalsmeer’s history. It is a testament to community spirit.