Molenbeersel Things to Do Tips by Alain_Smeets

bTHE EUROPEAN MARKSMEN’S FESTIVAL August 2009

on 28,29 and 30 August there will be an gathering of the EU community historic and armed gildes.

THE EUROPEAN MARKSMEN’S FESTIVAL
A regularly changing Marksmen’s Festival, which is held in the individual regions, takes place every three years. Above all, this European Marksmen’s Festival has the function of a community experience. This is where the marksmen and women meet to celebrate a great festival in which fellowship is highlighted. Community events across Europe’s national boundaries play a important role; but also the sporting competition in all possible disciplines which have been passed down through the long tradition of archery, such as parading of flags, drums, music, rifle, and longbow and crossbow shooting. Depending upon the venue, these disciplines are each supplemented with local features so that the participants can get to know the special features of each region.

The largest competition at this festival is, however, the "European King’s Shoot". This involves the "European King" being selected from all participating nations by shooting. This king will then be the highest representative of the EGS for the next three years.

For the organisation of this festival, there are, in addition to the local organiser and the president of the EGS, three special commissions: the shooting commission, the music commission and the flag-parading commission.

Between the European Marksmen’s Festivals, there are annual special events such as symposiums and specialist meetings, during which the marksmen can train in the most diverse areas. These specialist meetings also have the function of providing members with the opportunity to get to know one another and experience other forms of marksmanship in Europe in all its variety and with all its distinguishing features.

European community of historic armed gildes

Other Contact: %L[www.toerismekinrooi.be]toeris

Phone: (+0032) (0)89/700.327

A war memorial in the Zig, Molenbeersel

During the second World War a Manchester L7301 was shot down on 31 May 1942, it crashed in the Zig. The pilot could save his crew. But he. P/O Leslie Manser hold the plane steady so that his crew could bale out, he died in the crash.

His crew was saved and with the help of the local people, they were 6 weeks after the crash already back in England. This propeller blade remembers the courage of Manser and the help of the local people.

You can find more photos in my Stramprooierbroek page

De Zig, Molenbeersel

De Zig in Molenbeersel is located between the village centers of Kinrooi and Molenbeersel and is 100 ha big. The Zig finds his origin in an old depression of the A-beek. In the local language the word Zig comes from Zeg or Zegge and this means a swamp area. Today it's cut by two small streams who make sure the water is flowing to the river Maas.

The Zig is a part of the Kempen-broek that stretches itself in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Today it contains lot's of ponds and there is a lot of bird-life and it seems some unique plants. You can walk from the Zig to the Stramproyerbroek without passing a road.

It's nice walking in this nature reserve, but stay at the left hand side of the stream because at the other side the track will end and bring you into farmland and high grass.

You can find more photos in my Stramprooierbroek page

Directions: It's located next to the road from Kinrooi to Molenbeersel at the left hand side.

The milling festivities around the Keijersmolen

Every last weekend of July there is a festival in the meadow around the mill, don't miss this. There are several performances during the day and it's a great day out for the whole family. In the evenings there is a life band and some other activities for young and old.

If you are in the area, you have to check this out.

For more information check out their website.

Address: Smeetstraat 43

Website: http://www.molenfeesten.be/

The Keijers molen in Molenbeersel

The Keijersmolen was built in 1869 as second mill in Molenbeersel. The current owner Theo Keijers celebrated his 50th year as a miller in 1995. You can still visit this working windmill in the Smeetsstraat 43 in Molenbeersel.

I took a travel friend from New Zealand with me to visit this windmill and Theo himself showed us around and explained the working of the windmill and all the equipment inside. It was fun to walk inside this working windmill. Several people from Molenbeersel are following a course to learn to work with the windmill.

Some more info you can find here: http://users.skynet.be/keijers/keijersmolen/

Every last weekend of July there is a festival in the meadow around the mill, don't miss this.

Address: Smeetsstraat 43, Molenbeersel

Website: http://users.skynet.be/keijers/keijersmolen/